Christ Gave Us Two Commandments And Two Ordinances! ~ Our
response to those is the difference between Christian Faith and
World Religions.
Two Ordinances: He left these Two Ordinances for us to
follow as Christian believers:
Most often when I share the Great Commission, I will quote it as: "Go - Make disciples - Teach them." (Matthew 28:19-20).
Why do I leave out Baptism? It is not that I do not believe Baptism is important. Instead I believe that Baptism is so personal, so important - that it should be shared with your closest, most intimate friends and loved ones. So I will suggest, "Go - Make disciples - Teach them."
When is a person saved? The moment he receives and confesses Christ as Lord and Savior? Or when he is baptized? The latter would be Baptismal Regeneration, i.e, salvation through baptism - which is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches salvation, i.e., justification, the moment we believe and receive Christ (John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13).
Baptism follows as an outward manifestation of our salvation. Some do it right away, others at later time, often when a group of fellow believers can gather and make a joint declaration of our joy in following Christ in baptism. In the Bible we see the two extremes: In Acts 8:26-40 the eunuch from Ethiopia was baptized by Philip immediately after believing. But the thief on the cross was never baptized. Yet both were equally saved and today are sharing eternity in the presence of God.
When a person believes and receives Christ as Lord and Savior - that person should be encouraged to immediately become involved in a local Bible-teaching, Christ-centered Christian fellowship, i.e., church. When the new believer is connected with his new local fellowship, he/she should then be baptized in the presence of his/her new Christian fellowship family. Baptism is that personal and that important - that it should be shared with the entire fellowship family.
A Christian believer need only be baptized one time, as we follow Him in Baptism. Just as He died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven only once - we follow Him in baptism only once. Baptism reflects a believer's relationship with Christ, NOT his relationship with a particular church or denomination.
What if a person has been baptized in another church before coming to your local church fellowship? Is it necessary for that person to be baptized again in your church? I have heard the reasoning, "But what if the baptism was not done correctly? We only want to make sure it is done OUR way." Is there really a right and a wrong way to be baptized?
I agree that the Bible speaks of baptism by immersion - but if, for whatever reason, a person was baptized by sprinkling - is that person not baptized in your eyes? That would be wrong, for baptism reflects an inner, spiritual commitment, our personal relationship with Christ. It is not an event done only to satisfy the whims or doctrines of man. That said, baptism should be practiced by immersion in water - for that is what the Bible tells us. Keep in mind that the thief was not baptized at all. But we have the word of Christ Himself that this man was indeed saved.
If a person comes to your church fellowship after becoming a believer and being baptized in another Christian church - that person "IS" baptized and should not be required to do it "your way."
That covers the first Ordinance, Baptism. Now let's talk about the second Ordinance which is equally important and equally intimate, the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is NOT a one time event. Jesus tells us to do this "in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). How often does your church remember Jesus Christ and what He did to offer us eternal life? That is reflected in how often your church fellowship celebrates the Lord's Supper?
Should we call it Communion - or should we call it the Lord's Supper? Either is correct, but let's examine both. Calling it the Lord's Supper is probably most common and, for me, has a deeper meaning. What is more personal and intimate than coming to the table to share a meal with friends and family?
Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine (or sup) with him, and he with Me." That is the ultimate intimacy, being at the Lord's Supper Table. That implies we are in personal communion with Him - just as when we sit, pray, and eat with our immediate family. It is a form of Communion, but I personally prefer to consider it dining at the Lord's Supper Table.
Let's look at the way several leading theologians define the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper:
A. Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" (1311 pages) is considered a standard textbook in most seminaries. In his shorter version of the same book, "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith" (528 pages) - chapter 28, pages 387-394, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
B. Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" - in chapter 50, pages 996-997, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
C. Dr. Ron Rhodes, president of "Reasoning From Scripture Ministries," author, adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot Seminary (Biola), Veritas Evangelical Seminary, etc., tells us in "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" - chapter twenty-four, pages 229-230:
Since we participate in the Lord’s Supper in Remembrance of Him and His Redemptive Work on the cross - it would seem that we should do this fairly often. Since becoming a believer in 1987, I have been in different Filipino-American Baptist churches in Southern California - and typically we have always celebrated the Lord's Supper once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month, at the close of our regular worship service.
