The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The Lord's Supper/Communion practices

Susan,



In His Grace,

What a wonderful 'come back' - and no doubt you two never 'went back'?<br><br>Amen! <br><br>

In reply to:

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and no doubt you two never 'went back'?

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Laz,

In His Grace,

Pilgrim,<br>Sounds like you went to The Church of the Frozen Chosen!<br>Susan<br>SWW<br><br>

I just read your response, and those to others, and am very glad you've dusted off your sandals. When I was younger it was dressed up or nothing for both my mother and I. She would go to such pains to make sure her bag matched her shoes and her hat didn't clash with either her dress, or in the winter, her coat..you get the idea. The conversations on the way home always touched on 'that person' who wore a summer hat with a winter coat, or white shoes after Labor day, never on the content of the sermon or Scripture and church was nothing more than a place to show off the new stuff, a social club, and when I got older I stopped going altogether. I guess I'm just alittle gun shy about a dress code for the masses. Hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.<br><br>the other Susan

Susan,



In His Grace,

I think I may be dragging this thread further and further off topic..but here goes. I agree with you on a certain level. I don't think you should come to church dressed for the activity that will immediately follow church. Witnessed some of that in my church shopping spree, not pretty. Boats were hooked up to cars out in the parking lot, it was like church was just another thing one had to do, like getting gas, before hitting the highway. To me, this is disrespectful, but it isn't 'to me' that people come to worship. Focusing on someone else's manner of dress detracts from us focusing on our own sinfulness and need for Christ. We're really all in the same lifeboat, and we should be exceedingly glad that we've got a seat, instead of worrying if everyone is dressed (or not dressed) for the occasion. Yes?<br><br>Humbly, the other Susan<br><br>

In His Grace,

...I love going back through the good ole posts that were here before I was. On this topic I want to ask if anyone thinks that it would be considered sacrilegious to have a Communion Sunday where the members of a church and other believers would enjoy an actual meal, communion and the preaching of the word in one setting? Is this done anywhere or would this be considered too informal?

tj,

There can be no doubt that today in many churches, the Lord's Table is practiced in a less than formal manner, without even considering eating a full meal in conjunction with it. I have been in some churches, yes including those who belong to Reformed denominations, where the participants are dressed more for the beach than for worshipping the thrice holy God. There have been "rock" bands playing in some and the atmosphere was far from anything that could possibly considered reverent. (cf. Heb. 12:28; 29).

Too often when people read through 1Cor 11 in regard to the Lord's Supper, they begin at verse 23 and somehow either miss and/or ignore verses 20-22:

1 Corinthians 11:20-22 (ASV) When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord's supper: for in your eating each one taketh before [other] his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.

In this passage, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for its misuse of the Lord's Supper by their having an actual meal at least relatively close to the administration of the Lord's Supper and asks them, rhetorically, why they are doing this when they have their own homes in which they can eat their regular meal. From this text, it appears to me that Paul is making a demarcation between the worship of the Lord and that which we do normally, aka: secular vs. sacred, a division which is not looked upon favorably today or even recognized.

Thus, from reading this passage, it seems to me that eating a regular meal as part of the Lord's Table or ancillary to it is unacceptable.

In His Grace,

Pilgrim,
I can honestly say that I've never looked at this passage from that perspective before. The portion that you highlighted in your post pretty much settles the matter doesn't it? This had been something that I thought would be a "good idea" but as I come to realize more and more, sometimes our "good ideas" are not rooted in Scripture. Thanks brother.

This comes from a congregation affiliated with the Conservative Baptist Association.

-- Frequency? (Once a week, once per month)?
First Sunday each month.

-- The kind of bread and wine used?
We use some kind of flat bread. I have an unbroken piece which I break as I explain about Christ's body being broken for us. grape juice.

-- Reading of 1Cor. 11 or some other text?
Yes.

-- Commentary or elaboration on the bread and wine?
Always. We also include a confession of sin and assurance of pardon during this service

-- Time of quiet reflection and/or prayer?

Yes.

Special attire?
-- White gloves?
-- Special robes?
-- Other?
None of the above, although I keep threatening to wear robes.

Finally, what, if any, of the above are viewed as the mandatory requirements of your communion observance?

A "fencing" of the table, by explaining that it for believers only. At the same time I explain that it is not just for members of our own congregation, but all who believe in Jesus Christ as their only savior.

Curt Lovelace

Piano?

Sorry, but I can't name that tune in just one note. Care to play a few more bars so I and probably the majority of others can figure out what song you are playing with that reply? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have included the PCA Book of Church Order "solution" on the Sacrament of Communion with my comments in CAPS for clarification on my particular interpretation and practice.

The Administration of the Lord's Supper

58-1. The Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be observed frequently; the stated times to be determined by the Session of each congregation, as it may judge most for edification.

