Partaking Communion in an Unworthy Manner

All too often people are encouraged not to partake in the Lord’s Table if they have sin in their lives. The fact is that if they don’t think they have sin in their lives they should be excluded (1 John 1:8-10). Remember, the Lord’s Table is proclaiming the Lord’s death, not our self-righteousness (1 Cor 11:26). 

When Scripture says we shouldn’t partake in an unworthy manner, it does not mean we should abstain if we’re dealing with sin and weakness—no one would ever take Communion if that were the meaning. Instead, these instructions require a person not to take the elements of the Lord’s Table if they have not submitted to the Lord. 

Living in an unworthy manner refers to a heart and conduct that are unwilling to repent and are openly insubordinate to the Lordship of Christ. If you are battling sin and humbly seeking to bring every last lust under the truth, this is the fruit of God’s work in your life rather than a reason to not partake of the bread and the cup. As you battle to bring your life under the Lordship of Christ, the Lord’s Table is a means of grace to help you continue battling. 

It is designed to remind you that Jesus is sufficient for your salvation, and His work on the cross has done everything necessary for you to be saved (John 19:30). If you are truly believing in Jesus, then the elements of the Lord’s Table are a reminder of the assurance of salvation that you have in Him as you battle to obey Him.

Adapted from Free to Be Holy: The Liberating Grace of Walking by Faith by Jerry Wragg and Paul Shirley

Book Review: The Complete Works of John Owen, Vol. 28: The Church, The Scriptures, and The Sacraments

Have you ever written to a famous person? When I younger, I wrote to Wil Wheaton who played Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." It was an assignment for school though I do not recall why this particular one was given to our class. I remember asking him some questions although I do not recall what I ask. I remember he wrote back and he did what celebrities do, he sent me a photo of himself. I did make an A on the assignment, which was one of the few things I got right as an 11-year-old. 

Have you ever written to a pastor or theologian to get his perspective on certain issues? I cannot recall but I know I asked a few on Twitter (now called X), but back in the day of John Owen, I am sure he got a lot of letters from people asking him questions.

In The Complete Works of John Owen, Vol 28: The Church, The Scriptures, and The Sacraments, Owen answers some questions given to him by specific people regarding topics surrounding the church, the Bible, the Lord's Supper, and Baptism. The first section deals with questions regarding the Bible. How the Bible came and the integrity of the scriptures.

The next sections address the Lord's Supper. Owen addresses the object of faith for the ordinance, the necessary preparation for observing the Lord's Supper, our duty to remember Christ's sufferings, and more. The final sections deal with how the church is supposed to work. Owen with topics such as church discipline and baptism. With baptism, Owen follow the Paedobaptism model which is followed by those in the Presbyterian church. 

Another great addition to this collection of John Owen's works. 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Lord's Supper by Keith A Mathison

The Lord's Supper is one of the ordinances of the church that remembers the death of Christ. Most Christians find it interesting that we take time to remember to the death of Christ although He is Risen and sits at the Father's right hand. There are some unhealthy ideas about the Lord's Supper that needs to be corrected because some Christians do not what this is all about. Keith A Mathison has written an introductory book on the Lord's Supper to show Christians why this is important for us. This book is very similar to the one Guy Richard wrote on the other ordinance of the church, Baptism, which is also written from a Presbyterian prospective.

The book begins with defining what the Lord's Supper is, which Baptists agree it is an ordinance of the church although Presbyterians use the word sacrament, which means, according to the Westminster Larger Confession, "a holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church, to signify, seal and exhibit unto those that are within the covenant of grace...(it is) a visible outward sign and the spiritual reality signified by the sign." The Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ in the upper room before he was crucified which Jesus told the Disciples that every time we partake of it, we remember His death until he comes. Mathison takes a look at the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed views which are different in many ways.

Mathison continues on explaining the significance of the Lord's Supper including what Paul teaches about it in 1 Corinthians 10-11, which most preachers read before a church takes the Lord's Supper. One of the teachings Paul gives is that we are to examine ourselves, which means to repent of any sins we may need to confess and also to see if we are truly in the faith. One of issues those outside the Presbyterian church may have is if children allowed to partake of the supper. After all, Presbyterians believe they must baptize the child of a believing family. Judging by what I can tell, Mathison does not support the idea of children partaking of the Lord's Supper because children, like adults, must examine themselves before taking it.

This book serves as a well done introduction into the Lord's Supper if you are a member of a Presbyterian church. For Baptists, we must seek out material from a Baptist perspective to understand it. Not saying Baptists cannot learn from Presbyterians about the Lord's Supper, but we need to have a better understanding of what we believe based on Baptist distinctives, if you are a Baptist. If you are a Presbyterian, then please read this book.

Thanks Reformation Trust for letting me review this book.

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Should Real Wine Be Used In The Lord's Supper?

R.C. Sproul was asked if why can't we use Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches and Dr. Pepper for the Lord's Supper. His simple answer was because Jesus did not consecrate these, but he used bread and wine in His Last Supper with the disciple. The issue of what instruments to use in the Lord's Supper has been debated for years especially wine.

