Our congregation not long ago began the practice of saying the Apostles creed as the elements of the bread and wine are distributed. Well, actually it finishes before the bread is fully distributed. I find it rather distracting and I don't participate. Any thoughts as to the ideas behind practicing this? I am going to ask about this Mon. evening when our Pastor visits but I would be interested in some feedback on this.

I should mention I refrain from the creed because I hold to the Directory of Public Worship (WCF). I don't intend to start any debates.

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~Beth Ellen Nagle~
Lakeside Church -Wales, WI (PCA)
Married to John
One wonderful daughter, Chaela Joelle
Creative Outlet: www.eclecticstudiocafe.com/blog

In Calvin's liturgy in Geneva, the Apostles Creed was said before the Lord's Supper was distributed.

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Patrick
OPC
MDiv, RTS Jackson.

"He does well, that discourses of Christ; but he does infinitely better, that by experimental knowledge, feeds and lives on Christ." Thomas Brooks.

I'm not in favor of distraction during the Lord's Supper. I won't condemn another church for reciting the Apostles Creed, but I am not partial to it.

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Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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Of course we're not partial to it, Bill, we're Baptists! But I have to agree. I think a number of the creeds are fine. We just don't recite them as part of our worship.

And I agree that reciting a creed would be a distraction, at least during the LORD's Supper. Seems to me it makes more sense to recite the creed prior to the LORD's Supper.

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Ivan Schoen, Pastor * Maranatha Baptist Church * Poplar Grove, Illinois USA www.maranatha-sbc.org/
“One of the most important discoveries I have ever made is this truth: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him. This is the motor that drives my ministry as a pastor. It affects everything I do.” --- Dr. John Piper

You mean it's okay to admit I'm a Baptist?

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Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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

Well, just between you and me.

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Ivan Schoen, Pastor * Maranatha Baptist Church * Poplar Grove, Illinois USA www.maranatha-sbc.org/
“One of the most important discoveries I have ever made is this truth: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him. This is the motor that drives my ministry as a pastor. It affects everything I do.” --- Dr. John Piper

We sometimes recite it before the elements are distributed, never during.

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The man who is disposed to think of his sin as a great calamity, rather than as a heinous crime, is not likely either to reverence God or to respect His law. - John Kennedy, 1873
Meg
Blog
Member, Intown Presbyterian Church,PCA, Portland, OR

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I do realize many church's recite the Apostles Creed during worship. I am just wondering about the idea behind reciting it during communion. I can safely say that I attend an FV influenced church and wonder if that factors in somewhat. I do know there was a study recently that went through Meyer's book_The Lord's Service: The Grace of Covenant Renewal Worship. I did not attend these studies and so think I will get the book and read it.

I generally understand the idea behind reciting the creed but to place it in the supper...ISTM...that there must be some concept driving it there.

Well, I'll get it figured out and if needs be might seek some feedback then. Unless of course anyone is familiar with the reason behind such a shift.

Have a good Lord's Day.

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~Beth Ellen Nagle~
Lakeside Church -Wales, WI (PCA)
Married to John
One wonderful daughter, Chaela Joelle
Creative Outlet: www.eclecticstudiocafe.com/blog

IMHO,I think you should reconsider your decision not to participate.

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Bruce
PCUSA
Ocean City NJ

Why so?

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~Beth Ellen Nagle~
Lakeside Church -Wales, WI (PCA)
Married to John
One wonderful daughter, Chaela Joelle
Creative Outlet: www.eclecticstudiocafe.com/blog

I think to recite it during the reception of the Lord's supper is daft. But by all means say it some time during the service. John Knox did!

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Richard
CofE
UK

It seems to be a severe reaction. Partaking of the Supper with the Body is very important for you and your family. Start a polite dialouge with your elders and follow their final decision. I think some others here would agree and be able to advise you as to why it is important.

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Bruce
PCUSA
Ocean City NJ

I believe it is the creed being abstained from, not the supper itself. If I'm wrong mea culpa (and would agree this issue is not sufficient to cease partaking of the Supper).

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Chris Coldwell, Lakewood Presbyterian Church (PCA), Member
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The Regulative Principle: Samuel Miller gives a succinct statement of this principle when he writes that since the Scriptures are the “only infallible rule of faith and practice, no rite or ceremony ought to have a place in the public worship of God, which is not warranted in Scripture, either by direct precept or example, or by good and sufficient inference.”

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You are correct. Perhaps I was not clear though I thought I was but we do participate in the supper.

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~Beth Ellen Nagle~
Lakeside Church -Wales, WI (PCA)
Married to John
One wonderful daughter, Chaela Joelle
Creative Outlet: www.eclecticstudiocafe.com/blog

Historically the Nicene Creed not the Apostles was said at prior to the distribution of the elements during the Lord's Supper.

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Thomas Yeutter,
Mason, MI
Member St. Patrick's Anglican Church, Comstock, MI

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to do it and to teach its statues in Isreal.