Archive for the 'Sacraments' Category

Fellowship is fundamentally a reality, not an experience

Published on May 6, 2011 in Church, Sacraments and The Principle of the Rope. 7 Comments

Most often , Christians speak of fellowship as an activity or subjective experience.  Yet, “fellowship” translates the Greek word “koinonia” and a better translation would be “invested partnership” or “a sharing together”: fellowship is an objective reality.

John Stott explains:

In common usage fellowship describes something subjective, the experience of warmth and security in each other’s presence, as in ‘We had a good fellowship together.’  But in biblical usage koinonia is not a subjective feeling at all, but an objective fact, expressing what we share in together.

So Paul could write ‘you share in God’s grace with me’ (Philippians 1:7); John could write ‘that you may have fellowship with us, and our fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ’ (1 John 1:3); while Paul added ‘the fellowship of the Holy Spirit’ (2 Corinthians 13:14). Thus authentic fellowship is Trinitarian fellowship. It bears witness to our common share in the grace of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Is this not what makes us one?  We come from different countries, cultures, and churches. We have different temperaments, gifts, and interests. And yet we have this in common: the same God as our Heavenly Father; the same Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord; and the same Holy Spirit as our indwelling comforter.

It is our common participation (our koinonia) in God (Father, Son, and Spirit) which unites us. And this is most vividly expressed in the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. For ‘is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is mot the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?’ (1 Corinthians 10:16).  John Stott, The Living Church, IVP, 2007, Downers Grove, 91.

Eat Together

Published on March 22, 2011 in Family and Sacraments. 0 Comments

Eugene Peterson explains that the dinner table provides soil in which seeds can germinate.

As we live and give witness to Jesus to our children and whoever else, we are handing out seeds, not pearls, and seeds need soil in which to germinate.  A meal is soil just like that.  It provides a daily relational context in which everything you say, and don’t say, feel or don’t feel, God’s Word and snatches of gossip, gets assimilated along with the food and becomes you, but not by yourself – - you and your words and acts embedded in acts of love and need, acceptance and doubt.  Nothing is abstract or in general when you are eating a meal together.  You realize, don’t you, that Jesus didn’t drop pearls around Galilee for people as clues to find their way to God or their neighbors. He ate meals with them. And you can do what Jesus did.  Every evening take and receive the life of Jesus around your table.  (The Pastor, page 195).

Trevin Wax: Should we baptize small children?

Published on February 24, 2011 in Church and Sacraments. 1 Comment

My position on this issue is remarkably similar to Trevin’s.

How should a pastor respond to a child who wants to be baptized? How should churches approach the subject of child baptism?

Two centuries ago, few Baptists would have even raised these questions. Many churches required their converts to be 18 years old before baptism.

Today, the situation is remarkably different. As Baptists, we still reject the practice of “infant baptism” because we believe baptism to be immersion of a professing believer, not the sprinkling of an unbelieving baby. And yet, many Baptist pastors baptize children at very young ages without sensing any sort of disconnect.

Read the rest here.

Are “totems” (in the movie Inception) sacraments?

Published on August 9, 2010 in Entertainment and Sacraments. 8 Comments

A spinning top is Dom Cobb's totem.Is there an analogy between Totems in the movie Inception and the sacraments?

If you have seen Inception, then you know that Totems are an important part of the story line.  Per the movie:

A Totem is an object that exists in the real world in order to ground oneself not only in reality, but also in the dream world. A Totem has a specially modified weight, balance, or feel in the real world but in a dream of someone who does not know it well, the characteristics of the totem will very likely be off. In order to protect its integrity, only the totem’s owner should ever handle it. That way, the owner is able to tell if he is in his own dream or someone else’s. In the owner’s own dream world, the totem will feel correct. Any ordinary object which has been in some way modified to affect its balance, weight, or feel will work as a totem (Source).

Inception-062510-0026.jpg

The importance of Totems to the characters in Inception cannot be overstated. These objects of substance and weight, give concrete assurances of reality.  They assure Dom that he is not a projection of someone else’s dream.

