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Pastoral Ministry
Lord.” “He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”—
The Desire
of Ages, 656
.
[169]
[170]
The Lord’s Supper is not to be observed only occasionally or
yearly—The salvation of men depends upon a continual application
to their hearts of the cleansing blood of Christ. Therefore, the Lord’s
Supper was not to be observed only occasionally or yearly, but more
frequently than the annual passover. This solemn ordinance commem-
orates a far greater event than the deliverance of the children of Israel
from Egypt. That deliverance was typical of the great atonement which
Christ made by the sacrifice of His own life for the final deliverance
of His people.—
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 6:1090
.
Footwashing
Jesus established footwashing as a religious ceremony—When
they assembled to partake of the Lord’s Supper, the ordinance of feet-
washing was to be established as a religious ceremony.—
The Review
and Herald, June 21, 1898
.
Footwashing teaches the humility of Christ and makes partic-
ipants’ hearts tender toward one another—These ordinances are
regarded too much as a form, and not as a sacred thing to call to mind
the Lord Jesus. Christ ordained them, and delegated His power to
His ministers, who have the treasure in earthen vessels. They are to
superintend these special appointments of the One who established
them to continue to the close of time. It is on these, His own appoint-
ments, that He meets with and energizes His people by His personal
presence. Notwithstanding that there may be hearts and hands that
are unsanctified who will administer the ordinance, still Jesus is in the
midst of His people to work on human hearts. All who keep before
them, in the act of feet-washing, the humiliation of Christ, all who
will keep their hearts humble, and keep in view the true tabernacle and
service, which the Lord pitched and not man, will never fail to derive
benefit from every discourse given, and spiritual strength from every
communion. These ordinances are established for a purpose. Christ’s
followers are to bear in mind the example of Christ in His humility.
This ordinance is to encourage humility, but it should never be termed
humiliating, in the sense of being degrading to humanity. It is to make