The Lord's Supper
We believe in observing the communion of the Lord's Supper as an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ to symbolize the New Covenant. We recognize the bread and the cup as symbols commemorating Christ's broken body and shed blood, of our spiritual life in Him, and of the spiritual unity and fellowship of the body of Christ. Each believer shall examine himself so as not to partake of the sacred emblems carelessly or while living in sin. The church shall invite to the Lord's table only those who have peace with God and with their fellow men, and who share the faith of the church. The Lord's Supper shall be observed faithfully until the Lord comes. (Mennonite Confession of Faith)
Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Symbols of Christian Brotherhood
We believe in the observance of the washing of the saints' feet as an ordinance instituted by the Lord Jesus. By His example Christ rebuked the pride and rivalry of the apostles and showed them that Christian discipleship involves obedience to His lordship and loving service. This ordinance reminds us of the brotherhood character of the church, of our mutual duty to serve and admonish one another, and of our need for continuous cleansing in our daily walk. (Mennonite Confession of Faith)
Luke 22:24; John 13:1-17; 1 Timothy 5:10
Luke 22:24; John 13:1-17; 1 Timothy 5:10
What does the Bible say about Communion?
Jesus shared the Last Supper, the Passover meal, with His disciples on the night before He was crucified. Today, Christians all over the world celebrate this meal in remembrance of what Christ has done. Jesus’ disciples gathered around Him for the traditional Jewish Passover meal when Jesus “took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:19–20).
Who should participate in Communion?
Communion is intended for Jesus’ followers, by which they acknowledge and remember His work on the cross—the ultimate sacrifice made on our behalf for the forgiveness of the sins of humankind. Mennonite theologian, J.C. Wenger wrote in his book What Mennonites Believe, “In the New Testament the bread is spoken of as a loaf which symbolizes the spiritual unity of those who are in Christ. This was a major emphasis with the Swiss Brethren, as the first Anabaptists came to be known in their homeland. Before coming to the Lord’s Table, they insisted that each participant must be brought into one body in Christ by believer’s baptism.” At Blainsport, we invite all who has accepted Christ’s forgiveness and surrendered their lives to Him to receive Communion. You do not need to belong to Blainsport Mennonite Church but you must belong to Jesus Christ – after all, it is His table.
Those who are still exploring faith in Jesus or unsure of what their relationship is with God are encouraged to simply refrain from receiving the bread and cup during the service. Use the time to observe and consider what God is saying through Communion.
Those who are still exploring faith in Jesus or unsure of what their relationship is with God are encouraged to simply refrain from receiving the bread and cup during the service. Use the time to observe and consider what God is saying through Communion.
When is Communion celebrated at Blainsport?
Communion is celebrated during the spring and fall of every year. Communion Sundays are announced several weeks before the service. Counsel Questionnaires are used to help guide a believer’s examination of his life before the communion service. These questionnaires are collected a week before the celebration of the Lord’s Supper so that opportunity is given for individuals to correct, change, discuss, repent, etc. before taking Communion. The church leaders desire to help in that process as best they can.
Why wash each other’s feet?
Jesus taught and showed His followers throughout His ministry on earth the importance of loving one another. He showed us the greatest form of love when He went to the cross in our behalf. The Apostle John
tells us the ultimate way to love each other, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).
Many of us will probably never have to lay down our lives for another person. But we do need to serve and prefer others. Sometimes we need to sacrifice what we want for the good of others. Maybe we have to humble ourselves so that we can serve others. It is easy in this day and age to be served but the follower Christ looks for ways to serve others.
When we follow Christ’s example of washing His disciples’ feet, we symbolical declare that we are committed to helping each other in everyday life. Around AD 200, the early church father, Tertullian, expressed that foot washing should be practiced as Jesus taught. In the fourth century, both Ambrose (bishop of Milan) and Augustine believed that a literal washing of one another’s feet should be observed. Throughout the 1500’s, Anabaptists continues to observe this practice of the early church and we still find much value in it today.
tells us the ultimate way to love each other, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).
Many of us will probably never have to lay down our lives for another person. But we do need to serve and prefer others. Sometimes we need to sacrifice what we want for the good of others. Maybe we have to humble ourselves so that we can serve others. It is easy in this day and age to be served but the follower Christ looks for ways to serve others.
When we follow Christ’s example of washing His disciples’ feet, we symbolical declare that we are committed to helping each other in everyday life. Around AD 200, the early church father, Tertullian, expressed that foot washing should be practiced as Jesus taught. In the fourth century, both Ambrose (bishop of Milan) and Augustine believed that a literal washing of one another’s feet should be observed. Throughout the 1500’s, Anabaptists continues to observe this practice of the early church and we still find much value in it today.