Qualifications To Partake Of Passover

Exodus 12:43-51

While most Americans today understand that the Fourth of July commemorates the signing of the declaration of Independence, Many do not appreciate the sacrifices involved in obtaining our freedom. Many don’t understand the reasons for the adoption of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights and thus or of the Declaration of Independence and thus are willing to overlook actions by our government that encroach on those protections.

To many who have grown up as Americans and been educated in our schools. the Fourth is just a day of partying, listening to some music and enjoying a fireworks display. Those who have immigrated and obtained their citizenship are far more familiar with American history than most who have grown up here. The group most aware of what our freedom has cost is our veterans, who placed their lives on the line to preserve it.

God instituted the Passover as a way of ensuring that Israel would never forget what had happened to them and be willing to return to the same state. For those who were not citizens of Israel, Passover would have no more meaning than Cinco de Mayo does for most residents of the United States, who view it as just a day to party.

“And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.” (Exodus 12:43-45)

Before anyone could participate in the Passover, he had to become a Jew. Just being present did not enable him to participate. It was not open to outsiders. Remembering that the Lord’s supper was instituted during Passover, the same rules would have been in effect when it was instituted, although they might or might not be required. Since Communion serves the same purpose for Christians as Passover does for Jews, it seems that a similar standard should probably apply.

In I Corinthians 11:26-29, Paul warns, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.” Clearly there are restrictions as to who should partake of the Lord’s Supper.

“In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.” (Exodus 12:46)

The Passover was only to be partaken by those who made the effort to be present and take it with the rest of the family. It was not to be carried to shut-ins or others who couldn’t attend. The modern practice of taking communion to those who can’t attend is prohibited if these guidelines apply to the communion.

“All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.” (Exodus 12:47)

All the Jews were to keep Passover, not just a select few, not just those in good standing or positions of authority. Each person was responsible to prepare himself to partake. Today some avoid attending Communion because they are involved in sin they are not willing to give up. In Luke 22:19-20 Jesus declared that the elements of the lord’s supper represent his body and the new covenant he offered with his blood. He commanded us to take it in remembrance of him. “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.”

“And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.” (Exodus 12:48-49)

A person who was not qualified to partake of Passover could become qualified by first submitting to circumcision as a sign of his acceptance of God’s promises to Israel. Doing so removed any distinction between himself and any other Jew. Failure to do so prevented his being allowed to partake. Just as circumcision signified acceptance of God’s promises in the Old Testament, Baptism signifies acceptance of Christ’s atonement and salvation in the New Testament. An unsaved person can qualify to receive Communion by accepting Christ and being baptized. If he does not, he falls under that judgment described in I Corinthians 11:29-30. “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” He is, albeit unknowingly, making a mockery of Christ’s death on the cross.

“Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.” (Exodus 12:50-51)