Have you ever wondered what the Bible is trying to say? In the pages of the Bible, we learn that God is the Author of all life (Genesis 1-2), and His creation proclaims His existence (Job 12:7-10). By listening to creation and the teachings of the Bible, one can come to know the true God of the universe. The pages of the Bible maintain that the God of creation cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). If God cannot lie, then humans ought to pay attention to what has been written in His revelation, the Bible (1 John 5:13; John 20:30-31). God tells us through His Son Jesus Christ that His “words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). As one reads the Bible, he will see that Scripture is powerful, even more powerful than the risen dead (Luke 16:30-31). The Bible has the words that tell of eternal life (John 6:68). Romans 10:17 says it is Christ’s words that produce faith, and Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of souls and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” From these Scriptures, the Bible presents itself as the authority from God, which is meant for people to base their lives today. First John 2:24-25 reads, “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye …

Many people view integrity as outdated and no longer applicable to them in our fast-paced world. However, the need for integrity is as great as it has ever been. The word “integrity” occurs 16 times in the Bible. It is one of the most important words in Scripture. Integrity and character are different but alike. Character is a matter of doing right, over and over, until it becomes a part of one’s life: make a bed, clean a room, get dressed, read the Bible, brush teeth, do chores and so on. Integrity is more than character. It is something that comes from the heart. It is character that is resolute; it is something that can neither be changed nor polluted. Throughout the Bible, there are three men identified as men of integrity: Abimelech (Genesis 20:5-6), David (1 Kings 9:4) and Job (Job 2:3). People of integrity live close to the heart of God and reflect character consistent with godly lives. Consider the case of King Abimelech (Genesis 20:5-6). Abraham lied about Sarah, saying she was his sister, and Abimelech was warned by God not to touch her. Strangely, Abraham acted without integrity while Abimelech acted with it. Abraham acted from fear, while Abimelech acted from faith. Note the occasion of King David (1 Kings 9:4). David was a man “after God’s own heart.” Despite his human failings, David loved the Lord entirely in his heart. He had openness of heart (Psalm 26:1-2; 139:23-24) and brokenness of heart (Psalm 51:17); contrition …

Possessing a proper attitude brings about good results. One proper attitude with good results is exhibited in the biblical phrase, “Blessed are the meek” (Matthew 5:5). The meek are the mild, the gentle, the lowly, the patient and the tame. Meekness is not weakness. When the Greek word is applied to an animal, for instance, it describes a horse that is tame. A tame horse is gentle, holds no grudges, offers no resistance—even when under abuses—and works faithfully without resentment wherever it is put. The meek are those who willingly and gladly accept God’s will. They do whatever God gives them to do without complaint or disagreeing (1 Corinthians 10:10). They lose their own will by doing the will of God (Galatians 2:20). Christ completely possesses them, and because of this, they are in full possession of self. A good Bible example of meekness is Moses (Numbers 12:3). The Christian is exhorted to be a meek person. He is to do all things in meekness (Ephesians 4:2). The child of God must put on meekness (Colossians 3:12). He is to follow meekness (1 Timothy 6:11). Subsequently, the Christian instructs others in meekness, too (2 Timothy 2:25). Every child of God likewise receives the Word of God with meekness (James 1:21). When necessary, an erring Christian is restored with meekness (Galatians 6:1). Faithful or practicing Christians show their works with meekness (James 3:13) and show meekness to all men (Titus 3:12). The meek will be rewarded; they shall inherit the earth. …

The inspired writer, James, talked about the tongue and spoke of how hard it is to control (James 3). All of us need reminding of the poisoning that the tongue can do from time to time. A reminder of a few basic concepts will be good for us all. I know that I need this reminder from time to time. Always ask, “How will what I say make others feel?” Way too often we “let our mouths run before we put our minds in gear,” as the old saying goes. It is one of the most desperate feelings when you realize you have said something that should not have been said, and you realize that once it is said it cannot be “unsaid.” Always ask, “Why am I saying what I am saying?” In other words, what is my motive for saying this? Sometimes, we talk just to be talking. Sometimes, we really want to communicate with others. Sometimes, if we are not careful, we speak to hurt others. At those times, we use words as weapons, and they can be weapons of destruction—even mass destruction! Always ask, “What is the best thing I can say in the present circumstance?” If I am going to speak, I need to carefully consider what the most beneficial words will be. I have often thought that we ought to have training classes on how to speak to people who are ill or in the hospital, to children, to expectant mothers, to those who are mourning, etc. Too often, our …

