Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Followups trimmed to alt.religion.christian.episcopal. : This is a multi-part message in MIME format. : The following letter is posted so that others who attend Churches that = : are neglecting the Sacrament might share the information with their = : Session. The subject "For Presbyterians Only" is titled that way = : because the paper was written by a Presbyterian to Presbyterians, and as = : such have a Confession with which this paper assumes to be common = : ground. -RG OK, but why did you post it in alt.religion.christian.episcopal? Priscilla : FOOTNOTES- : [1] Matthew Henry "It is moreover hinted here, concerning this = : ordinance, That it should be frequent: As often as you eat this bread, = : etc. Our bodily meals return often; we cannot maintain life and health = : without this. And it is fit that this spiritual diet should be taken = : often too. The ancient churches celebrated this ordinance every Lord=92s = : day, if not every day when they assembled for worship." Commentary on = : the Whole Bible I Corinthians 11:25-26. : [2] "The Communion, or Supper of the Lord is frequently to be = : celebrated: but how often, may be considered and determined by the = : Ministers and other Church-Governours of each Congregation, as they = : shall finde most convenient for the comfort and edification of the = : people committed to their charge." The Westminster Directory For The = : Publique Worship Of God (1644 ) : [3] George Gillespie, Notes of Proceedings of the Assembly of Divines at = : Westminster Works: The Presbyterians Armoury (Edinbugh, Robert Ogle and = : Oliver and Boyd 1844-46) 102. : [4] Richard Bacon The Westminster Standards and the Frequency of the = : Lord=92s Supper The Blue Banner Vol. 19 Issue 1-3 Jan./Mar. 2000) 15. : [5] John Calvin "Plainly this custom which enjoins us to take communion = : once a year is a veritable invention of the devil, …the Lord’s table = : should have been spread at least once a week for the assembly of = : Christians, and the promises declared in it should feed us spiritually." = : Institutes of the Christian Religion IV.17.46; and "No meeting of the = : church," writes Calvin, "should take place without the Word, prayers, = : partaking of the Supper, and almsgiving" Institutes of the Christian = : Religion IV.17.44. : [6] J.W. Alexander "Beloved brethren, while we reject the superstitious = : mystery, and unscriptural terrors, which have been conjured around this = : ordinance by priestcraft and deception, and which have made it more like = : a charm or an incantation than a memorial of dying love; we still claim = : it for a sacredness unlike any on earth. When we come, together, to eat = : of this bread and drink of this cup, we do show forth the Lord=92s = : death, till He come. Is it not the communion of the body – of the blood = : of Christ!" God Is Love Banner Of Truth 256-257 : [7] Jeremy Taylor "…wereas some persons abstain from frequent = : Communion for fear, lest by frequency of receiving they should less = : esteem the Divine Mysteries, and fall into lukewarmness and indevotion; = : the consideration is good: and such persons indeed may not receive it = : often, but not for that reason; but because they are not fit at all. For = : whoever grows worse by the Sacrament, as Judas after the Sop, hath an = : evil spirit within him; for this being by the design of God a savour of = : life, it is the fault of the receiver if it passes into death, and = : diminution of the spiritual life. He therefore that grows less devout, = : and less holy, and less reverent, must start back and take the Physick, = : and throw out the evil spirit that is within him; for there is a worm in = : the heart of the tree, a peccant humour in the stomach, it could not be = : else, that this Divine nutriment should make him sick." The Worthy = : Communicant Chapter I Question I=20 : [8] Richard Bacon "Having something infrequently does not make it more = : special. If it were suggested that there were certain intimate relations = : of marriage which should be had less often to make them more special, = : that would not be a very convinceing argument. The way to make something = : more special is by cherishing it, not by reducing frequency. Reducing = : the frequency does not make something special; it just makes it = : infrequent." The Westminster Standards and the Frequency of the Lord=92s = : Supper The Blue Banner Vol. 19 Issue 1-3 Jan./Mar. 2000) 14.