Ibada, Maagizo na Mahubiri ya Kibaptisti — Sehemu ya 5: Meza ya Bwana kwa Vitendo: Meza Iliyo Wazi, Meza ya Karibu na Meza IliyofungwaBaptist Worship, Ordinances, and Preaching — Unit 5: The Lord's Supper in Practice: Open, Close and Closed Communion

Mstari MkuuKey Verse

"Kwa maana kila mlapo mkate huu na kunywa kikombe hiki, mwatangaza mauti ya Bwana, hata ajapo." (1 Wakorintho 11:26, SUV)"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, NKJV)

Malengo ya KujifunzaLearning Objectives

Utakapomaliza kipindi hiki, uweze:When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. Kueleza Meza ya Bwana inamaanisha nini na kanisa hufanya nini linapoiadhimisha.1. Describe what the Lord's Supper means and what the church does when it observes it.

2. Kueleza kujihoji katika 1 Wakorintho 11 na jinsi kunavyoilinda Meza.2. Explain self-examination in 1 Corinthians 11 and how it guards the Table.

3. Kueleza desturi tatu za Kibaptisti za Meza iliyo wazi (open communion), Meza ya karibu (close communion) na Meza iliyofungwa (closed communion), na kutoa sababu ambazo kila moja inatoa kwa msimamo wake.3. State the three Baptist practices of open, close and closed communion, and give the reasons each gives for its position.

4. Kupanga ibada ya Meza ya Bwana, ikiwa ni pamoja na vipengele, maneno ya mwaliko na kuwahudumia kusanyiko.4. Plan a Lord's Supper service, including the elements, the words of invitation and the serving of the congregation.

5. Kuwajibu kwa upole wageni, watoto, wagonjwa na walio chini ya nidhamu ya kanisa.5. Respond kindly to visitors, children, the sick and those under church discipline.

Sauti ya Kipindi HikiThe Voice of This Unit

Kipindi hiki kimeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kibaptisti, kwa wachungaji Wabaptisti. Ni cha kihafidhina na cha kiinjili. Mafundisho ya Meza ya Bwana yanafundishwa katika Kozi ya 2, Kipindi cha 4, na asili ya misimamo ya Kibaptisti imesimuliwa katika Kozi ya 1. Hatuyarudii kwa urefu. Kipindi hiki kinahusu vitendo. Kuhusu swali moja katika kipindi hiki, ni nani anayeweza kuja kwenye Meza, Wabaptisti waaminifu wamekuwa na mitazamo tofauti kwa karne nyingi. Hatulifichi hili. Tunawasilisha Meza iliyo wazi, Meza ya karibu na Meza iliyofungwa kwa haki kama desturi za Kibaptisti, tunatoa sababu za kila moja, na tunaliomba kila kanisa liamue chini ya Maandiko na lieleze wazi linachofanya.This unit is written from inside the Baptist tradition, for Baptist pastors. It is conservative and evangelical. The doctrine of the Lord's Supper is taught in Course 2, Unit 4, and the origin of Baptist convictions is told in Course 1. We do not repeat them at length. This unit is about practice. On one question in this unit, who may come to the Table, faithful Baptists have held different views for centuries. We do not hide this. We present open, close and closed communion fairly as Baptist practices, give the reasons of each, and ask each church to decide under Scripture and to say clearly what it does.

Meza Ni NiniWhat the Supper Is

Bwana Yesu alitoa Meza usiku ule aliosalitiwa. Alitwaa mkate, akashukuru, akaumega na kuwapa wanafunzi wake, kisha akatwaa kikombe (Mathayo 26:26-29; Luka 22:19-20). Paulo alipokea mafundisho yaleyale na kuwapa Wakorintho (1 Wakorintho 11:23-26). Kutoka katika vifungu hivi, Wabaptisti hufundisha maana tano.The Lord Jesus gave the Supper on the night He was betrayed. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to His disciples, and then He took the cup (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:19-20). Paul received the same teaching and passed it to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). From these passages, Baptists teach five meanings.

1. Ukumbusho. "Fanyeni haya kwa ukumbusho wangu" (Luka 22:19). Meza huelekeza macho yetu msalabani.1. Remembrance. "Do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). The Supper turns our eyes to the cross.

