Abstract:
One of Jesus’ earnest desires for His followers as reflected in His
intercessory prayer in John 17 is the unity of Christians. He
prayed: “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have
given me, so that they may be one, as we are one” (v 11, NRSV).
Further in verses 20-21 He said: “I ask not only on behalf of
these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through
their word, that they may all be one” (NRSV). Also, the
preaching and practices of the early Christians were geared
toward keeping the unity of Christians (Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35;
Eph 4:1-4; Philip 2:2-3). Significantly, Jesus instituted the
Eucharist at a Jewish Passover Feast, a feast that unites all the
Jews in celebration of their miraculous deliverance from slavery
in Egypt. In Paul’s understanding, the Eucharist is not just a
memorial meal, but also a fellowship meal that unites Christians
(I Cor. 10:16, 17); and therefore, it amounts to a great abuse if
used as occasion for dividing the Church (I Cor. 11:18, 20-22).
Unfortunately, a cursory observation of the contemporary
Church practices reveals that the mode of observing the
Eucharist today is too “closed” to allow promotion of unity
among Christians. It is against this background that this thesis
examines Paul’s main Eucharistic text of I Cor. 11: 17-34 and
argues that the Eucharist goes beyond a mere memorial service
just marking Jesus’ death to a holy meal that strengthens the
bond of unity among Christians. It is a communion for union.
The thesis therefore calls for a paradigm shift from anamnesis
concept to koinonia intent of the Eucharist
