Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

All the early evidence . . . indicated that while the elements of the service [of the early Church] had no fixed sequence, the climactic event of the weekly service on the Lord’s Day was the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

~ R. G. Rayburn. “Worship in the Church.” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology . Walter A. Elwell, ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996. p. 1193.

The [Lord’s Supper] might be celebrated in the most becoming manner, if it were dispensed to the Church very frequently, at least once a week. . . . We ought always to provide that no meeting of the Church is held without the word, prayer, dispensation of the Supper, and [collecting money for the poor].

~ John Calvin. Institutes . 4.17.43-44.

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A second reason why every Christian should [take communion] as often as he can is, because the benefits of doing it are so great. . . . The grace of God given herein confirms to us the pardon of our sins, by enabling us to leave them. As our bodies are strengthened by bread and wine, so are our souls by these tokens of the body and blood of Christ. This is the food of our souls: This gives strength to perform our duty, and leads us on to perfection. If, therefore, we have any regard for the plain command of Christ, if we desire the pardon of our sins, if we wish for strength to believe, to love and obey God, then we should neglect no opportunity of receiving the Lord’s Supper; then we must never turn our backs on the feast which our Lord has prepared for us. We must neglect no occasion which the good providence of God affords us for this purpose. This is the true rule: So often are we to receive as God gives us opportunity. Whoever, therefore, does not receive, but goes from the holy table, when all things are prepared, either does not understand this duty, or does not care for the dying command of his Savior, the forgiveness of his sins, the strengthening of his soul, and the refreshing it with the hope of glory.

~ John Wesley. “Sermon 101: The Duty of Constant Communion.” The Works of John Wesley . Vol. 7-8. p. 148.