I am to show that it is the duty of every Christian to receive the Lord's Supper as often as he or she can. First, because Christ commands it: "Do this in remembrance of me." Even as the apostles had to bless, break and give the bread to all who joined them, so Christians must receive those signs of Christ's body and blood. Remember that Christ commanded his Supper just as he laid down his life for us. In a sense, then, they were his dying words to all his followers. ...
Christians should take the Lord's Supper as often as possible because of the great benefits. For example, forgiveness of our past sins and the present strengthening and refreshing of our souls. In this world we never free ourselves from temptations. Whatever way of life we walk, whatever our condition, whether sick or well, in trouble or at ease, the enemies of our souls watch for an opportunity to lead us into sin. Too often those enemies win.
Now, when we know we have sinned against God, what surer way do we have of pardon than showing we believe in the power of our Lord's death, beseeching him because of his sufferings to blot out our sins? ...
As our bodies grow strong by bread and wine, so our souls, by these tokens of the body and blood of Christ, take on energy. This is food for our souls: strength to perform our duties, grace to move on to perfection.
So if we want power to believe, to love and obey God, we should neglect no opportunity of receiving the Lord's Supper. One who refuses to take Communion either does not understand one's duty, or does not care about the dying command of the Savior. One must see how his Supper provides resources for forgiveness of sins, strength for the soul, and refreshing with hope. -- from John Wesley's sermon, "The Duty of Constant Communion," 1787
2 comments:
How you can be so captured by this ritual boggles my mind. Nowhere in the bible does it state it's EVERYONE'S duty to partake in such a practice. These stories were written to illustrate his disciple's commitment to Jesus during the time he was alive. There are all sorts of ways for Christians to do that apart from communion.
Making it some sort of compulsory duty for Christians is a theocratic construct of churches (particularly the Catholic Church). To capitulate with this makes you seem rather dogmatic and parochial. It is not your place to dictate and pass judgment on how others express their faith or their commitment.
Over the years I have lost any faith I ever had and instead developed great contempt for the Christian belief system. When I read blogs like yours it only solidifies my atheism and confirms for me the madness that Christianity infuses in many of it's followers.
Gamnastic, it's obvious from your comment that you never read the Bible to present an objective discussion on the subject matter as your concluding paragraph seem to suggest. I would not have bothered to reply you, but I feel constrained to let you know that if by choice you have rejected wholesome true love that Jesus offers and embraced the deceptions of esoteric write ups and so called philosophies of men, please do not drag others along. Religion may have failed you but JESUS never fails. Those who believe in Jesus should carry out His instructions!
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