THE LORD'S SUPPER

Ever since the formation of the New Testament Church there have been wide divisions over the interpretation and traditions of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper instituted by Jesus in the Upper Room, just prior to his crucifixion.

 

These different positions have proved to be one of the greatest threats to unity; not only within the Church of England but also amongst the wider Protestant movement. They have ranged from a casual and lightweight memorial service to the notion of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on Calvary’s cross being re-enacted every single time during the communion service; when the elements purportedly (and erroneously) are said to become the actual and physical body and blood of Jesus.

 

To counter these heresies the present monograph, reproduced on this website, was written to set out the Reformed, Protestant, Anglican position. Although the original manuscript is unattributed, its author is almost certainly the late Rev Ashley F B Cheesman, rector of the Parish of Gaulby, Leicestershire, England from 1988 until his untimely death in 2010. It has not been edited in any way.

 

Reverend Cheesman truly believed in the inerrancy of Scripture, he preached God’s Word, upheld the reformed faith and sought to expound the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Ashley was a genuinely humble man who rang the bell, led the services, preached the sermon, played the organ and served coffee afterwards. Humility is something that sadly seems to be lacking in churches today but here was a man who unashamedly and unselfconsciously got down on to his knees to pray to God.

 

Under his leadership the reformed fellowship at Gaulby was one of the few remaining Church of England parishes in the county of Leicestershire where the doctrines of the English reformers were still upheld, subscribed to the Thirty Nine Articles of the Church of England and regularly used the 1662 Book of Common Prayer in its services. Although Ashley was much loved by his small but devoted congregation, he suffered opposition from those who saw the Anglican Church merely as a social institution rather than a place of worship.

 

As an aside, it is hoped that this short monograph, The Lord’s Supper, will provide a fitting tribute and memorial to a much-respected and dedicated servant of God who never attempted to draw attention to himself but rather sought to point sinners to the Saviour and the gospel of grace.

 

A correct understanding and interpretation of the Lord’s Supper is just as important today as when the monograph was first written (probably around 1985) – perhaps even more so; and it is hoped that readers will find it helpful as they endeavour to discern the manner in which Jesus wishes us to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Nevertheless, as with all matters in the Christian life, these things should be considered prayerfully with Scripture, taken in context, always being the final arbiter.

 

May God bless you as you seek to study this very important issue.