Compare and contrast “totems” with Calvin’s thoughts on sacraments.* 

It seems to me that a simple and proper definition would be to say that [a sacrament] is an outward sign by which the Lord seals on our consciences the promises of his good will toward us in order to sustain the weakness of our faith; and we in turn attest our piety toward him in the presence of the Lord and of his angels and before men. Here is another briefer definition; one may call it a testimony of divine grace toward us, confirmed by an outward sign, with mutual attestation of our piety toward him.” Calvin. IV.14.1, page 1277.

Sacraments are “totems” given by God which assure us of the reality of the Gospel.  As Sinclair Ferguson wrote (in reference to Calvin):

[God] provides the visible words of baptism and the Lord’s supper where Christ puts his grace on display in order to bring us to a more assured communion with him through the Spirit’s work and our responding faith (p. 205, emphasis mine). (As quoted in this post).

Inception-050610-0002.jpgThink of it this way.  There are times when we feel that reality is “sloping.”  We wonder if anything is real.  And, at such moments we run to the table to bite into and taste the Gospel.  We remember that Christ’s body was broken, his blood shed.  Or, we see the water splashing down over the face of a brother or sister and are reminded of new birth.  The sacraments are vital aids that sustain the faithful.

Of course, sacraments do not bestow grace in and of themselves, even as in Inception, totems don’t make reality happen.  Rather, the sacraments are a grace which assures the person holding them in his hand of reality.

But, they are more than just memory devices.  They bring us into the presence of Christ in a particular way.  At this point, the analogy breaks down, as illustrations and analogies always do.

The perfectionist in me wants to refine this even more.  But, it is a blog – -not a book.  For more on the sacraments, see this post.

What do you think?  Do you see the parallel? 

*I am comfortable using either the word "sacrament" or "ordinance." For a discussion of the use of these terms, see Grudem’s systematic theology. 

What is Maundy Thursday?

Published on April 1, 2010 in Christology, Church and Sacraments. 0 Comments

Kevin DeYoung gives a helpful introduction:

Like millions of Christians around the world, we will have a Maundy Thursday tonight. If you’ve never heard the term, it’s not Monday-Thursday (which always confused me as a kid), but Maundy Thursday, as in Mandatum Thursday. Mandatum is the Latin word for “command” or “mandate”, and the day is called Maundy Thursday because on the night before his death Jesus gave his disciples a new command. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

At first it seems strange that Christ would call this a new command.

The rest here.

Future son-in-laws better plan on rings, and Christians better plan to observe . . .

Published on February 5, 2010 in Sacraments. 4 Comments

Allie at Martins PartyIs your local church observing the Lord’s Supper this Sunday?

There is an analogy to be made between a wedding (the outward celebration of the marriage covenant) and the ordinances or sacraments.

I have two beautiful daughters (one with blue eyes and one with brown) and there exists the possibility that one day some guy is going to come and sit in my study and expect me to listen while he tries to convince me that he should be allowed to marry my daughter.  (For more here, see, I’m giving away two books and two daughters).

Let’s assume, and this is hypothetical, that after he has answered somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 questions, submitted his financial records to a thorough audit, and let me check the history of his hard drive for unsuitable material – suppose that I were to grant said candidate permission to marry my daughter (We’ll call him “Cecil”)– After all, my girls’ mother wants grandchildren. Son in laws are a necessary part of the equation.

Mary Beth 2008 But, picture that, a few days after I hypothetically gave Cecil permission to marry my daughter, he and the daughter in view showed up to share with Jamie and me that they were engaged. Now, after decades of marriage to my wife, I can predict that she would say with excited eyes, “Okay, let me see your ring.”

Can you imagine if at that point Cecil said, “Oh, I didn’t get her a ring.”

I would scowl, but Jamie would try and put a nice spin on things: “Well, this way, you can go and look for a ring together.”

