What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s supper?
It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience, lest coming unworthily they eat and drink judgment to themselves.
Proofs
- It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, (1 Corinthians 11:28–29)
- of their faith to feed upon him, (2 Corinthians 13:5)
- of their repentance, (1 Corinthians 11:31)
- love, (1 Corinthians 10:16–17)
- and new obedience, (1 Corinthians 5:7–8)
- lest coming unworthily they eat and drink judgment to themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:28–29)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is previous examination necessary to a right participation of this ordinance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let a man examine himself, and so let him (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Should we examine our hearts?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I commune with mine own heart, (Psalm 77:6)
And our ways?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I thought on my ways, (Psalm 119:59)
Should we do this impartially?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thus saith the Lord, deceive not yourselves, (Jeremiah 37:9)
And diligently?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: My spirit made diligent search, (Psalm 77:6)
And sedately?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They sat down to examine the matter, (Ezra 10:16)
And when scruples arise should we desire God’s assistance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Examine me, O Lord, and prove me, (Psalm 26:2)
Practical response
Should we examine concerning our knowledge?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Know ye what I have done to you? (John 13:12)
And without this do we partake unworthily?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Not discerning the Lord’s body, (1 Corinthians 11:29)
Should we also inquire into our faith in Jesus Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, (2 Corinthians 13:5)
And our love to God and one another?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For without charity we are nothing, (1 Corinthians 13:2)
And our repentance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit, (Psalm 51:17)
And our new obedience?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let us keep the feast, not with the leaven of malice and wickedness, (1 Corinthians 5:8)
Section 3
Must this sacrament be received with great reverence?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In thy fear will I worship towards thy holy temple, (Psalm 5:7)
And with warm affections?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We will remember thy love more than wine, (Song of Solomon 1:4)
And with goodly sorrow?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The passover was to be eaten with bitter herbs, (Exodus 12:8)
And with an holy indifference to the world?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye shall eat with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand, (Exodus 12:11)
And with spiritual joy and gladness?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They did eat their meat with gladness, praising God, (Acts 2:46–47)
Should we now renew our engagements to God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thy vows are upon me, (Psalm 56:12)
And should we afterwards remember and discharge them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Pay that which thou hast vowed, (Ecclesiastes 5:4)
Section 4
Do the carnal and unregenerate receive this ordinance unworthily?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: What hast thou to do to take my covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest instruction, (Psalm 50:16–17)
And the wrathful and uncharitable?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: When ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; this is not to eat the Lord’s supper, (1 Corinthians 11:18, 20)
And those who partake of it as a common meal?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? (1 Corinthians 11:22)
And who use it as a qualification for civil offices?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For they say that the table of the Lord is contemptible, (Malachi 1:7)
Do such offer a great affront to Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, (1 Corinthians 11:27)
And a great injury to themselves?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep, (1 Corinthians 11:30)
And do all these things make self-examination the more necessary?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For if we would judge ourselves we should not be judged, (1 Corinthians 11:31)