FREQUENCY IS... FREQUENTLY DISCUSSED. MOST OBSERVE COMMUNION ON A MONTHLY BASIS. A FEW DO SO QUARTERLY BUT A GROWING SEGMENT OF THE PCA OBSERVES WEEKLY COMMUNION. I DON'T SEE THAT BECOME COMMON HOWEVER. SINCE THE THEOLOGY CONNECTS TO THE PASSOVER OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SOME WOULD ARGUE FOR ANNUAL. THE NEW TESTAMENT SEEMS TO ENCOURAGE A MORE FREQUENT OBSERVANCE HOWEVER. JUST HOW FREQUENT IS THE QUESTION. I OBSERVE IT MONTHLY SOAS NOT TO MAKE IT TRIVIAL IN THE MINDS OF THOSE TAKING IT YET FREQUENT IN THEIR PARTICIPATION. I HAVE ALSO SEEN A MONTHLY MORNING OBSERVANCE AND A QUARTERLY EVENING OBSERVANCE ADDED TO IT MAKING THE TOTAL 16 TIMES IN A YEAR RATHER THAN 12.

58-2. The ignorant and scandalous are not to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL IN RESPONSIBLE CHURCHES. THE WARNING GIVEN TO THE CONGREGATION MUST BE CLEARLY ARTICULATED FOR THEIR OWN GOOD AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAKE THE PROPER PREPARATIONS FOR THE SACRAMENT.

58-3. It is proper that public notice should be given to the congregation, at least the Sabbath before the administration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be instructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it, that all may come in a suitable manner to this holy feast.

SAME COMMENTS AS ABOVE COULD BE SAID HERE.

58-4. On the day of the observance of the Lord’s Supper, when the sermon is ended, the minister shall show:

a. That this is an ordinance of Christ; by reading the words of institution, either from one of the Evangelists, or from 1 Corinthians 11, which, as to him may appear expedient, he may explain and apply;

b. That it is to be observed in remembrance of Christ, to show forth His death till He come; that it is of inestimable benefit, to strengthen His people against sin; to support them under troubles; to encourage and quicken them in duty; to inspire them with love and zeal; to increase their faith, and holy resolution; and to beget peace of conscience, and comfortable hopes of eternal life.

Since, by our Lord’s appointment, this Sacrament sets forth the Communion of Saints, the minister, at the discretion of the Session, before the observance begins, may either invite all those who profess the true religion, and are communicants in good standing in any evangelical church, to participate in the ordinance; or may invite those who have been approved by the Session, after having given indication of their desire to participate. It is proper also to give a special invitation to noncommunicants to remain during the service.



58-5. The table, on which the elements are placed, being decently covered, and furnished with bread and wine, and the communicants orderly and gravely sitting around it (or in their seats before it), the elders in a convenient place together, the minister should then set the elements apart by prayer and thanksgiving.

The bread and wine being thus set apart by prayer and thanksgiving, the minister is to take the bread, and break it, in the view of the people, saying:




l That the Lord Jesus Christ on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, gave it to His disciples, as I, ministering in His name, give this bread to you, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me”

Here the bread is to be distributed. After having given the bread, he shall take the cup, and say:

In the same manner, He also took the cup, and having given thanks as has been done in His name, He gave it to the disciples, saving, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Drink from it, all of you.”

While the minister is repeating these words, let him give the cup.

58-6. Since believers are to act personally in all their covenanting with the Lord, it is proper that a part of the time occupied in the distribution of the elements should be spent by all in silent communion, thanksgiving, intercession and prayer.


58-7. The minister may, in a few words, put the communicants in mind:

Of the grace of God, in Jesus Christ, held forth in this sacrament; and of their obligation to be the Lord’s; and may exhort them to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they are called; and, as they have professedly received Christ Jesus the Lord, that they be careful so to walk in him, and to maintain good works.
It may not be improper for the minister to give a word of exhortation also to those who have been only spectators, reminding them:

Of their duty, stating their sin and danger, by living in disobedience to Christ, in neglecting this holy ordinance; and calling upon them to be earnest in making preparation for attending upon it at the next time of its celebration.

Then the minister is to pray and give thanks to God,

For His rich mercy, and invaluable goodness, vouchsafed to them in that Sacred Communion; to implore pardon for the defects of the whole service; and to pray for the acceptance of their persons and performances; for the gracious assistance of the Holy Spirit to enable them, as they have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so to walk in Him; that they may hold fast that which they have received, that no man take their crown; that their conversation may be as becomes the Gospel; that they may bear about with them, continually, the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in their mortal body; that their light may so shine before men, that others, seeing their good works, may glorify their Father who is in heaven.

An offering for the poor or other sacred purpose is appropriate in connection with this service, and may be made at such time as shall be ordered by the Session.
THIS IS OFTEN CALLED "THE DIACONAL OFFERING" AND IS USUALLY GIVEN SPECIFICALLY FOR BENEVOLENCE PURPOSES.
Now let a psalm or hymn be sung, and the congregation dismissed, with the following or some other Gospel benediction:


Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

58-8. As past custom has been found in many parts of the Presbyterian Church, our congregations are urged to have a service of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s Supper during the week previous to the celebration of the Sacrament.


I HOPE THIS HELPS.
BLESSINGS,
M CANNON