Thanks to the cross, every believer is counted as equal before god, and because of this, every believer is invited to partake in the lords supper. The lords supper was instituted by the head of the churchjesus christ. The lords supper is actually related to two feasts of the lord. The arch books series tells popular bible stories through funtoread rhymes and bright illustrations. Clearly written and cogently argued, letham issues a call to a renewed hunger for the lords supper. The lords supper bible definition and meaning of communion.
First the psalm reminds us that every time we eat bread and drink wine at the lords supper, we call on the name of the lord and in so doing share again in the benefits of our salvation. Far from being an empty ritual, the lords supper is a means of grace, a source of spiritual nourishment, and true communion with christ and his church. As they were eating, jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, take and eat it. Letham s volume covers critical exegetical, theological, and historical perspectives in understanding the nature and significance of the sacrament of the lord s supper. Oct 01, 20 this book is worth reading for any protestant wanting an understanding of the significance of the lord s supper in the context of church history and contrasted with roman catholicism. In chapter 11 we have the emblems mentioned in the order of the physical experience of our lord during crucifixion. God, to help our faith, does not only give us an audible word, but a visible sign. While its the meal that should unite us as followers of christ, it sometimes appears we cant even agree. Keith mathison and asked him how he hopes his new book, the lords supper. Gross page images at hathitrust the lord s supper as he instituted it, halifax, wm macnab, 1881, by l. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the lord s death until he comes. An opportunity to enjoy his spiritual presence in a special way.
As jesus was celebrating his final passover meal, he made some bol. But communion or eucharist or the mass is more than a formal ritual. In saying this i should be sorry to ho misunderstood. I was convicted a few weeks ago, while reading a book on baptism, that for many years i have not preached on the meaning of the lord s supper. When i drink of the cup, i remember that he shed his blood. When jesus instituted the supper, it was meant to strengthen the faith of his followers by reminding them of his promises. Partakers participation, in christ syncretism tables evil, warnings against double mindedness the.
The service begins with an invitation to every christian to come to the table. This book is a great series of meditations on the lords supper. I want to show here in this chapter that the cup of the lords supper relates directly to the feast of passover, while the bread of the lords supper relates directly to the feast of unleavened bread. The lords supper is neither meritorious, nor obligatory, in any way, to make the sacrifice of the son of god more effective. Mathison offers readers of all levels and backgrounds a clearer understanding of the supperand of the savior. Sometimes the lord s supper can seem boring, repetitious, or practically meaningless, providing a mere sentimental anchor to your faith. Seen through the filter of the lords supper, the psalm 116 can be applied in a twofold manner.
Keith mathison helps us better understand the lords supper. Sep 22, 2016 seen through the filter of the lords supper, the psalm 116 can be applied in a twofold manner. The mystical presence is the book that started the firestorm. Celebrating the lords supper is deeply significant and full of meaning. Few address in a clear and practical way the many questions christians have about it. However, nowhere is it said to be the most important item of worship. This wellloved series captures the attention of children, telling scripturally sound stories that are enjoyable and easy to remember. Addressing biblical, theological, historical, and practical questions relating to the supper with insight and simplicity, dr. Oct 28, 2018 participation in the lords supper does not stand alone in the christian experience, but usually follows in this way. Barcellos spends the entire book making the case that the lords supper is a means of grace through which christ is present by his divine nature and through which the holy spirit nourishes the souls of believers with the benefits with the benefits wrought for us in christs human nature which is now glorified and in heaven at the right. Mathison walks through these questions and several others to help us better understand this sacrament.
When you come together, it is not the lords supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. If in chapter 10, we have the symbol of the universal church, in chapter 11, we have the action of the local church in the celebration of the lords supper. Those who respond will remember that the symbols of the lord s table spoke to them of their need and christ s provision. Overall, this book contains insightful essays that describe the beauty of the lords supper and the ways this ordinance has been viewed throughout church history. Aug 03, 2003 one is baptism, the other the lord s supper. In reformed theology, the lords supper or eucharist is a sacrament that spiritually nourishes christians and strengthens their union with christ. The lord s supper has been celebrated by christians in one manner or another for over two thousand years. Christs sacrifice, the very thing that is being commemorated by the lords supper, is the sole source of christian unity. The lords supper, knots untied, john charles ryle, christian.
Concerned that the celebration of the lord s supper had become a ritual rather than a reality, william barclay set forth his ideas on the biblical foundation of the sacrament, the history of its form and interpretation in the church, and its meaning for today. The very first lords supper easter arch books 9780570075288. Clearly written and cogently argued, letham issues a call to a renewed hunger for the lord s supper. Partakers participation, in christ syncretism tables evil, warnings against double mindedness the lord s supper. Imagining harriet powers lost bible story quilt hicks, kyra e. Prophetic voice publications the lords supper book details.
