Magyar Egyház, 1936 (15. évfolyam, 5. szám)
1936-05-01 / 5. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 5 and eliminate entirely the bread and wine from the communions. According to the teaching and practice of the Reformed Church of Hungary, the Holy Communion is a mystical union with Christ. We do not try to explain it rationally, which is impossible and dangerous. Suffice it is to say that in it our souls are as surely fed with the Body of Christ as surely as we receive the earthly bread. It is a real communion between Christ and us. Christ promised to be present with us, even if two or three are gathered together, but there is a sacramental presence when He may be found and received. “In this simple meal we are united with Christ”, “Descend now from heaven, Thou Bread of Life” — these Hungarian communion hymns express the meaning of the Sacrament. The celebration of the Holy Communion is always preceded by a week of penitence which enables us to acquire such a spiritual state by which the blessings of the Sacrament may be profitable for us. It is celebrated in the Reformed Church of Hungary at least six times a year, but in many churches more celebration is customary. It is administered by regular ministers only and laymen cannot assist in its celebration. In the majority of the churches common chalices are used. Only recently was the optional use of private cups introduced into a few congregations. The Eucharist alludes to the one and perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross and is its perpetual memorial, and at the same time it influences us to follow Christ on His sacrificial path by the manifestation of our sacrificial acts. Generally, it is shown by special offering laid on the Lord’s table after communion. The celebration of the Holy Communion is the most important act of our worship, when we enter into the holiest of the holy. It is the most solemn part of our services when everything is done decently and orderly. The sacramental life is more appreciated in the Reformed Church of Hungary than in the average Protestant Churches of America. Here there are many unbaptized children. This sad reality indicates that the importance of Baptism is not accepted even by such Christians who are outside of the Baptist Communion. A general theological confusion is prevailing among church leaders as to the real meaning of infant Baptism. An enlightening revival is needed to remedy the trouble. Preaching on the importance of this Sacrament, the acceptance of the face-value of Christ’s words concerning Baptism, family worship, real Christian environment and more religious instruction will no doubt help in order that our children may be dedicated to God in the early years of their life. As to the Holy Communion, American Protestantism showrs similar decadence. Even such communions, whose confessional standards of the XVI. and XVII. centuries entertain very high ideas of the Lord’s supper, now are often satisfied with a low interpretation. The former theory of Zwingli, which later has been given up by the Swiss reformer, became popular with many. The weakness in theory is manifested in the infrequent administration of the Lord’s supper. No doubt the Reformed Church of Hungary does not follow the example of' the Apostolic Church, where no service could be imagined without the celebration of Holy Communion, but gives more opportunity to her members to partake in the Sacrament. If the Word of God is kept in high regard, we shall come to the conclusion that every Sacrament is a visible Word of God, and the Lord’s supper not only speaks and preaches of the love of Christ towards us, but imparts to us the benefits of His life and death, even more it gives us Christ Himself in a specific sacramental way. This conception safeguards the importance and value of the Sacraments. A LAP OLVASÓINAK BOLDOG ÉS A SZENTLÉLEK ISTEN AJÁNDÉKAIBAN GAZDAG, ÜDVÖSSÉGES PÜNKÖSTI ÜNNEPEKET KÍVÁN A “MAGYAR EGYHÁZ.” mmm MÉN
