IV. THE LORD’S SUPPER AND THE LORD’S CHURCH

1. When the Lord instituted the Lord's Supper, He gave adequate

2. instructions for it to be done properly.

3. But like everything else, man has made a mess out of it.

4. There are basically three main methods taught today concerning the Lord's Supper....

A. Open Communion.

1. "Open communion" is practiced when a church allows anyone of any "denomination" partake of the Lord's Supper.

2. The only restriction for "open communion" is, to participate one must be born again.

3. Many so-called churches do not even practice that restriction, they will allow anyone to participate; lost or saved.

4. The majority of churches today practice "open communion" in one form or another.

B. Close Communion.

1. "Close communion" is practiced when a church will only allow people of their faith and persuasion to participate.

2. For example; if a Baptist church allows anyone from any other Baptist church to participate in the Lord's Supper, that church is practicing "close communion."

C. Closed Communion.

1. "Closed communion" is practiced when a church allows only the members of their church participate.

2. I might add that only members in "good standing" of that church are allow to partake of the Lord's Supper.

3. "Closed communion" is what I believe the Scriptures teach as being the proper method of observing the Lord's Supper.

4. Today many if not most, Baptist churches practice "open communion."

(a). This is gross error and in direct contradiction to biblical teachings.

(b). This offense is serious enough that sound Baptist churches, including this one, will not accept or grant letters to a church that practices "open communion."

(c). As a matter of fact, we will not even recognize their baptism.

(d). In other words, if someone comes to Grace Baptist Church and wants to unite with this body, if that person was baptized at a Baptist church that practices "open communion;" we will not accept that persons baptism.

(e). That person would have to be willing to submit to proper baptism before we could accept them.

D. What Is The Lord's Supper?

1. A Church Ordinance.

(a). The Lord's Supper is not a "Christian" ordinance, it is a church ordinance.

(b). There is not one single instance in the Bible where the Lord's Supper was observed outside church capacity.

(c). When Christ instituted the ordinance of the Lord's Supper it was to His church which happened to be made up of His Apostles. See Matt. 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. Matt. 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

2. A symbol to call to remembrance.

(a). Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

(b). 1Cor. 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

3. A Communion between the Lord and His church, not a communion between one another.

E. What Is A Church?

1. Local, visible body of baptized believers.

(a). "Local".... your membership should be in a church that is reasonably local, not off in Taiwan somewhere.

(b). "Visible".... the church is not the building, but the people; you are not invisible and neither am I.

(c). "Baptized believers".... that is baptized by the proper authority (a local N.T. Baptist Church), in the proper mode (immersion) and this is for "believers" only (babies cannot and do not believe).

2. No "universal" invisible church.

(a). This very popular heresy did not come into existence until the reformation (Protestant break from Catholic) 1520 AD.

(b). They were simply trying to combat the Catholic doctrine of "universal visible" church.

3. No "universal" visible church.

(a). The Catholics believe that the church is visible but none the less, universal; they believe that all the catholic people make up one giant, universal church.

(b). Rev. 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (c). As a matter of fact, the term "churches" (plural) is used some 36 times in the N.T.

(d). 1Cor. 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place,... that eliminates a universal church. Also See 1Cor. 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

F. The Necessity Of Closed Communion.

1. The "church body" must come together to observe the Lord's Supper, that eliminates anyone else.

(a). Notice Matt. 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

(b). Christ had more followers and disciples than simply these 12, but the Lord's Supper was not open to everybody that was one of His followers; no one else but the 12 was invited.

(c). These 12 made up the first church. See 1Cor. 12:28 And And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,...

(d). John 13:21-27; 30-31

2. The church observing the Lord's Supper must be in unity.

(a). 1Cor. 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

(b). If a church is having problems with the membership not being in unity, the Lord's Supper should not be observed until the problem is resolved.

(c). Someone who is not one of our members is neither united with us nor in unity with us, how can they be if they are not of us.

(d). That necessitates "closed communion." 3. Only those that are members (in good standing) of that particular, local church should observe the Lord's Supper at that church; that necessitates closed communion.

(a). 1Cor. 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s

body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among

you, and many sleep.

(b). If you have to be a member in good standing, then that necessitates closed communion.

(c). If we, as individuals, do not discipline ourselves, then the church must do it for us.

4. When the church has to discipline...

(a). Rom. 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

(b). 1Cor. 5:1-13.

(c). That necessitates closed communion; we cannot discipline someone who is not a member of our church.

CONCLUSION:

A. A Communion With The Lord.

B. Must Be Restricted.

C. Therefore Must Be Closed.

 

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