METHODISTS, LUTHERANS BREAK BREAD TOGETHER
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
As the world becomes fiercer against Christianity, believers are discovering solace in gathering together in Jesus’ name.
This latest camaraderie is shown by Methodists and Lutherans concluding to share the sacrament of communion. Around the Lord’s table, members of both denominations will find their common bond in worship.
Approved on August 11, the Lutheran delegates in Orlando made it official. The "interim agreement" approved by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America extends the right hand of sacramental fellowship to the United Methodist Church.
That means that if all members were to meet at the common table, 13 millions souls would be lifting their hearts toward heaven in giving thanks for the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ upon the Calvary cross. Instead of defending division in the believing ranks, the faithful of these two churches would be welding their convictions as a dynamic witness to the world.
It is fact that Christianity is having a rough go of it in an increasingly secularized world. Europe in particular is under siege by the secularists who would turn the continent into a godless culture. The Vatican especially has voiced extreme concern about this trend. Pope Benedict has informed the media that he invites the European Union to invite God back into its official constitution. He has asked the populace to return in commitment to Christ Jesus as Lord.
Now within Protestantism we see this present move of kneeling together before the Lord to receive the elements as another sign of union in spirit. It is an appeal also to the Holy Spirit to bless these gatherings with an increased faith gift.
When the genuine worship involving believers of various denominations is based upon the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is present to strengthen and enrich. Those outside these two denominations pray that such a biblical base will always be foundational to future deliberations concerning their shared communion.
In the United States, conservatives are in daily battle against liberals. This includes religious conservatives warring against religious liberals. Those within the biblical context who hold to the Holy Scriptures as divine revelation are up against those who would compromise the Word in order to make it more appealing to an irreligious society.
However, when Lutherans and Methodists together uphold the sacrament as holy and needful, they add to the spiritual strength of the nation. That in itself is especially supportive to the traditional Christian testimony.
Ninety-four percent of the 1,018 delegates at the Lutheran annual conclave approved the reaching out to Methodists in Christian sacramental bonding. It is expected that additional believers within more Protestant denominations will realize the impact of such a significant outreach.
As the world becomes fiercer against Christianity, believers are discovering solace in gathering together in Jesus’ name.
This latest camaraderie is shown by Methodists and Lutherans concluding to share the sacrament of communion. Around the Lord’s table, members of both denominations will find their common bond in worship.
Approved on August 11, the Lutheran delegates in Orlando made it official. The "interim agreement" approved by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America extends the right hand of sacramental fellowship to the United Methodist Church.
That means that if all members were to meet at the common table, 13 millions souls would be lifting their hearts toward heaven in giving thanks for the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ upon the Calvary cross. Instead of defending division in the believing ranks, the faithful of these two churches would be welding their convictions as a dynamic witness to the world.
It is fact that Christianity is having a rough go of it in an increasingly secularized world. Europe in particular is under siege by the secularists who would turn the continent into a godless culture. The Vatican especially has voiced extreme concern about this trend. Pope Benedict has informed the media that he invites the European Union to invite God back into its official constitution. He has asked the populace to return in commitment to Christ Jesus as Lord.
Now within Protestantism we see this present move of kneeling together before the Lord to receive the elements as another sign of union in spirit. It is an appeal also to the Holy Spirit to bless these gatherings with an increased faith gift.
When the genuine worship involving believers of various denominations is based upon the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is present to strengthen and enrich. Those outside these two denominations pray that such a biblical base will always be foundational to future deliberations concerning their shared communion.
In the United States, conservatives are in daily battle against liberals. This includes religious conservatives warring against religious liberals. Those within the biblical context who hold to the Holy Scriptures as divine revelation are up against those who would compromise the Word in order to make it more appealing to an irreligious society.
However, when Lutherans and Methodists together uphold the sacrament as holy and needful, they add to the spiritual strength of the nation. That in itself is especially supportive to the traditional Christian testimony.
Ninety-four percent of the 1,018 delegates at the Lutheran annual conclave approved the reaching out to Methodists in Christian sacramental bonding. It is expected that additional believers within more Protestant denominations will realize the impact of such a significant outreach.
<< Home