THE LORD’S SUPPER

2004-2005

LESSON THIRTEEN

I. Who is to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper?

A. F. Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, Vol. III, pp 381 ff

B. Congregations and their public servants.

1. Only the administrants.

2. Not the lords of the Sacrament.

3. Must follow Christ’s instructions.

4. Are not permitted to introduce “Open Communion”.

5. Must guard against denying Sacrament to those Christians for whom Christ has appointed it.

C. Lord’s Supper.

1. Not intended for everyone, only Christians.

2. Difference here with the preaching of the Gospel.

3. Christ preached to Jewish people generally, from place to place (Mt 9:35-38)

4. But, first Supper celebrated in closed circle of disciples (Mt 26:18,20).

5. Neither did the Apostolic Church practice “open” Communion. (1Co 11:20; 10:17).

D. To be admitted are:

1. Such as have been baptized.

a. Day of Pentecost, converts were called on to accept Baptism, not to receive Communion (Ac 2:38).

b. By analogy, only circumcised permitted to join Passover (Ex 12:48).

2. Such as are able to examine themselves.

a. 1Co 11:28.

b. Excludes children, the sleeping, the unconscious, the dying deprived of the use of their senses, the insane, etc.

3. Only such as believe the words of institution.

a. Hence believe both.

(1) that they receive the true body and blood of Christ, and

(2) that Christ gives them this priceless gift for the remission of sins.

b. This provision excludes Christians in Reformed denominations.

(1) There are children of God among those still preaching Christ’s vicarious satisfaction.

(2) But, they lack right understanding of, and therefore faith in, the words of institution.

(3) Therefore, not in condition to use the Supper to their benefit.

(4) 1Co 11:29.

4. Such as must not first remove a public offense that has been given (an issue in Pastoral Theology).

a. Excludes anyone who has made his Christianity doubtful for the congregation.

b. 1Co 5:11.

5. Persons not living in the sin of implacability (otherwise, must be suspended from partaking of the Sacraments.)

a. Must be seeking the forgiveness of sins.

b. Must be ready to forgive others.

c. Or, if in the wrong, to seek reconciliation by asking for forgiveness.

E. Members of heterodox churches.

1. Christians are forbidden to adhere to teachers who deviate from the Apostolic doctrine (Ro 16:17).

2. Members of heterodox bodies.

a. Must first have severed their connection with that body.

b. Must have declared acceptance of the true doctrine before they commune with the congregation.

3. It can not be overlooked that the Lord’s Supper is private absolution.

a. Can only be given to him only who, as far as we are able to judge, sincerely repents.

b. “Open Communion” is a soul-destroying mingling of Law and Gospel.

4. In vain is love, or charity, appealed to in defense of “Open Communion”.

a. Is in fact contrary to love of God.

b. And is contrary to love of neighbor.

c. Inviting people to sin by partaking unworthily of Supper.

II. Church Fellowship

A. Office of the President and CTCR of LC-MS, Feb. 2000.

B. Basic assumptions

1. The Holy Trinity is the source and pattern for the fellowship Christians have with one another in “the one holy Christian and apostolic church” (Latin: una sancta)

a. The triune God is an indivisible communion of persons by virtue of their common participation in the one divine substance.

b. 2Pe 1:4.

2. The one church, the assembly of believers, is an article of faith.

a. Can not be seen, must be believed.

b. Eph 2:19-22.

3. The church’s internal unity, known only to God (Eph 1:4), is expressed by an external or outward fellowship based on confession.

a. Eph 4:4-6.

b. Gal 2:9.

c. Ac 2:42.

d. Splintering predicted (Mt 7:15; 24:11,24)

C. Creeds or confessions are necessary.

1. Not optional – 1Ti 6: 12-16.

2. Mt 10:32.

3. Mt 16:13-18.

4. Ro 10:9,10.

5. Jn 17:17-23.

6. cf Gal 5:9.

7. cf Gal 1:6-9.

LDH