2. Kutangaza. "Mwatangaza mauti ya Bwana, hata ajapo" (1 Wakorintho 11:26). Kanisa huhubiri injili kwa mkate na kikombe.2. Proclamation. "You proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). The church preaches the gospel with bread and cup.

3. Ushirika. Paulo anauliza kama kikombe cha baraka ni "ushirika wa damu ya Kristo" na mkate ni "ushirika wa mwili wa Kristo" (1 Wakorintho 10:16). Waumini hushiriki pamoja katika faida za kifo cha Kristo.3. Communion. Paul asks whether the cup of blessing is "the communion of the blood of Christ" and the bread "the communion of the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:16). Believers share together in the benefits of Christ's death.

4. Umoja. "Sisi tulio wengi tu mwili mmoja," kwa kuwa mkate ni mmoja (1 Wakorintho 10:17). Meza ni mlo wa familia.4. Unity. "We, though many, are one bread and one body" (1 Corinthians 10:17). The Supper is a family meal.

5. Tumaini. Yesu alisema hatakunywa tena mzao wa mzabibu hata atakapoinywa mpya pamoja na watu wake katika ufalme (Mathayo 26:29). Tunatazamia kuja kwake.5. Hope. Jesus said He would not drink the fruit of the vine again until He drinks it new with His people in the kingdom (Matthew 26:29). We look forward to His coming.

Wabaptisti hutofautiana kidogo kuhusu jinsi Kristo anavyokuwapo. Wengi hushikilia mtazamo wa ukumbusho: mkate na kikombe ni alama, na Kristo yupo kati ya watu wake kwa Roho wake kama alivyo kila wanapokusanyika (Mathayo 18:20). Baadhi ya Wabaptisti, wakiwemo Wabaptisti Maalumu wengi wa mwanzo, huzungumza juu ya uwepo wa kiroho, ambapo waumini hulishwa kweli kwa imani huku vipengele vikibaki mkate na mzao wa mzabibu. Makundi yote mawili hukataa mafundisho kwamba mkate unakuwa mwili halisi wa Kristo, na yote hukataa Misa kama dhabihu inayorudiwa, kwa kuwa dhabihu ya Kristo ilitolewa "mara moja tu" (Waebrania 10:10). Yesu aliposema, "Huu ni mwili wangu," alisema kama alivyosema, "Mimi ni mlango" (Yohana 10:9). Kozi ya 2 inalishughulikia hili kikamilifu.Baptists differ a little on how Christ is present. Most hold the memorial view: the bread and cup are symbols, and Christ is present among His people by His Spirit as He is whenever they gather (Matthew 18:20). Some Baptists, including many of the early Particular Baptists, speak of a spiritual presence, in which believers are truly fed by faith while the elements remain bread and fruit of the vine. Both groups reject the teaching that the bread becomes the physical body of Christ, and both reject the Mass as a repeated sacrifice, since Christ's sacrifice was made "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). When Jesus said, "This is My body," He spoke as He did when He said, "I am the door" (John 10:9). Course 2 treats this fully.

Kujihoji na Kuilinda MezaSelf-Examination and the Fencing of the Table

Huko Korintho Meza ilikuwa imeharibiwa. Matajiri walikula na kunywa hadi kushiba huku maskini wakiwa na njaa, na kanisa liligawanyika (1 Wakorintho 11:17-22). Paulo anasema kwamba yeyote anayekula na kunywa "isivyostahili" ana hatia juu ya mwili na damu ya Bwana. Kisha anatoa dawa: "Bali mtu ajihoji mwenyewe, na hivyo ale katika mkate huo, na anywe katika kikombe hicho" (1 Wakorintho 11:28).In Corinth the Supper had been spoiled. The rich ate and drank their fill while the poor went hungry, and the church was divided (1 Corinthians 11:17-22). Paul says that anyone who eats and drinks "in an unworthy manner" is guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Then he gives the remedy: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Mambo mawili lazima yaelezwe wazi kwa kusanyiko.Two points must be made clear to the congregation.