Have you ever noticed that our plans for change are scheduled for tomorrow? Tomorrow I am going to begin my diet. Tomorrow I am going to start running. Tomorrow I will start reading my Bible again. Tomorrow has become a day of convenience, a day where anything can be started. It is so great that we plan to change. It is amazing that we have decided to begin a new task and set an exciting goal, but why tomorrow? For some, tomorrow is a legitimate goal and plan. They really intend to accomplish whatever they have put their minds to. For others, tomorrow is an easy way to procrastinate. Procrastinators unite tomorrow! Still, why tomorrow? Even for those with the best intentions, is there not still time left in this day? James 4:13-14 says, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” We see clearly in this text that tomorrow is not something which is promised to us. We do not know if our tomorrow will become a reality. As we plan and live out our lives, the only one who knows what tomorrow will be is God. In James 4:15 we are told to say, “If the Lord wills, we …

A denomination is a way of calling something a portion of what it really is. Money is referred to in denominations. The Yen, Franc, Lira, Euro or dollar may refer only to a portion of the worldwide monetary system. Often there are differing values of these monetary denominations. A dollar may not have the same value tomorrow as it had yesterday, because “men” say it’s value is not the same. Thus, it’s value is subject to the will of man. So it is with regard to religious denominations, too. They are sectarian and are rooted in division. The very word “denomination” suggests the idea of division. The Jews were God’s chosen people, but they fragmented themselves into sects such as Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes because they could not agree as to what the Scriptures taught. In their own minds and vain conceits, they would not resolve those differences. Could they disagree so much with each other and still be following God’s Word? “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). The Jewish sects were not walking with God because on some issues they could not agree with each other or with God. The same is true of religious denominations today. Jesus prayed to the Father, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that …

Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan claimed that he was heading for California, but he flew across the Atlantic Ocean accidentally. It is a kind of believe it or not situation. Whatever the truth is, Corrigan became famous for his achievement. He inherited the nickname “Wrong Way” Corrigan, and he enjoyed every bit of the limelight. Is there a spiritual lesson here? I think so! Jesus Christ taught us that many would choose the wrong way. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). We observe that the wrong way leads to destruction, and many take that route. The “wide gate” and the “broad way” offer easy passage to do whatever one wants to do. No restrictions! Live life to the fullest, engaging in worldly, earthy, non-religious happy days with no moral laws concerning right or wrong. It may sound great for the masses. However, we will reap what we sow. Sadly, many have chosen the wrong way, and destruction is their destiny. Our God will not be mocked! We can mark that down! May we all desire the righteous way and pursue humble service unto God Almighty. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). …

On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall, which was built in 1961, came down, and people could now cross from East to West Berlin and do it freely. The entire wall was demolished in 1990, signaling the end of the Cold War. In Ephesians 2:15, Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” The allusion is to the “wall of partition” which separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:31, 35). The Lord removed that wall of separation between Jew and Gentile so that souls from all races and nations may come into the kingdom and be one in Christ. In other words, that wall was destroyed or demolished. This barrier no longer exists. Christ provided a great commonness for all mankind. All men have the same God, the same Christ, the same salvation and the same hope (Ephesians 4:4-6). Many first century churches were affected by ethnic issues (Acts 15; Galatians 2:11-21; Romans 3:20-31; Colossians 2:11-17; Philippians 3:2-11; 1 Timothy 2:3-7). It is true that Israel was the chosen nation through whom the Savior was to come, and therefore, its people were at an advantage due to special providence and revelation in connection with promises. God had chosen Abraham’s seed, because of Abraham’s faith, to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 13:47; 26:23). The demand of Scripture is that …

“Justification” in legal language means to “acquit” or “to state officially in court that somebody is not guilty of a crime.” In the New Testament, it refers to God’s gracious act (Romans 8:33), grounded in the death and resurrection of Christ (Romans 4:25), by which He accepts into a right relationship with Him the sinner who in faith entrusts himself to Christ. The true Scriptural justification “by faith” has no reference at all to the faith of sinner, but to the “faith of the Son of God” by whose perfect faith the sinner is justified. Justification means God’s reckoning a man to be righteous who has no righteousness of his own. The individual who believes in Christ, repents of all wrongs and is baptized for the remission of sins according to the Scriptures (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) is justified, accounted righteous, while still a sinner, by the blood of Christ. God, at that point, declares the believing obedient person to be righteous, while he is ungodly. If God changed him first, he would not be ungodly. The sinner’s faith, repentance and baptism are not “meritorious” works. They are simply giving God the credit of revealing the truth of His grace in the Gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is Christ’s shed blood, and that alone, which is the procuring cause of God’s declaring an ungodly individual to be righteous or justified. While God’s grace is the reason for it, man’s faith and obedience to His commands is simply the instrumental condition …

