THE PRACTICE HANDBOOK FOR THE DISTRICT SERVING ONES
SERIES THREE
PRACTICAL SERVICES
Message Nine
Preparation of Bread and Cup, and Translation Service
Lev. 2:4 And when you present an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be of fine flour, unleavened cakes mingled with oil or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
Matt. 26:27 And He took a cup and gave thanks, and He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you.
2 Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman, cutting straight the word of the truth.
IN THE LORD’S TABLE, HAVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
In the Lord’s table we have the bread first and the cup second. The bread speaks of something on the positive side, and the cup speaks of something on the negative side. The Lord’s table is very significant, for everything of the Lord’s redemption is included in it. Whenever we see the bread, it should remind us that the Lord’s physical body was sacrificed on the cross and that today we with all the saints have become the Lord’s mystical Body. Whenever we see the cup, we should realize that the blood cleanses us of all our failures, faults, and mistakes, causes us to be forgiven by God, and looses us from all kinds of condemnation. This table is a table of God’s full salvation. (CWWL, 1963, vol. 4, “Experiencing Christ as the Inner Life,” ch. 5)
REGARDING THE BREAD
His intention was that the seed would grow into wheat to produce the meal that would make the loaf, the church. In John 12:24 the Lord told us that He was the grain of wheat that fell into the earth and died in order to produce many grains in resurrection. We, the believers in Christ, are the many grains produced by the one grain. As such, we need to be crushed, ground into fine flour, and then blended together and baked to become one loaf of bread. According to 1 Corinthians 10:17, this one bread is the one Body of Christ, the church. (CWWL, 1964, vol. 1, “Exercising Our Spirit to Practice the Body Life,” ch. 11)
Two Aspects of the Meaning of the Bread
In chapter eleven the bread signifies Jesus’ body sacrificed on the cross for us, whereas in the tenth chapter the bread signifies us as the Body of Christ. We all must be clear concerning these two aspects of the meaning of the bread of the Lord’s table. The first aspect of the meaning of the bread is the Lord’s physical body that was sacrificed, nailed to the cross, and crucified for us. The second aspect of the meaning is that this bread signifies the Lord’s mystical Body, the church, which includes everyone who has been regenerated by God. (CWWL, 1963, vol. 4, “Experiencing Christ as the Inner Life,” ch. 5)
The Cakes of Fine Flour
“When you bring a meal offering baked in an oven as an offering, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil” (v. 4). The cakes of fine flour signify Christ’s humanity to be food for God and His serving ones.
Whereas fine flour has no form, the cakes of fine flour are solid and have a definite form. These cakes indicate a stronger experience of Christ. We may experience Christ as fine flour, as meal without a form. We may also experience Christ as the cakes, as something solid and with a definite form. (Life-study of Leviticus, msg. 13)
Fine Flour Coming from the Grinding of Wheat into Powder
The main element of the meal offering is fine flour (Lev. 2:1). Fine flour comes from the grinding of wheat into powder. In order for wheat to become fine flour, the wheat needs to pass through the processes of being sown, being buried in the ground to die, growing out of the ground, and experiencing many kinds of dealings from the wind, frost, rain, and sun before it produces ripe grains. Then the wheat needs to suffer through the process of reaping, sifting, and grinding in order to become fine flour. These processes are pictures that imply that the Lord Jesus passed through all kinds of sufferings as He lived an excellent and perfect life before God. (CWWL, 1959, vol. 5, “Synopsis of Leviticus,” msg. 9)
The Fine Flour Signifying Christ, And the Loaves Signifying the Church
The new meal offering of the Feast of Pentecost was of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour baked into two loaves.
