“For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself…” (1 Corinthians 11:23 NLT).
The apostle Paul’s teaching concerning the Lord’s Supper was faithfully passed on from the Lord to the church at Corinth. Paul reminded them that his authority as an apostle came from the Lord, as did his message. Having established his credibility, he corrected the unworthy practices of the Corinthians concerning their remembrance of the Supper. His desire was that they handle it with the same discernment with which he had given it to them, always recognizing the Lord’s body and blood, broken and shed for their redemption.
Paul used this same “received/delivered” phrase in 1 Corinthians 15:3 concerning the gospel. He recognized his calling to pass on intact and unchanged that which was given to him.
Are we delivering the faith to the next generation just as we received it? Like Olympic runners in a relay race, are we passing on the baton of faith to the next generation?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we want to give the Word out to the next generation just as we have received it. We want to be faithful in this, not dropping it, nor changing it, but passing it on whole. Strengthen us for the work as we desire to be faithful. In Jesus’ name, amen.