The Right place to take Communion

[Classik]

Many unconsciously believe communion should be taken right in the church; and some consciously agree it's the right venue.

But we observe that Christ and His disciples took it right at home.
So what makes taking it in church holier and more "Christian" than taking it at home at your own convenience?

Christ commands that we should do this always: taking communion.

 

[reba]

Having lived in a couple church buildings.. A church building is not more holier... sanctuaries and pews can make great forts..

 

[wwjd_kilden]

I don't know why people think like that. Maybe it's mainly that most people don't think about doing it at home?

I've only received communion in a private home once, but it was a nice experience

 

[Wrg1405]

No one place is holier than another. In Jesus day and early church they met in each other's homes.
Jesus said where two or more are gathered in my name I am with them. So to me that means when two or more beleivers meet Jesus is with them and thats church. Church is not the building its the people.

What makes it holy when meeting is the intention, the intention to meet together as beleivers to worship Jesus.

That can be in the building we call church but to me it's also when midweek groups meet up in someone's house or another venue/place. So wherever two or more meet communion can take place.

I think the issue is that most churches set aside a particular Sunday during the month and stick to it. That's what communion is all about.

Me? I don't buy it. I can't understand it. Why one Sunday during the month?

 

[Knotical]

Communion can be administered in any place the table can be properly protected. Meaning, as long as those who are partaking are Christians that are not willfully living a sinful life.

When I attended a non-denominational church I did partake in communion with some friends, but we really did not have anyone from church leadership there that was able to adequately guard the table/elements.

More often than not it is administered within a worship service and church because the elders and pastor(s) are able to guard the table.

 

[Knotical]

No one place is holier than another. In Jesus day and early church they met in each other's homes.
Jesus said where two or more are gathered in my name I am with them. So to me that means when two or more beleivers meet Jesus is with them and thats church. Church is not the building its the people.

What makes it holy when meeting is the intention, the intention to meet together as beleivers to worship Jesus.

That can be in the building we call church but to me it's also when midweek groups meet up in someone's house or another venue/place. So wherever two or more meet communion can take place.

I think the issue is that most churches set aside a particular Sunday during the month and stick to it. That's what communion is all about.

Me? I don't buy it. I can't understand it. Why one Sunday during the month?

I think, at least on the protestant level, it is limited to one Sunday a month, or quarter, in order to assign special significance to the sacrament. Otherwise people might become complacent and approach it with the reference that is due.

 

[reba]

Dad had a little two cup set ... it could fit in to a pocket.. took it to the hospital often..

 

[ezra]

Many unconsciously believe communion should be taken right in the church; and some consciously agree it's the right venue.

But we observe that Christ and His disciples took it right at home.
So what makes taking it in church holier and more "Christian" than taking it at home at your own convenience?

Christ commands that we should do this always: taking communion.

neither --------- communion is personal between you and the Lord { church holier and more "Christian" a personal relationship with Christ } it does not matter home or church group

 

[ezra]

Communion can be administered in any place the table can be properly protected. Meaning, as long as those who are partaking are Christians that are not willfully living a sinful life.

When I attended a non-denominational church I did partake in communion with some friends, but we really did not have anyone from church leadership there that was able to adequately guard the table/elements.

More often than not it is administered within a worship service and church because the elders and pastor(s) are able to guard the table.

question how do you guard the table/elements. . the pastor should deliver a message on communion and what it means to partake in a unworthy manner .then should give time of prayer for each person to examine them self.... but guard ? i am ordained and have never heard of that term . as a minister /deacon/elder your there to serve

 

[ezra]

communion

as i said is personal and some churches do closed services .which i am against

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Maybe it's mainly that most people don't think about doing it at home?

Hey, if we can wash our feet at church why can't we take communion at home?

 

[Classik]

A smart response!

 

[Wrg1405]

What's everyone's thoughts about husband and wife having communion together when they both come before God in worship and prayer?

 

[Wrg1405]

Dad had a little two cup set ... it could fit in to a pocket.. took it to the hospital often..

Also knew a fellow pastor who did the same.

When my foster mum was in hospital having suffered a severe stroke my wife and I went down. She was so confused, didn't recognise me, thought one of the nurses was my wife. Thought one of doctors was my son. One minute she was with it, the next not.

The pastor came to visit and pulled out a cup set. He broke bread, poured wine (Grape juice) as he was doing this my wife placed her hand on her head and prayed. She prayed for the moment.

That was the most alert I had seen my foster mum for the whole 2 years she was stuck in that hospital with no reality. She ate the bread and drunk from the cup. The most peaceful she had been for a long while.