Namna isiyostahili si mtu asiyestahili. Hakuna mtu anayestahili Kristo kwa nafsi yake. Onyo ni dhidi ya kuipokea Meza kwa kutojali, na dhambi isiyotubiwa, kwa uchungu dhidi ya ndugu, au bila kujali mwili, ambao ni kanisa. Ushauri wa Paulo si kukaa mbali bali kujihoji na kuja kwa usahihi. Mkristo anayehisi dhaifu na mwenye dhambi anapaswa kuja kwa toba na imani.Unworthy manner is not unworthy person. No one is worthy of Christ in himself. The warning is against taking the Supper carelessly, with unrepented sin, with bitterness toward a brother, or without regard for the body, which is the church. Paul's advice is not to stay away but to examine oneself and come rightly. A Christian who feels weak and sinful should come in repentance and faith.

Kujihoji ni kwa kila mtu. Mchungaji anapaswa kuliongoza kanisa katika wakati wa sala ya kimya kabla ya Meza. Kila mtu anajiuliza: Je, ninamwamini Kristo peke yake kwa wokovu? Je, kuna dhambi ninayohitaji kuungama? Je, kuna mtu ninayepaswa kumsamehe au kumwomba msamaha (Mathayo 5:23-24)? Kwa kuwa Paulo anasema "mtu ajihoji mwenyewe," pia inafaa mchungaji kusema wazi kwamba Meza ni ya waumini katika Kristo, na kwamba wale ambao bado hawajamwamini wanakaribishwa kwa uchangamfu kusikiliza, kusali, na kuja kwa Kristo.Examination is for everyone. The pastor should lead the church in a time of silent prayer before the Supper. Each person asks: Do I trust Christ alone for salvation? Is there sin I need to confess? Is there a person I must forgive or seek forgiveness from (Matthew 5:23-24)? Because Paul says "let a man examine himself," it is also proper for the pastor to say plainly that the Table is for believers in Christ, and that those who have not yet trusted Him are warmly invited to listen, to pray, and to come to Christ.

Meza Iliyo Wazi, Meza ya Karibu na Meza IliyofungwaOpen, Close and Closed Communion

Hapa Wabaptisti hawakukubaliana wote. Waandishi hutumia majina haya kwa namna tofauti, kwa hiyo kanisa linapaswa kufafanua istilahi zake. Katika kipindi hiki yanamaanisha yafuatayo.Here Baptists have not all agreed. Writers use these names differently, so a church should define its terms. In this unit they mean the following.

• Meza iliyo wazi (open communion): wote wanaokiri imani katika Kristo na wako katika hali nzuri katika makanisa yao wenyewe wanaalikwa, iwe wamezamishwa au la.• Open communion: all who profess faith in Christ and are in good standing in their own churches are invited, whether or not they have been immersed.

• Meza ya karibu (close communion): waumini waliobatizwa kwa kuzamishwa baada ya kukiri imani, na wanaoshiriki katika kanisa lenye imani na utaratibu unaofanana, wanaalikwa, ikiwa ni pamoja na wageni kutoka makanisa mengine ya Kibaptisti.• Close communion: believers who have been baptized by immersion on profession of faith, and who belong to a church of like faith and order, are invited, including visitors from other Baptist churches.

• Meza iliyofungwa (closed communion): ni washiriki tu wa kanisa hili la mahali wanaoshiriki.• Closed communion: only the members of this local church take part.

Sababu za Meza ya karibu na Meza iliyofungwaThe reasons for close and closed communion

Wabaptisti wengi, wa zamani na wa sasa, hushikilia mojawapo ya misimamo hii miwili mikali zaidi. Sababu zao ni hizi.Many Baptists, past and present, hold one of the two stricter positions. Their reasons are these.