We are reasonably sure that almost everyone who reads this believes that the Lord is coming back. There are so many thoughts we should be thinking and kinds of preparation we need to be making in view of that wonderful fact. However, we want to challenge your thinking with a new kind of thought that crossed my mind a few days ago. Every few days there comes to my desk an appeal of one congregation or another for money. There seems to be thousands or maybe millions of souls who could be won for Christ if we just had the money! I am firmly convinced that neither money nor the lack of it is our big problem. If everyone who claims to be a Christian would invest about 10 cents worth of shoe leather and perhaps 2 cents worth of conversation (if we can assume that what you say is worth 2 cents) the church could at least double in less than a year’s time. However, this article is concerned with money and what we might do with it. We also see notices every week concerning congregations who are willing to borrow from $20,000 to $2,000,000 to build buildings, which serve as cathedrals, meeting places (occasionally) or “church plants”—whatever they are. Now, just suppose (if the effort does not blow your mind) that half of us were half as concerned with winning souls as we are with perpetuating an image, ministering to our pride, comfort, etc. Now, suppose the elders of a …

Recently, I mentioned briefly to you about the “each one bring one” concept in regard to bringing others to hear the Gospel preached from our pulpit. There are so many folks “out there” who don’t attend worship at all. The field is ripe for harvest. We just need to become the machines to make the harvest! Teaching others the truth of the Gospel is never an easy task because there are so many worldly beliefs and obstacles to overcome. Yet, we must start somewhere! So many of the older congregations around us are just like ours; the numbers are dwindling, and, in many cases, worship services have been discontinued altogether at some congregations that at one time were dedicated centers of worship to God. That is so sad because, at the same time the congregations have ceased to meet, the population has increased, and modes of transportation have improved to make it much quicker and more comfortable to get around and to get to the Lord’s house. I want to challenge you to start this program of “each one bring one.” Please consider that each one who is a Christian has the same direction from God to “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). None of us is exempt from this directive. I ask that you begin thinking of a particular person who you might get to come to worship services with you. Please, …

One of the most vicious enemies of Jesus was Saul of Tarsus. He severely persecuted the church in Jerusalem and scattered it (Acts 8:1-4). Then, he pursued Christians to other cities, hoping to exterminate their faith (Acts 26:11). He also “…went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues [Jewish places of worship] of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2). However, the message which Saul actually delivered to the synagogues in Damascus was very different from the message he had planned: “…he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20)! What changed Saul’s mind and message? On the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him in a bright light, and he fell to the ground. After Jesus spoke to him, Saul stood up, opened his eyes and could not see. With the help of his companions, he went into Damascus. In that city, he did not see, eat or drink for three days—but he did pray (Acts 9:3-9, 11). Later, in his letters, he included himself with all “saved” people (1 Timothy 1:15-16; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; Titus 3:5). So, where was Saul when he was saved? Many people teach that Saul was saved “by faith only” during that great event on the road to Damascus. One preacher even declared that Saul was saved as he was falling off his horse, before he hit the ground! However, the Bible does not mention a horse at all. In fact, Paul and the others …

Freedom! The word embeds itself in the mind and sinks deep within the heart of man. We sing of its glory. Israel experienced freedom from Egyptian bondage. Nations and individuals today are given freedom after years of cruel and oppressive bondage. The greatest freedom of all is to have freedom from the taint and bondage of sin. This freedom has already been provided by God to all who desire it. “For freedom did Christ set us free” exclaimed Paul. “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” promised Jesus. “And if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Question: If you had been in long years of bondage and were offered freedom, would you accept it? Surely each of us would. Yet, many today are enslaved in sin, but when offered freedom by Christ, they wish to enforce upon Him their terms of acceptance rather than to accept His terms and obey them. “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, but he who does the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21). Are you free?