There are many books on the lords supper written by able theologians. First held when jesus kept the passover feast with his disciples on the evening before he was betrayed, the lord s supper, or christian communion, looks back to the death of our lord and ahead to his victory over death at the resurrection, as well as his coming again to earth. This is because we are enjoying a communal meal and the emphasis is not on our own personal experience, but rather in our church family sitting down with. Friends, tonight we have the great joy of approaching god through. The lords supper by thomas watson banner of truth usa. The mystery of the supper, consecration of the elements, benefits of. Alcoholic beverages demons communion alcoholism the devil liberation loyalty. The lords supper but in the following instructions i do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the. Mistakenly seen by many as a traditional accent to an already packed worship service, this time of communion has easily slipped into becoming something other than what christ originally intended for it. It is probably also called, the breaking of bread acts 2. The lords supper is more than a church tradition or a complex doctrinal controversyit has practical importance to our daily lives.
Lethams volume covers critical exegetical, theological, and historical perspectives in understanding the nature and significance of the sacrament of the lords supper. While it s the meal that should unite us as followers of christ, it sometimes appears we cant even agree on what to call it, let alone how we might share a common theological view of its significance. His thoughts on any subject are always worth considering. It is a good place to start for those wanting to get a basic grasp.
Jonathan edwards was easily the most significant theologian america produced in her first centuries of existence. This book is worth reading for any protestant wanting an understanding of the significance of the lords supper in the context of church history and contrasted with roman catholicism. Also available as an ebook bobby jamieson talks about his book understanding the lords supper why did jesus give the church a meal to eat together. Sometimes the lords supper can seem boring, repetitious, or practically meaningless, providing a mere sentimental anchor to your faith. Jan 23, 2016 barcellos spends the entire book making the case that the lords supper is a means of grace through which christ is present by his divine nature and through which the holy spirit nourishes the souls of believers with the benefits with the benefits wrought for us in christs human nature which is now glorified and in heaven at the right. By chris tento or to order the book by mail, send check to. Defense of the augsburg confession book of concord. This studied attempt to thrust in the lord s supper on all occasions has a most unfortunate tendency to make men remember the popish mass. Celebrating the lord s supper is deeply significant and full of meaning. To thomas watson, the lords supper was a visible sermon, a mirror in which to gaze on the sufferings and death of christ. The outward or physical action of the sacrament is eating bread and drinking wine.
It has been called a memorial that speaks of the once for all sacrifice of the son of god, and surely no redeemed sinner should object to a reminder of that finished work. Lethams book is a brief introduction to the reformed doctrine of the lords supper. Far from being an empty ritual, the lords supper is a means of grace, a source of spiritual. The mystery of the supper, consecration of the elements, benefits of the supper, christ s love displayed, etc. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the lords death until he comes. A better overall book is understanding the lords supper by bobby jamieson. Concerned that the celebration of the lords supper had become a ritual rather than a reality, william barclay set forth his ideas on the biblical foundation of the sacrament, the history of its form and interpretation in the church, and its meaning for today. The lords supper to thomas watson, the lords supper was a visible sermon, a mirror in which to gaze on the sufferings and death of christ.
Come to the lords supper often with love for others, remembrance of the lord, and examination of yourself. For although the work is accomplished and the forgiveness of sins acquired on the cross, yet it cannot come to us in any other way than through the word. The first section of the book deals with the exege. He makes mention of robert bruce on several occasions.
By partaking of it, i testify that jesus body was broken for me and that he shed his blood for me. Jan 26, 2011 overall, this book contains insightful essays that describe the beauty of the lords supper and the ways this ordinance has been viewed throughout church history. But i have never done anything comparable on the lord s supper. Christs perfect sacrifice of love and service is not reenacted or reactualized at the lords supper. When i break the bread, i remember how his body was broken for me. Participation in the lords supper does not stand alone in the christian experience, but usually follows in this way. Heres the latest extract from my new book, a meal with jesus. Kyriakon deipnon, was in use in the early 50s of the 1st century, as witnessed by the first epistle to the corinthians. This is certainly true when it comes to the lords supper. What a perfect time to give people an opportunity to receive the salvation purchased at the cross.
Conversion, baptism, local church membership, then the lords supper. Pastors who are preparing to preach again on the lords supper will find a feast in this book. The lords supper 1 corinthians 11 23 for i received from the lord himself that instruction which i passed on to you, that the lord jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. The presbyterianreformed understanding of the lords supper is one of thanksgiving and remembrance for the selfoffering of jesus christ once and for all time on a cross in jerusalem. The lords supper is a reminder of the leading truths of the gospel.