Chapter 29—Communion
The Lord’s Supper was the point of transition between two
great festivals—The symbols of the Lord’s house are simple and
plainly understood, and the truths represented by them are of the
deepest significance to us. In instituting the sacramental service to
take the place of the Passover, Christ left for His church a memorial of
His great sacrifice for man. “This do,” He said, “in remembrance of
Me.” This was the point of transition between two economies and their
two great festivals. The one was to close forever; the other, which He
had just established, was to take its place, and to continue through all
time as the memorial of His death.—
The Review and Herald, May 31,
1898
.
Members should not exclude themselves from Communion
because some present are unworthy—None should exclude them-
selves from the communion because some who are unworthy may be
present. Every disciple is called upon to participate publicly, and thus
bear witness that he accepts Christ as a personal Saviour. It is at these,
His own appointments, that Christ meets His people, and energizes
them by His presence. Hearts and hands that are unworthy may even
administer the ordinance, yet Christ is there to minister to His children.
All who come with their faith fixed upon Him will be greatly blessed.
All who neglect these seasons of divine privilege will suffer loss. Of
them it may appropriately be said, “Ye are not all clean.”—
The Desire
of Ages, 656
.
Only open sin excludes persons from the Lord’s Supper—
Christ’s example forbids exclusiveness at the Lord’s supper. It is
true that open sin excludes the guilty. This the Holy Spirit plainly
teaches. But beyond this none are to pass judgment. God has not left it
with men to say who shall present themselves on these occasions. For
who can read the heart? Who can distinguish the tares from the wheat?
“Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink
of that cup.” For “whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup
of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
173