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Notice the manual says it is "A" Manual and not the definitive statement on the subject, but I quite enjoyed reading about what the baptists have believed about the Lord's Supper:
Written by Norman H. Maring and Winthrop S. Hudson, Copyright 1963
Excerpts about the Lord's Supper:
"Baptists have usually stressed the fact that the Lord's Supper is a memorial meal. Too often we have been inclined to say that it is a "mere memorial," as though it has little value for the church. To be sure, the casual way in which it is some-times observed indicates the low regard in which it is often held. There is no reason, however, to use the disparaging word "mere" in connection with it."
"Very close to the center of its meaning is the significant fact that it is intended as a memorial. To say that it is a memorial, though, does not mean simply that it points backward to ancient history. It is not just a sign which points to a historical event, as does the Fourth of July. The latter day is set apart to remind a nation of its roots; its celebration recalls a declaration of principles of freedom. The intent of such an occasion is to inspire its celebrants to similar courage and highmindedness. Something like this spirit is involved in the Lord's Supper, but the Supper is more than that."
"The Lord's Supper is more nearly analogous to the Passover Feast of the Jews. That ritual meal, which was observed each year, also pointed to the past. When a family sat around the table eating, the head of the household reminded the others of the reason for its annual observance, saying in effect that this meal is a reminder of the time when the Lord God delivered their forefathers out of the land of Egypt. However, the recital of past events was not made just in order to arouse their heroism and loyalty. Reminded of what God had done once, they were to recall that the God of their Fathers was also the God of the children: "The God of Isaac and Jacob is our God." This meal was a means of helping them to maintain their identity and continuity as the covenant people of God."
In a similar way the Lord's Supper is intended to remind the church of the foundation upon which it rests, for in the Lord's Supper we see depicted the mighty acts of God in Christ. The elements of bread and wine point to the body and blood of Christ. As visible symbols which reinforce the gospel preached in words, they remind Christians of the Incarnation, of which the high points were death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation. These events signify God's deliverance of man from bondage to sin, and they recall to the church that it was Christ who was the reason for their existence. In looking back to the origins from which Christians have sprung, they remember that Christ is still their living Lord. They are encouraged to remember what God has done, in order to be made more vividly aware of what God is continuing to do, and what he has promised yet to do. "
"Recalling the past in order to be reminded of the existing situation is therefore more than a "mere memorial." The backward look leads immediately to the present and future. It is an important means of helping the church to remember its identity as the people of God, and Christ's promise to be with them to the end of the age. The remembrance of what God has done is thus a preparatory step to a fresh confrontation with the living God who is in their midst working out his purposes in and through them. It reminds them of their de-pendence upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Bread of Life by which its life must be sustained daily. "
"Close to the center of the meaning of this memorial rite are four related ideas: covenant, church, Christ, and communion. Pointing to the work of the incarnate Christ, Christians speak of the New Covenant sealed with his blood. "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (1 Cor. 11:25), Jesus is reported to have said to his disciples, as he bade them to drink it. This covenant, like that with Israel, is not an agreement between equals, but an offer made by God to men who could not save themselves. It was an offer of pardon and power which could be freely received by those who were willing to accept it with gratitude and faith."
"At the head of this church, or covenant people, is Jesus Christ the Lord. He who once lived among men in a visible form is now in the midst of his people wherever they are gathered. The Holy Spirit makes Christ contemporary to each gathered congregation in every generation. To meet together and be reminded of their identity as a covenant people is to recognize the real presence of Christ in their midst; it is to re-member that God always stands over against them in judgment and in mercy. "
"The church so gathered and so engaged is in communion with one another and with Christ. Partaking of the meal is a reminder that they are participants in the new life in Christ, that they are not isolated individuals each in search of God in his own way, but sharers in the fellowship of the Spirit. "The cup of blessing which we bless," wrote Paul, "is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the same loaf' (1 Cor. 10:16-17)."
"In this service as in baptism, God's grace and man's faith are in close union. The elements of the supper depict in vivid fashion the redemptive action of God in Christ. By them we are reminded of the Incarnationthe life, death, resurrection, exaltation, and promised return of Jesus Christ. This look at what took place in history reminds us that these events have become a part of our own history, for we have accepted the free forgiveness of God and have responded to his call to be his people. We are reminded who we are and what we are to be and to do. United with Christ and with one another, we are not a loose collection of individuals but a fellowship of believers who have a corporate existence as the church of Jesus Christ."
"To see in this supper, then, a memorial rite is not to rob it of meaning. A service which helps the church to a realization of its own identity and reminds it of its call to live responsibly before Christ has significance. Although it is primarily a memorial symbol, emphasizing covenant, church, Christ, and communion, there are many other derivative ideas associated with it. Surely it is an occasion for rejoicing and for thanks-givingit is thus a eucharist. Although it is not a re-enactment of the sacrifice of Christ, but a reminder of the sacrifice offered by him once-for-all, it does become a time when we offer our-selves anew to God. While not primarily an occasion for seeking forgiveness of sins, it does invite self-examination and repentance."
"When the Lord's Supper is observed as it should be, it leads to fresh encounter between Christ and his people. No more than in baptism can we manipulate or dispense God's grace, for his divine power is beyond our control. Nevertheless, in the moment of our remembering who we are as the church of God, our spirits are quickened. As we remember what God has done, what he continues to do, and what he will do, our conscious-ness of the divine presence is strengthened. If God thus vouchsafes to us the assurance of his presence and power, this service becomes for us a means of grace."
Anyway, the book goes much deeper but you can get the idea anyway from what I posted. I found that whole thing very interesting and helped me to understand better at least in this authors mind, what the Lord's Supper meant to him, and possibly to some of us Baptists as well.
