XIII. THE LORD’S SUPPER 17.
XIII. The Lord’s Supper
17. We
believe that the Memorial and Communion Supper instituted by our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ is essentially a New Testament sacrament and means of
grace through faith, declarative of Christ’s [His] sacrificial
death, through the merits of which believers have life and salvation and
promise of all spiritual blessings in Christ.
It is distinctively for those who are prepared for reverent appreciation
of its significance, and by it they show forth the Lord’s death till he come
again. It being the Communion fest, only
those who have faith in Christ and love for the saints should be called to
participate therein.
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
1. This change makes
clear that we are Wesleyan in our understanding of the sacraments as outward
signs of an inward grace and means whereby we receive the same.
2. Such a change
makes the article consistent with other Manual paragraphs that identify
sacraments as means of grace, viz., 27.1(7) & 413.9.
3. Such a change is
consistent with statements found in various Nazarene theological writings.
4. Such a change s
consistent with our Methodists heritage.
5. Such a change is
consistent with John Wesley’s understanding.
6. Such a change
brings us closer in alignment with our closest denominational partners, The
Wesleyan Church and the Free Methodist
Church , along with our other
sisters and brothers throughout World Methodism.
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