Trapeza

‘Trapeza’ is the Ancient Greek word for table.  It carries the implication of what is on the table, especially as it relates to a table spread with food.  By inference, trapeza can be a “banquet table” and that is the sense in which I use the term.

In Song of Solomon, the young woman rejoices that “He brings me to his banqueting table and his banner over me is love.”  I use the term trapeza in just this sense when I refer to a gathering of the New Covenant, In Christ, People of God as Trapeza.  It is a description, not a name.  Another description of the same thing is found in Paul’s writing to the Corinthians: “when you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All these must be done for the strengthening of the church” (I Cor 14:26).

I, for one, don’t believe Paul’s list of things to be done when believers gather is exhaustive – in much the same way as a food list at a banquet would not be exhaustive.  To the banquet, we bring what we make or prepare and we place it on the table for all to share, we don’t bring it with somebody’s name on it for exclusive consumption.  This honours the host.

Likewise, when we gather, all the things Paul lists are possible, as are many other things: things that the Spirit of God inspires us to prepare and put on the table for all to share.  For instance, there are the lists in I Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and Ephesians 4.  Our host, when we gather, has the honour of sharing the ‘food’ (what we have prepared and brought) as He pleases.  Our place is to trust a) the Spirit of God as He gathers and feeds His ‘flock’ and b) the Spirit of God in each other person present.  However, we do need to be reminded not to insult our host by “thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought” or by devaluing what He inspires and prepares in us to bring to the table.

In my view, that is the concept of Trapeza in reference to the gathering together of the Body of Christ in the New Covenant.  I believe it is also the basic model for ALL gatherings of the Body, through until the Second Advent, and not just for some of our meetings.  For me, Trapeza is the primary principle of how the Body of Christ should conduct and transact its mission on earth until Christ returns – its Missio Dei.  For me, that honours our Host.

A third part of my vision for local ecclesia is that when we meet [as often as we meet], we live out the story of full participation in the gospel of Christ; that we cooperate with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in creating and being a part of this glorious Divine Trapeza.

Cheers,

Kevin