Written by Norman H. Maring and Winthrop S. Hudson, Copyright 1963
Excerpts about the Lord's Supper:
"Baptists have usually stressed the fact that the Lord's Supper is a memorial meal. Too often we have been inclined to say that it is a "mere memorial," as though it has little value for the church. To be sure, the casual way in which it is some-times observed indicates the low regard in which it is often held. There is no reason, however, to use the disparaging word "mere" in connection with it."
"Very close to the center of its meaning is the significant fact that it is intended as a memorial. To say that it is a memorial, though, does not mean simply that it points backward to ancient history. It is not just a sign which points to a historical event, as does the Fourth of July. The latter day is set apart to remind a nation of its roots; its celebration recalls a declaration of principles of freedom. The intent of such an occasion is to inspire its celebrants to similar courage and highmindedness. Something like this spirit is involved in the Lord's Supper, but the Supper is more than that."
"The Lord's Supper is more nearly analogous to the Passover Feast of the Jews. That ritual meal, which was observed each year, also pointed to the past. When a family sat around the table eating, the head of the household reminded the others of the reason for its annual observance, saying in effect that this meal is a reminder of the time when the Lord God delivered their forefathers out of the land of Egypt. However, the recital of past events was not made just in order to arouse their heroism and loyalty. Reminded of what God had done once, they were to recall that the God of their Fathers was also the God of the children: "The God of Isaac and Jacob is our God." This meal was a means of helping them to maintain their identity and continuity as the covenant people of God."
In a similar way the Lord's Supper is intended to remind the church of the foundation upon which it rests, for in the Lord's Supper we see depicted the mighty acts of God in Christ. The elements of bread and wine point to the body and blood of Christ. As visible symbols which reinforce the gospel preached in words, they remind Christians of the Incarnation, of which the high points were death, burial, resurrection, and exaltation. These events signify God's deliverance of man from bondage to sin, and they recall to the church that it was Christ who was the reason for their existence. In looking back to the origins from which Christians have sprung, they remember that Christ is still their living Lord. They are encouraged to remember what God has done, in order to be made more vividly aware of what God is continuing to do, and what he has promised yet to do. "
"Recalling the past in order to be reminded of the existing situation is therefore more than a "mere memorial." The backward look leads immediately to the present and future. It is an important means of helping the church to remember its identity as the people of God, and Christ's promise to be with them to the end of the age. The remembrance of what God has done is thus a preparatory step to a fresh confrontation with the living God who is in their midst working out his purposes in and through them. It reminds them of their de-pendence upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Bread of Life by which its life must be sustained daily. "
"Close to the center of the meaning of this memorial rite are four related ideas: covenant, church, Christ, and communion. Pointing to the work of the incarnate Christ, Christians speak of the New Covenant sealed with his blood. "This cup is the new covenant in my blood" (1 Cor. 11:25), Jesus is reported to have said to his disciples, as he bade them to drink it. This covenant, like that with Israel, is not an agreement between equals, but an offer made by God to men who could not save themselves. It was an offer of pardon and power which could be freely received by those who were willing to accept it with gratitude and faith."
"At the head of this church, or covenant people, is Jesus Christ the Lord. He who once lived among men in a visible form is now in the midst of his people wherever they are gathered. The Holy Spirit makes Christ contemporary to each gathered congregation in every generation. To meet together and be reminded of their identity as a covenant people is to recognize the real presence of Christ in their midst; it is to re-member that God always stands over against them in judgment and in mercy. "
"The church so gathered and so engaged is in communion with one another and with Christ. Partaking of the meal is a reminder that they are participants in the new life in Christ, that they are not isolated individuals each in search of God in his own way, but sharers in the fellowship of the Spirit. "The cup of blessing which we bless," wrote Paul, "is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the same loaf' (1 Cor. 10:16-17)."
"In this service as in baptism, God's grace and man's faith are in close union. The elements of the supper depict in vivid fashion the redemptive action of God in Christ. By them we are reminded of the Incarnationthe life, death, resurrection, exaltation, and promised return of Jesus Christ. This look at what took place in history reminds us that these events have become a part of our own history, for we have accepted the free forgiveness of God and have responded to his call to be his people. We are reminded who we are and what we are to be and to do. United with Christ and with one another, we are not a loose collection of individuals but a fellowship of believers who have a corporate existence as the church of Jesus Christ."
"To see in this supper, then, a memorial rite is not to rob it of meaning. A service which helps the church to a realization of its own identity and reminds it of its call to live responsibly before Christ has significance. Although it is primarily a memorial symbol, emphasizing covenant, church, Christ, and communion, there are many other derivative ideas associated with it. Surely it is an occasion for rejoicing and for thanks-givingit is thus a eucharist. Although it is not a re-enactment of the sacrifice of Christ, but a reminder of the sacrifice offered by him once-for-all, it does become a time when we offer our-selves anew to God. While not primarily an occasion for seeking forgiveness of sins, it does invite self-examination and repentance."
"When the Lord's Supper is observed as it should be, it leads to fresh encounter between Christ and his people. No more than in baptism can we manipulate or dispense God's grace, for his divine power is beyond our control. Nevertheless, in the moment of our remembering who we are as the church of God, our spirits are quickened. As we remember what God has done, what he continues to do, and what he will do, our conscious-ness of the divine presence is strengthened. If God thus vouchsafes to us the assurance of his presence and power, this service becomes for us a means of grace."
Anyway, the book goes much deeper but you can get the idea anyway from what I posted. I found that whole thing very interesting and helped me to understand better at least in this authors mind, what the Lord's Supper meant to him, and possibly to some of us Baptists as well.
