Who are the proper subjects of this ordinance?
They who have been baptized upon a personal profession of their faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance from dead works.a
- aActs 2:41-42
Beddome's Scriptural Exposition 10 questions answered from Scripture
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May all come to the Lord’s supper? No.
“It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to dogs” Matthew 15:26
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May those come who are prepared? Yes.
“Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice” 1 Samuel 16:5
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But after all our care will there be some intruders? Yes.
“Friend, how earnest thou in hither?” Matthew 22:12
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Are baptized believers proper subjects of this ordinance? Yes.
“They that were baptized—continued in the apostles’ fellowship, and in breaking of bread” Acts 2:41
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Should this their faith be professed? Yes.
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Romans 10:10
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And be joined with repentance? Yes.
“For we read of the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith towards God” Hebrews 6:1
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And be exemplified in a good conversation? Yes.
“If any man that is called a brother, be a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one, no not to eat” 1 Corinthians 5:11
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May weak believers be admitted? Yes.
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye” Romans 14:1
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And returning backsliders? Yes.
“Restore such an one in the spirit of meekness” Galatians 6:1
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And in all difficult cases should we rather err on the charitable side? Yes.
“For charity believeth all things, hopeth all things” 1 Corinthians 13:7
Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.
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