NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES Of Rev. J. Fraanje Using the Catechism Book

The Lord’s Supper Lesson 38 Part II

When Jesus and His disciples had availed themselves of the Supper, what did they do? In Matt. 26, it says, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

Jesus sang a hymn after the sacrament and prior to the bonds and death that He was approaching. That is why we also sing during and after the Supper.

Would this sacrament be for comfort only or should it be for profit also to the church? Hellenbroek has said, “It is a sacrament which continually strengthens faith.” That is why it serves both to profit and to comfort, even though this is not always understood. The disciples would not yet have understood much of what profit there was for them on that first occasion. They had to learn that in retrospect.

It is necessary that I determine whether you understand for whom the Lord’s Supper was instituted. Is it for everyone?

Answer: No, only for believers.

But how is that to be understood? Do those who believe with the intellect receive grace by attending the Lord’s Supper? No, that is impossible. If that were so, it would be a sign that it has power to give something. That can never be. Faith must have been first granted in the soul for the proper use of the Holy Supper.

But suppose for a moment that it were so, would that faith and the grace received by attendance to the Lord’s Supper be increased?

Absolutely not, that is even less possible, because then men would say that the sacrament by itself causes faith and that is erroneous. What does it really do?

The sacrament is for the strengthening of God’s people and it was for that purpose the Lord instituted it.

When I eat or drink something does it originate strength? And if I have very little strength, do I at once receive much strength?

No, that is impossible. What is it then? By that food I am adding to the little or great amount of energy that I have. Life is not given by it but is sustained by it.

It is for that reason that Paul says, “For he that eatheth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.” He means to say; The sacrament is not established for those who are not members of the living church.

What profit would anyone, who does not possess grace or faith have of a sign or seal of grace? Who can point out to me a portion of God’s Word that says there is profit only for those who believe? No one? Then we shall examine God’s Word together and see what it has to say regarding it. Sometimes we can find very instructive observations in God’s Word. We read that the daughter of Jairus had died and Jesus had been called to her side. You are all well acquainted with this happening. And when Jesus had brought her back to life, what do we read then? — “He commanded that something should be given her to eat.”

Do notice, He didn’t say that while she was still dead. He awakened her first and then commanded that food must be given her.

Now, I do not mean that the Lord Jesus was alluding to the Lord’s Supper here, O, no, I am using this as an example to show that the dead have no profit of food. I will mention another example.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 3-- “Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”

The living church of God is being portrayed here as a letter; keep this in mind for a moment.

A third example; I pick up a perfectly clean piece of white paper. I write nothing on it; not even one mark. I insert this paper in an envelope, seal it, place a postage stamp on it and to make extra sure I imprint my initials over the edge of the flap in sealing wax. Now I address and mail it. The post office prints their canceling mark on it and carefully deliver it to the proper residence.

Everything turned out as planned. Now, the people to whom this was sent begin to inquisitively open it up, thinking, “What can this be; an important looking letter sealed with wax! There must be something valuable in there.”

What a terrible disappointment. There is nothing in there but a piece of clean white paper. Does he still consider this to be a valuable letter? Not anymore, right?

What is it that would actually give it value? Not a neatly written envelope and an impressive looking seal; not correctness in external appearance. No, only the contents. Only a written message would have given the external appearance any value.

The seal on this letter was totally unnecessary because there was nothing in it to be sealed. Do you understand the use of this simile?

A person must be “Christ’s written message” inscribed by the Holy Spirit before a seal is proper; before a sacrament can be truly strengthening.

But do you know what happens very frequently?

A person is baptized, attends a Christian school, is reared in a Christian manner, makes confession, attends church faithfully, is an honorable citizen; outwardly there is no fault to find in him. A person such as that tends to these thoughts: (and others instruct him in this, too). “It is my duty to partake of the Lord’s Supper because I should confess Christ openly and my faith must be strengthened.” These pitiable people do as we pointed out in the simile, place a seal on an unwritten letter!

But alas, the truth will be known when death occurs; that it was void of contents; that which had been sealed was not Christ’s written message inscribed by the Holy Spirit!

There certainly was a seal of baptism on the forehead but that baptism had never been applied to his soul.

He partook of the Lord’s Supper but the faith, intended to be strengthened, was actually not in possession! And what now? Now it will be “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.” Those seals will make the judgment much heavier.

Boys and girls, I caution you. When you too attend or come to live with the church, but are unconverted and have not been made acquainted with the bloody suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, brought into remembrance and sealed in the administration of the Lord’s Supper, do not partake.

But viewing the situation from the other side, should we consider everything coldly? I do not say that. I shall present you with another example:

Two boys sat next to one another in church while the Lord’s Supper was being administered. Basically both were unconverted, but there was quite a difference between them. Let’s just name them Hank and John.

Hank is very religious and conscientious. He hears the minister’s invitation, leaves his place in the pew and joins those at the table.

But John is not so yielding. He really does not want anything to do with religion. He remains in the pew hard and cold, taking nothing of it to himself.

Does John do less wrong in remaining so indifferent toward the service as compared to Hank who goes forward in his unconverted state? No, both are sin in God’s sight, the despite as well as the misuse.

What would be far better then? To be exercised under the visible administration of the Holy sacrament thinking, “O, God, I witness the sacrament and see Thy people partaking. I sit here with the sign of baptism upon my forehead but not actually washed of my sins. I merely have a superficial memberhsip in the church. O, that I might have part in it spiritually, too.”

That would be a privilege, though one be unconverted, to so witness the administration of the sacrament. The Lord could use this as a means also.

Hellenbroek asks, “What is necessary for everyone who wants to partake of the Lord’s Supper?”

Answer: To examine ones self.

And in what matters must one examine himself?

1. Whether we have a heartfelt sorrow for our sin.

2. Whether we have put our trust in Christ.

3. Whether we express that faith by a holy conduct.

These are three serious matters and in connection with them I shall ask something further:

Who are those invited to the sacrament and who are allowed to come? Or are they one and the same?

No, they are not the same. Only the true, trusting, living members of Christ’s body are invited to proclaim His death. But, since even the best minister serving the sacrament is not a discerner of hearts and cannot discern who in the membership make a superficial confession, from those who inwardly bear witness to the faith, therefore, anyone having made public confession and living a life above reproach is permitted to attend.

It is, then, the obligation of a minister and consistory to visit each member of the congregation prior to the Lord’s Supper to earnestly question them; also to clearly explain the difference to them in sermons.

There has been much disagreement in this matter. Some English divines held to the opinion for many years that only those who live in spiritual discernment be permitted to the Lord’s table and to restrain all others. They were able to maintain this for a certain period of time, but eventually there developed considerable confusion and they saw it was impossible to continue in this.

(to be continued)

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