Re Centre Road, January
As I read the Bible, there is nowhere that Jesus ever gives instruction in how the two practices that we accept as sacraments—baptism and the Lord’s supper—are to be carried out. He simply says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you,” and, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Quite simple instructions it seems with no parameters or fences built around them.
The authors list several Bible references in their article to argue for the necessity of ordained clergy administering the sacraments. However, when we read them, none of them seems to imply what they are arguing.
There are three main themes in the scripture passages referenced in the article. The first comes with the idea of ‘apostolic succession’, a concept that was rejected by the Reformed churches. When Jesus says to Peter, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 26:18-10), a Reformed interpretation is that Jesus meant that his church would be built upon the rock of Peter’s confession, not upon Peter as an apostle, whose authority was to be passed on in succession. Our church is built on the confession of Jesus as the Christ of God, not on a human leader. Ephesians 2:15-20, John 20:19-23, and Matthew 28:18-20 need to be read in this light. Jesus gives his teachings, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and the call to evangelism to all who receive his grace and follow after him.
A second theme is the practice of the sacraments in the early church. Acts 2:42 tell us that the early believers gathered together, eating, enjoying one another’s company and praying. They broke bread to remember Jesus’ death and they taught one another from the teachings they had received from the first followers of Jesus. Very simply, those who knew the teachings of and about Jesus, shared them with others.
A final theme is the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-24 and Acts 6:1-6). This is a common practice seen in the New Testament but does not describe ordination as we know it today. The laying on of hands was used for setting people apart for a specific ministry (such as taking care of widows), to pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit, and the healing of the sick. It did not put people into a special category within the church, but was a way of praying for those who were called to tasks or roles throughout the early church.
None of the passages that the Hodgsons’ article refers to tell us of a separate order of ministry who hold authority over the gifts God gave to the church. Instead, we see a church which is flexible and active, sharing those rich gifts with one another.
