The Question of Frequency of the Supper

 By Pastor Benjamin Glaser - Posted at Thoughts From Parson Farms:

Beginning to Think Through the Purpose and Call of the Church's Love Feast

Good Morning,

As we leave off the initiatory rite of membership in the covenant community (Baptism) we now move on to the participatory blessing of the community meal. The Lord’s Supper is when believers come together and feed on Christ as one body by faith through grace alone. We had the blessing of celebrating the Table this past Lord’s Day and it is always one of my favorite worship services. As we walk through this part of the Directory of Public Worship we will be taking a moment to consider different aspects of what we do in order to witness to God’s mercies as the church.

The first question that the DPW takes up is the timing of when, not just how often, but at which service on Sunday we should eat the bread and drink the cup. This is an important part of our obedience. We must ask pertinent questions of everything we do and make sure it is in keeping with what the Lord has revealed in His word. What we call the Regulative Principle means is that we must have divine warrant for each step in the service on the Lord’s Day morning and evening. God is not impressed by our new ideas on how to improve His worship. We are to walk humbly and show mercy to our Heavenly Father, and that especially goes in handling His ordinances.

Here's our DPW section for today:

The communion, or supper of the Lord, is frequently to be celebrated; but how often, may be considered and determined by the ministers, and other church-governors of each congregation, as they shall find most convenient for the comfort and edification of the people committed to their charge. And, when it shall be administered, we judge it convenient to be done after the morning sermon.

Where this sacrament cannot with convenience be frequently administered, it is requisite that publick warning be given the sabbath-day before the administration thereof: and that either then, or on some day of that week, something concerning that ordinance, and the due preparation thereunto, and participation thereof, be taught; that, by the diligent use of all means sanctified of God to that end, both in publick and private, all may come better prepared to that heavenly feast.

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