The Lord's Supper
Definitions
Sacrament - The Catholic Church and some Protestants believe and observe the keeping of the sacraments. What is a sacrament? A sacrament is a religious right which, if observed or kept, is thought to have redemptive qualities.
Ordinance - Baptists have historically maintained that there are no redemptive qualities outside the shed blood of Jesus Christ. What is an ordinance? The word ordinance means law or statutue. So when we keep or observe an ordinance, it's just a matter of obedience. ( 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 ). We do not believe as Baptists, that there are any redemptive qualities in water baptism or the Lord's Supper. Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done , but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
The Ordinance of The Lord's Supper
The account of the Lord's Supper
"And as they were eating , Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said , Take , eat ; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks , and gave it to them, saying , Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." - Matthew 26:26-29
"And he took bread, and gave thanks , and brake it, and gave unto them, saying , This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." - Luke 22:19
The Aims of the Lord's Supper
The meaning or purpose of the Lord's Supper is according to 1 Corinthians 11:16 : "... to show forth the Lord's death till he come." Communion is a time of reflection, recognition, celebration and anticipation.
The Analogies of the Lord's Supper
Baptists believe that the elements of the Lord's Supper, the bread and the wine are symbolic of his body and his blood.
We do not believe that the bread and the wine somehow are transformed into the literal body and blood of the Lord Jesus (transubstantiation).
The Authority of the Lord's Supper
We believe that the Lord's Supper is a local church ordinance. The authority resides in the local church.
The admission of the Lord's Supper
There are three requirements one must meet to partake of the Lord's Supper:
- You must be a believer.
- You must be baptized.
- You must examine yourself.
The Three-Fold Purpose
Look backward "... For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death..." ( 1 Corinthians 11:26 )
Look inward "... But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup..." ( 1 Corinthians 11:28 )
Look forward "... till He come." ( 1 Corinthians 11:26 )