Biblical Background of the Bread and the Wine

The Scripture reveals that there is a close relationship between the bread and the wine and both the Old and New Covenants that God made with men. Both Covenants began with the emblems of communion (bread and wine) between God and His people offered by God.

The Old Covenant

After Abram had defeated Chedorlaomer, king of Elam and other kings, he was met by two kings, Melchizedek, king of Salem and the king of Sodom. Melchizedek offered him bread and wine. In contrast, the king of Sodom offered him the spoil of the battle (Gen. 14:17 to 24).

Melchizedek was described as priest of the Most High God, king of righteousness and king of peace (Hebrews 7:1 to 3). He was "made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually" (V. 3). Furthermore, Melchizedek did not come from the Levitical priesthood (V.11).

The Psalmist David said, "The Lord has sworn and will not relent, 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'" (Psalm 110:4, NKJV).

With this description, it is clear that Melchizedek was a type of Jesus Christ.

Notice that Abram had a choice whether to accept the bread and wine offered by Melchizedek or to accept the spoil offered by the king of Sodom. Abram took what Melchizedek offered and refused what the king of Sodom offered. Abram made the right choice in the sight of God.

This is in precise agreement with what Paul said:

"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons" (1 Cor.10:21).

Immediately after Abram partook of the bread and the wine, God made a covenant with him (Gen. 15). Genesis 17 outlines the covenant between God and Abram.

The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but you name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations" (Gen. 17:4,5).

So we see, the bread and wine of Melchizedek foreshadowed the bread and wine as communion elements offered by Jesus Christ in the Lord's Table. In other words, the communion between Melchizedek and Abraham finds fulfillment in the communion between Jesus and His New Covenant people, the christians. Similarly, the Old Covenant finds fulfillment in the New Covenant.

The New Covenant

The Lord's Supper, the Holy Communion or the Eucharist was instituted by Jesus Christ in the New Covenant:

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:26 to 28, NKJV, emphasis added).

It seems to me, Jesus was effectively saying, "In Me you see the priesthood of Melchizedek reappearing. It has been in abeyance during the period when the Law of Moses was in force in the Old Covenant. Now, in the New Covenant the priesthood of Melchizedek is being restored".

Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth:

"And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as hou drink it, in remembrance of Me'" (1 Cor.11:24,25,NKJV, emphasis added).

Jesus Christ instituted the New Covenant in His blood.

This is the backgroud from Scripture of the Lord's Supper.