The fine flour signifies Christ, and the loaves signify the church; two loaves signify that the church is composed of two parts-the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers. Acts records two instances of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit: one occurred with the Jews in Jerusalem, and the other occurred with the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius (2:1-4; 10:44-46). The baptism of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem took place on the day of Pentecost, and although the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the house of Cornelius did not take place on the day of Pentecost, Peter said that it was the same as the experience of the Jewish believers on the day of Pentecost (v. 47). In the type of the new meal offering, the Jewish believers on the day of Pentecost are signified by one loaf, and the Gentile believers in the house of Cornelius are signified by the other. These two loaves comprise the church, which is made of Christ as the fine flour of the Feast of Firstfruits. (CWWL, 1959, vol. 5, “Synopsis of Leviticus,” msg. 27)
The Unleavened Bread
There is no leaven in the meal offering (vv. 4-5). “No meal offering which you shall bring to Jehovah shall be made with leaven” (v. 11a). No leaven signifies that there is no sin or any negative thing in Christ (1 Cor. 5:6-8). (Life-study of Leviticus, msg. 13)
Leviticus 23:5-6 says, “In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is Jehovah’s Passover, and on the fifteenth day of this month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to Jehovah; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.” Immediately after the Feast of the Passover was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Since the Feast of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are closely related they can be considered as the same feast; they are two but also on Luke 22:1 says, “The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover.” The Feast of the Passover took place on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month, and immediately after that evening was the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Feast of Unleavened Bread occurred over a period of seven days, and every day unleavened bread was to be eaten. The Feast of Unleavened Bread signifies that after we are saved, we should purge out any leaven and live a sinless life, and to eat the unleavened bread signifies our enjoyment of the sinless Christ in order to live a sinless life. (CWWL, 1959, vol. 5, “Synopsis of Leviticus,” msg. 27)
The Lord used unleavened bread, instead of leavened bread, because He instituted His supper during the Passover (Exo. 12:15). (CWWN, vol. 48, “Messages for Building Up New Believers (1),” msg. 17)
REGARDING THE CUP
The Cup Signifying the Blood the Lord Shed on the Cross for Our Sins
Regarding the Lord’s supper, Paul uses two crucial words: prove and discern. Verse 28 says, “But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” To prove ourselves is to check whether we are eating the bread and drinking the cup in a way that is worthy or in a way that is unworthy. When Paul wrote this Epistle, some of the believers at Corinth ate the Lord’s supper in an unworthy way, not realizing that the cup and the bread were uncommon and different from ordinary food. We must realize that the cup signifies the blood the Lord shed on the cross for our sins. Thus, we should not drink it in a common, ordinary way, but drink it in a way which shows that we realize that it is different from ordinary drink. We should take the bread in the same manner.
Therefore, we should not treat these signs in a careless manner. If we eat and drink carelessly, then we partake of the Lord’s supper in an unworthy way. We need to prove ourselves to be sure that we are not unworthy to partake of the Lord’s supper. This proving ourselves is that we may be worthy to remember the Lord. (Life-study of 1 Corinthians, msg. 54)
Drinking out of the Same Cup
Being Fellowship among God’s Children
“The cup of blessing which we bless”—here the word cup is singular. The cup spoken of in Matthew 26:27 is also singular. According to the original text, the translation can be rendered, “And, taking the cup and giving thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you.” This is why we do not agree with using many cups, because once there is more than one cup, the meaning is changed. The cup which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ? We receive of the same cup. The significance of having the same cup is fellowship. If we are not that intimate, we surely cannot drink out of one cup, each taking a sip out of it. God’s children drink out of one cup. Everyone drinks from the same cup. One takes a sip, and someone else takes another sip. We have many, yet we drink out of the same cup. This signifies fellowship.
As Long as Being a Product of the Vine
The “product of the vine” spoken of in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22 can also be translated as the “fruit of the vine.” During the bread-breaking meeting, we can use either grape wine or grape juice, as long as it is a product of the vine. (CWWN, vol. 48, “Messages for Building Up New Believers (1),” msg. 17)
Not Considering Whether We Are Using Wine or Juice in the Cup
Although I have been partaking of the Lord’s table in the church in Los Angeles for over three years, I still do not consider whether we are using wine or juice in the cup. Again, we are not in the “kingdom of wine or juice”; we are in the kingdom of Christ. We care not for what is in the cup but for remembering the Lord and expressing Him in the meeting. This is good enough. (CWWL, 1966, vol. 2, “Practicing the Oneness According to the Heavenly Vision of the Body of Christ,” ch. 6)
Caring Only for the Reality
The supper is for us to remember the Lord, and the table is for us to have mutual fellowship one with another. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the blood of Christ?” The emphasis here is not just the drinking of the blood of Christ but a joint participation in this blood. This joint participation is the fellowship. (CWWN, vol. 48, “Messages for Building Up New Believers (1),” msg. 17)
If we know the truth, we will not care for doctrines such as whether wine or grape juice should be served at the Lord’s table. At the Lord’s table we should care only for the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ and the Body of Christ. The one loaf shows the one Body, and the truth of the one Body kills all divisive thoughts. If we have seen the truth of the one loaf, which signifies the one Body, we will never dare to make any division. However, if we dispute concerning the doctrine of what kind of bread to use, the more we dispute, the more we will be divided. If we argue about doctrines and neglect the truth, there will be no oneness but only divisions. (CWWL, 1978, vol. 3, “Crucial Principles for the Proper Church Life, ” ch. 4 )
THE BREAD AND CUP SERVICE
The One Breaking the Bread and Passing the Cup
To Be Cautious, the More Mature Brothers Breaking the Bread and Passing the Cup
According to the teaching of the Bible, anyone can break the bread and pass the cup. We do not have a clergy-laity system. In Catholicism the priests pass the bread and the cup, and in Christianity the pastors do it. But we do not assign certain ones to do this, and we do not have a specific way to do it. Even so, we should pay attention to two points. First, to be cautious, the more mature brothers should break the bread and pass the cup; it is best that the young brothers not touch this matter. This is for the sake of the conscience of the brothers and sisters. We should do things that make everyone feel comfortable and at peace. This is not a matter of sin but of propriety. According to the truth, anyone can break the bread. If there are brothers in their twenties and thirties who are steady in the church life, they can break the bread.
