Tuesday, February 07, 2006

The Lord's Supper: Looking ahead

Just doing some study for this week's lesson as we begin looking at the Lord's supper, and it happened again! There, for a half of a millenium, the answer to one of my questions has been in print. The reformers had it nailed down, but I'm so thoroughly modern that I have ignored the answer until now. Did you realize the Westminster Larger Catechism tells us how to prepare for communion? I didn't. It's been laid out since 1648!

Here's what it says:

Question 171: How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?
Answer: They that receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

I hope this helps you prepare for communion this Sunday at OMPC.

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