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PCA 38th General Assembly (2010): Overture 14 From Westminster Presbytery
Overture 14, which has been sent up to the General Assembly this year by Westminster Presbytery, has come in response to last year's administration of the Lord's Supper at the first worship service.
OVERTURE 14 from Westminster Presbytery (to OC)
“Prohibit Use of Intincture at the General Assembly”
Whereas we are a confessional denomination;
Whereas Chapter 58 of the Book of Church Order has full constitutional authority;
Whereas the method of distributing the elements is prescribed in the Book of Church Order and the constitution specifically separates the distribution of bread and wine;
Whereas the constitution is in full submission to the inspired Word of God and the Word records that our Lord Jesus Christ distributed the elements individually, separately, and discreetly (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20);
Whereas the practice of dipping the bread in the cup and partaking the elements simultaneously is a practice that is out of accord with Scripture and our constitution;
Therefore be it resolved that Westminster Presbytery overtures the 38th General Assembly to prohibit in the future at General Assembly meetings the practice of intincture that was used at the 37th General Assembly during opening worship service.
Adopted by Westminster Presbytery at its stated meeting, April 10, 2010
Attested by /s/ TE Daniel J. Foreman, stated clerk
I have absolutely no problem with this overture. Its simplicity is good and is a good reminder of what should have been obvious last year.
4 comments:
This practice has been a source of frustration for me in my local church. It's a clear break from the RPW, but that's not seen as "important" enough of a reason for our flock to reconsider its practice.
The sad truth is that many see this as a more meaningful or authentic mode of participating in communion. Weekly communion by intincture is becoming very popular particularly in PCA mission churches.
I can attest to the fact that GA's practice last year was seen by some TE's as a denominational sanction of intincture. What happened last year at GA carries more weight than BCO 58, WLC 169 & 174, 1 Cor. 11, Leviticus 17, Nadab and Abihu, and our Lord's own actions on that night. I make that statement from experience, not from hypothesis or hyperbole.
This overture is important to me, and very well phrased.
I do fear that its simplicity might work against it. From my experience with this issue, the RPW does not carry the force it should in regulating our worship. Particularly if a flock or minister has become fond of certain unwarranted practices regarding worship. The response will be, "Why else should we prohibit intincture?"
My prayer is that prohibiting intincture at GA will trickle down to my local flock. It will certainly succeed in sweeping away the ONLY defense that our leadership has provided for holding so tightly to a denial of the cup.
littlepeople,
Thanks for commenting. It is sad. I was recently talking to a TE in a Presbytery outside of mine in which it has become a practice at their Presbytery to do this (of which by his conscience he must refrain from partaking). Their reason of why the Presbytery and churches in the Presbytery are doing it: a lot of other PCA churches are doing it...
It is very sad.
Thanks for your comments on this overture; it is good to hear the perspective of other TEs.
Do you find it a little ironic, as I do, that the appeal of this overture to both the BCO and the Scriptures highlights the separation of the elements, but chooses to ignore entirely the substance of them? The BCO, the WCF, and the Scriptures all refer to bread (which the styrofoam wafers we are usually served can hardly be called) and wine (which is also seldom offered instead of pasteurized grape juice)-- yet we have forsaken the biblical elements in favor of convenience and the wishes of the temperance movement of a century ago.
Should we appeal to G.A. to clarify what the WCF and BCO mean by "bread" and "wine"?
Ed,
No I don't think it ironic at all.
Whereas, intincture is really clear as to a confusion of the sacrament, which is contrary to Scripture, BCO, etc., in many elder's minds it is not clear about the actual elements used (unleavened/leavened bread and wine/grape juice).
This is to say that there should be an overture concerning the latter, but such an overture would not pass in the PCA. Most elders think it idiaphora. Intincture I believe comes mostly from ignorance and lack of discernment and such an overture addressing it could easily pass at GA.
To combine the overture would mean the former doesn't pass.
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