Sacraments

[Primevil60]

I am wondering how SDAs compare to other religions in the use of sacraments. I was raised believing that communion and baptism are simply symbolic reminders of certain aspects of salvation. They are not literal "sacraments", such a thing I think is very dangerous. Is there more to it than that? Or am I missing something?

[skyblue888]

Provided we eat and drink what the Lord has given us to eat and drink "Every meal is a sacrament." See Desire of Ages,660.

Know why?

[Primevil60]

Provided we eat and drink what the Lord has given us to eat and drink "Every meal is a sacrament." See Desire of Ages,660.

Know why?

What do you mean "provided we eat and drink what the Lord has given us". Are you talking about only "healthy" foods or all foods? Either way it is not a true sacrament...if there is such a thing. I understand what EGW was trying to say in that passage (everything we do and have is bought with Christ's blood), but it doesn't fit my question.

I'm talking about sacraments that are more than just symbolic. Something that the performer does to gain favor with God. So is baptism and communion strictly symbolic for SDAs?

[skyblue888]

Even though the following is found in the SoP, it doesn't mean it is understood by Adventists. It is my belief that not even one in one thousand does.

"Never one, saint or sinner eats his daily food but he is nourished by the body and blood of Christ...The light shining from the Communion service in the upper chamber makes sacred the provisions for our daily life. The family board becomes as the Table of the Lord, and every meal a sacrament." D.A.660.

Why? Because "Not only is Christ the Originator of all, but He is the life of everything that lives. It is His life that we receive in the sunshine, in the pure, sweet air and in the food which builds up our bodies and sustains our strength. It is by His life that we exist, hour by hour, moment by moment. Except as perverted by sin, all His gifts tend to life, to health and joy." Education, 197,198.

This explains why every meal is a true sacrament. To most adventists, if not all adventists, the words of Jesus are merely symbolic when we participate in the communion service in church. We are far from realizing that the words of Jesus "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you," are true of our physical nature.

"It is the Word of God, the impartation of His life, that gives life to the seed, and, of that life, we, in eating the grain, become partakers. This God desires us to discern; He desires that even in receiving our daily bread (daily food) we may recognize His agency and may be brought into closer fellowship with Him." Education, 108.

Yes the words of Jesus imply that we eat only that which He has given us to eat and drink and that means that the communion service in the upper chamber teaches us how to eat and drink. The communion service in the upper chamber teaches us a lesson on health reform.

But how much more are the words of Jesus true of our spiritual nature as we feed upon His words in the Scriptures as they are the voice of God speaking to us from Heaven and they impart Spirit and Life to the soul. John 6:63.

So I thought of sharing this first as far as sacraments are concerned.

To answer your second question, there is nothing we can do to obtain God's favour. The merits of a crucified and risen Saviour are our only plea in order to obtain all the blessings of the covenant of grace for "The merits of Christ's sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.

Baptism is simply a public confession that we have accepted the merits of Christ as our only hope for time and eternity believing that it is our privilege to claim them and then we are clothed with the robe of His righteousness which accomplishes everything provided we continue in this faith which is the only true faith for "Jesus was treated as we deserve that we might be treated as He deserves." D.A.25.

Even this precious truth is little discerned by us as a people.

sky