Outlines in Systematic Theology by Berlin Hisel

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Outlines in Systematic Theology

THE LORD'S SUPPER
MATTHEW 26:26-30
By Berlin Hisel

      Introduction: The Church Has Two Ordinances: Namely, Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
     I. NOTE THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF THIS ORDINANCE.

A. The Lord's Supper Is Not a Sacrament. A sacrament Is considered to be a visible means of bestowing grace, The Catholics have seven sacraments. Grace is a gift of God!
B. The Lord's Supper Is a Symbolic Ordinance. This denies two things:
1. The body and blood of Christ are present in the bread and wine.
a. The Catholics misinterpret John 6:53.
b. The true meaning is in John 6:63.
2. The celebration of the Lord's Supper constitutes a repetition of the sacrifice of Christ.
a. See definition. "Now in the Mass, a real sacrifice is offered to God, for our Blessed Lord's humanity, by being placed under the forms of bread and wine, is reduced to the equivalency of a lifeless state of a victim offered to the Eternal Father by the Priest."
b. Hebrews 9:28 - "Christ was offered once".
     II. NOTE THE SYMBOLIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

A. The Lord's Supper Is a Commemoration of the Lord's Death (l Corinthians 11:24).
B. The Lord's Supper Is a Proclamation of His Death (l Corinthians 11:26). By this we preach.
C. The Lord's Supper Is a Reminder of Christ's Second Coming (l Corinthians11:26).
D. The Lord's Supper Symbolizes That We Are Saved By Feeding On Christ. We partake of Christ by faith.
E. The Lord's Supper Pictures the Necessity of Continually Partaking of Christ.
F. The Lord's Supper Points Out the Unity of Our Church (l Corinthian 10:16-17).
     III. THERE ARE TWO ELEMENTS IN THE LORD'S SUPPER.

A. The First Element Is Unleavened Bread,
1. This pictures the sinless body of Christ.
2. This pictures sincerity of heart in which we should partake of the Lord's Supper (l Corinthians 5:8).
3. This pictures the need of purging the church (l Corinthians 5:7-8).
B. The Second Element is the Fruit of the Vine.
     IV. WHEN SHOULD A CHURCH OBSERVE THE LORD'S SUPPER? (l Corinthians 11:26).
     V. CLOSE COMMUNION IS VINDICATED IN THE SCRIPTURES.

A. Christ Instituted Close Communion, He waited until Judas had gone out. He did not invite His mother or brothers to partake of the Supper.
B. Note the Right Order On Pentecost (Acts 2:41-42) - Faith, Baptism, Church Membership, and the Lord's Supper.
C. The Emphasis On Church Discipline Demand Close Communion (I Corinthians 5:7-13).
D. It is Not Possible To Observe Communion If Open Communion is Practiced (1 Corinthians 11:19-20).
     VI. THE LORD'S SUPPER CARRIES WITH IT AN ELEMENT OF SELF-EXAMINATION (I Corinthians 11:27-32).

====== [From Berlin Hisel, Outlines in Systematic Theology, nd., reprinted by Central Baptist Church, Marion, KY. Used with permission; scanned by Jim Duvall.]

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