Some churches say we should use real wine in the Lord's Supper while other say it is inappropriate to use it. There are some churches that have written in their church covenants that they should abstain from all forms of Alcohol. Others say we are disobeying the Lord if we don't use real wine in the Lord's Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gave the church these instructions in regards to the Lord's Supper:

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning 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 (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

Notice Paul said, "bread and cup." He never said anything about what was in the cup. Of course, there might be the argument that the people assumed Paul meant wine, however, the Corinthian church was known for people getting drunk during the Lord's Supper. So the question is, does it really matter if we should use wine in the Lord's Supper? Also, how does the bread have been prepared? Finally, if we use wine, what kind? John Calvin addresses this issue in his Institutes of the Christian Religion:

In regard to the external form of the ordinance, whether or not believers are to take into their hands and divide among themselves, or each is to eat what is given to him; whether they are to return the cup to the deacon or hand it to their neighbor; whether the bread is to be leavened or unleavened, and the wine to be red or white, is of no consequence. These things are indifferent, and left free to the Church...


As long as the Lord's Supper is done with a heart of worship and not done in an unworthy manner, I think, this is my opinion, it is irrelevant as to how the bread is prepared and if what is in the cup is either juice or wine.

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Recently, Jeff Medders began a new sermon series in the book of Hebrews at his church. Normally when a pastor begins a new book of the Bible, he gives a little introduction or preaches from the first couple of verse. Jeff decided to read the entire book to start off the series. So, pick up your Bible, turn to Hebrews, and read along with him.

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Next Friday, Captain America: Civil War comes out in the theatres. There have already been some great reviews. I think this might be the best Marvel film ever. One reason this movie is getting a lot of buzz is Spider-man. Yes, the web-slinger makes his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. These two videos are TV spots from the movie that came out earlier this week (it will say in 10 days) which shows a little more Spidey.

What Does It Mean To Take The Lord's Supper In An Unworthy Manner?

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

I am you have heard this passage read over and over again whenever it is time to observe The Lord's Supper. This special time in a church service is to reflect the last meal Jesus had with His disciples before He was arrested and died in our place for our sins. Jesus said that the bread represented His body and the wine represented His blood. Even Paul reminded the Corinthian church the same thing.

Then Paul comes to the point where he said we must not take The Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner. What does he mean by that? This verse may be referring to "the incompatibility of the Corinthians’ divisive arrogance as compared to the sacrificial, others-oriented nature of Jesus’ death. A broader application of this principle would encourage believers to examine their own lives...and to repent and ask forgiveness for any unconfessed sin before partaking in the Lord’s Supper" (ESV Study Bible). Some would come to The Lord's Supper table as if it were some kind of buffet with the wine of your choice with some getting drunk from it. The Lord's Supper is a time to reflect on the death of Jesus until He comes again and should not be taking lightly.

Here is what John MacArthur wrote:


Again Paul returns to warning. Because of all that is involved in the ordinance, whoever participates in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. One can come to His table unworthily in many ways. It is common for people to participate in it ritualistically, without participating with their minds and hearts. They can go through the motions without going through any emotions, and treat it lightly rather than seriously. They can believe it imparts grace or merit, that the ceremony itself, rather than the sacrifice it represents, can save or keep one saved. Many come with a spirit of bitterness or hatred toward another believer, or come with a sin of which they will not repent. If a believer comes with anything less than the loftiest thoughts of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and anything less than total love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, he comes unworthily.

To come unworthily to the Lord’s table is to become guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. To trample our country’s flag is not to dishonor a piece of cloth but to dishonor the country it represents. To come unworthily to Communion does not simply dishonor the ceremony; it dishonors the One in whose honor it is celebrated. We become guilty of dishonoring His body and blood, which represent His total gracious life and work for us, His suffering and death on our behalf. We become guilty of mocking and treating with indifference the very person of Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 7:52; Heb. 6:6; 10:29).

Every time he comes to the Lord’s Supper, therefore, a person should examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. Before we partake we are to give ourselves a thorough self–examination, looking honestly at our hearts for anything that should not be there and sifting out all evil. Our motives, our attitudes toward the Lord and His Word, toward His people, and toward the Communion service itself should all come under private scrutiny before the Lord. The table thus becomes a special place for the purifying of the church. That is a vital use of Communion, and Paul’s warning reinforces that ideal.

A person who partakes without coming in the right spirit eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. Judgment (krima) here has the idea of chastisement. Because “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1), the KJV rendering of damnation is especially unfortunate. The great difference in Paul’s use here of krima (judgment) and katakrima (condemned) is seen in verse 32, where it is clear that krima refers to discipline of the saved and katakrima refers to condemnation of the lost. That chastening comes if he does not judge the body rightly, that is, the blood and body used in Communion. To avoid God’s judgment, one must properly discern and respond to the holiness of the occasion.