The Lord's Supper we receive at the close of our worship service is always a special blessing and a source of additional spiritual strength to help us face the coming week in the secular world. Typically on the first Sunday of each month, we close the worship service by having the elders, or other spiritually mature members, pass the elements (unleavened wafers and grape juice) to the congregation.
As this is being done, our pastor will review and share Scripture relating to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). And then, together, we and our believing visitors, participate in the eating of the wafer, symbolizing His body, and the drinking the grape juice, symbolizing His blood shed for us.
Our pastor will explain that the Lord's Supper is a time for all believers to do a spiritual examination of himself or herself. That it is a time to for all believers to renew our focus on Christ, our Christian walk, and our Christian obedience. Then our pastor will remind those present during the worship service that the Lord's Supper is only for those who have believed and received Him as Lord and Savior.
He will assure those who are not yet believers that we do not look down upon them for not being able to participate at that time - but that we sincerely pray that they will make the decision to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.
Actually, before we celebrate the Lord's Supper, that would be a great time to have an altar call. For then those who do make a decision at that time to follow Christ - can then participate in their first Lord's Supper celebration. What a wonderful way to start their Christian life.
How often does YOUR church fellowship "Do this in remembrance of Him"? ~ Daily, weekly, monthly, once a year, once every three years, never? Once again, my personal feelings are that it should be done frequently enough to stay in faith with His teaching, yet not so frequent that it becomes a ritual and loses its flavor. Taking Communion every day or every week, for me, would bring it into the realm of being a ritual.
Yet a church which only partakes of the Lord's Supper every six months, once a year, or once every several years - gives me the feeling that this church places no real value on His declaration, "do this in remembrance of Me." I have to ask, "Does this church really have a relationship with Jesus Christ - if it remembers Him only every few years?"
What message would that send to your church fellowship, to visitors, when your church does not celebrate the Lord's Supper - or only does it once every few years?
As I suggested above, the Lord's Supper should not be a major, all day affair. It is most effective when seen as an adjunct spiritual blessing closing our regular worship service once a month. It is like our monthly "spiritual vitamin boost" to sustain us in our secular world.
Another view of making the Lord's Supper a major feast event is reflected in the apostle Paul's admonition to the church at Corinth.
In 1 Corinthians11:20-34 the apostle Paul admonishes the church at Corinth because they made the Lord's Supper into a major meal or feast - when it really should be seen as a Spiritual Snack (my interpretation) meant to fill us Spiritually, not Physically. By the same token, when a church avoids celebrating the Lord's Supper because they feel they have to make it an "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground" event - instead of a reverent ending of their Sunday worship service - that is doing a disservice to the church fellowship - and definitely NOT reverently "remembering Jesus Christ until He comes again."
Now please do not misunderstand. Being a "born and bred" Southerner I love the "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground." Growing up in Alabama in the 1940s and 50s, it was fun to go with my step-dad to the small church in the rural farming community near Russellville, Alabama, where he grew up and where most of his family still lived, or were buried, for Memorial Day.
That was a day to decorate the graves, gather in their church for lots of good Baptist hymn singing, and to pig out on country cuisine that still makes my mouth water just to think of it. I have often touted the food fellowship we have in our Filipino-American Baptist churches and Bible studies. As great as that is, it cannot hold a candle to our Southern Dinner On The Ground cuisine from those days.
Before you turn up your nose at "Dinner On The Ground" - it wasn't really on the ground. The ladies would bring their fancy table clothes, spread them on wagons, truck beds, temporary tables brought out of the church, etc.. And every rural family took pride in preparing their very best culinary dishes, brought in their best dinnerware, and laid out on every available surface. We just walked from one neighbor's table (truck, or wagon) to another, enjoying fellowship and sampling Southern Cuisine at its best.
But that said, that type of elaborate feasting and party/dinner atmosphere is what drew the apostle Paul's ire toward the church at Corinth. There is a well known acronym today: KISS, meaning "Keep It Simple Stupid!" And that was, and is, Jesus' intent when inviting us to His Supper Table, the Lord's Supper. Come in reverence, simplicity, and pureness of heart to His Table. That is what He asks us to do, often enough to be special, not so often as to become a Religious Ritual - "do this in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, ! Corinthians 11:24 and 25).
