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Listen "Unit 6: Lecture 8 - The Lord’s Supper | Albert N. Martin"
Episode Synopsis
Directives for special gatherings for worship mandated by the Word of God
Introduction:
As we take up this subject of the special gatherings for worship, the materials will fall under two major headings :
1 – Those special gatherings mandated by the Word of God
2 – Those special gatherings mandated by social, societal, or ecclesiastical customs, not directly mandated nor forbidden by the Scriptures.
1. The Lord’s Supper or the Supper of RemembranceIn addressing this subject, I will do so under two major headings.
First, we will consider three crucial questions concerning the supper of remembrance.
Second, I will set forth some miscellaneous counsels concerning the Supper of Remembrance.
Since it is clear from 1 Cor. 10:16-17 and 1 Cor. 11:17-34 that the supper of remembrance is to be an activity of the gathered church, and therefore must be regulated in its details, those responsible for the oversight and government of the church should feel a keen sense of responsibility in ordering this service properly.
The three crucial questions are:
a. How frequently should the Supper of Remembrance be held?1 Cor. 11:26 (Rev. 11:6)It should be held often enough to derive regularly its intended benefits without leaving it unnecessarily vulnerable to its becoming commonplace on one hand, or superstitiously venerated on the other.b. In what context should the Supper be held?
1 Cor. 10:16-171 Cor. 11:17ff1 Cor. 11:20, 1 Cor. 11:33-34Acts 20:7
It is clear from these passages that the ordinary context for the supper is that of the gathering of the entire church. However, there does not seem to be any convincing biblical reason for not recognizing exceptional circumstances that would make it legitimate for something less than the gathered church as the setting for the supper.
c. What perspectives should predominate our planning and conducting of the Supper of Remembrance?
1) The primary purpose of the Supper ought to dominate the general climate of the service.1 Cor. 11:24-25Lk. 22:19; Heb. 10:3 (Noun); Mk. 14:72; Heb. 10:32 (Verb); 1 Cor. 10:16-17
John L. Dagg, Manual of Theology A Treatise on Church Order, (Harrisonburg, VA: Gano Books, 1990), p. 210.
APPLICATION:
(a) Any ministry preceding our coming to the table should in some degree lead to and underscore this activity of “appropriating remembrance.”(b) Any remarks at the table should encourage and promote this “appropriating remembrance.”(c) All of the hymns and prayers ought to reflect our commitment to engage in this spiritual activity of “appropriating remembrance.
2) The secondary purposes of the Supper ought to regulate some facets of the service.
a) A renewed call to feed by faith upon Christ as our life and salvation. Jn. 6:51ffJohn L. Dagg, Manual of Theology A Treatise on Church Order, (Harrisonburg, VA: Gano Books, 1990), pp. 210-211.
b) A vivid display of our unity in Christ.1 Cor. 10:16-17 John L. Dagg, Manual of Theology A Treatise on Church Order, (Harrisonburg, VA: Gano Books, 1990), p. 211.
c) The powerful and vivid declaration of the Gospel.
1 Cor. 11:26Acts 4:2; Acts 13:38
d) A renewed call to self-examination and holiness
1 Cor. 10:20-21; 1 Cor. 11:27-32Titus 2:11-14Eph. 5:25-261 Cor. 6:19-20
d. Practical guidelines, warnings, and exhortations
1) Beware of any movement away from the simplicity of the apostolic perspectives and directives touching the Supper of Remembrance.
John Owen, The Works of John Owen, vol. 8, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1968), pp. 563-564 (See the entire section (pp. 560-565) in Appendix 4).
2) Beware of a legalistic mentality which will rend the body of Christ over circumstantial details pertaining to the ordering of the Supper of Remembrance.3) Use the occasion of the Supper of Remembrance to demonstrate the parity of the eldership and to combat sacerdotalism and clericalism.
4) Study carefully the issue of open or closed or restricted communion.
Introduction:
As we take up this subject of the special gatherings for worship, the materials will fall under two major headings :
1 – Those special gatherings mandated by the Word of God
2 – Those special gatherings mandated by social, societal, or ecclesiastical customs, not directly mandated nor forbidden by the Scriptures.
1. The Lord’s Supper or the Supper of RemembranceIn addressing this subject, I will do so under two major headings.
First, we will consider three crucial questions concerning the supper of remembrance.
Second, I will set forth some miscellaneous counsels concerning the Supper of Remembrance.
Since it is clear from 1 Cor. 10:16-17 and 1 Cor. 11:17-34 that the supper of remembrance is to be an activity of the gathered church, and therefore must be regulated in its details, those responsible for the oversight and government of the church should feel a keen sense of responsibility in ordering this service properly.
The three crucial questions are:
a. How frequently should the Supper of Remembrance be held?1 Cor. 11:26 (Rev. 11:6)It should be held often enough to derive regularly its intended benefits without leaving it unnecessarily vulnerable to its becoming commonplace on one hand, or superstitiously venerated on the other.b. In what context should the Supper be held?
1 Cor. 10:16-171 Cor. 11:17ff1 Cor. 11:20, 1 Cor. 11:33-34Acts 20:7
It is clear from these passages that the ordinary context for the supper is that of the gathering of the entire church. However, there does not seem to be any convincing biblical reason for not recognizing exceptional circumstances that would make it legitimate for something less than the gathered church as the setting for the supper.
c. What perspectives should predominate our planning and conducting of the Supper of Remembrance?
1) The primary purpose of the Supper ought to dominate the general climate of the service.1 Cor. 11:24-25Lk. 22:19; Heb. 10:3 (Noun); Mk. 14:72; Heb. 10:32 (Verb); 1 Cor. 10:16-17
John L. Dagg, Manual of Theology A Treatise on Church Order, (Harrisonburg, VA: Gano Books, 1990), p. 210.
APPLICATION:
(a) Any ministry preceding our coming to the table should in some degree lead to and underscore this activity of “appropriating remembrance.”(b) Any remarks at the table should encourage and promote this “appropriating remembrance.”(c) All of the hymns and prayers ought to reflect our commitment to engage in this spiritual activity of “appropriating remembrance.
2) The secondary purposes of the Supper ought to regulate some facets of the service.
a) A renewed call to feed by faith upon Christ as our life and salvation. Jn. 6:51ffJohn L. Dagg, Manual of Theology A Treatise on Church Order, (Harrisonburg, VA: Gano Books, 1990), pp. 210-211.
b) A vivid display of our unity in Christ.1 Cor. 10:16-17 John L. Dagg, Manual of Theology A Treatise on Church Order, (Harrisonburg, VA: Gano Books, 1990), p. 211.
c) The powerful and vivid declaration of the Gospel.
1 Cor. 11:26Acts 4:2; Acts 13:38
d) A renewed call to self-examination and holiness
1 Cor. 10:20-21; 1 Cor. 11:27-32Titus 2:11-14Eph. 5:25-261 Cor. 6:19-20
d. Practical guidelines, warnings, and exhortations
1) Beware of any movement away from the simplicity of the apostolic perspectives and directives touching the Supper of Remembrance.
John Owen, The Works of John Owen, vol. 8, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1968), pp. 563-564 (See the entire section (pp. 560-565) in Appendix 4).
2) Beware of a legalistic mentality which will rend the body of Christ over circumstantial details pertaining to the ordering of the Supper of Remembrance.3) Use the occasion of the Supper of Remembrance to demonstrate the parity of the eldership and to combat sacerdotalism and clericalism.
4) Study carefully the issue of open or closed or restricted communion.
In God we trust