Why do Baptist's not take the "other" ordinance so seriously?

Wine was used because it was free from yeast, symbolic of impurities. Modern grape juice is pasteurized, free from yeast. Freshly squeezed grape juice contains yeast. As long as pasteurized juice or wine is used, I don't see the problem with either, as they both are symbolic of not containing impurites.

 

?????

Genesis 40:11 ". . . and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, . . ."

Numbers 6:3 "...and shall not drink any juice of grapes..."

 

We take the Lord's supper very seriously in our church. However I have known of Baptist churches where it was treated as something that had to be done at certain points in the church year. I think it depends upon the pastor to be honest with you. If a pastor is more interested in numbers than substance then baptisms, which are usually connected with salvations, are a good way for him to keep a count. You can't do that with the Lord's Supper. Sadly I think it is a sign of the bean-counter, easy believism that has crept into far too many of our churches.

 

I will say "Yes" to using real wine and unlavened bread. Real wine is discriptive of being "Pure." Unlavened bread also has no other ingredients but flour and water. Flour and water has no other added ingredients. If JESUS said to do it, then we should.

 

The question in the OP is a good one. I think it's true that too many baptists take the LS too lightly. It comes from the teaching that it is "purely symbolic", which even if true, should not be done to the exclusion of the importance of it. But I think baptists would be well served to study the Westminster position on the LS - that while the Lord is not present in the elements, the Lord is actually present in the observance.

 

Suppose: all we have is coconut milk and taro bread; and there are no grapes on Guadalcanal. What shall we do?

Legalism is alive and well on Planet Earth, an adjunct to pagan idolatry--it gets really focussed around the Feast of Saturn: Dec. 25.

Wise men still seek Him.

Happy Holy Days.

Selah,
Bro. James

 

Many of us do take the ordinance seriously. Frequency is not the issue (although we observe the table weekly); the purpose of the Supper is. We "fence" the table by warning unbelievers and unrepentant sinners not to partake. We present the Supper as a visual declaration of the gospel. It's a time of personal introspection, repentance and great joy!

 

The Lord is present in any observance of Him. The LS is no magical voodoo institution, but a symbolic reminder of what Christ has done for us.

 

Curious...what's the difference between an unbeliever and an unrepentant sinner?

 

We do.

Real wine.
Unleavened bread.
then we wash each other's feet, just like they did when Jesus Christ instituted the ordinance.

 

The particular form of the elements (whether wine or juice, leavened or unleavened bread) is no reflection on how seriously one takes communion. The point has never been in the particular forms since they don't convey any grace. The point is in the symbolism.

And I don't see any way that wine represents the blood of Christ better than juice does.

So I reject your premise.

The problem I see with taking it seriously is that some people allow anyone to partake rather than guarding the table.

 

I thought the "unworthy manner" in 1 Corinthians was the gluttony and selfishness involved, not having unconfessed sin in their lives.

 

Just wondered if anyone knows that the "individual communion cups" were supposedly 'invented' by someone who stated that he was tired of drinking other people's spit? :laugh: :laugh:

I read that once, but unfortunately cannot recall where.

Ed

 

Word's not wine...it's "fruit of the vine".
How's it supped?...from a "cup".
Matt. 26:27-29; I Cor. 11:25 ff.

Odd that the particular word "wine" is not used in biblical Communion passages.