Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance?
They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works.
Proofs
- They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works. (Acts 2:41–42)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
May all come to the Lord’s supper?
Answer: No.
Proof: It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to dogs, (Matthew 15:26)
May those come who are prepared?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice, (1 Samuel 16:5)
But after all our care will there be some intruders?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Friend, how earnest thou in hither? (Matthew 22:12)
Section 2
Are baptized believers proper subjects of this ordinance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They that were baptized—continued in the apostles’ fellowship, and in breaking of bread, (Acts 2:41)
Should this their faith be professed?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, (Romans 10:10)
And be joined with repentance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we read of the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God, (Hebrews 6:1)
And be exemplified in a good conversation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If any man that is called a brother, be a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one, no not to eat, (1 Corinthians 5:11)
Section 3
May weak believers be admitted?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, (Romans 14:1)
And returning backsliders?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, (Galatians 6:1)
And in all difficult cases should we rather err on the charitable side?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For charity believeth all things, hopeth all things, (1 Corinthians 13:7)