Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

in
cup."
6. What was the commotion at the
foot of the mountain where Jesus was
transfigured
7. What mistakes did the boy's father
make in his request to Jesus
8. What lesson in prayer should we
learn from this story
For Your Notebook:
The following illustration represents
our story. The heart of man is like the
electric light bulb. Faith is like the con
nection between man's heart and God's
power. The bulb will not light until
there is a connection with the dynamo.
On your page draw an electric light
bulb labeled "MAN'S HEART." From
the bulb draw an electric wire (labeled
"FAITH")
across the page to a box
representing the dynamo labeled
"GOD'S POWER."
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
February 20, 1955
Rev. W. J. McBurney
(Lessons based on International Sunday School
Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for
Christian Teaching, copyrighted by the Inter.
national Council of Religious Education.)
THE CHURCH AND ITS
SACRAMENTS
Matt. 3:13-17; 26:26-28; 28:19, 20; Acts
2:38-41; 10:34-48; I Cor. 11:23-29
Printed Text, Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 2:38-
41; I Cor. 11:23-27
Memory verse, Matt. 28:19, 20
The best commentary on the nature
and methods of the Sacraments is found
in the Westminster Catechism, ques
tions 91 to 97. Or for a fuller explana
tion, the Larger Catechism questions
161 to 177. To quote these in full, would
require more space than is alloted to
this study. It is not necessary to quote
them, since copies are in all of our
homes, if not in our memories.
If the controversies concerning the
administration of the sacraments have
not brought perfect agreement as to
methods,
study
they have secured a broad
of the Old and New Testaments
and of the customs of Christ's day, that
throws light on the whole matter.
In Baptism, it is certain that several
methods of applying the water were
used. We have accepted sprinkling as
the manner most suitable for general
use, yet we accept the other methods
as valid when received in faith. If a
person insists that only one of these
methods is valid, it is plain that he
does not understand the meaning of
the sacrament, and is therefore not pre
pared to receive it. The use of water in
baptism is not to cleanse, but is a sign
of cleansing.
The Lord's Supper was instituted at
the close of a meal, and since there is
no word to the contrary, it is to be in
ferred that the elements and vessels
76
used at the Passover Supper were used
in instituting the Lord's Supper. The
Bread and Wine were sensible signs
with no emphasis placed on their physi
cal quality. There is no mention of the
vessels that were used. The Broken
Bread may have been passed from hand
to hand, or passed in a basket. The way
that would seem most natural at a meal,
would be preferred. There is no mention
of a "common
Indeed there is no
mention of any vessel in connection with
the wine. The cup that is mentioned, is
one that we are to drink. We do not
drink a vessel. We cannot be certain
of the number of vessels that were used
in serving the wine. It should be handled
decently and in order. Not the vessel,
but the wine is the sign and seal.
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan,
probably near Bethabara or Jericho. The
place is neither known nor significant.
The Pentecost Baptisms in Jerusalem
were just as well. Pilgrims have trav
eled far to be baptized in the same wa
ters in which Christ was baptized. Jor
dan water has been carried all over the
world for baptismal purposes. Yet the
water that is in the Jordan today may
have been in the Mississippi or the Gan
ges two thousand years ago. That makes
no difference. The matter of great im
portance is to receive the approval of
God.
Christ's baptism was unique. He was
the only
man ever baptized who was
without sin. John did not doubt Jesus
when he hestitated about baptizing Him.
It was his own worthiness that he
doubted. John knew that he was not
worthy even to loose the sandals from
Jesus'
feet. The signs that followed dem
onstrated the truth, that the sacraments
do not become effectual ...
by any vir
tue ... him that doth administer
them, and in this case there was full
evidence of the blessing.
In the Great Commission, Christ said
to baptize in the Name of the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. Yet the story of
Pentecost and other incidents record
baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
This may be an abbreviation in the rec
ord, or an abbreviation in the Name.
There is a business firm whose name in
cludes three persons, but you may ad
dress your letter and make your check
payable to "Sears," and it will deliver
your goods promptly. Much business is
done in the name of "Sears."
Christ is the Executive member of the
Godhead. When we deal with Him, we
are dealing
with God. And we cannot
come to God except through Him. When
we honor and obey Christ, we honor
and obey God.
When John acted on
Christ's request, he was sure of Divine
approval.
The believer must profess his faith
both to God, and before the
world. The
sacraments provide one way of profess
ing before the world. The sacrament is
received in public, and is a matter of
public record.
1 Cor. 11:23
Christ instituted the Lord's Supper
at the close of the Passover Supper,
using such things as were on the table.
The Corinthians, and some other early
Christian Churches, tried to combine
the Passover and the Lord's Supper.
This practice in Corinth, led to excess
es. It is even possible that some joined
the company because of this feast. It
was not the combining of the Old and
the New that led to the abuse. But it
did give opportunity to indulge in ban
queting, which in all ages has led to
excesses in eating and drinking. Some
think that the separation of the Lord's
supper from the Passover in the early
Christian Churches came gradually, and
that the combination was not always
abused. The Dunkards still observe the
Passover before the Lord's Supper. I
once witnessed their Love Feast. It was
very reverently conducted throughout.
There was a full bountiful meal, the
washing of feet, the kiss, and then the
bread and wine were served in much
the same manner,
and with almost the
same words that we use. It was al
together a very
impressive service. It
does not appear to have been the com
bining of the Passover and the Lord's
Supper for which Paul rebuked the
Corinthian Church. It was rather the
gluttonous abuses that they had prac
ticed and tolerated in connection with
the observance.
Christ's institution of the Lord's Sup
per was surrounded by other things
that did not belong to this new Sacra
ment. It is not strange that confusion
arose. Paul received of the Lord the
true pattern by which the Lord's Sup
per was to be administered. So instead
of trying to follow what is recorded in
the Gospels, we follow the instructions
given by Paul.
The Bread and the Wine are com
mon articles. But when set apart for a
Sacramental use, they become the sign
and seal of our receiving Christ. That
is a very impressive thought.
Since
there is no virtue in these elements,
we should attach no superstitious
thought to them. Yet because of their
sacred meaning, we should handle them
with reverence. The cloth and colors of
our flag
are common. But when they
are blended into the emblem of patriot
ic loyalty, no loyal citizen will
dis
honor it, and there are civil penalties
prescribed for those who do. Christ pro
nounced a very severe penalty on those
,vho go through the form of observing
the Lord's Supper without Spiritual
THE COVENANTER WITNESS