Once again, it is my personal view and belief, but I believe that the Lord's Supper should be celebrated on a monthly basis in every church - and that ALL believers present that day, local members and visitors, should participate. Food for thought? I pray this has given you sincere Christian food for thought.
While there are churches which teach that only members of that local church fellowship can partake of the celebration - I personally believe that when our Lord told us in Luke 22:19, "do this in remembrance of Me" - He was speaking to ALL believers, not just a local fellowship. And what kind of Christian community would we be if we cannot welcome and share the Lord's Table with visiting brethren?
The following two short videos will help us better understand the meaning and responsibility of participating in the Lord's Supper.
The first video is a short, 4 minute, animated explanation taken from GotQuestions web site and is a good review of that special form of worship:
The second short video (3 1/2 minutes) is one I made from a PowerPoint Presentation based upon chapters 48 through 50 of Dr. Wayne Grudem's book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine." This 1311 page book published in 1994 has virtually become a standard textbook in most Christian seminaries. There is a shorter version of his book titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings Of The Christian Faith" published in 1999.
A pastor Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, gifted me this shorter book of Christian doctrines which has been a true blessing in my Christian writing ministry. And I have Dr. Grudem's initial book "Systematic Theology" downloaded into my computer in Adobe PDF format. So I can study from both.
In this short presentation video, chapter 48 speaks of the church, chapter 49 speaks of Baptism, and chapter 50 addresses the Lord's Supper. Below is the text from a slide in the presentation which speaks of what I have tried to express earlier regarding participating in the Lord's Supper:
You can view this PowerPoint based video at:
I pray this discussion of the "The Two Ordinances" has been helpful to you - and that your church family is enjoying the spiritual blessings of regular visits to the Lord's Table.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
(1) Baptism ~ "Go - Make disciples - Baptize them - Teach them." (Matthew 28:19-20) ~ Only done once.
(2) Communion / Lord's Supper ~ "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19) ~ To be done as often as Your Church Fellowship chooses to Remember Him and what He has done for us.
Most often when I share the Great Commission, I will quote it as: "Go - Make disciples - Teach them." (Matthew 28:19-20).
Why do I leave out Baptism? It is not that I do not believe Baptism is important. Instead I believe that Baptism is so personal, so important - that it should be shared with your closest, most intimate friends and loved ones. So I will suggest, "Go - Make disciples - Teach them."
When is a person saved? The moment he receives and confesses Christ as Lord and Savior? Or when he is baptized? The latter would be Baptismal Regeneration, i.e, salvation through baptism - which is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches salvation, i.e., justification, the moment we believe and receive Christ (John 1:12, Ephesians 1:13).
Baptism follows as an outward manifestation of our salvation. Some do it right away, others at later time, often when a group of fellow believers can gather and make a joint declaration of our joy in following Christ in baptism. In the Bible we see the two extremes: In Acts 8:26-40 the eunuch from Ethiopia was baptized by Philip immediately after believing. But the thief on the cross was never baptized. Yet both were equally saved and today are sharing eternity in the presence of God.
When a person believes and receives Christ as Lord and Savior - that person should be encouraged to immediately become involved in a local Bible-teaching, Christ-centered Christian fellowship, i.e., church. When the new believer is connected with his new local fellowship, he/she should then be baptized in the presence of his/her new Christian fellowship family. Baptism is that personal and that important - that it should be shared with the entire fellowship family.
A Christian believer need only be baptized one time, as we follow Him in Baptism. Just as He died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven only once - we follow Him in baptism only once. Baptism reflects a believer's relationship with Christ, NOT his relationship with a particular church or denomination.
What if a person has been baptized in another church before coming to your local church fellowship? Is it necessary for that person to be baptized again in your church? I have heard the reasoning, "But what if the baptism was not done correctly? We only want to make sure it is done OUR way." Is there really a right and a wrong way to be baptized?
