This is true religion, to approve what God approves, to hate what He hates, and to delight in what delights Him.

—Charles Hodge

Westminster Confession of Faith

Of The Lord’s Supper

Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.

Calvin’s Institutes

Chapter 17, Section 19

First, Let there be nothing derogatory to the heavenly glory of Christ. This happens whenever he is brought under the corruptible elements of this world, or is affixed to any earthly creatures. Secondly, Let no property be assigned to his body inconsistent with his human nature. This is done when it is either said to be infinite, or made to occupy a variety of places at the same time.

But when these absurdities are discarded, I willingly admit anything which helps to express the true and substantial communication of the body and blood of the Lord, as exhibited to believers under the sacred symbols of the Supper, understanding that they are received not by the imagination or intellect merely, but are enjoyed in reality as the food of eternal life. For the odium with which this view is regarded by the world, and the unjust prejudice incurred by its defence, there is no cause, unless it be in the fearful fascinations of Satan.

What we teach on the subject is in perfect accordance with Scripture, contains nothing absurd, obscure, or ambiguous, is not unfavourable to true piety and solid edification; in short, has nothing in it to offend, save that, for some ages, while the ignorance and barbarism of sophists reigned in the Church, the clear light and open truth were unbecomingly suppressed. And yet as Satan, by means of turbulent spirits, is still, in the present day, exerting himself to the utmost to bring dishonour on this doctrine by all kinds of calumny and reproach, it is right to assert and defend it with the greatest care.

I will not retract any post or meme I have made here implying that the Eucharist is more than a rote memorial.

As is affirmed by historic Presbyterian/Reformed doctrine—we truly do partake of Christ’s body and blood spiritually.

This is not to say that we believe in consubstantiation or transubstantiation; but that the sign and the thing signified are truly being presented to us in the sacrament… as Calvin says, there is a “true and substantial communication of the body and blood of the Lord” in the Lord’s Supper.

We cannot be so focused on being anti-Romish that we discard the fullness of the Reformed faith.

Grace and Peace,

Adam

Happy Reformation Day!

Neo-Pagans have sometimes forgotten; when they set out to do everything that the old pagans did, that the final thing the old pagans did was to get christened.

—G. K. Chesterton

When life’s trials press in, it’s easy to wonder, “Why is this happening to me?” But God uses your trials to shape you and bring you closer to Him. Without these trials, you wouldn’t fully grasp the depth of God’s Word. It’s through struggle that you come to know the strength and comfort of His promises.

Remember, real gold fears no fire. Whether you are facing sleepless nights, bitter inlaws, woke bosses or a financial strain, remember that God is leading you more into the likeness of His son. Don’t try and escape it, rather walk with God through it.


"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." — James 1:2-3

—The Forge (Daily Dose #0056)

All of us this morning.

In Christ, we behold the wisdom, goodness, love, grace, mercy, and power of God, all working together for the great work of our redemption and salvation.

—John Owen

The devil, though he is an enemy to all saints, is a conquered enemy. The Captain of our salvation has defeated and disarmed him; we have nothing to do but to pursue the victory.

—Matthew Henry

Job 19:25-27

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Free will I have often heard of, but I have never seen it. I have always met with will, and plenty of it, but it has either been led captive by sin or held in the blessed bonds of grace.

—Charles Spurgeon

If you feel that you are unfit, weak, and lacking in faith, where will you obtain strength but here? Do you mean to wait until you have grown pure and strong, then indeed you will never come and you will never obtain any benefit from the Holy Communion.

This is the right use of the Lord’s Supper, serving not to torture, but to comfort and gladden the conscience. For by instituting it for us, God did not intend it to be poison and torture to frighten us...The Lord’s Supper welcomes those who perceive their frailties and feel that they are not pious, yet would like to be.

—Martin Luther

The true Christian is called to be a soldier and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of his death.

He is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence and security. He must never imagine for a moment that he can sleep and doze along the way to heaven, like one traveling in an easy carriage.

—JC Ryle

If you knew how quickly people would forget you after your death, you would not seek in your life to please anyone but God.

—John Chrysostom

The one perfectly divine thing, the one glimpse of God's paradise given on earth, is to fight a losing battle - and not lose it.

—G.K. Chesterton

If you only go to Church for Christmas and Easter services

You are gay (and should repent)

—Me