Utaratibu wa Agano Jipya. Mfano ni kwamba mtu huambiwa atubu na kuamini, hubatizwa, kisha huingia katika ushirika na kumega mkate. Matendo 2:41-42 ni mfano mzuri: wale waliolipokea neno walibatizwa, kisha wakadumu katika mafundisho ya mitume, ushirika, "katika kumega mkate, na katika kusali." Agizo Kuu pia linaweka ubatizo baada ya kufanya wanafunzi na kabla ya kufundisha yote Kristo aliyoyaamuru (Mathayo 28:19-20). Ikiwa Meza ni kwa wale waliotii katika ubatizo, basi mwamini ambaye hajabatizwa kama Biblia inavyofundisha bado hayuko tayari kwake.The order of the New Testament. The pattern is that a person is told to repent and believe, is baptized, and then joins the fellowship and the breaking of bread. Acts 2:41-42 is a good example: those who received the word were baptized, and then they continued in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, "in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." The Great Commission also puts baptism after discipleship and before teaching all that Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). If the Supper is for those who have obeyed in baptism, then a believer who has not been baptized as the Bible teaches is not yet ready for it.

Meza kama agizo la kanisa. Paulo anawaandikia Wakorintho kuhusu wakati "mnapokutanika kanisani" (1 Wakorintho 11:18) na "mnapokutanika mahali pamoja" (1 Wakorintho 11:20). Meza ni tendo la kanisa la mahali, kwa hiyo kanisa hilo linapaswa kutunza ni nani anayekuja kwake.The Supper as a church ordinance. Paul writes to the Corinthians of the time "when you come together as a church" (1 Corinthians 11:18) and "when you come together in one place" (1 Corinthians 11:20). The Supper is the action of a local church, so that church should take care of who comes to it.

Kiungo na nidhamu ya kanisa. Paulo anawaambia Wakorintho wasishirikiane na ndugu anayekiri imani anayeendelea katika dhambi, "wala msile chakula pamoja na mtu wa jinsi hiyo" (1 Wakorintho 5:11). Kama kanisa linaweza kuwazuia walio chini ya nidhamu kutoka Mezani, linapaswa pia kujali ni nani linayemkaribisha.The link to church discipline. Paul tells the Corinthians not to keep company with a professing brother who persists in sin, "not even to eat with such a person" (1 Corinthians 5:11). If a church can exclude from the Table those under discipline, it should also care about whom it admits.

Meza ya karibu huwakaribisha waumini waliozamishwa kutoka makanisa yenye imani inayofanana kama ishara ya umoja. Meza iliyofungwa huweka Meza kwa washiriki wa kanisa linaloilinda. Zote mbili hufanya hivyo kwa kuheshimu amri za Kristo na si kwa kiburi.Close communion welcomes immersed believers from churches of like faith as an expression of unity. Closed communion limits the Table to the members of the church that watches over it. Both do so out of respect for Christ's commands and not out of pride.

Sababu za Meza iliyo waziThe reasons for open communion

Wabaptisti wengine wameshikilia msimamo wa wazi, nao wamefanya hivyo kwa upendo uleule kwa Maandiko. Wanatoa sababu hizi.Other Baptists have held the open position, and they have done so out of an equal love for Scripture. They give these reasons.

Meza ni ya Bwana. Meza ya Bwana ni ya Kristo na si ya madhehebu. Ni kwa wote ambao Kristo amewapokea, na kanisa halina mamlaka ya kumfungia nje mmoja wa watu wake. Paulo anaandika kwamba mtu ajihoji mwenyewe (1 Wakorintho 11:28), si kwamba kanisa limhoji kuhusu ubatizo wake.The Table is the Lord's. The Lord's Supper belongs to Christ and not to a denomination. It is for all whom Christ has received, and the church has no authority to shut out one of His people. Paul writes that a man should examine himself (1 Corinthians 11:28), not that the church should examine him for his baptism.

Umoja katika Kristo. Meza inaonyesha umoja wetu katika Kristo. Wanauliza kama tunapaswa kumkataa muumini mcha Mungu kwa sababu tu anatofautiana nasi kuhusu namna au wakati wa ubatizo.Unity in Christ. The Supper shows our oneness in Christ. They ask whether we should refuse a godly believer simply because he differs on the mode or time of baptism.

