General Assebmly Resolution Concerning the Article of Faith on The Lord's Supper

XIII. THE LORD’S SUPPER                                                                         13.

 

XIII. The Lord’s Supper

                13. 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, 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., 21.1(7) & 514.9.  

 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.