However, although there is nothing wrong with a naughty child passing the bread and the cup. Such a thing would seem improper to the brothers and sisters. Similarly, there is no law stipulating that I cannot wear a child’s jacket; not even the law of Moses has such a regulation. But if I wear a child’s jacket, it is improper. There is no law regulating what kind of person can break the bread and pass the cup, but this matter should be done becomingly. However, we should not limit this function to a few. We do not wish to hear things such as, “This time it is Brother So-and-so’s turn to break the bread and pass the cup.” Such words are of the degradation of the clergy-laity system.
Sisters Not Passing the Bread and the Cup
unless They Cover Their Head
The second matter to which we should take heed is that it is best that the sisters not pass the bread and the cup unless they cover their head. In Christ there is no distinction between male and female. According to Galatians 3:28, we do not make distinctions based on nationalities, social classes, or gender. First Corinthians 12:13 also says that we were all baptized into one Body and do not have distinctions of nationalities or social classes. However, that passage does not mention gender, because 1 Corinthians concerns the church, and in the church there is still a distinction between male and female. Galatians speaks concerning being in Christ, and in Christ there is no distinction of gender. Since being in Christ is spiritual, there is no distinction of gender. But in the church there is the matter of administration, and there is the need to distinguish between male and female. If there is no distinction of gender in 1 Corinthians 12, then the teachings in chapter 14 would not make sense. Chapter 14 says that women should be silent in the meetings (v. 34). In chapter 11 Paul says that the man represents God, and the woman represents submission to God in God’s administration. Thus, the distinction between male and female remains since there is a matter of administration in the church. God delights in women submitting to the head, so the sisters should learn to cover their heads in the church meetings. Although there is no problem with sisters passing the bread and the cup, it may make some feel uncomfortable if done inappropriately. May we all remember that in Christ there is no distinction of male and female, but in the church such a distinction remains. (CWWL, 1950-1951, vol. 1, “The Recovery of the Church According to the Pattern on the Mountain,” msg. 35)
The Sisters Who Prepare the Bread and Cup Needing to Be Regular
In the eldership everything must be carried out in a particular way; everything must be definite. Among the sisters there may be no particular arrangements made to prepare the Lord’s table. If so, when the Lord’s Day comes, there may be no bread and wine for the saints to partake of. The sisters who prepare the bread and cup must be regular. Whether they have a difficult time with their husband or not, it should not change anything. They must do their duty regularly. If we all hold this kind of attitude with such a proper spirit, we will succeed in our labor and service to the Lord. (CWWL, 1989, vol. 4, “Talks Concerning the Church Services,” ch. 10)
TRANSLATION SERVICE
The Cultivation of Interest in Language
Developing the Fellowship of the Universal One New Man
In order to work for the Lord, you must be able to cut straight the word of the truth. You have to get into the depths of the truth to study it. However, if you are not fluent in certain languages, you will have no way to get into the depths of the truth. If you were illiterate, you would be unable to read anything, not to mention the Bible, and would naturally be unable to study the truth. Today it is very common for people to communicate with others all over the world. The environment around the whole world is one of openness and circulation. English is the international language and the one that is most commonly spoken. A great number of spiritual books and magazines have been made available to the public in English. If you want to serve the Lord, it is not sufficient to be skillful only in your own native language. You must also understand English, which is the most widely used language.
