I had to do some digging, but I managed to find an image I liked. It is a picture of the Table at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. Given the subject for this blog, I thought it was apropos.
More than JUST a memorial.
When I was converted back in 94, I was attending a Baptist Church. It was an old Italian Mission. Great little church, and I learned a lot there. I spent ten years under one mentor. I taught there, preached regularly, and served in whatever capacity I could. Lots of fond memories.
In 2004, I joined Bible Way, was ordained into ministry in 2005, and was called to be the pastor in 2006. I have been pastoring there since. In 2015 or so, I began to do a deeper study of my Baptist roots, and a lot has changed since then. Today, I wanted to talk about one of those areas of change, my view on the Lord’s Table, more specifically, why it is MORE THAN JUST A MEMORIAL.
There was a time when that was all that it was, and while the scripture speaks plainly to this effect, there is something more, another layer, deeper significance and meaning for the participants and Christ’s true church overall. Among the many historic and orthodox doctrines of the faith, the ordinance of the Lord’s Table has come under disuse, irreverence, and even blasphemy. The more I study it through, the more light breaks through, the more humbling it is. It certainly has led to a much more reflective and meditative approach. I believe this was the approach the early church and or forebears throughout church history took when celebrating communion.
As to the Supper being a means of grace, it certainly doesn’t mean it is a means of grace in a salvific sense. That would lead to a works-type salvation and other false teachings. By calling it a means of grace, we are saying the Table is a vehicle for spiritual nourishment and growth.
In a book I am currently reading – The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Grace More than a Memory, the author Richard Barcellos defines means of grace as the delivery systems God has instituted to bring grace – that is, spiritual power, spiritual change, spiritual help, spiritual fortitude, spiritual blessings – to needy souls on earth.” pg. 23 The Bible, Prayer, Fellowship, etc., can be considered means of grace.
Men far greater than I have written copiously on this subject, while not an exhaustive treatment of the subject, please consider with me why I believe the Communion Supper is a vehicle for spiritual nourishment and growth –
It is an ordinance given by Christ on the night of his betrayal. It was not given out of duress but out of love for his church. It was meant to be received as a gift and a blessing, so that his beloved Church would remember him, his sacrifice, and his promise to return. It was an ordinance given that was to be practiced. It’s not optional as some believe today. Matthew 28:19-20;1 Corinthians 11:2
It is a blessing meant to bring us to a place of remembrance not only of his death but of his promises to his church. Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 As oft as ye do this you do shew the Lord’s death till he comes. What a place for all believers to gather. Regardless of spiritual maturity, the Table helps all believers to take in the meaning and significance of all that Christ has done for them through the cross. This is why it is more than JUST a memorial; it truly is a means of spiritual nourishment.
It is a place of self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:26-28), repentance, and recommitment to the Lord. Here again, we see why the ordinance is a means to nourishment and growth. To be brought regularly to a place of self-reflection and repentance before God. This is what leads to spiritual growth.
It is a communion ordinance. Since it was given by Christ to His Church, it is understood that His true church comes together to remember and show the sacrifice of Christ in his death, and to confirm the same convictions and the one true apostolic faith of believers, together with all the benefits and blessings associated with it.
It is not JUST a memorial, according to 1 Corinthians 10:16, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? – It is communion with Christ. Think about this in terms of who Christ is. He is God manifest in the flesh, and when we partake of the Table, we are in communion (fellowship, participation) with all three persons of the Godhead.
The communion ordinance is a time of joy and blessing as we consider Christ’s great work on Calvary, his great work in us, and his great work for us. We rejoice in his presence with us.We rejoice in knowing that we are redeemed, sanctified, and adopted. We rejoice in the hopeful expectation of his soon return for us.
I leave off with a quote from J.C. Ryle – “The ‘means of grace’ are such as Bible Reading, private prayer, and regularly worshipping God in church, wherein one hears the Word of God taught and participates in the Lord’s Supper.”
Just a preacher's blog 