The Jerusalem Chamber » Podcast

Where do we find the biblical instruction set the elements of the Lord’s Supper apart? Can you explain the difference between transubstantiation, consubstantiation, and the Reformed view? Are there any teachings that deny the presence of Christ in the Supper? What’s the relationship between the sign and the things signified? What pastoral application is found in this paragraph? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and guest-host Adam discuss WCF 29.5:

The outward elements in this sacrament, duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly, yet sacramentally only, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ; albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly, and only, bread and wine, as they were before.

How does this paragraph fit within the chapter? What is the background justification Rome has used for private masses? Why did Protestants stand against them? What about the denial of the cup? What about worshiping the elements? What do you pastorally do about shut-ins? Should every communicant take both elements? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, and Barry discuss WCF 29.4:

Private masses, or receiving this sacrament by a priest, or any other, alone; as likewise the denial of the cup to the people; worshipping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and the reserving them for any pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this sacrament, and to the institution of Christ.

Can you briefly describe how you administer the Lord’s Supper? Why should ministers administer the sacrament? How are each of the actions mentioned here biblical? Why do churches use grape juice? Are things not listed here that can be done? Why are both elements given to participants? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, and our guest Barry discuss WCF 29.3:

The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people, to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants; but to none who are not then present in the congregation.

After a slight break — due to the demands of the pastoral ministry — we’re back in the Jerusalem Chamber for an interview with Rev. Dr. Richard Gaffin Jr. on his booklet No Adam, No Gospel. Dr. Gaffin is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and was a former professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary until 2008. He is a renowned exegetical and theological scholar who stands firmly within the Reformed confessional tradition. Tune in to this great interview about the biblical necessity of Adam.

Can you outline for our listeners some of what the Roman Catholic Church teaches regarding their doctrine and practice of Mass? What are the historical precursors to Mass? Why is the Lord’s Supper only for the living? Can you elaborate on the qualities of Christ’s death present in this paragraph? Why is the sacrifice of the mass injurious to Jesus Christ? Why do we confess the Mass as wicked idolatry? How important is it for Protestants to understand this wrong and dangerous teaching? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 29.2:

In this sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sins of the quick or dead, but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the cross, once for all, and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same; so that the Popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is most abominably injurious to Christ’s one only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of the elect.

Why is it important to remember that Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper? What’s the significance that it was instituted on the night he was betrayed? Why is it important that this supper is to be observed until Christ’s return? Why do we need a memorial of Christ’s death? How is the supper a seal of the covenant of grace? How are we spiritually nourished? How can the supper be used to encourage us to all duties? How is communion with God experienced in the supper? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 29.1:

Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in his Church, unto the end of the world; for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death, the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.

Can you give us a quick summary of baptism as a sacrament? What is important about the word “administration”? What’s being refuted by the word “once”? What’s the spiritual significance of “once”? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 28.7:

The sacrament of baptism is but once to be administered to any person.

What is the logic of this paragraph in relation to the rest of the chapter? How does this view differ from Rome? How do we balance this with what the Bible says elsewhere about baptism “saving” you? If baptism a means of grace what this paragraph say about the conferring of that grace? What pastoral help do we have here? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 28.6:

The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God’s own will, in his appointed time.

What does it mean to “contemn” something, and who contemns baptism? What about neglect? Why is this a great sin? In what other ways to people have a low view of baptism? What’s the relationship between baptism and regeneration? What’s the risk of having too high a view? What pastoral help can you bring from this paragraph? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 28.5:

Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it, as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.

How do we know that those who profess faith should be baptized? Why is “obedience” to Christ important too? What connection is there between baptism and church membership? What is the Bible’s teaching on infant membership in the church? What are erroneous views of infant baptism? What objections are there to infant baptism? How did you become convinced of the practice? Tune in as Nathan, Shawn, Joel, and Kyle discuss WCF 28.4:

Not only those that do actually profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents are to be baptized.