But, Cecil responds, “Oh, there won’t be any rings. I’ve always found them a bit ostentatious and since a marriage is really about a covenant before God, we don’t find an outward sign really that important.”

I would enter the discussion at this point, if not before. “So, you’re not planning a ring ceremony in the wedding.”

Cecil, “Well, actually, we’re not planning a wedding. Again, we believe that a marriage is an invisible commitment between a husband and wife and as such does not need to be celebrated visibly.

At which point, Jamie would cry. The daughter concerned would know enough to cry. And, I would outline a future course of action.

There would be no recovery for Cecil at this point. But, for the benefit of my daughter and wife, and as evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in my life, I might respond with a little teaching at the point. I would say, “Well, Cecil, while it is true that these are outward signs, the point is that they point to a spiritual and mystical reality. Indeed, that the tangible nature of a wedding and rings and it is a tremendously helpful and concrete way to teach frail human beings about the permanence of marriage.”

Of course, all the more so with the sacraments. Indeed, you could make a far stronger case for the sacraments than for the modern version of a wedding. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are explicitly prescribed in the New Testament whereas wedding have developed culturally for the most part –though the traditions rest on a strong biblical foundation.

My future son-in-laws better plan on attending a wedding and wearing a ring, and Christians should plan on identifying with Christ in baptism and observing the Lord’s Supper.

For more on the sacraments, see Questions and Answers about the Sacraments, Is Your Church Observing the Lord’s Supper Tomorrow and Avoiding Over-reacting to Catholicism.

Is your church observing communion this Sunday?

Published on February 4, 2010 in Sacraments. 5 Comments

Here are some questions and answers about communion I will be reviewing with the Bricks

The question is not where is God present (by itself uninteresting when we are talking about an omnipresent deity), but where God is present for us, in peace and safety rather than condemnation and destruction. Michael Horton, People and Place, 109.

In recent years, there has been considerable slippage amongst evangelicals in understanding how the sacraments should be observed. As a result, their practice has been confused, inconsistent and marginalized. We need to continue to work on developing a biblical view of the sacraments.

What is a sacrament or ordinance?

Calvin defined the sacraments in this way.

It seems to me that a simple and proper definition would be to say that [a sacrament] is an outward sign by which the Lord seals on our consciences the promises of his good will toward us in order to sustain the weakness of our faith; and we in turn attest our piety toward him in the presence of the Lord and of his angels and before men. Here is another briefer definition; one may call it a testimony of divine grace toward us, confirmed by an outward sign, with mutual attestation of our piety toward him.” Calvin. IV.14.1, page 1277.

Does it matter if we call it a sacrament or an ordinance?

No, so long as we make sure that we have a biblical understanding. Here, I would agree with Grudem:

It does not seem that any significant point is at issue here in the question of whether to call baptism and the Lord’s Supper “ordinances” or “sacraments.” Since Protestants who use both words explain clearly what they mean by them, the argument is not really over doctrine but over the meaning of the English word.

Are the sacraments really that big of a deal?

The importance of the ordinances cannot be overstated. Nothing is more central to our identity as a New Testament church than how we observe the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. So central are they, that, a local church that does not observe biblically the sacraments ceases to be a local church.

So, are you saying that we are saved by virtue of being baptized and observing the Lord’s Supper?

As Protestants in the Reformed tradition, we deny that the sacraments automatically bestow spiritual benefits. They benefit only those with saving faith.

How do we benefit through participation in the Lord’s Supper?

The sacraments are visible signs give by the Lord that teach us about faith, remind us of the Gospel, require us to examine ourselves, and proclaim the Gospel to ourselves and an unbelieving world.

In drawing near to the table, we flee from idolatry and remember together the work of Christ (1 Cor 10:14-22). As Jesus said on the night he was betrayed, we do this in remembrance of him (1 Corinthians 11:24).

In observing the sacraments, we share Christ and his presence through the Holy Spirit in a profound way. This involves a mystery that goes beyond our ability to comprehend it. But, we dare not in any way underestimate the importance.

