The apostle in these texts is referring to an ordinance of the New Testament instituted by the blessed Savior just prior to his passion as recorded by the writers of the gospels and observed by the church when it was the light of the world. If this sacred and very impressive ordinance was abolished at the death of the Savior, as some erroneously teach, why does Paul more than a score of years after exhort Christians to its observance and warn them so faithfully against corrupting so sacred a rite, telling them that if they eat and drink unworthily they eat and drink damnation to themselves, and admonishing them to examine themselves and so let them eat? 1 Cor. 11. It must be clear to all unclouded, candid minds by the reading of this chapter that there was an ordinance solemnly observed by the Christians long after the Savior was “nailed to the cross.” In very plain and positive language he tells us that the communion or Lord's Supper is a New Testament ordinance: “This cup is the New Testament in my blood.” 1 Cor. 11:25. This is corroborative of Mat. 26:28: “For this is my blood of the new testament;” and of Mark 14:24: “And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” Also [pg 165] of Luke 22:20: “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
To one enjoying the full light of the precious gospel to teach the abolition of this solemn ordinance appears the very height of folly and ignorance. In the recording of the Acts of the apostles it is said that “upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them.” Acts 20:7. The breaking of bread as here spoken of signifies nothing else but the observance of the Lord's Supper.
The few plain, comprehensive texts of apostolic teaching we have quoted upon this subject must make obvious to the mind of the reader that Christians of the morning time of this gospel day observed an ordinance termed the Lord's Supper or communion, done in remembrance of Jesus and showing his death till he come. We will learn in the noontime's awful darkness how the blinded minds and unregenerated hearts of teachers by misunderstanding and misapplying these plain texts caused their clear light to cease to shine.
The Holy Kiss.
True love manifests itself in many ways. We embrace with the arms, we greet with a kiss, the object of our love. We speak of these love tokens ofttimes in a spiritual way: “Folded in the arms of Jesus;” [pg 166] “Leaning on his breast;” “Sheltered beneath his wing.” The Psalmist says, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry.” Psa. 2:12. These were literally practised by the Savior and his beloved followers while he was here. After Jesus arose and went to the Father the apostles practised the holy kiss. “They all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him.” Acts 20:37. We behold the love they bore for him. It was not a cold kiss of formality, but of love. In the first verse we see the love Paul had for the disciples: “Paul called unto him the disciples and embraced them.”
In the epistolary law of the New Testament the holy kiss is five times commanded. “Salute one another with a holy kiss.” Rom. 16:16. “Greet ye one another with a holy kiss.” 1 Cor. 16:20. “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” 2 Cor. 13:12. “Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.” 1 Thes. 5:26. “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity.” 1 Pet. 5:14.
Satan ever ready to corrupt the pure precepts and practises of the sacred Word has led people into the disgraceful fanaticism of promiscuous kissing. Such is not a kiss of love, but a kiss of lust. Everything done in the order of the kingdom of heaven is done in the perfection of decency and respectability. How natural for the fond husband to embrace and kiss the beloved wife, and the devoted mother her child, the brother his sister, all because love exists consistent [pg 167] with natural relation. But the strongest tie of love that binds hearts together is the Christian love. Then how natural and becoming for the Christian to greet with a kiss his brother, and the Christian sister her sister in the Lord.
Christian love continued after the apostles' days were ended, and consequently the practise of greeting with a holy kiss. We will conclude this subject by referring the reader to history as quoted in “Ordinances of the New Testament”: “The fraternal kiss used on admission to the church and at the Lord's Supper were not empty forms, but the expression of a true feeling, and of a real experience.”—Butler's Ecclesiastical History, p. 132.
“After the prayers ... we greet one another with the brotherly kiss.”—Justin Martyr, p. 146.
“The communion was a regular part of the Sunday worship. In many places it was celebrated daily. It began after the dismissal of the catechumens, by the kiss of peace given by men to men and women to women.”—p. 147.