Archive for Communion
Is Communion for Sinners?
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Today we have the honor of bringing you a guest post by our good friend Dr. Malcolm Yarnell, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Director of the Oxford Study Program, Director of the Center for Theological Research, and Editor of the Southwestern Journal of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In this post, Dr. Yarnell addresses the depth of the biblical witness regarding the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper for churches.
Recently, a friend passed me the link to a video promotion for a DVD entitled “Communion.” It is an interesting video (and painfully slow, so be warned!) It is interesting in that the author(s) seems to present the Lord’s Supper as indiscriminately intended for all sinners. But this is too simple of a solution, and does violence to the biblical witness. Read More→
Thank you, NAMB
Posted by: | CommentsI was informed last week that the North American Mission Board has suspended the practice of serving the Lord’s Supper at its Worldchangers camps. This is a move for which I would like to commend NAMB. I believe it is a bad practice for the Supper to be practiced outside of the local gathering for at least three reasons.
First, the Supper is an ordinance that is to be practiced by believers. As a pastor, when I administer the Supper to my congregation, I emphasize this. As my students participated in the Tuesday evening service, the Supper was served to 3 of my students who had not accepted Christ. Therefore, they participated in an ordinance that was not intended for them and that, in contradiction to what their pastor has taught.
Second, the Supper is an ordinance which is restricted from those who are under church discipline. The church at Corinth had been infiltrated by pagan practices and immoral lifestyles. The Supper plays a prominent role in the book of 1 Corinthians, especially for the practice of church discipline. By administering the Lord’s Supper, Worldchangers runs the risk of serving the Supper to someone who may be under church discipline. If the first danger undermines the authority of the pastor of the local church, this one undermines the authority of the local church itself.
Third, it is a direct disregard for the Baptist Faith and Message. The primary definition of the church in Article VI says in part “A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ.” The students that gather at youth camps or missions endeavors are not covenanted together. The practice of covenant belongs to the local church, and not to a mission board, youth camp, or any other organization outside of the church.
I am pleased that NAMB has suspended this practice and believe that they have made a decision to honor the local congregation, respect the leadership of the pastor, and show agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message. I see far too many detriments to the practice of the Supper outside of the local congregation, and no benefit.
Messages on Ordinances
Posted by: | CommentsOn behalf of my brothers here at SBC Today, I have the privilege of presenting our readers video of two excellent messages from Dr. Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In these sermons, preached at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Dr. Moore presents a biblical understanding of the importance of Communion and Baptism–ordinances given to God’s people to be carried out in our churches.
His message on the Lord’s Supper, the first one posted below, is, “Communion (Really).”
His message on Baptism is, “Dead Man Washing.”
I pray that you are challenged, renewed, and encouraged by these messages from Dr. Moore. May we be faithful in our proclamation of what Christ has done for us as we look forward with enthusiastic anticipation at what He has promised.
Communion (Really) from Russell Moore on Vimeo.
Dead Man Washing from Russell Moore on Vimeo.
A Humble Response to the GCR Document and a Dialog with Dr. Reid
Posted by: | CommentsRecently, Dr. Alvin Reid responded to a post I wrote after last year’s convention. We have since exchanged very affirming emails and I was truly honored by his generous and kind response. In the post last year, I had some questions concerning what the Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) was all about because it seemed to be a new buzz term that everyone was excited over, but could not exactly explain on what it all entailed. Since that time several items have been written concerning the GCR and I am happy that Dr. Akin, Dr. Hunt and others were able to put together the new GCR 10 point document. There are several items that I affirm in this document: Lordship of Christ, Baptist Identity, gospel-centeredness, faithful Biblical preaching, and Biblical inerrancy just to name a few. But, I do have some issues in which I either desire further clarification or additional information that are discussed below.
