My Dear _____:
The question of the Lord's table is often a most perplexing one to
the child of God. Not only are there many tables, set up on different
grounds, around him on every hand, but also, when he begins to enquire
into the subject, he finds almost as many theories as tables,
concerning the significance of the supper of which he is invited to
partake. His only remedy therefore, if he desires to avoid error and to
be found in obedience to his Lord, is to turn away from the confused
voices of theologians to the clear and distinct teaching of the word of
God. It is to this teaching I desire to lead you in this letter.
As we might expect, there is nothing wanting on such a subject in
the Scriptures. Thus I Cor. 10 explains the character of the table, and
chap. 11 gives us the character of the supper, and the manner in which
it should be eaten.
First we will consider the question of the table. "The cup of
blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body
of Christ? For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we
are all partakers of that one bread" (I Cor. 10: 16,17). This scripture
evidently teaches two things; first, that the loaf or "the bread" on
the table is a symbol of the body of Christ ("for we being many are one
bread, one body"-see also I Cor. 12: 13) ; and secondly, that we
partake of it as members of that body ("for we are all partakers of
that one bread"). As therefore we have communion of the blood of Christ
through the wine, so also of the body of Christ through the bread, when
we partake according to the thoughts of God. The table is thus the
expression of the unity of the body of Christ; and consequently it is
only the members of that body who can be property gathered around it. The
"church" of England, strangely enough, agrees with this principle; for
it admits no one to its table who has not been baptized; and it
declares that every baptized one is made "a member of Christ," etc. The
error, you will see, lies in attributing to baptism (as the means) what
can only be wrought by the Spirit of God. I cite this case only to show
you that the principle affirmed, so far from being peculiar, is widely
accepted.
Now, it is by the application of this principle that you can decide
which of all the tables around you is the Lord's. Test every
denominational table by it, and what is the result? You will perceive
at once that no sectarian system can have the Lord's table, because the
ground on which it is spread, in every case, is narrower than that of
the body of Christ. Admitting, or rather conceding for the moment, that
all its followers may be members of the body of Christ, we should still
have to say, Are there no other members of that body outside this
denomination? If there are, then such a table, however sincerely,
conscientiously, and piously spread, is not the table of the Lord.
Should it be replied, "But we are quite willing to receive all other
members of the body of Christ," I should have to answer, "This does not
affect the question at all; for the ground taken determines
the character of the table spread upon it; and the ground taken in each
denomination is of such a character that many godly Christians could
not have fellowship with it." The dissenter*, for example, is shut out,
for conscience sake, from the table of the Anglican "church*"; and the
Anglican* is similarly excluded from the tables of dissent*; and hence,
neither in the one nor the other can the Lord's table be discovered, as
the ground taken is other than that of the body of Christ.
Once more, test many of the unsectarian tables by this principle.
You may perhaps tell me that you know of a place where all
denominationalism is disavowed, and where it is taught that all
Christians, and none but Christians, should be united. Very good; but I
still should have a few questions to ask. I should inquire, Are the
believers in such a place gathered simply unto the name of Christ? Is
there liberty in the Spirit to minister by whom He wills? Is there the
exercise of godly discipline? etc. For the Lord cannot sanction
anything which is not in accordance with the Scriptures--anything which
is unsuited to the character of His own name. If these questions could
be answered in the affirmative, then you might perhaps conclude, that
you had found the Lord's table; but if not, however fair and inviting
it might seem at the first, you would have to reject it equally with
those in the denominational systems around.
If we add a few characteristics of the Lord's table, it may serve to
preserve you from mistake. 1. The table must be spread on ground
outside of all denominational systems, otherwise, as we have shown, it
could not comprehend all the members of the body of Christ. 2. The
saints should be gathered on the first day of the week around the
table. We thus read: "Upon the first day of the week, when the
disciples came together to break bread" (Acts 20:7), an undeniable
proof that it was their custom. See too in John 20, how our blessed
Lord, on two occasions after His resurrection, chose the first day of
the week for presenting Himself in the midst of His gathered disciples
(vv. 19, 26), thus consecrating (if such a word may be used) this day
for their assembling to show forth His death. 3. The purpose of the
gathering should be to break bread. I point this out, as in many places
there is a weekly table, but altogether in subordination to other
things, such as preaching, etc. 4. Everything in connection with the
table-worship, ministry, and discipline, must be in accordance with,
and in subjection to, the word of God. If there is a single human
regulation, on whatever ground adopted, the character of the table is
destroyed. For it is the table of the Lord; and hence His authority alone can be recognized by His gathered saints.
Need I add more? But there is a danger or two which I would fain
indicate. The first is indifference. It was only the other day that I
asked a believer if she were at the Lord's table. Apprehending my
meaning, she replied, "It is enough for me to know that Christ is my
Saviour, and I do not desire to trouble myself with such questions as
these." Can anything be more sad? As if it was not of all-importance to
ascertain the mind of the Lord; for surely if He has indicated His will
upon this question, it should be our joy to discover it, and to be
found in obedience to it. Another replied in a different way. He said,
"I am not called upon to judge myfellow-believers, and I desire to have
fellowship with all." "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches" (Rev. 2, 3). We are thus called upon to
judge the ways of our fellow-believers-indeed of the
"churches"; to measure everything by the Word; and to refuse all which
it does not sanction, or which it condemns. Indifference is that spirit
of Laodiceanism concerning which our Lord says, "So then because thou
art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth" (Rev. 3: 16). The other danger is that of association. For
example, how many a young believer is led unwittingly into that which
is contrary to the Lord's mind from friendly, relative, or even
spiritual associations! He is guided by the opinions of his friends,
etc., instead of the word of God; or it may be that, having been
converted or received blessing in a particular place, he naturally
desires to continue where the blessing was received. But the question
in every case should be, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:
6). Otherwise he might, in the right desire, according to the Lord's
own word, to remember Him in His death, be found doing it in a way
which is really displeasing to Him.
Warning you against these dangers, let me remind you that it is far
better to wait than to partake of the Lord's Supper in disobedience.
Before therefore you seek admission to the table, search the
Scriptures, looking to the Lord for guidance; "and if thine eye is
single, thy whole body shall be full of light."
Reserving the question of the supper for another letter,
Believe me, dear ______,
Yours affectionately in Christ,
E.D.