The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1917, Page 42

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Che Lutheran Pioneer.

A MISSIONARY MONTHLY.

Pusiisuep BY THE EvanceLicaL Lurueran SynopicAL ConFERENcE or Norru America.

REV. F. J. LANKENAD, EDITOR.

Entered at the Post Office at St. Louis, Mo., as second-class matter.

Vol. XXXIX.

ST. LOUIS, MO., JUNE, 1917.

No. 6.

The Church’s Reformation.

The Christian Chureh was not indeed
Reformed by Luther’s power;

But God Himself performed this deed
At His appointed hour.

He sent His servant, who exposed
The Antichrist’s deceit,

Proclaimed good tidings, and disclosed
The “Lamp unto our fect.”

Oh, therefore let us celebrate
The Jubilee with joy,
And every day rededicate
Our hearts to God on high. -
H. Osteritus.

The Lord’s Supper.

II.

The benefit of the Lord’s Supper is expressed
in the words, “Given and shed for you for the re-
mission of sins.” Luther writes: “Christ has put
the power of His suffering into the Sacrament, in
order that we there might find it and get it, as the
words say, “Chis is My body, given for you for the
remission of sins.” ‘hat all that receive forgive-
ness at the same time receive life and salvation need
not to he proved to those who are acquainted with

“the Bible. ‘This benefit is bestowed individually
upon cach Christian who receives the Sacrament
worthily. He eats and drinks Christ’s body and
blood as a pledge that his sins are actually remitted
unto him.

This miraculous, salutary power of the Lord’s
Supper is due to the Word of God with which the
bread and wine are connected, and in which they
are comprehended. As it is in Baptism, so it
is’ here.

The words, “Given and shed for you for the re-

mission of sins,” also answer the question as to

which communicants will receive the benefit of the

Lord’s Supper. Only those who have faith in these
words, “Given and shed,” cte., have what these
words “say and express, namely, the forgiveness of
sins.” “Hor the words, ‘For you, require all hearts
While outward preparation is not to
he despised, but commended, it is faith alone that
can make a person worthy of participating in this
wondrous meal. Those that have no faith “eat and
drink damnation to themselves, not discerning the
Lord’s body,” 1 Cor. 11, 29. Hence it is necessary
that such as desire to commune should first examine
themselves as to whether they are in the proper con-
dition to approach the Lord’s Table (1 Cor. 11, 28).
We should come with penitent and believing hearts,
and with the earnest desire and purpose of better-
ing our sinful lives with the assistance of the Holy
Spirit. It is God’s will that those who have sinned
grossly and publicly, but have become truly peni-
tent, should show this by making amends before
they partake of the Lord’s Supper. When Chris-
tians have aught against each other, there must be
a reconciliation before they approach the Lord’s
Table (1 Cor. 11, 28. 29). Only those who confess
the orthodox faith should commune together, as
the Lord’s Supper is a spiritual bond uniting Chris-
tians with each other, and a testimonial of the unity
of faith (1 Cor. 10, 17). Being a steward of the
mysteries of God, the pastor should see to it that,
as far as he knows, no unworthy communicant is
admitted to the Eucharist.
We should come frequently to the Lord’s ‘lable.
Christ says: “This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in
“remembrance of Me.” May our sin and spiritual
misery impel us to partake of the Holy Supper,
this precious means of grace, diligently and fre-
quently, following the call of Jesus: “Come unto
Me, all ye that labor and are heayy laden, and I will
give you rest.” H. OstTErHus.

to believe.”