I agree that the Bible speaks of baptism by immersion - but if, for whatever reason, a person was baptized by sprinkling - is that person not baptized in your eyes? That would be wrong, for baptism reflects an inner, spiritual commitment, our personal relationship with Christ. It is not an event done only to satisfy the whims or doctrines of man. That said, baptism should be practiced by immersion in water - for that is what the Bible tells us. Keep in mind that the thief was not baptized at all. But we have the word of Christ Himself that this man was indeed saved.
Luke 23:43, "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' "
If a person comes to your church fellowship after becoming a believer and being baptized in another Christian church - that person "IS" baptized and should not be required to do it "your way."
That covers the first Ordinance, Baptism. Now let's talk about the second Ordinance which is equally important and equally intimate, the Lord's Supper.
The Lord's Supper is NOT a one time event. Jesus tells us to do this "in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). How often does your church remember Jesus Christ and what He did to offer us eternal life? That is reflected in how often your church fellowship celebrates the Lord's Supper?
Should we call it Communion - or should we call it the Lord's Supper? Either is correct, but let's examine both. Calling it the Lord's Supper is probably most common and, for me, has a deeper meaning. What is more personal and intimate than coming to the table to share a meal with friends and family?
Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine (or sup) with him, and he with Me." That is the ultimate intimacy, being at the Lord's Supper Table. That implies we are in personal communion with Him - just as when we sit, pray, and eat with our immediate family. It is a form of Communion, but I personally prefer to consider it dining at the Lord's Supper Table.
Let's look at the way several leading theologians define the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper:
A. Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" (1311 pages) is considered a standard textbook in most seminaries. In his shorter version of the same book, "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith" (528 pages) - chapter 28, pages 387-394, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
The Lord Jesus instituted two ordinances (or sacraments) to be observed by the church. The previous chapter discussed "baptism," an ordinance that is only observed once by each person, as a sign of the beginning of his or her Christian life. This chapter discusses "the Lord’s Supper," an ordinance that is to be observed repeatedly throughout our Christian lives as a sign of continuing in fellowship with Christ. . . .
The meaning of the Lord’s Supper is complex, rich, and full. Several things are symbolized and affirmed in the Lord’s Supper.
1. Christ’s Death: When we participate in the Lord’s Supper we symbolize the death of Christ because our actions give a picture of his death for us. . . . “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
2. Our Participation in the Benefits of Christ’s Death: Jesus commanded his disciples, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). As we individually reach out and take the cup for ourselves, each one of us is, by that action, proclaiming, “I am taking the benefits of Christ’s death to myself.” . . .
3. Spiritual Nourishment: Just as ordinary food nourishes our physical bodies, so the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper give nourishment to us. But they also picture the fact that there is spiritual nourishment and refreshment that Christ is giving to our souls; the ceremony that Jesus instituted is, in its very nature, designed to teach us this.
4. The Unity of Believers: When Christians participate in the Lord’s Supper together they also give a clear sign of their unity with one another. In fact, Paul says, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17).
B. Dr. Wayne Grudem's book: "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" - in chapter 50, pages 996-997, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
Who Should Participate in the Lord’s Supper?
Despite differences over some aspects of the Lord’s Supper, most Protestants would agree, first, that only those who believe in Christ should participate in it, because it is a sign of being a Christian and continuing in the Christian life. . . .
Second, many Protestants would argue from the meaning of baptism and the meaning of the Lord’s Supper that, ordinarily, only those who have been baptized should participate in the Lord’s Supper. . . .
But others, including the present author (Dr. Grudem), would object to such a restriction as follows: A different problem arises if someone who is a genuine believer, but not yet baptized, is not allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper when Christians get together.
In that case the person’s non-participation symbolizes that he or she is not a member of the body of Christ which is coming together to observe the Lord’s Supper in a unified fellowship (see 1 Corinthians 10:17: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread”).
Bill Gray Note: Personally I believe the question of who should participate in the Lord's Supper falls upon the individual person. For you and I cannot tell a person he or she is not saved, not a believer in Christ. Such a decision falls upon the individual to do a self-examination such as:
1. "Have I truly received the Lord?" Keep in mind that the thief on the cross was not baptized.