=20 : [9] J. R. H. Moorman A History Of The Church In England Adam & Charles = : Black, 297,300=20 : [10] William Perkins (1558-1602) The Calling of the Ministry Banner Of = : Truth, section II : [11] Q154: What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us = : the benefits of his mediation? A154: The outward and ordinary means = : whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, = : are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all = : which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation. : [12] John Chrysostom- "If we were wholly incorporeal, God would have = : given us Graces unclothed with Signs and Sacraments, but because our = : Spirits are in earthen vessels, God conveys his Graces to us by Sensible = : Ministrations."=20 : [13] see previously footnoted Westminster Larger Catechism Question #154 : [14] Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 1: What is the chief end of = : man? Answer 1: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for = : ever. : [15] "The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to = : the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their = : hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word: by which = : also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is = : increased and strengthened." (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter = : XIV, Section 1.) : [16] WLC Q155: How is the word made effectual to salvation? A155: The = : Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the = : word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling = : sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto = : Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; = : of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building = : them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort = : through faith unto salvation. : [17] WLC Q161: How do the sacraments become effectual means of = : salvation? A161: The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not = : by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or = : intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working = : of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are = : instituted. : [18] opus operatum- latin term to describe the Roman Catholic view that = : grace is conferred "…by virtue of the sacramental act itself." = : Cardinal Bellarmine as quoted by Dr. Alan Cairns Dictionary Of = : Theological Terms, 255 : [19] John Bunyan- "As it stands by itself (the word), and is not = : seconded with the saving operation from heaven, it is called the word = : only, the word barely, or as if it were only the word of men. (1Thess = : 1:5-7 1 Cor. 4:19-20 1 Thess 2:13) Because then it is only as managed by = : men, who are not able to make it accomplish its work. The word of God = : when in a mans hand only, is like the fathers sword in the hands of a = : suckling child; which sword though never so well pointed, and though = : never so sharp on the edges is not able to conquer a foe, and to make an = : enemy fall and cry out for mercy, because it is but in the hand of a = : child. But now let the same sword be put in the hand of the Father, and = : then the sinner, and the proud helpers too. are both made to stoop and = : submit themselves." The Acceptable Sacrifice Complete Works Vol. II=20 : [20] Jeremy Taylor- "Let no man advance the preaching of the Word of = : God, to the disparagement, or to occasion the neglects of the = : Sacraments. For though it be true that faith comes by hearing, yet it is = : not intended that by hearing alone Faith is ingendred; for the Faith of = : the Apostles came by seeing; and St. Pauls Faith did not come by = : hearing, but by Intuition and Revelation; and hearing, in those words of = : St. Paul, does not signify the manner of Ministration; but the whole = : Oeconomy of the Word of God, the whole Office of Preaching; which is = : done most usually to Babes and Strangers by Sermon or Homily, but more = : gloriously illustrated to men , by Sacraments. But however, be it so = : otherwise; yet one Ordinance ought not to exclude the other, and least = : of all undervalue that which is the most eminent: but rather let every = : Christian man and woman think, that if the Word ministered by the Spirit = : is so mighty, it must be more, when the Word and the Spirit joyn the = : Sacrament, which is their proper significatory. He that is zealous for = : the Word of God, does well, but let him remember, that the Word of God = : is a goodly Ring, and leads us into Circles of blessed Eternity; but = : because the Sacrament is not without the Word, they are a jewel enchas’d = : in Gold when they are together. The Ministries of the Gospel are all of = : a piece, they, though in several manners, work the same Salvation by the = : conduct of the same Spirit." The Worthy Communicant Chap. I Sec. V-7 : [21] Robert Webber, Ancient Future Faith, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book = : House, Co. 1999), p. 33. : No Copyright, reproduce at will with attribution. :
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Response:
Followups trimmed to alt.religion.christian.episcopal.
