Forest Hills Baptist Church

Bringing glory to God by contending for His truth, multiplying servants of Jesus Christ, and caring for one another.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • New Here?
  • Connect
    • Hub Groups
    • Kids
    • Students
    • 1829
    • Wednesday Family Nights
    • Men
    • Women
    • Missions
    • ESL Conversation Class
    • Olivia’s Gift
  • About
    • Leadership
    • Beliefs
    • Service Times
    • Location
  • Resources
    • Live Stream
    • Sermons
    • RightNow Media
    • Documents and Forms
  • Give
  • The Path
  • Contact

More Significant Than a Mexican Border Wall

May 14, 2017 Leave a Comment

Border Wall “So a Roman Catholic priest, a Greek Orthodox priest and a Baptist pastor walk into a room…” It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke but this was the scene this past week as I participated in an ecumenical panel on the topic of baptism and communion.

There were clearly some significant theological differences in the room in terms of how we understand the ordinances/sacraments. But one thread of the discussion captured my attention and challenged me. It was the topic of fencing. This is not the type of fencing where you put on a mask, grab a thin sword and attempt to stab your opponent. But rather the type of fencing where a church official guards the communion table and prevents unauthorized individuals from receiving the bread and the cup. The Orthodox priest is expected to lay down his life before he would knowingly serve communion to an unbeliever or a professing believer who was under the discipline of the church.

We generally do not “fence the table” in our tradition. We practice what is sometimes referred to as “open communion.” If a person has placed their faith in Jesus and has identified with him in the waters of baptism, he or she is invited to share in the communion table. We believe that it is the responsibility of the individual to examine himself or herself (1 Corinthians 11:28).

But the Lord’s Supper is called communion for a reason. It symbolizes our union with Christ. And in that sense, there is no “open communion.” Only those who have turned to Jesus in faith have communion with him. Everyone else is excluded. And the communion service is meant to reflect that heart-breaking reality. So willful sinners and unbelievers should not participate in the Lord’s Table because they are not in communion with Jesus. Perhaps a few more fences would make us think twice about whether we are on the inside or the outside.

Pastor Jeff

 

Photo credit: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Machu_Picchu,_The_Guard_House_(3951651625).jpg

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Pastor Jeff's Weekly Tagged With: Border Wall, Communion, Donald Trump, Mexico, the church

What to expect when you visit FHBC

FHBC Worship Team
We welcome you to join us for either of our services, and to come as you are!
Learn more about the atmosphere and worship service style at FHBC »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Watch / Listen Online

Podcast and Live Video Stream

The Path

The Path – Forest Hills Baptist Church

An online community where church members can connect with other church members, groups, events, and calendars.

Log on to The Path »

About FHBC

  • New Here?
  • Service Times
  • Our Faith
  • Our Leadership
  • Our Mission

Members

  • The Path
  • Online Giving
  • Photo Directory

COVID Guidelines

As of July 18, 2021, we are lifting all COVID guidelines.

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Forest Hills Baptist Church is a church in Grand Rapids, MI that focuses on gospel-centered teaching, worship, spiritual growth in the context of community, and reaching the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Forest Hills Baptist Church · 3900 E Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Copyright © 2023 · Log in