THE SPECIFIC OR CLEAR COMMAND FOR PERPETUATION IS NECESSARY

THE SPECIFIC OR CLEAR COMMAND FOR PERPETUATION IS NECESSARY

 

Progressively special time, sovereign authorization, symbolical meaning and great spiritual reality have limited the number and nature of the ordinances. One thing yet remains, namely, specific command for perpetuation. Without this last, the form could never be regarded as more than an historical incident in history, and without any further value aside from the truth associated with it at the time. Several features pertaining to perpetuation need to be stated.

lb. In every case the command for perpetuation is stated or implied. Unless this is true, the early church, and the church to this hour, could never de­cide accurately the number and nature of the forms to be practiced as ordinances.

Exalting the voice of the church is a dangerous expedient.
After asserting His complete and universal authority, the Lord commanded baptism (Matt. 28:18-19).

After asserting His authority on the night of the last supper, He instituted the other three ordinances, John singling out the feetwashing for special emphasis (John 13:1-3, 14).

For the Eucharist, Luke records the Lord's command (Luke 22:19, and Paul cites it again (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

For the Lord's Supper, it is Paul who clearly implies that command was given by the Lord in the upper room at the same time as for Feetwashing, and Eucharist. John 13:3; 1 Cor. 11:17-34

2b. It must be asserted that in every case the command was clearly stated.

This is a necessary element of a command relating to the perpetuation of an ordinance.

Every one of these commands are clear, and despite the exegetical contortions to escape their clear significance, the untrammeled mind must always come back to the plain sense of the words.

3b. In every case the command for perpetuation was clearly understood AND OBEYED BY THE EARLY CHURCH.

Apostolic history as recorded in the Acts and the Epistles verify this fact. Post-apostolic history as preserved from the fathers further supports this fact.

The History of the Church for almost 1200 years depicts the church follow­ing these original commands.