Mifano ya kihistoria. John Bunyan, mhubiri na mwandishi wa The Pilgrim's Progress (Safari ya Msafiri), aliandika kutetea zoea hili katika kanisa lake mwenyewe huko Bedford. Robert Hall wa Uingereza, mhubiri Mbaptisti wa mwanzoni mwa karne ya kumi na tisa, alitetea Meza iliyo wazi katika kitabu maarufu kuhusu masharti ya ushirika wa Meza. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, ambaye tunamsoma katika Kipindi cha 7, alishikilia ubatizo wa waumini kwa kuzamishwa kwa ajili yake mwenyewe na kanisa lake, lakini kusanyiko lake la Metropolitan Tabernacle liliwakaribisha waumini wa makanisa mengine Mezani.Historical examples. John Bunyan, the preacher and author of The Pilgrim's Progress, wrote in defense of this practice in his own church at Bedford. Robert Hall of England, a Baptist preacher of the early nineteenth century, argued for open communion in a famous book on the terms of communion. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, whom we study in Unit 7, held to believer's baptism by immersion for himself and his church, but his congregation at the Metropolitan Tabernacle welcomed believers of other churches to the Supper.

Jinsi Wabaptisti wakali zaidi wanavyojibuHow the stricter Baptists answer

Wabaptisti wakali zaidi hujibu kwa heshima. Wanakubali kwamba Meza ni ya Bwana, na kwa sababu hiyo wanasema utaratibu wa Bwana mwenyewe ndio unaopaswa kufuatwa. Wanaona kwamba Baptist Faith and Message (2000) (Imani na Ujumbe wa Kibaptisti) inaita ubatizo na Meza yote mawili maagizo ya kanisa, lakini haitoi kanuni ya kina kwa wageni, kwa hiyo kila kanisa huamua. Wanasema kanisa lenye msimamo wa wazi si baya moyoni. Wanawakumbusha wote kwamba hawasemi wasiozamishwa si Wakristo. Wanasema kwamba Kristo alitoa utaratibu, na kanisa linapaswa kuutunza.Stricter Baptists reply with respect. They agree that the Table is the Lord's, and for that reason they say that the Lord's own order is what must be followed. They note that the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) calls both baptism and the Supper ordinances of the church, but gives no detailed rule for visitors, so each church decides. They say a church that holds an open position is not wrong in heart. They remind everyone that they are not saying the unimmersed are not Christians. They are saying that Christ gave an order, and that the church should keep it.

Jinsi Wabaptisti wa Meza iliyo wazi wanavyojibuHow the open Baptists answer

Wabaptisti wa Meza iliyo wazi hujibu kwamba swali si kama ubatizo unajalisha, kwa kuwa wao pia hubatiza waumini kwa kuzamisha, bali kama kanisa linaweza kufanya kuzamishwa kwa waumini wengine kuwa kipimo cha Meza. Wanasema kwamba Maandiko yanatoa kipimo kuwa imani na kujihoji, na kwamba Meza ni mahali pa karibisho kwa watu wa Kristo, si mahakama ya hukumu.Open Baptists reply that the question is not whether baptism matters, since they too baptize believers by immersion, but whether a church may make the immersion of other believers a test for the Table. They say that Scripture gives the test as faith and self-examination, and that the Table is a place of welcome for Christ's people, not a court of judgment.

Neno la ushauriA word of counsel

Mchungaji hapaswi kuuchukulia mtazamo wake kama mtazamo pekee wa Kibaptisti. Kozi ya 3 inafundisha kwamba kila kanisa hujitawala, kwa hiyo kusanyiko, chini ya Neno, hutatua desturi yake. Tunakuomba ufanye mambo manne:A pastor should not treat his own view as the only Baptist view. Course 3 teaches that each church governs itself, so the congregation, under the Word, settles its practice. We ask that you do four things:

1. Yachunguze mwenyewe vifungu, pamoja na viongozi wa kanisa.1. Study the passages yourself, with the church's leaders.

2. Pitisha taarifa iliyoandikwa ya desturi ya kanisa lako na ueleze sababu kutoka Maandiko.2. Adopt a written statement of your church's practice and explain the reasons from Scripture.

3. Eleza desturi hiyo kwa upole kila mara Meza inapohudumiwa, ili mgeni yeyote asiaibike.3. State the practice kindly each time the Supper is served, so that no visitor is embarrassed.

4. Waheshimu ndugu na dada Wabaptisti wanaofanya tofauti, na usivunje ushirika kwa sababu ya jambo hili.4. Honor Baptist brothers and sisters who practice differently, and do not break fellowship over this matter.

