THE LORD'S SUPPER

The relationship of the Lord's Supper to the Jewish Passover forms the

theme of a series of articles written by Mr. S. Van Mierlo in the Dutch

Magazine  Uit de Schriften  published in Holland.  He has kindly

permitted us to make extracts from these articles, and to give a resumé of

several important features therein for the benefit of English readers.

The question of the observance or non-observance of the Lord's Supper is a matter of

conscience; but conscience is not an infallible source of truth, though, enlightened by the

truth, it may prove to be a faithful monitor. So far as the witness of The Berean

Expositor is concerned, the question has been considered, and the fact that the Lord's

Supper is associated with the new covenant has settled the question once and for all so far

as the members of the church of the One Body are concerned. There are, however,

confirmatory arguments it were well that readers should consider.

Mr. Van Mierlo rightly insists that we must recognize a distinction between the law as

a covenant, and the law as a moral code. We give our own paraphrase for the benefit of

the English reader.

The old covenant should not be mixed up with the law. The old covenant is a

covenant where in their own strength Israel promises to keep the law, supposing it

possible to be righteous on the basis of the works of law (Rom. 10: 5). The new covenant

was given to Israel to deliver them from their vow.  Christ, the "Husband"

(Jer. 31: 32--see Numb 30: 1-8 for the dissolving of a woman's vow), redeemed

Israel from the curse of the law (Gal. 3: 13), delivering them from bondage and leading

all who believed into sonship (Gal. 4: 3-24). The believer died to the law "with Christ",

and in this sense Christ became the "end of the law for righteousness to every one that

believeth" (Rom. 10: 4). So far as a "covenant" is concerned they were no longer "under

the law" but "under grace" (Rom. 6: 14).

The introduction of the new covenant did not, however, set aside the law, as such.

The Lord Himself Who established the new covenant also declared:--