That was her last communion, and to me it was the most precious thing I have ever experienced. I would not change that glint in her eye smile on her face and her words "Thank you Jesus" for all the money in the world.

 

[for_his_glory]

1Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

It doesn't matter if you are alone in your house, outside or in Church with others as it is a personal remembrance and to be sure you are worthy of taking part in the life, death and resurrection of Christ for what He gave on the cross so we can be set free from the bondage of sin.

 

[Classik]

Yeah. And when I'm alone I'm gonna make the Communion big, not the peanut-sized stuff shared in church. :D

 

[Knotical]

question how do you guard the table/elements. . the pastor should deliver a message on communion and what it means to partake in a unworthy manner .then should give time of prayer for each person to examine them self.... but guard ? i am ordained and have never heard of that term . as a minister /deacon/elder your there to serve

Prior to the service if our elders/deacons notice any guests have arrived they approach them and let them know what will be taking place toward the end of the service. Then they will ask if they wish to partake, if so they will ask if they are members in good standing of a bible believing church. This really is heavily reliant on the honor system, but it is at least one way to make sure the leadership is guarding the table. Our pastor will also go through the requirements prior to administering the sacramental elements, just to remind any congregants that if they are holding onto any sin they are unwilling to repent of they should refrain from participating.

 

[ezra]

Prior to the service if our elders/deacons notice any guests have arrived they approach them and let them know what will be taking place toward the end of the service. Then they will ask if they wish to partake, if so they will ask if they are members in good standing of a bible believing church. This really is heavily reliant on the honor system, but it is at least one way to make sure the leadership is guarding the table. Our pastor will also go through the requirements prior to administering the sacramental elements, just to remind any congregants that if they are holding onto any sin they are unwilling to repent of they should refrain from participating.

i agree %100 with your pastor as that is the way it should be done. but this { Prior to the service if our elders/deacons notice any guests have arrived they approach them and let them know what will be taking place toward the end of the service. Then they will ask if they wish to partake, if so they will ask if they are members in good standing of a bible believing church.} i do not agree with we preach the word after the message they are given a chance if lost to get saved. so what if they say no ? will they be banned i look at like this a church sign read fishers of men we catch them GOD cleans them. the wheat and tares grow together we preach the message in hopes they become wheat .figuratively speaking . { if they are holding onto any sin they are unwilling to repent of they should refrain from participating.} is correct as it is said in the message of instructions

 

[for_his_glory]

i agree %100 with your pastor as that is the way it should be done. but this { Prior to the service if our elders/deacons notice any guests have arrived they approach them and let them know what will be taking place toward the end of the service. Then they will ask if they wish to partake, if so they will ask if they are members in good standing of a bible believing church.} i do not agree with we preach the word after the message they are given a chance if lost to get saved. so what if they say no ? will they be banned i look at like this a church sign read fishers of men we catch them GOD cleans them. the wheat and tares grow together we preach the message in hopes they become wheat .figuratively speaking . { if they are holding onto any sin they are unwilling to repent of they should refrain from participating.} is correct as it is said in the message of instructions

What you and Knotical are saying reminds me of this verse: John 7:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. When did we become the sin police in others lives.

Unworthily does not mean those who have sin as we all fall short at times even though we are born again. What Jesus is saying is that those who are none of His can not proclaim His death nor could they be worthy to partake of His body or blood. We are to examine our own self, not others, to make sure we are worthy. When we judge our self we should not be judged by others and not condemned with the world.

1Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

 

[Knotical]

i agree %100 with your pastor as that is the way it should be done. but this { Prior to the service if our elders/deacons notice any guests have arrived they approach them and let them know what will be taking place toward the end of the service. Then they will ask if they wish to partake, if so they will ask if they are members in good standing of a bible believing church.} i do not agree with we preach the word after the message they are given a chance if lost to get saved. so what if they say no ? will they be banned i look at like this a church sign read fishers of men we catch them GOD cleans them. the wheat and tares grow together we preach the message in hopes they become wheat .figuratively speaking . { if they are holding onto any sin they are unwilling to repent of they should refrain from participating.} is correct as it is said in the message of instructions

Not sure how your church administers the elements, but our Session, which includes the elders and deacons in our case, take the elements around throughout the sanctuary and allow those who are able to participate to take from the trays. It is in that moment they are able to use discernment to decide whether or now they will allow individuals to partake.

If they did not take these steps to guard the Lord's table they would be inviting judgement on the entire congregation. Now if someone does not inform an elder or deacon of anything that would make them unable to partake and they still do, it is they who invite judgement upon themselves.