Atheists teach that the Bible is merely a human production and that its account of creation is a myth. Others who cling to current scientific thought and still retain their religious connections think that the Genesis account of creation is not to be taken literally. The view these have adopted is that God created the universe and all earthly life, but that he did it through the process of natural evolution. Thus, they imagine that one can hold on to God and evolution at the same time. This position is called “Theistic Evolution.” However, the theistic evolutionists must explain Genesis One. The account says that in six days God created all these things and rested on the seventh day. Yet, we are told that the days of this chapter refer to long periods of time, not to a day as we know it. Thus, many try to hold to God’s Word and still cling to the evolutionary explanation of man’s origin. It can be quickly and easily shown that one who holds this view of origins cannot believe the Bible at the same time. Jesus said that God made man and woman at the beginning (Matthew 19:4). They were made at the beginning, not millions or billions of years after the creation of the heavens and earth. If Jesus was wrong about this point, how can we rely on anything else He said in the New Testament? Though, if it is correct (and it is), then the theistic evolutionist is …

The religious world is misinformed about the practice of baptism. There are some who believe the method of baptism does not matter. Those who deny that there is a scriptural method to be employed argue that one can be sprinkled, have water poured on his or her head or be immersed; many people declare that it is simply a matter of choice. The Bible does not leave the method of baptism open for our personal interpretation and judgment. The word translated “baptize” in our English translations means to dip, plunge or immerse. Paul described baptism in the New Testament as a burial (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). When the Ethiopian Eunuch was baptized, it is said that both he and Philip went down into the water and both came out of the water. This would be unnecessary if water was simply going to be sprinkled or poured on his head (Acts 8:38-39). When John was baptizing in Aenon, it is said he chose this location because there was much water there (John 3:23). Still, there are those who believe baptism plays no part in whether a person is saved. Individuals who advocate this view of baptism claim that one is saved at the point of belief or verbal confession and may be baptized later, but they say baptism has no bearing whatsoever on one’s salvation. The New Testament contradicts this view of baptism. Jesus said those who believe and are baptized are saved (Mark 16:16). It is at the point of …

Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). Jesus emphasized two points. First, true discipleship requires crucifying self (Matthew 16:24; 10:38-39; Galatians 2:20). To “deny himself” shows that each individual must cease serving his own will and totally give himself to God (Matthew 16:24; Romans 8:5-9; Colossians 3:1-14). “Take up his cross” (Matthew 16:24) does not refer to minor inconveniences, but to the consequences of dying to self (Matthew 10:16-22, 34-39)—taking on a death sentence with Christ! Second, true discipleship requires giving one’s entire being to Christ (Matthew 16:25). To save one’s temporal life at all costs (accomplished by refusing to “take up one’s cross”) leads to the loss of eternal life, but to lose one’s temporal life as a result of “taking up one’s cross” results in eternal life. All true disciples of Christ must be “willing” to lay their lives down for Him (Revelation 2:10). [Editor’s Note: That suffering and true discipleship go together is apparent from 2 Timothy 3:12, which reads, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (NKJV). Without seeking undue hostilities from the devil’s world in which we live (John 15:19; Revelation 12:9), nevertheless, persecution of the children of God will arise in proportion to the degree of godliness and Christian militancy that they characteristically exhibit …

Now, think with me. If there is no Hell, then I cannot believe in the Bible because Hell is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures as being a real place. Further, if the Bible is not reliable, God did not create the heavens and the earth as claimed in Genesis One. Neither can I believe in God even though the Bible states that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16). Additionally, I cannot believe in the Holy Spirit regardless of what the apostle Peter wrote, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 that what he had received and had spoken was from the “Holy Spirit.” Again, if there is not a place called Hell, how can I believe in the one who mentioned Hell more than any person in the Bible? Did you know that the word “hell” (Greek, Gehenna) is found 12 times in the New Testament? In the Book of James, we read that the “tongue is set on fire by hell” (3:6). Eleven times you will find the word “Hell” mentioned in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. You will find expressions like “hell fire” (Matthew 5:22), “eternal fire” (Matthew 18:8) and “son of hell” (Matthew 23:15). Do you know who used the word “Hell” in …

The necessity to be dedicated unto the Lord is realized in all that the Bible affirms about devotion, consecration and being hallowed and set apart for divine service. The breadth of what should be dedicated unto the Lord includes (1) each of us (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26), (2) our possessions (2 Corinthians 9:7) and (3) our time (Ephesians 5:16). This parallels the Old Testament teaching in Exodus 32:29, Leviticus 27:21 and Exodus 20:11. Rather than being unqualified priests before the Father (1 Kings 13:33), we will be accepted as dedicated priests (1 Peter 2:5, 9) by having been sanctified (1) by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16), (2) through the Word (John 17:17, 19), (3) by faith (Acts 26:18) and (4) through the offering of Christ (Hebrews 10:10). If we have genuinely obeyed the Gospel (1 Peter 4:17), our status as ones dedicated unto the Lord has been achieved and, consequently, we must look to the future with an eye of service in order that we maintain our dedication before the Lord. The life of dedication unto the Lord is one of ministry (Romans 6) and must be unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). This requires the dedicated child of God to be truly active in the kingdom of God as the norm and the standard of his character (Matthew 7:21). To only serve the Lord once in a while is not adequate. Furthermore, we must take all necessary steps to safeguard what has been dedicated from being profaned (Leviticus …

