In the interest of complete disclosure, I ought to say that I was raised within Methodism, a Christian tradition that tends to support total abstinence.
I am acutely aware of the devastating effects of alcoholism: a relative came close to destroying both himself and his family because of his addiction to drink. (He was enabled to give up alcohol completely – apart from a couple of temporary lapses – after he exercised saving faith in Jesus Christ.)…
Towards the end of his comprehensive survey of the biblical teaching, I.H. Marshall draws the following conclusions about the the significance of the Lord’s Supper:-
1. The Old Testament Background
The language and concepts of the Lord’s Supper are to be understood in terms of the Old Testament – especially Exodus 24, Isa 53 and Jeremiah 31. There is a relationship between the acts of God as recorded in the Old Testament and those that are recorded in the New Testament, and this relationship is essentially one of promise and fulfilment.…
I was once asked to present a discussion paper to our Church Council on this subject. Here’s what I came up with:-
The Anglican Church, in common with most other branches of the Christian church, supports the baptism of adult believers and their children.
When a child is brought by Christian parents to be baptised, the minister welcomes the child with the words,
“God has received you by baptism into his church.”…
Some time ago, I participated in a debate on this subject, and was asked to argue in favour of the following motion:-
“We believe that it is right and proper for children who are baptised members of the church to be admitted to Holy Communion prior to their confirmation but following suitable preparation and instruction.”
Here’s my argument. (Please bear in mind that the debate took place within an Anglican context).
Specifically, the parish may ask for the bishop’s permission for children to be so admitted, providing that the child has reached the age of seven years; that the child is regularly involved in Christian teaching and attendance at Sunday worship; and that the child has undergone a period of instruction and preparation.…
This is a summary of an article by Roger T. Beckwith in Westminster Theological Journal.
This is an issue which has been widely discussed in recent years. The WCC Faith & Order Commission of 1971 supported the admission of baptised infants or children to the Lord’s Supper.
The practice rests on the following assumptions:-
1. that, like infant baptism, infant communion is early attested in church history;
2, that, if baptism is a ceremony suitable for children, then so is communion;
3. …
1 Cor 11:23-26 – ‘For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” …