Kupanga IbadaPlanning the Service

VipengeleThe elements

Yesu alitumia mkate na mzao wa mzabibu (Luka 22:18-19). Makanisa mengi ya Kibaptisti hutumia mkate wa kawaida au biskuti zisizotiwa chachu. Wabaptisti hutofautiana kuhusu kikombe. Katika makanisa mengi leo ni maji ya zabibu yasiyochachushwa, kwa mengine ni divai, na Biblia haiamuru lolote kati ya hayo kwa jina zaidi ya "mzao wa mzabibu." Mchungaji anapaswa kuchagua kwa uangalifu kwa ajili ya dhamiri za watu wake, ikiwa ni pamoja na wale wanaopambana na pombe, na asilifanye kuwa jambo la ugomvi. Baadhi ya makanisa hutumia kikombe kimoja cha pamoja na mengine hutumia vikombe vidogo vya mtu mmoja mmoja.Jesus used bread and the fruit of the vine (Luke 22:18-19). Most Baptist churches use ordinary bread or unleavened crackers. Baptists differ about the cup. In many churches today it is unfermented grape juice, in some it is wine, and the Bible does not command either by name beyond "the fruit of the vine." A pastor should choose with care for the conscience of his people, including any who struggle with alcohol, and should not turn this into a point of quarrel. Some churches use a common cup and others use small individual cups.

Mara ngapiHow often

Biblia haiweki mzunguko. Waumini wa Troa walikusanyika "kumega mkate" siku ya kwanza ya juma (Matendo 20:7). Makanisa ya Kibaptisti kwa kawaida huadhimisha Meza kila mwezi au kila robo mwaka, na baadhi hufanya hivyo kila juma.The Bible does not set the frequency. The believers at Troas gathered "to break bread" on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Baptist churches commonly observe the Supper monthly or quarterly, and some do so weekly.

Nani anahudumuWho serves

Makanisa mengi ya Kibaptisti humfanya mchungaji aongoze ibada na mashemasi wasaidie kugawa mkate na kikombe. Hakuna uwezo maalumu unaokaa juu ya kiongozi. Yeye ni mtumishi anayesoma Neno, kuongoza katika sala na kulialika kanisa.Most Baptist churches have the pastor lead the service and the deacons help to distribute the bread and cup. No special power rests on the leader. He is a servant who reads the Word, leads in prayer and invites the church.

Mpangilio rahisiA simple order

1. Wimbo na usomaji mfupi kutoka 1 Wakorintho 11:23-26 au Injili.1. A hymn and a short reading from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 or the Gospels.

2. Ujumbe mfupi kuhusu msalaba na maana ya Meza.2. A short message on the cross and the meaning of the Supper.

3. Taarifa ya desturi ya kanisa, iliyosemwa kwa upole, na wakati wa kujihoji kwa kimya.3. A statement of the church's practice, kindly spoken, and a time of silent self-examination.

4. Sala ya shukrani kwa mkate. Mkate unamegwa na kugawiwa, na watu wanaushikilia hadi wote wahudumiwe, au wanakula pamoja.4. A prayer of thanks for the bread. The bread is broken and distributed, and the people hold it until all are served, or eat together.

5. Sala ya shukrani kwa kikombe. Kikombe kinagawiwa, na watu wanakunywa pamoja.5. A prayer of thanks for the cup. The cup is distributed, and the people drink together.

6. Wimbo wa sifa wa kufunga, kwa namna ya Bwana na wanafunzi wake ambao "walipoimba tenzi" kabla ya kutoka (Mathayo 26:30).6. A closing hymn of praise, in the manner of the Lord and His disciples who "sang a hymn" before they went out (Matthew 26:30).