In Ecclesiastes 7:21 Solomon warned, “Do not take seriously all the words which are spoken…” The fact is, people say things—sometimes things they don’t really mean. We often respond, “Oh yeah? Then why did they say it if they didn’t mean it?” To this Solomon responded, “Haven’t you ever said something you didn’t mean?” All of us would have to say, “Yes,” to that question. Maybe we said something in anger. Perhaps we were tired, sick or irritated, and so out came those words that we later regretted. Yet, this isn’t a passage about guarding one’s words, but rather about guarding one’s ears. We need to be careful about running too far, overreacting to the words of others. We need to be a little more thick-skinned. Don’t take everything so personally. Give people a break. We all say things we don’t mean or say them in a way that upsets the hearer. Christianity is a religion of tenderness, compassion and forgiveness. Rather than being quick to anger or being easily offended, let’s give each other a dose of kindness. I know I need it. Do you?

Basic Speech classes teach that the communication process requires a transmitter who accurately encodes a message and a receptor who as accurately decodes it. (No secret is involved in the coding, just the formulation of the message.) The communication of the sacred Word of God may be so viewed. In the case of God’s Word, the process requires, on God’s (the transmitter’s) part: Communication in Life and Letter. The Word of God was transmitted by the Word who became flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). He, in real person, in flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:14), is the very caring, completely in touch communication from the throne of Heaven. Meditate upon the magnitude of the thought: God not only sent a letter, He sent a life—the very life of His only begotten Son. The Life died for us, the receptors (Philippians 2:5-7). This was no inanimate, uncaring, mandatory letter. This was God incarnate (1 Timothy 3:16). He communicated in person—in the person of His Son. Of course, then, the message of life was recorded. The Son promised He would send the Spirit (John 16:13). He did (Acts 2:33). Those apostles who received it, and the prophets on whom the apostles laid their hands (Acts 8:14-17), recorded the message of inspiration, the very plan of salvation (Ephesians 3:5-6)! These things were written so the receptors who did not see His life would still believe (John 20:30-31) and be in full fellowship with those who did witness His glory (1 John 1:1-4). God “has in these …

It seems that no matter what the purpose may be for any of our national holidays, as time passes, the original intent of the event becomes less important to some, and the three-day weekend becomes more significant. Such is true with Memorial Day. The holiday was originally called Decoration Day because it’s a time for decorating the graves of those who died in service for our country with flowers and flags. Over time, the designation Memorial Day became more common. It began shortly after the end of the Civil War, around 1868, and after World War I observances were changed to honor the dead in all American wars, starting with the American Revolution. There will be ceremonies and proclamations on each Memorial Day, the flag will be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, “taps” will be played and families will recall the sacrifices made by their loved ones. Others, however, will have no memory of such things, and they will engage in work, cookouts, parties, shopping and a host of other activities, all made possible by those who have served our country. Unfortunately, this same attitude can be present in the Lord’s church. Every Lord’s Day there is to be a remembrance of the death of our Savior, the sacrifice our Lord made on our behalf, so that we could have life in Him. What a sobering thought it is to remember how Jesus left the glory of Heaven to become flesh and blood (Philippians 2:7), to be tempted …

Memorials—like statues, tombstones and plaques—are used all over the world in honor of men, especially the dead. The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service. “And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise, also the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you’” (Luke 22:19-20). Christ also said, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:23-34, especially 26). So, every time a Christian partakes of the Lord’s Supper, he is partaking of a memorial feast. The Passover was a shadow of the Lord’s Supper. The Passover feast was eaten by the Israelites once a year to remind them of their release from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 11:1-8; 12:25-27, 46). Paul described the Lord by saying, “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus’ sacrifice is the Christian’s means of release from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 1:7). Because He is our Passover, not one of His bones was broken (John 19:31-36). The memorial feast has two elements, the bread and the fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:23-25). The bread would have been unleavened since Jesus and the disciples had just finished the Passover meal (Exodus 12:15). In fact, we might notice that Matthew calls it “the …