I regret that I did not learn enough. If I were still your age, I would learn at least ten more languages. I truly hope that you would work, learn, and study at the same time. You should get a good dictionary and reference book and seriously study them every day. Do not study too many things at once. Simply spend your time and energy in an earnest way on a few of them. In the winter of 1932 I began learning to use the Interlinear Greek-English New Testament. The copy I used then is still in my possession. I hope that you would all do the same, studying in a serious way (CWWL, 1985, vol. 5, “Vessels Useful to the Lord,” msg. 5)
We may have growth in life, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, fellowship with the Lord without any barrier, a good character, and constitution with truth; however, if we do not have a good command of language, this will be a shortcoming. When I say that we must have a good command of language, I am referring not only to foreign languages but also to our mother tongue. If we intend to speak for the Lord but do not have an adequate vocabulary, even if we have a great deal of knowledge within us, we will not be able to adequately express any of it. If this is the case, then everything that we have learned will be in vain. We often hear people say, “I know a lot, but I do not know how to say it. I really understand this matter, but I do not know how to explain it.” It is useless to say this. If you do not know how to say what you know, then whatever you say will be in vain, and even if you try to say something it will be as if you have not said anything.
The First Thing We Have to Learn Being Our Mother Tongue
For this reason we must have much learning with regard to language. The first thing we have to learn is our mother tongue. The Chinese people constitute one-fourth of the world’s population, so we must have a good command of the Chinese language in order that we may be able to speak for the Lord.
At Least Being Able to Recognize the Greek Alphabet, Learn Some Basic Grammar
Second, since we have a desire to know the Bible, we must go back to the original language. Therefore, we have to study Greek, the language in which the New Testament was written. We should at least be able to recognize the Greek alphabet, learn some basic grammar, learn to use Greek dictionaries, and read the interlinear Greek-English Bible. In this way, once we read a Greek word, we will recognize it and know how to study it. This will help us in the study of the truth. This is not very difficult, so I hope that we all can learn Greek at least to this extent.
Learning English Well
Third, we have to learn English well, since it is today’s international language. Wherever we go, it may be all right if we do not know other languages, but if we do not know English, it will be very difficult for us to get around. Even if we go to regions like India, Burma, and Africa, as long as we can speak a little English, we will be able to travel anywhere freely. Therefore, once we know English, we will be able to travel throughout the world. We can be sure that in the future many will be sent to the various parts of the world. Moreover, since Taiwan is a center and base of the Lord’s recovery, many saints from different countries all over the world will come to visit. Therefore, we need to learn English all the more.
Seeking the Lord’s Leading to Learn an Extra Language
Furthermore, we have to seek the Lord’s leading to learn an extra language, such as Spanish, French, or German. Any additional equipping will give the Lord an additional way in us. Generally speaking, if we want to serve the Lord full time, we should be familiar with at least four languages. (CWWL, 1986, vol. 2, “The Economy of God and the Mystery of the Transmission of the Divine Trinity,” msg. 12)
Learning the Local Language for the One New Man
The differences among the peoples began at Babel. In God’s economy in the church life we must overcome Babel. Our very language can become an ordinance. When we stay for a long period of time in another country or even live there, we should, if possible, learn the language of the people there and not insist on our native tongue.
The breaking down of the middle wall of partition is for the new man, the commonwealth of God, the household of God, and the building of God’s dwelling place. If we keep our differences, it will be impossible to have the church life in these four aspects. Christianity is filled with the divisive differences among the various peoples. For this reason, it is impossible for Christians outside the recovery to have the church life. For the sake of the church life, all the differences must be under our feet. (Life-study of Ephesians, msg. 23)
Learning Languages to Bear Witness for the Lord
I would advise you to study hard and endeavor to learn some languages, because one day you will all go for God to different parts of the world to bear witness, to preach the gospel, and to lead people to know God. Today the most common languages are Chinese, English, Spanish, German, French, and Japanese. I hope that as young people you can study hard and endeavor to learn some languages, letting no one despise your youth but being patterns to many.
If you are willing to devote and equip yourselves in the study of languages and become proficient in them, after your graduation it will be easy for you to find a job in any profession. In this way you can easily earn a living and live for the Lord without much difficulty. Even if you go abroad, because you have a few languages as your tools, you will be able to live conveniently while bearing witness for the Lord.
MAY THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD
BEING LIKE THE SUN WHEN IT RISES IN ITS MIGHT
Young brothers and sisters, I hope that from the days of your youth you will have a great resolve and make a great plan to live for the Lord. May you all travel to all parts of the world and to all the nations, using different languages to bear testimony for the Lord Jesus, glorifying Him so that you may also share in His glory. May your future be, as the Bible says, “Like the sun / When it rises in its might.” May the Lord bless you according to these words you have heard. (CWWL, 1986, vol. 2, “A Blessed Human Life,” msg. 3)
Discussion:
1. How to make the bread?
2. How to prepare the cup?
3. How to arrange the translation service according to the need in the meeting?
