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 koinónia intent of the Eucharist.
USMAN, R (2022). The Eucharist in Pauline Thought: Beyond Anamnesis to Koinonia. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/the-eucharist-in-pauline-thought-beyond-anamnesis-to-koinonia
USMAN, REV. "The Eucharist in Pauline Thought: Beyond Anamnesis to Koinonia" Afribary. Afribary, 18 Oct. 2022, https://afribary.com/works/the-eucharist-in-pauline-thought-beyond-anamnesis-to-koinonia. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
USMAN, REV. . "The Eucharist in Pauline Thought: Beyond Anamnesis to Koinonia". Afribary, Afribary, 18 Oct. 2022. Web. 30 Apr. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/the-eucharist-in-pauline-thought-beyond-anamnesis-to-koinonia >.
USMAN, REV. . "The Eucharist in Pauline Thought: Beyond Anamnesis to Koinonia" Afribary (2022). Accessed April 30, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/the-eucharist-in-pauline-thought-beyond-anamnesis-to-koinonia