We Have Redemption

What difference is there between the Lord=s Supper and the Papal Mass?

The Lord=s Supper testifies to us that we have complete forgiveness of all our sins through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ which He Himself has accomplished on the cross once for all; (and that through the Holy Spirit we are incorporated into Christ, Who is now in heaven with His true body at the right hand of the Father and is there to be worshiped.) But the Mass teaches that the living and the dead do not have forgiveness of sins through the sufferings of Christ unless Christ is again offered for them daily by the priest (and that Christ is bodily under the form of bread and wine and is therefore to be worshiped in them). Therefore the Mass is fundamentally a complete denial of the once for all sacrifice and passion of Jesus Christ (and as such an idolatry to be condemned).

Who ought to come to the table of the Lord?

Those who are displeased with themselves for their sins, and who nevertheless trust that these sins have been forgiven them and that their remaining weakness is covered by the passion and death of Christ, and who also desire more and more to strengthen their faith and improve their life. The impenitent and hypocrites, however, eat and drink judgment to themselves.

Should those who show themselves to be unbelievers and enemies of God by their confession and life be admitted to this supper?

No, for then the covenant of God would be profaned and His wrath provoked against the whole congregation. According to the ordinance of Christ and His apostles, therefore, the Christian church is under obligation, by the office of the keys, to exclude such persons until they amend their lives.

I. Believers Are Completely Forgiven

A. The sacrifice on the cross is entirely satisfactory for the redemption of believers.  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.  (Hebrews 7:27) 

B. Christ at one time obtained redemption for His people. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  (Hebrews 9:12)  

C. Repetition of the sacrifice implies the sacrifice was not adequate to entirely deal with sin.  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.  (Hebrews 9:25-28)

II. Believers Should Come to Communion

A. Believers who are displeased with themselves for their sin should come to Christ.  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 5:3)

Humility is the opposite of the world=s way of advancement.

B. Those who trust that Jesus can supply what they cannot should come to His table.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  (Psalm 103:2-3)

C. Those who believe Jesus will be gracious to them should come.  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  (Ephesians 1:7)

D. Those who trust that Jesus will give them what they need to become more like Him should come to Him to for help.  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  (Matthew 5:5)

E. Those who are thankful for the good things Christ has already done should come to Him.  What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.  (Psalm 116:12-14)

III. Some People Should Not Take Communion

A. Because the Lord=s Supper is communal, the behavior of each person in the group affects the entire group.  When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.  (1 Corinthians 11:20)

B. Those who don=t take Christ and His benefits serious endanger themselves when they take communion. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.  (1 Corinthians 10:21)

C. Communion is for those who are entering into the gracious work of Christ by trusting Him and publicly testifying to salvaiton.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.    Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  (1 Corinthians 11:26-29)