Mwaliko wa mfano kwa kanisa la Meza ya karibu unaweza kusomeka hivi: "Meza hii ni ya Bwana. Tunawaomba wote ambao ni waumini katika Kristo, waliobatizwa kwa kuzamishwa baada ya kukiri imani yao, na wanaoshiriki katika kanisa lenye imani inayofanana, wajiunge nasi. Ikiwa bado hujawa mwamini, tunafurahi uko hapa, na tunakualika uongee nasi baada ya ibada kuhusu Kristo." Kanisa la Meza iliyo wazi linaweza kusema: "Meza hii ni ya Bwana, na tunamkaribisha kila mfuasi wa Kristo, kutoka kanisa lolote, ashiriki nasi." Katika hali zote mbili maneno hayo husemwa bila dharau.A sample invitation for a close-communion church might read: "This Table belongs to the Lord. We ask all who are believers in Christ, who have been baptized by immersion on their profession of faith, and who belong to a church of like faith, to join us. If you are not yet a believer, we are glad you are here, and we invite you to speak with us after the service about Christ." An open-communion church might say: "This Table belongs to the Lord, and we welcome every follower of Christ, from whatever church, to share it with us." In both cases the words are said without sarcasm.

Hali MaalumuParticular Situations

Watoto. Mtoto ambaye hajakiri imani katika Kristo na kubatizwa hapaswi kuipokea Meza katika makanisa mengi ya Kibaptisti. Waeleze wazazi na mtoto kwa upole kwamba atashiriki atakapomwamini Kristo.Children. A child who has not professed faith in Christ and been baptized should not take the Supper in most Baptist churches. Explain kindly to the parents and the child that he will take part when he trusts Christ.

Wagonjwa na walio nyumbani. Kanisa linaweza kumtuma mchungaji au mashemasi kuhudumia Meza kwa mshiriki asiyeweza kuhudhuria. Washiriki wawili au watatu wanapaswa kuwapo.The sick and homebound. A church may send the pastor or deacons to serve the Supper to a member who cannot attend. Two or three members should be present.

Walio chini ya nidhamu ya kanisa. Kwa kufuata 1 Wakorintho 5, kanisa halimhudumii Meza mtu aliye chini ya nidhamu kwa dhambi isiyotubiwa, kwa matumaini kwamba atatubu na kurudi (Kozi ya 3).Those under church discipline. Following 1 Corinthians 5, the church does not serve the Table to a person who is under discipline for unrepentant sin, in the hope that he will repent and return (Course 3).

Wageni kutoka Kanisa Katoliki au mapokeo mengine makubwa. Kwa wengi, Meza ni dhabihu au sakramenti inayotoa neema. Sema kwa upole na kwa uwazi. Eleza kwamba Wabaptisti huishika Meza kama ukumbusho wa kazi iliyokamilika ya Kristo, na kwamba haiokoi. Usidharau wanachokithamini.Visitors from the Catholic Church or another large tradition. For many, the Supper is a sacrifice or a sacrament that gives grace. Speak kindly and plainly. Explain that Baptists keep the Supper as a remembrance of Christ's finished work, and that it does not save. Do not mock what they hold dear.

Matumizi ya KichungajiPastoral Application

Mchungaji Mateo anaongoza kanisa linalofanya Meza ya karibu. Jumapili ya kwanza ya mwezi, wanandoa wageni kutoka kanisa la Kipresbiteri katika mji mwingine wanakuja kuabudu. Walibatizwa wakiwa watoto wachanga. Wakati wa Meza mume anamnong'oneza kwamba wangependa kushiriki.Pastor Mateo leads a church that practices close communion. On the first Sunday of the month, a visiting couple from a Presbyterian church in another city comes to worship. They were baptized as infants. During the Supper the husband whispers that they would like to take part.

Kabla ya Meza, Mateo alieleza desturi ya kanisa kwa upole na kusema kwamba wale wasioweza kujiunga wanakaribishwa kubaki wameketi na kusali. Wanandoa wanaacha sahani zipite. Baada ya ibada Mateo anawashukuru kwa kuja. Hajibishani nao. Anaeleza sababu kutoka Matendo 2 na Mathayo 28 na kusikiliza uelewa wa Kipresbiteri. Mume anasema aliumia kidogo lakini anaelewa. Hawakubaliani, lakini wanamshukuru kwa unyofu wake. Mateo anajua kwamba kanisa jirani la Kibaptisti hufanya Meza iliyo wazi, na anasema vizuri kuhusu kanisa hilo. Bwana yuleyule anaheshimiwa katika yote mawili.Before the Supper, Mateo explained the church's practice kindly and said that those who could not join were welcome to stay seated and pray. The couple lets the plates pass. After the service Mateo thanks them for coming. He does not argue. He explains the reasons from Acts 2 and Matthew 28 and listens to the Presbyterian understanding. The husband says he was a little hurt but understands. They do not agree, but they thank him for his honesty. Mateo knows that a neighboring Baptist church practices open communion, and he speaks well of that church. The same Lord is honored in both.