2. "Am I currently harboring an unrepentant sin which would prevent me from participating in the Lord's Supper?"
Neither I, nor you, nor any pastor, can answer those questions for this individual. That is between the individual and God.
C. Dr. Ron Rhodes, president of "Reasoning From Scripture Ministries," author, adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot Seminary (Biola), Veritas Evangelical Seminary, etc., tells us in "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" - chapter twenty-four, pages 229-230:
What are the different views of the Lord’s Supper?
There are four primary views:
The Roman Catholic view is known as transubstantiation. The advocates of this view say that the elements (unleavened wafers and wine/grape juice) actually change into, become, the body (and blood) of Jesus Christ.
The Lutheran view is labeled consubstantiation. According to this view, Christ is present in, with, and under the bread and wine. Christ is truly present, but no change occurs in the elements.
The Reformed view is that Christ is spiritually present at the Lord’s Supper. It is a means of grace. The proponents of this view say that the elements contain a dynamic presence of Jesus, and it is made effective in the believer as he partakes.
The memorial view (my view) is that the elements do not change. The ordinance is not intended as a means of communicating grace to the participant. The bread and wine are (only) symbols and reminders of Jesus in His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
Since we participate in the Lord’s Supper in Remembrance of Him and His Redemptive Work on the cross - it would seem that we should do this fairly often. Since becoming a believer in 1987, I have been in different Filipino-American Baptist churches in Southern California - and typically we have always celebrated the Lord's Supper once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month, at the close of our regular worship service.
The Lord's Supper we receive at the close of our worship service is always a special blessing and a source of additional spiritual strength to help us face the coming week in the secular world. Typically on the first Sunday of each month, we close the worship service by having the elders, or other spiritually mature members, pass the elements (unleavened wafers and grape juice) to the congregation.
As this is being done, our pastor will review and share Scripture relating to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). And then, together, we and our believing visitors, participate in the eating of the wafer, symbolizing His body, and the drinking the grape juice, symbolizing His blood shed for us.
Our pastor will explain that the Lord's Supper is a time for all believers to do a spiritual examination of himself or herself. That it is a time to for all believers to renew our focus on Christ, our Christian walk, and our Christian obedience. Then our pastor will remind those present during the worship service that the Lord's Supper is only for those who have believed and received Him as Lord and Savior.
He will assure those who are not yet believers that we do not look down upon them for not being able to participate at that time - but that we sincerely pray that they will make the decision to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.
Actually, before we celebrate the Lord's Supper, that would be a great time to have an altar call. For then those who do make a decision at that time to follow Christ - can then participate in their first Lord's Supper celebration. What a wonderful way to start their Christian life.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 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.'"
At this time, all believers then, together, eat the wafer symbolizing His body broken for us.
1 Corinthians 11:25-26, "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 you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."
Then, all believers, together, drink of the grape juice symbolizing His blood spilled for us.
How often does YOUR church fellowship "Do this in remembrance of Him"? ~ Daily, weekly, monthly, once a year, once every three years, never? Once again, my personal feelings are that it should be done frequently enough to stay in faith with His teaching, yet not so frequent that it becomes a ritual and loses its flavor. Taking Communion every day or every week, for me, would bring it into the realm of being a ritual.
Yet a church which only partakes of the Lord's Supper every six months, once a year, or once every several years - gives me the feeling that this church places no real value on His declaration, "do this in remembrance of Me." I have to ask, "Does this church really have a relationship with Jesus Christ - if it remembers Him only every few years?"
What message would that send to your church fellowship, to visitors, when your church does not celebrate the Lord's Supper - or only does it once every few years?
As I suggested above, the Lord's Supper should not be a major, all day affair. It is most effective when seen as an adjunct spiritual blessing closing our regular worship service once a month. It is like our monthly "spiritual vitamin boost" to sustain us in our secular world.
Another view of making the Lord's Supper a major feast event is reflected in the apostle Paul's admonition to the church at Corinth.
