Lord’s Supper 1
Having grown up in a particular type of Baptist circle, I was taught that the Lord’s Supper is one of the two ordinances given by the Lord Jesus Christ. the other being water baptism. Rightly so, both rites are not sacraments are ordinances. The former implying some efficacious grace conferred upon the communicant whereas the latter is but a rite celebrating a particular event. In this case it is the Lord’s Supper.
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial feast, in memory of Jesus Christ who died for the sins of mankind, and it is to remember his salvific act, and above all, celebrate his resurrection and imminent return to gather His saints.
However, the same Baptist group insists that only members of a particular local assembly are allowed to partake of the Lord’s Supper since it is for the local church. Thus if there is a fellow Baptist of like faith and practice, of a good standing in his community happen to be in our midst. He is not asked to leave but advice to abstain from partaking. This is commonly known as “closed communion.” I have always been taught that concept and accepted it without thinking twice about it.
It was only when I went to the States for Bible college and seminary training that I realized that there is also another school of thought amongst independent Baptist. My group happened to be closely aligned to Landmarkism. Even if the adherents denied being part of it, by virtue of the similarity of practice and beliefs rendered them similar. Of course this is by no means guilt by association but a matter of fact.
The other independent Baptists practiced what is known as: “close communion.” What is the difference? I’ll continue in the next blog.