MuhtasariSummary

Meza ya Bwana inakumbuka kifo cha Kristo, inatangaza injili, inaonyesha ushirika na umoja, na inatazamia kurudi kwake. Kujihoji kunailinda Meza, kwa kuwa onyo la 1 Wakorintho 11 ni dhidi ya kuipokea Meza kwa kutojali na kwa mgawanyiko na si dhidi ya waumini dhaifu. Wabaptisti hufanya Meza iliyo wazi, Meza ya karibu na Meza iliyofungwa. Meza ya karibu na Meza iliyofungwa hutegemea utaratibu wa ubatizo kabla ya Meza, Meza kama agizo la kanisa, na nidhamu ya kanisa. Meza iliyo wazi hutegemea Meza kuwa ya Bwana, umoja katika Kristo, na mifano ya Bunyan, Hall na Spurgeon. Kila kanisa linapaswa kulichunguza jambo hili, kupitisha desturi iliyoandikwa, kuieleza kwa upole, na kuwaheshimu Wabaptisti wengine. Ibada hutumia mkate na mzao wa mzabibu, ikiongozwa na mchungaji na kuhudumiwa na mashemasi. Wachungaji huwashughulikia watoto, wagonjwa, walio chini ya nidhamu na wageni kwa uvumilivu na ukweli.The Lord's Supper remembers Christ's death, proclaims the gospel, shows communion and unity, and looks to His return. Self-examination guards the Table, since the warning of 1 Corinthians 11 is against careless and divided taking of the Supper and not against weak believers. Baptists practice open, close and closed communion. Close and closed communion rest on the order of baptism before the Supper, the Supper as a church ordinance, and church discipline. Open communion rests on the Table as the Lord's, on unity in Christ, and on the examples of Bunyan, Hall and Spurgeon. Each church should study the matter, adopt a written practice, explain it with kindness, and respect other Baptists. The service uses bread and the fruit of the vine, led by the pastor and served with deacons. Pastors handle children, the sick, those under discipline and visitors with patience and truth.

Usomaji ZaidiFurther Reading

• The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) (Imani na Ujumbe wa Kibaptisti), Kifungu cha VII, "Ubatizo na Meza ya Bwana."• The Baptist Faith and Message (2000), Article VII, "Baptism and the Lord's Supper."

• The Second London Confession (1689) (Ungamo la Pili la London), sura kuhusu Meza ya Bwana (public domain).• The Second London Confession (1689), the chapter on the Lord's Supper (public domain).

• The New Hampshire Confession (1833) (Ungamo la New Hampshire), kifungu kuhusu ubatizo na Meza ya Bwana (public domain).• The New Hampshire Confession (1833), the article on baptism and the Lord's Supper (public domain).

• J. M. Pendleton, Church Manual (1867, public domain) (Mwongozo wa Kanisa), kuhusu Meza ya Bwana.• J. M. Pendleton, Church Manual (1867, public domain), on the Lord's Supper.

• John Bunyan, Differences in Judgment about Water-Baptism, No Bar to Communion (1673) (Tofauti za Maoni Kuhusu Ubatizo wa Maji Si Kizuizi kwa Meza), na Robert Hall, On Terms of Communion (Kuhusu Masharti ya Ushirika wa Meza) (public domain), kwa msimamo wa Meza iliyo wazi.• John Bunyan, Differences in Judgment about Water-Baptism, No Bar to Communion (1673), and Robert Hall, On Terms of Communion (public domain), for the open view.

• Kozi ya 1 na Kozi ya 2, Kipindi cha 4, ya mfululizo huu; Kozi ya 3, kuhusu uanachama wa kanisa na nidhamu.• Course 1 and Course 2, Unit 4, of this specialization; Course 3, on church membership and discipline.

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