In 1 Corinthians11:20-34 the apostle Paul admonishes the church at Corinth because they made the Lord's Supper into a major meal or feast - when it really should be seen as a Spiritual Snack (my interpretation) meant to fill us Spiritually, not Physically. By the same token, when a church avoids celebrating the Lord's Supper because they feel they have to make it an "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground" event - instead of a reverent ending of their Sunday worship service - that is doing a disservice to the church fellowship - and definitely NOT reverently "remembering Jesus Christ until He comes again."
Now please do not misunderstand. Being a "born and bred" Southerner I love the "All Day Singing And Dinner On The Ground." Growing up in Alabama in the 1940s and 50s, it was fun to go with my step-dad to the small church in the rural farming community near Russellville, Alabama, where he grew up and where most of his family still lived, or were buried, for Memorial Day.
That was a day to decorate the graves, gather in their church for lots of good Baptist hymn singing, and to pig out on country cuisine that still makes my mouth water just to think of it. I have often touted the food fellowship we have in our Filipino-American Baptist churches and Bible studies. As great as that is, it cannot hold a candle to our Southern Dinner On The Ground cuisine from those days.
Before you turn up your nose at "Dinner On The Ground" - it wasn't really on the ground. The ladies would bring their fancy table clothes, spread them on wagons, truck beds, temporary tables brought out of the church, etc.. And every rural family took pride in preparing their very best culinary dishes, brought in their best dinnerware, and laid out on every available surface. We just walked from one neighbor's table (truck, or wagon) to another, enjoying fellowship and sampling Southern Cuisine at its best.
But that said, that type of elaborate feasting and party/dinner atmosphere is what drew the apostle Paul's ire toward the church at Corinth. There is a well known acronym today: KISS, meaning "Keep It Simple Stupid!" And that was, and is, Jesus' intent when inviting us to His Supper Table, the Lord's Supper. Come in reverence, simplicity, and pureness of heart to His Table. That is what He asks us to do, often enough to be special, not so often as to become a Religious Ritual - "do this in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, ! Corinthians 11:24 and 25).
Once again, it is my personal view and belief, but I believe that the Lord's Supper should be celebrated on a monthly basis in every church - and that ALL believers present that day, local members and visitors, should participate. Food for thought? I pray this has given you sincere Christian food for thought.
While there are churches which teach that only members of that local church fellowship can partake of the celebration - I personally believe that when our Lord told us in Luke 22:19, "do this in remembrance of Me" - He was speaking to ALL believers, not just a local fellowship. And what kind of Christian community would we be if we cannot welcome and share the Lord's Table with visiting brethren?
The following two short videos will help us better understand the meaning and responsibility of participating in the Lord's Supper.
The first video is a short, 4 minute, animated explanation taken from GotQuestions web site and is a good review of that special form of worship:
What Is The Importance Of The Lord's Supper / Christian Communion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfB23DmeWWw
The second short video (3 1/2 minutes) is one I made from a PowerPoint Presentation based upon chapters 48 through 50 of Dr. Wayne Grudem's book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine." This 1311 page book published in 1994 has virtually become a standard textbook in most Christian seminaries. There is a shorter version of his book titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings Of The Christian Faith" published in 1999.
A pastor Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, gifted me this shorter book of Christian doctrines which has been a true blessing in my Christian writing ministry. And I have Dr. Grudem's initial book "Systematic Theology" downloaded into my computer in Adobe PDF format. So I can study from both.
In this short presentation video, chapter 48 speaks of the church, chapter 49 speaks of Baptism, and chapter 50 addresses the Lord's Supper. Below is the text from a slide in the presentation which speaks of what I have tried to express earlier regarding participating in the Lord's Supper:
"The Lord’s Supper looks forward to a greater feast (Matthew 26:29, Revelation 19:9). From Genesis to Revelation, God’s aim has been to bring His people into fellowship with Himself, and one of the great joys of experiencing that fellowship is the fact that we can eat and drink in the presence of the Lord."
You can view this PowerPoint based video at:
"Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Bible Doctrine" by Dr Wayne Grudem, Chapters 48, 49, 50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLMu7xI2Wg&list=PL_YT3RttutrgBgasKH52cypQO_ADjr5ns
I pray this discussion of the "The Two Ordinances" has been helpful to you - and that your church family is enjoying the spiritual blessings of regular visits to the Lord's Table.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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