: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. : The following letter is posted so that others who attend Churches that = : are neglecting the Sacrament might share the information with their = : Session. The subject "For Presbyterians Only" is titled that way = : because the paper was written by a Presbyterian to Presbyterians, and as = : such have a Confession with which this paper assumes to be common = : ground. -RG OK, but why did you post it in alt.religion.christian.episcopal? Priscilla : FOOTNOTES- : [1] Matthew Henry "It is moreover hinted here, concerning this = : ordinance, That it should be frequent: As often as you eat this bread, = : etc. Our bodily meals return often; we cannot maintain life and health = : without this. And it is fit that this spiritual diet should be taken = : often too. The ancient churches celebrated this ordinance every Lord=92s = : day, if not every day when they assembled for worship." Commentary on = : the Whole Bible I Corinthians 11:25-26. : [2] "The Communion, or Supper of the Lord is frequently to be = : celebrated: but how often, may be considered and determined by the = : Ministers and other Church-Governours of each Congregation, as they = : shall finde most convenient for the comfort and edification of the = : people committed to their charge." The Westminster Directory For The = : Publique Worship Of God (1644 ) : [3] George Gillespie, Notes of Proceedings of the Assembly of Divines at = : Westminster Works: The Presbyterians Armoury (Edinbugh, Robert Ogle and = : Oliver and Boyd 1844-46) 102. : [4] Richard Bacon The Westminster Standards and the Frequency of the = : Lord=92s Supper The Blue Banner Vol. 19 Issue 1-3 Jan./Mar. 2000) 15. : [5] John Calvin "Plainly this custom which enjoins us to take communion = : once a year is a veritable invention of the devil, …the Lord’s table = : should have been spread at least once a week for the assembly of = : Christians, and the promises declared in it should feed us spiritually." = : Institutes of the Christian Religion IV.17.46; and "No meeting of the = : church," writes Calvin, "should take place without the Word, prayers, = : partaking of the Supper, and almsgiving" Institutes of the Christian = : Religion IV.17.44. : [6] J.W. Alexander "Beloved brethren, while we reject the superstitious = : mystery, and unscriptural terrors, which have been conjured around this = : ordinance by priestcraft and deception, and which have made it more like = : a charm or an incantation than a memorial of dying love; we still claim = : it for a sacredness unlike any on earth. When we come, together, to eat = : of this bread and drink of this cup, we do show forth the Lord=92s = : death, till He come. Is it not the communion of the body – of the blood = : of Christ!" God Is Love Banner Of Truth 256-257 : [7] Jeremy Taylor "…wereas some persons abstain from frequent = : Communion for fear, lest by frequency of receiving they should less = : esteem the Divine Mysteries, and fall into lukewarmness and indevotion; = : the consideration is good: and such persons indeed may not receive it = : often, but not for that reason; but because they are not fit at all. For = : whoever grows worse by the Sacrament, as Judas after the Sop, hath an = : evil spirit within him; for this being by the design of God a savour of = : life, it is the fault of the receiver if it passes into death, and = : diminution of the spiritual life. He therefore that grows less devout, = : and less holy, and less reverent, must start back and take the Physick, = : and throw out the evil spirit that is within him; for there is a worm in = : the heart of the tree, a peccant humour in the stomach, it could not be = : else, that this Divine nutriment should make him sick." The Worthy = : Communicant Chapter I Question I=20 : [8] Richard Bacon "Having something infrequently does not make it more = : special. If it were suggested that there were certain intimate relations = : of marriage which should be had less often to make them more special, = : that would not be a very convinceing argument. The way to make something = : more special is by cherishing it, not by reducing frequency. Reducing = : the frequency does not make something special; it just makes it = : infrequent." The Westminster Standards and the Frequency of the Lord=92s = : Supper The Blue Banner Vol. 19 Issue 1-3 Jan./Mar. 2000) 14.=20 : [9] J. R. H. Moorman A History Of The Church In England Adam & Charles = : Black, 297,300=20 : [10] William Perkins (1558-1602) The Calling of the Ministry Banner Of = : Truth, section II : [11] Q154: What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us = : the benefits of his mediation? A154: The outward and ordinary means = : whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, = : are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all = : which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation. : [12] John Chrysostom- "If we were wholly incorporeal, God would have = : given us Graces unclothed with Signs and Sacraments, but because our = : Spirits are in earthen vessels, God conveys his Graces to us by Sensible = : Ministrations."