I just finished reading "The Way Of Life" by Charles Hodge, which was a wonderful book and I would highly recommend it. In it Hodge says that a Profession of one's faith is necessary to genuine Christian living, what struck me was the extraordinary way he explains the importance of proper attendence to the Sacraments (Baptim and The Lord's supper) to maintaining a credible profession of one's faith. He states that the word sacrament is actually a Roman military term which was a soldier's public oath of loyalty. In other words the Roman soldier was committed to Country in life and death. I found this interesting in light of how loosely people, especially Minister's today, will throw the term profession of faith around. I think it is very important how we view our commitment to Christ and His Church, and the Sacraments He has entrusted to them.
Do you have a credible Profession Of Faith?

We are recieving the Lord's Supper this coming Lord's Day and I thought this poem would be appropriate.

He was the Word that spake it,
He took the bread and brake it;
And what that Word did make it,
I do believe and take it.

John Donne

__________________
Sean Jones
Covenant Presbyterian Church OPC
Fort Worth Texas

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.
2Timothy 2:15

What would make a "credible profession of faith"?

__________________
~Wayne Wylie~
Member, Mid Cities Presbyterian Church (OPC)
Ruling Elder - Inactive
http://www.mcopc.org
Bedford, TX

Job 28:28 - And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Who is actually making the profession in the sacrament?

__________________
Fredrick T. Greco
Senior Pastor, Christ Church PCA (Katy, TX)
Christ Church Blog

"The heart is the main thing in true religion...It is the hinge and turning-point in the condition of man's soul. If the heart is alive to God and quickened by the Spirit, the man is a living Christian. If the heart is dead and has not the Spirit, the man is dead before God." (J.C. Ryle)

The person who is properly attending them, i.e has been examined by the Session of his/her Church, and doesn't neglect them.

[Edited on 4-11-2004 by Irishcat922]

[Edited on 4-11-2004 by Irishcat922]

Wrong. Try again.

Many people argue that George Washington was a Christian. I take issue with that in part because he was a Mason and in part because he refused to partake of the Lord's Supper at his Anglican church. When a person cuts themself off from the sacrament, I think that cuts against their profession of faith.

__________________
Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole

But haven't you seen the pretty painting where he is kneeling down in the snow praying and a sunbeam shines around him and he looks very reverential? Doesn't that count as evidence?

(I am being facetious; although I do hope he was converted)

__________________
J. B. Atken
John Knox PCA
Layman, M.A. student at Louisiana College

If the painting had a halo I might be persuaded that he was a Christian (tongue in cheek)!

Here is my response Fred after or side conf. (i.e. your reference)


W.L.C.
Q-162. What is a sacrament?

A-162. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ in his church,(1) to signify, seal, and exhibit(2) unto those that are within the covenant of grace,(3) the benefits of his mediation;(4) to strengthen and increase their faith, and all other graces;(5) to oblige them to obedience;(6) to testify and cherish their love and communion one with another;(7) and to distinguish them from those that are without.(8)