How many sacraments are given to the local church?

Two sacraments are given to the local church: baptism and communion.

Who should participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or communion?

Baptized believers who are walking obediently with Christ.

When else should I not participate?

The Bible issues very stern warnings to those who would participate in communion in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27-32).

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.(1 Co 11:27-32).

If you are involved in ongoing sin that you have not repented of (and that means taking steps to no longer do it), then you should not participate. Better said, you should deal with the sin and come humbly to the table. Choose to sin, choose to suffer (Galatians 6:7-8, 1 Corinthians 10).

Is it a big deal to not be baptized?

Yes. It is huge. Baptism is the non-optional, New Testament means, by which faith in Christ is publically professed. Those refusing baptism should read Matthew 10:32-33.

"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.(Mt 10:32-33)."

Being baptized doesn’t save you, but those who are saved will be baptized. Of course, there are cases like the criminal on the Cross, that a believer is not able to be baptized (Luke 32:32-43). Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith . . . (2 Corinthains 13:15).

Infant baptism, believer’s baptism, or both?

Published on January 11, 2010 in Sacraments. 1 Comment

Trevin Wax reviews a book in which three authors defend alternative views on baptism.  Sharing Trevin’s view as I do, I appreciate the questions that he raises, but also the gracious way in which he does so.

A number of Christian publishers have begun releasing books that include various essays and interaction between opposing viewpoints. Zondervan began with the “Counterpoint” series; Broadman & Holman now has a “Perspectives” series. Last year, IVP began a similar series, first publishing The Lord’s Supper: Five Views and now, Baptism: Three Views (2009).

The IVP book on baptism is unique in that it does not focus on all the different views within Christendom. Instead, the focus is squarely on the question most relevant to most evangelicals: Do we baptize infants or not?

Baptism: Three Views does not discuss baptismal regeneration (thus excluding the Churches of Christ, the Anglicans, and Roman Catholics from the conversation). But the narrow focus on adult versus infant baptism actually enhances the book by keeping the discussion pinpointed on the question of who should be baptized, not what is happening in the baptismal font.

Bruce Ware, a professor at Southern Seminary contributes an essay that explains the Baptist position. Sinclair Ferguson, the senior minister at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, describes the infant baptism view. Anthony Lane, Professor of Historical Theology at London School of Theology, outlines a proposal he describes as “dual practice.”

When I first glanced at the table of contents, I thought to myself, Oh no! There are three views here – two of which are directly opposed and a third that appears to be a hybrid. I can already assume that the book will lead to the third view as the “best of both worlds.” Thankfully, this book stays much more objective than I anticipated. (Furthermore, Lane’s contribution is significant enough in its own right to be taken as a distinctly third view, not merely as a hybrid.)

Read the rest here.

Is your church observing the Lord’s Supper tomorrow?

Published on December 5, 2009 in Sacraments. 0 Comments

Given that tomorrow is the first Sunday of December, I would assume that many churches are observing communion tomorrow.

Are you getting ready? 

Five suggestions for preparing for communion:

  1. Take care of broken relationships.  Make a phone call.  Ask your spouse for forgiveness.  Matthew 5:24!!!!  Heed the warning of 1 Corinthians 11:17.
  2. Read John 1:1-14 aloud as a family. Or, if your children are young – - perhaps, read the story of Zacchaeus aloud (Luke 19:1-10).  Or, Colossians 1:15-20.
  3. Pray on your knees for a minute.  Do you have a minute to pray on your knees?
  4. Pray for your pastor and the service.  Then send your pastor an email telling him you prayed.
  5. Listen to a Cross centered hymn like, “There is a Fountain,” or, “When I Survey the Cross”

How to Run for Your Life

Published on October 8, 2009 in Preaching and Sacraments. 0 Comments

My sermon on 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 is available here.

The central thought of the sermon is that we flee idolatry by properly running to the table.

I continue to be persuaded that one of the greatest needs for local churches is a more thoughtful observance of the Lord’s Supper.