=20 : [13] see previously footnoted Westminster Larger Catechism Question #154 : [14] Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 1: What is the chief end of = : man? Answer 1: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for = : ever. : [15] "The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to = : the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their = : hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the word: by which = : also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is = : increased and strengthened." (Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter = : XIV, Section 1.) : [16] WLC Q155: How is the word made effectual to salvation? A155: The = : Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the = : word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling = : sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto = : Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will; = : of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; of building = : them up in grace, and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort = : through faith unto salvation. : [17] WLC Q161: How do the sacraments become effectual means of = : salvation? A161: The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not = : by any power in themselves, or any virtue derived from the piety or = : intention of him by whom they are administered, but only by the working = : of the Holy Ghost, and the blessing of Christ, by whom they are = : instituted. : [18] opus operatum- latin term to describe the Roman Catholic view that = : grace is conferred "…by virtue of the sacramental act itself." = : Cardinal Bellarmine as quoted by Dr. Alan Cairns Dictionary Of = : Theological Terms, 255 : [19] John Bunyan- "As it stands by itself (the word), and is not = : seconded with the saving operation from heaven, it is called the word = : only, the word barely, or as if it were only the word of men. (1Thess = : 1:5-7 1 Cor. 4:19-20 1 Thess 2:13) Because then it is only as managed by = : men, who are not able to make it accomplish its work. The word of God = : when in a mans hand only, is like the fathers sword in the hands of a = : suckling child; which sword though never so well pointed, and though = : never so sharp on the edges is not able to conquer a foe, and to make an = : enemy fall and cry out for mercy, because it is but in the hand of a = : child. But now let the same sword be put in the hand of the Father, and = : then the sinner, and the proud helpers too. are both made to stoop and = : submit themselves." The Acceptable Sacrifice Complete Works Vol. II=20 : [20] Jeremy Taylor- "Let no man advance the preaching of the Word of = : God, to the disparagement, or to occasion the neglects of the = : Sacraments. For though it be true that faith comes by hearing, yet it is = : not intended that by hearing alone Faith is ingendred; for the Faith of = : the Apostles came by seeing; and St. Pauls Faith did not come by = : hearing, but by Intuition and Revelation; and hearing, in those words of = : St. Paul, does not signify the manner of Ministration; but the whole = : Oeconomy of the Word of God, the whole Office of Preaching; which is = : done most usually to Babes and Strangers by Sermon or Homily, but more = : gloriously illustrated to men , by Sacraments. But however, be it so = : otherwise; yet one Ordinance ought not to exclude the other, and least = : of all undervalue that which is the most eminent: but rather let every = : Christian man and woman think, that if the Word ministered by the Spirit = : is so mighty, it must be more, when the Word and the Spirit joyn the = : Sacrament, which is their proper significatory. He that is zealous for = : the Word of God, does well, but let him remember, that the Word of God = : is a goodly Ring, and leads us into Circles of blessed Eternity; but = : because the Sacrament is not without the Word, they are a jewel enchas’d = : in Gold when they are together. The Ministries of the Gospel are all of = : a piece, they, though in several manners, work the same Salvation by the = : conduct of the same Spirit." The Worthy Communicant Chap. I Sec. V-7 : [21] Robert Webber, Ancient Future Faith, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book = : House, Co. 1999), p. 33. : No Copyright, reproduce at will with attribution. : Content-Type: text/html; : charset="Windows-1252" : Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable : <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" : <HTML<HEAD : <META … read more »
Response:
