Tall and magnificent buildings do often elicit awe from meagre men who can't afford to build a room for themselves, perhaps hardly even find a place to rest their head. Jesus's disciples in Matthew 24 were also immensely stricken by the beauty of the famous Herod's Temple. However, Jesus had a different opinion. He saw the present with the eyes of its future. He told the disciples that not one of the Temple's stone would remain upon another. Isn't that also true of any major edifice we know of today? However, that doesn't undermine their present use. If there wasn't, Jesus would not have cleansed the Temple. However, we must also learn not to be wrongly awed by shadowy visibles, while remaining oblivious of the glorious world to come. It is better to remain awed by only things that will remain to the end, and forever.
"Last Supper" by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1750) Yes, it is. Water baptism identifies one with the redemption work of Jesus Christ, with His death, burial, and resurrection. It is anticipated of visible identification with Christ and His Church. Every person has the personal responsibility to examine him/herself before deciding to partake in the Lord's Table. The Bible makes it clear that those who chose not to be baptized were rejecting the counsel of God (Lk.7:30). In a mixed congregation, it is not possible to always know who is worthy to partake of the Table; however, the minister must encourage only those who have been baptized for remission of sins (not just as a ritual but by faith in Jesus Christ) to partake of the Table. Before Jesus sat down to dip bread in the cup, He washed His disciples' feet. He makes the statement that they are already "washed" and only need feet to be washed. Of course, this may not explicitly/only refer to their baptism, fo
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