Westminster Larger Catechism (Q 174-176)

Dear Church Family,

This past Sunday, in our weekly Sunday school lessons in the Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC), we studied and discussed questions 174-176. Here is a brief review.

WLC 174  What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper in the time of the administration of it?
A. It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord’s body, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fulness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.

The requirements for what participants are to do during the Lord’s supper may be summarized under four broad headings: (1) maintaining holy reverence (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26); (2) sorrowing and repenting of sin (Zechariah 12:10); (3) thirsting after and rejoicing in Christ (John 6:35); (4) renewing our covenant with God and love to the saints (Acts 2:42).

At HCPCA, we partake of the Lord’s supper on a weekly basis – each Lord’s day. We do this for several reasons:
(1) Biblically, it seems that this was the practice of the early church (Acts 2:42, 26; 20:7).
(2) Historically, this was the practice of the Church for many centuries.
(3) Worshipfully, the Lord’s supper functions as an important element in the covenant renewal aspect of our worship service.

When we gather on Sunday morning for worship, God assembles His covenant people in order that they might renew their covenant bond with Him and with one another. Though there is no biblically mandated order of worship (i.e., no divine mandate in Scripture is given for the particular ordering of the elements of worship), the concept of covenant renewal is manifested in three general ‘phases’: (1) God summons His people into His presence; (2) God assures His people of His receiving and cleansing them through Christ; (3) God speaks to His people in the Word and sacrament, where they, respectively, hear the voice of Christ and feed on Him – and then, God sends His people out into the world to bear witness to their Savior.

WLC 175  What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s supper?
A. The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success; if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it, beg the continuance of it, watch against relapses, fulfill their vows, and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance: but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament; in both which, if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time: but, if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled, and to attend upon it afterward with more care and diligence.

The duty of participants, after the Lord’s supper, is to consider how they’ve behaved during the supper and consider whether they were successful or not. The wording and outline of this question and answer is difficult to understand; however, it is a reminder to examine how we’ve partaken of the Lord’s supper.

In reflecting on their participation in the Lord’s supper, if the participants deem their behavior successful (i.e., they are quickened and comforted), they ought to bless God, beg continuance, watch against relapses, fulfill their vows, and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance of the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 10:1-12). If the participants deem their behavior unsuccessful (i.e., no present benefit), they ought to review how they prepare and partake of the supper. If they can approve of their preparation and partaking of the supper, then they are to wait for the fruit of it (Psalm 123:1-2). If they have failed in their preparation and partaking of the supper, then they are to humble themselves and attend afterward with more care and diligence (2 Corinthians 7:11).

WLC 176  Wherein do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree?
A. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper agree, in that the author of both is God; the spiritual part of both is Christ and his benefits, both are seals of the same covenant, are to be dispensed by ministers of the gospel, and by none other, and to be continued in the church of Christ until his second coming.

There are five elements of “agreement” or similarities between baptism and the Lord’s supper:
(1) Origin: Both are authored by God (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23).
(2) Spiritual part: Both have as the spiritual part Christ and His benefits (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:16).
(3) Covenantal seals: Both are seals of the same covenant. (Colossians 2:12; Matthew 26:27-28).
(4) Administration: Both are to be dispensed only by ministers of the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:1; Hebrews 5:4).
(5) Duration: Both are to be continued in the church of Christ until Jesus’ second coming (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26).

Conclusion

This coming Sunday, we will examine the ways in which the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper disagree or are dissimilar. In that lesson, we will discuss why we practice paedobaptism but do not practice paedocommunion. I hope you will join us on Sunday mornings at 9:15 am in our continuing study of the Westminster Larger Catechism!

The Lord be with you!
Pastor Peter M. Dietsch