The following letter is posted so that others who attend Churches that are neglecting the Sacrament might share the information with their Session. The subject "For Presbyterians Only" is titled that way because the paper was written by a Presbyterian to Presbyterians, and as such have a Confession with which this paper assumes to be common ground. -RG July 2001 Session XYZ Presbyterian Church Elders, [ Introductory remarks deleted] … The other item requested by the Session was a request for suggestions for improvements to our Church. Every student of the Word of God has opinions of how the church should worship and be governed. I am no different. Having been raised in the Church, and having been so much a part of the Church for most of my life, I suspect I have more opinions about such matters than most people. In fact, I abound in opinions about Church practice. Rather than give you a litany of concerns I would rather make a plea for the one thing that burdens my heart, with the intent of thereby giving my single point the more force. Men speak many words in their lifetime but we are most curious as to what their last words from their death bed are. So the words spoken are given more weight because of the occasion and their necessitating singularity. Though by God’s grace I am not confronted with immanent departure I similarly hope to give my one request, by its singularity the more weight. My one plea is for a more frequent celebration of the Lord’s supper by our local assembly. I Corinthians 11:25b-26 "…do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come." The only passage in scripture that addresses the matter of frequency is I Corinthians 11:25-26. Regarding this passage Matthew Henry writes- "It is moreover hinted here, concerning this ordinance, That it should be frequent:… it is fit that this spiritual diet should be taken often… The ancient churches celebrated this ordinance every Lord’s day,…" [1] If we were to deny that this passage teaches the sacrament is to be celebrated often we would make Christ’s command to be the equivalent of- if you happen to ever celebrate this sacrament do it in remembrance of Me. Clearly such an interpretation does injury to the Lord’s intended meaning. The question is, how often is often? I do not believe that Christ’s command for the often remembrance is obeyed by a quarterly celebration. When we look to Reformed tradition to find an answer as to how often to go to the Lord’s table we find a variety of practice, and nothing time specific codified in our Creeds. The Westminster Confession Of Faith lists the Sacraments as part of "ordinary religious worship," ( WCF Chapter XXI Sec V.) which is contrasted in the same paragraph with those things that are only to be observed "in their several times and seasons." The Westminster Larger Catechism declares "the Lord’s Supper is to be administered often."( WLC Q. #177) The Westminster Directory For The Publique Worship Of God (1644) states "…Communion,… is frequently to be celebrated:…" [2] In the notes from the Westminster Assembly George Gillespie wrote that divines like Newcomen argued for weekly observance, others argued to make quarterly the mandatory minimum, but not having an explicit command from scripture to such an effect they opted for the "often" and "frequent" language to avoid continued debate.[3] However, weekly Communion is the assumed practice, and when that is not the practice the divines stated that the sermon of the week preceding the celebration was to be prepatory. My point in stating that is that weekly celebration is assumed to be the norm [4]. Quarterly Communion for Presbyterians seems to have always been the bare minimum. John Calvin himself, pleaded for a weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper.[5] If Reformed tradition is to be our guide, we must agree that reflecting scripture it teaches that the Lord’s Supper is to be "often.". One of the issues that seems to always be in play when regarding frequency of Communion is that as Reformed Christians we bristle at anything that smacks of Romanism. As well we should, the perversions of Christian doctrine and practice within her are legion. We "reject the superstitious mystery, and unscriptural terrors, which have been conjured around this ordinance by priestcraft and deception, and which have made it more like a charm or an incantation…"[6] The fact that Satan attempts to pervert the things the Lord has given His saints should not be a surprise. We see it on the pages of scripture, the pages of history books, and from our own experiences. That Satan would have us neglect frequent attendance to the Lord’s table in response to Rome’s error should also not be a surprise. Recognizing this, we must not allow that Rome’s error should ever drive us to another error. It didn’t cause John Calvin or the Westminster divines to abandon frequent Communion, and they had much greater cause to bristle at the errors of Rome than we do. A reason given by some against weekly or monthly Communion is that they feel they will esteem it less if it be celebrated often, or that they will esteem it more if it is less than frequent. This kind of reasoning does not stand testing though. How can that which "being by the design of God" to be "a savour of life" be but "the fault of the receiver if it passes into death, and diminution of the spiritual life?"