April - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland

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118The Free Presbyterian Magazinewhat is the most effective thing to do in terms of influence and leaven? Theseare difficult questions to answer, and the conclusions that people come to maywell depend on the degree of light that they have. The situation in Scotlandbefore the Reformation was similar to parts of France today, where one hearsof Bible studies among little Roman Catholic groups, and these people mayhave nowhere else to go. There is no evangelical Church nearby, and theydo not have enough light to take the bold step of separating, but they haveenough light to see that things are deeply wrong and that what they need isthe Bible rather than the priest. Probably this was how it was for many smallgroups of “crypto-Protestants” in Scotland before the Reformation.The Obligation of the Lord’s Supper 1Thomas HoustonThe obligation to celebrate the Lord’s Supper lies upon all Christians1. whose circumstances allow them to do so. It can never be held optionalto observe it or abstain from it at pleasure. Whenever it is regarded as optionaland an irregular and desultory observance is substituted for that which issolemn and stated, the authority of Him who instituted the feast is practicallyset at nought, and the blessings which He has connected with it are undervalued.The will of Christ in relation to the sacrament of the Supper is asclearly made known as for any other commandment which He has given. Heenjoins His people, “This do in remembrance of Me”, as plainly and pointedlyas He commands, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”, or, “Rememberthe Sabbath Day to keep it holy”.We may never plead exemption from a duty which the Redeemer enjoins.“He that offends in one point is guilty of all” – since, by neglect of one, hecontemns the authority which prescribes the whole law and violates the principleof all right obedience. The Lord’s Supper was designed, among otherpurposes, to be a public badge of a Christian profession. By neglecting it, aperson is destitute of the evidence of being a genuine disciple of Christ andvirtually proclaims to others that he is unwilling to be known as one of Hisservants and that he has no desire after the privileges of His house.2. A special obligation rests on Christians to observe this ordinance becauseof the time and circumstances in which it was appointed. When recording theinstitution of the Lord’s Supper, the Apostle Paul relates, with special emphasis,that it was ordained “on the same night in which He was betrayed”1 Taken, with editing, from Houston’s volume, The Lord’s Supper. He died in 1882 at theage of 78, and was a prominent minister in Northern Ireland
The Obligation of the Lord’s Supper 119(1 Cor 11:24). What depth of spiritual meaning, what amazing condescensionand love, are expressed in these few words! It was on the eve of His greatagony, when He was about to accomplish fully the grand mission of His lovefor which He came into the world that He instituted this ordinance as aperpetual memorial of His atoning death and as the assured pledge of Hisunchangeable love to His people. It was when He was going forth to the conflictwith the evil powers of earth and hell, when He was about to surrenderHis precious life as a voluntary offering for the sins of His people.The command to keep the feast and show forth His death was the Saviour’sloving last command, spoken before He entered the scene of bitter sufferings.The command is addressed to everyone who bears His name and professesto expect salvation through His blood, as the parting injunction of a dyingfriend and benefactor. How is it possible that any friends of Christ – to whomHe is precious – can disregard this call of duty, unmindful of the obligationsof love? If we have ever felt the claims of the Saviour’s love, or been affectedaright by the momentous incidents of the night in which He was betrayed,we eagerly ought to desire to show our appreciation of His person and workby taking part in the commemoration.3. A proper regard to Christ’s honour and to a Christian profession in theworld will constrain believers to observe the Lord’s Supper. In no otherChristian ordinance is there so full a display of the glory of the Redeemer asImmanuel, God with us; the Prophet, Priest and King in the covenant; theHusband and Head of His Church; the Source of all blessing and blessedness.Here is manifested His amazing condescension and His glorious perfections.He bows the heavens and comes down. Zion’s King comes, meek andhaving salvation. To share in the rich gifts of His grace and love, He gathersaround Him the poor and the needy, the despised of the earth and those whoare guilty and rebellious, polluted wanderers and backsliders. In the symbolismof the ordinance, divine perfections are displayed in their lustre andharmony – combined in the great work of human redemption. In the fellowshipwhich the Redeemer has with His people in this ordinance, theseperfections are seen in the most attractive way. “Mercy and truth are mettogether; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Ps 85:10).“Gather My saints together unto Me, those that have made a covenant withMe by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; for Godis judge Himself” (Ps 50:5,6).If we would behold the beauty of the Lord and be instrumental in promotingHis glory, we will attend upon the ordinance which He has appointed as aprincipal means of revealing His grace and truth and as an eminent way ofspreading His renowned fame. The honour of a Christian profession is also
Page 1 and 2: TheFree PresbyterianMagazineIssued
Page 3 and 4: TheFree Presbyterian MagazineVol 11
Page 5 and 6: Thomas Manton and Contentment 99beh
Page 7 and 8: “But . . . ” 101the world as He
Page 9 and 10: “But . . . ” 103a speaking as w
Page 11 and 12: “But . . . ” 105Now with these
Page 13 and 14: Benefits of the Reformation to Scot
Page 19 and 20: Some Steps in Offering Sacrifice 11
Page 21 and 22: Some Steps in Offering Sacrifice 11
Page 23: Scottish Reformers’ View of Roman
Page 27 and 28: The Call to the Water of Life 121Th
Page 29 and 30: Book Review 123aloud: “Ho”. How
Page 31 and 32: Protestant View 125the Church has r
Page 33 and 34: Notes and Comments 127a believer’
Page 35 and 36: FREE PRESBYTERIAN PLACES OF WORSHIP

April - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland

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