In the 6th book of the Short Studies In Biblical Theology series Guy Waters address the topic of the Lord’s Supper in his little book The Lord’s Supper As The Sign And Meal Of The New Covenant. Here Waters attempts to explain the Lord’s Supper from the perspective of Biblical Theology while intentionally attempting to write at a more popular level. The end result is a very accessible and edifying explanation of the Lord’s Supper.
Water’s begins by explaining the reason for writing this book. He writes, “One reason I have written this book is to help Christians recover the importance of the Lord’s Supper in the Christian life through a renewed appreciation of the Supper as both a sign and the meal of the new covenant. Our aim is to see better how the Lord’s Supper points to and confirms the blessings and benefits that God has poured out upon his people in Jesus Christ.”
The book consists of five chapters. Chapter one discusses “Covenant Basics” where Waters reviews Old Testament covenants. Chapter two takes the covenantal discussion one step further by demonstrating how covenants in Scripture typically are followed by “Covenant Signs.” God gave these covenant signs to remind His people of His promises to them and their obligations to Him under the covenant. Chapter three explains the various “Covenant Meals” found in Scripture. When God redeemed Israel from Egypt, He instituted feasts to remind them of what He had done for them. In Chapter four Water’s brings all this together in his discussion of “The Lord’s Supper.” The book concludes with chapter five in “Conclusions for the Church.” In addressing the significance of the Lords Supper Water’s argues that the Lord’s Supper strengthens the faith of God’s covenant people. He also addresses important questions like how Is Christ Present in the Supper? who may come to the Supper? and how is the Lord’s Supper like and unlike Baptism?
Waters has a very engaging yet very readable writing style. I would recommend this book to anyone who may have not given the Lord’s Supper much consideration or would like to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the Lord’s supper as sign and meal of the new covenant.
My personal rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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