[7] A respected Presbyterian and Reformed teacher of our day handles the matter a little differently- "Having something infrequently does not make it more special… The way to make something more special is by cherishing it, not by reducing frequency. Reducing the frequency does not make something special; it just makes it infrequent."[8] So just the opposite seems to be the case. When great piety abounds there is more frequent celebration of The Supper, not less. Dr. William S. Plumer, a 19th century Presbyterian, in his treatise on the Ten Commandments states "It is one of the evidences of the low estate of piety in the Christian world that so many professors are satisfied with …quarterly communions. Perhaps there never was a revived state of piety in which there was not a desire awakened for increased frequency in the celebration of The Supper." While the well-read Dr. Plumer does not back up his assertion with examples, my own limited reading of Church historians like Dr. John R. H. Moorman affirms his statement.[9] Do we really think it would be any other way? God’s people love His Word, the Sacraments, and the brethren. In contrast "…wicked men …cannot stand God’s presence in the church. Nothing is more irritating to them than many sermons, frequent praying and receiving the Lord’s supper… as the psalmist says, ‘they do not call on the Lord.’"[10] What is to be the priority given to this Sacrament? As Reformed Christians we have a heritage that teaches the importance of the public preaching and proclamation of God’s Word. Since we have been blessed with so faithful a tradition, and we are diligent to see the Word is preached several times weekly, and in contrast we see that the Lord’s Supper is celebrated only quarterly, it is only prudent then to inquire if the preaching of the Word is as a superior means of grace to the Sacraments as our practice would lead one to believe. The Westminster Larger Catechism clearly teaches that the Word, the sacraments, and prayer are all means of grace given by God.[11] When we consider evangelism the Word and its proclamation clearly stand out. This is affirmed by scripture in passages such as Romans 10:13-15. Faithful Reformed Churches have never been content to have people walk the isle and shake the preachers hand though. This is why we teach that the life long process of sanctification requires constant attention to the several means of grace given and blessed by God. The reason there be several cannot be for no purpose.[12] The means of grace that are given for the believer are the Word, the sacraments, and prayer[13] In them I find no biblical support for any one of them being inferior to another. The Lord’s Supper is dependent upon the Word for authority and meaning, but dependency does not mean inferiority. The United States of America is dependent upon Arab nations for crude oil, to which of them would she concede inferiority? What is the primary purpose of our worship? Is it to be a weekly evangelistic crusade? or a time when believers gather to attend to their "chief end?"[14] Recognizing that it is not to just be a weekly evangelistic crusade does not preclude gospel preaching in the assembly of saints, may it never be. The saints love to hear the gospel, and need to hear the gospel.[15] What if the Larger Catechism Question #155 is cited to support a supposed superiority of the preached Word over and above the other means of grace?[16] What the Larger Catechism Question #155 teaches is firstly, that the Word not united with the Spirit is not an effectual means of salvation. The same is true of the Lord’s Supper.[17] The Word of God is not like some pagan spell that can be articulated and have its magic effect. No means of grace works opus operatum.[18] The Word requires the operation of the Spirit,[19] and likewise the Sacraments are dependent upon the Spirit. Secondly, the Larger Catechism Question #155 teaches that the Word is "especially" used in salvation when preached. This is not over and above another means of grace. Nothing of the other means of grace is referred to, nor is it to be inferred. The matter of this Question is the preached word in salvation over the unpreached Word in salvation, not the preached Word over anything else. Even if one is to grant an inferiority of the Sacrament to the preached Word,
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