The Right place to take Communion

[Knotical]

As an aside, we did used to attend a church that was much more relaxed in how they administered the elements. They would set up tables around the perimeter of the sanctuary where there would be a couple goblets of grape juice and baskets of wafer bread at each one. Pretty much anyone would be able to go up and partake as those who are holding the cups are not actually part of the elder board/session and would not, necessarily, have the authority to turn anyone away. In contrast this can be very problematic for the reasons I outlined in my other posts.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Actually, what I see taking the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner to mean from the passage itself is when we treat badly or thoughtlessly our fellow Christians in the body of Christ:

"20So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing?" (1 Corinthians 11:20-22 NIV)

This would mean about half of us here at cf.net can not take communion.

Paul's warning follows in line with what Jesus said about approaching God in worship:

"22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:22-24 NIV)

God does not want us to approach him in worship when we have abuses and injuries to our brethren that need to be addressed. Paul warns that physical illness, even death can be the outcome of not getting along with our fellow believers. One of the ignored warnings in scripture, for sure. :neutral Worshiping God while hating the body of Christ is entirely inconsistent. God does not consider it a light matter at all. He says don't even approach me in worship with that on your slate. Get it dealt with first, then come offer your worship.

 

[for_his_glory]

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.

what you say is a sad state of affairs that could damage a new believer that yet lacks knowledge as no one has the right to judge someone they just met and never had opportunity yet to sit and talk with them as we can only judge one by the fruits they display. No one can discern or judge the fruits of one they have no knowledge of. How embarrassing would it be to that one who is visiting maybe looking for a home Church to tell them in front of everyone they are not worthy to partake. If they are not worthy then that is personal between them and God, not between them and your church.

 

[Wrg1405]

Actually, what I see taking the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner to mean from the passage itself is when we treat badly or thoughtlessly our fellow Christians in the body of Christ:

"20So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing?" (1 Corinthians 11:20-22 NIV)

This would mean about half of us here at cf.net can not take communion.

Paul's warning follows in line with what Jesus said about approaching God in worship:

"22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:22-24 NIV)

God does not want us to approach him in worship when we have abuses and injuries to our brethren that need to be addressed. Paul warns that physical illness, even death can be the outcome of not getting along with our fellow believers. One of the ignored warnings in scripture, for sure. :neutral Worshiping God while hating the body of Christ is entirely inconsistent. God does not consider it a light matter at all. He says don't even approach me in worship with that on your slate. Get it dealt with first, then come offer your worship.

Very well said, you beat me to it.
Our church is too big to monitor for the elders to monitor who is new in the service.
When it's communion time they do say, if you are not a beleiver then do not take communion but if you want to give your life to Christ now then you can take communion. Then there is a few minutes silence.

What I really would like to see as part of communions is a reminder of the verses you quote above, which doesn't happen.

I myself many a time have not taken communion because I would fall foul of the verses you quoted. When I have been in that situation I have said to God I know I can't partake, please help me deal with the reasons why I cannot.

I hope that makes sense

 

[Jim Parker]

But we observe that Christ and His disciples took it right at home.

There wasn't a "church" to take it in at the last supper.
Neither were the early Jewish believers able to "take communion" at the temple or synagogue. The first churches met in believers homes.
The ONLY appropriate place to participate in the Eucharist is in the congregation of Church. (Whether the Church meets in a building called a church or hiding in a cave to keep from being arrested and/or executed.)
So, it would seem to me that wherever two or more are gathered, it is an appropriate place for the Eucharist.


iakov the fool

 

[ezra]

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.

this is how we do it only the person makes the decision. i do stand by this it is not up to the ordained to judge who can partake in the Lord supper . we are told to examine our self i fail to see how the entire body will be held accountable for another person actions:
1 Corinthians 11:30-32King James Version (KJV)
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. so if i understand right if a elder or deacon discerns i should not take the lord supper .then they can refuse to serve me...?

 

[ezra]

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.

this is how we do it only the person makes the decision. i do stand by this it is not up to the ordained to judge who can partake in the Lord supper . we are told to examine our self i fail to see how the entire body will be held accountable for another person actions

 

[Knotical]

what you say is a sad state of affairs that could damage a new believer that yet lacks knowledge as no one has the right to judge someone they just met and never had opportunity yet to sit and talk with them as we can only judge one by the fruits they display. No one can discern or judge the fruits of one they have no knowledge of. How embarrassing would it be to that one who is visiting maybe looking for a home Church to tell them in front of everyone they are not worthy to partake. If they are not worthy then that is personal between them and God, not between them and your church.

I am thinking you are taking a rather negative view of the situation. For those who are new to the faith yet are not professed members of a bible believing church it can really just be a learning experience being exposed to another aspect of being a part of the church. By guarding the table it is not meant to condemn those you should not partake, but to give them something to reflect upon so that they may partake the next time the sacrament is observed. Everything in a worship service is supposed to be designed to put everyone's focus on their relationship with God and to give him praise. How can we truly worship God if we are holding on to some particular sin issue?

 

[for_his_glory]

I am thinking you are taking a rather negative view of the situation. For those who are new to the faith yet are not professed members of a bible believing church it can really just be a learning experience being exposed to another aspect of being a part of the church. By guarding the table it is not meant to condemn those you should not partake, but to give them something to reflect upon so that they may partake the next time the sacrament is observed. Everything in a worship service is supposed to be designed to put everyone's focus on their relationship with God and to give him praise. How can we truly worship God if we are holding on to some particular sin issue?

1Corinthians 11:26 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.


I would say the table needs no guarding from sin as the table is a sacrament of faith that is a memorial of the death of Christ until He returns. The unworthy part is not sin that is found in all humankind saved or not as none of us are without sin so none of us would be worthy to partake. The unworthy part is those who partake, but yet have no faith in Christ or recognize His death little lone even knowing Christ will return. They are no different then those who rejected Christ, tried Him and nailed Him to a cross as they have no knowledge of Christ even if they do go to Church.

Unless I have missed the scripture that says so there is no written membership of any church. We become members of the Lord's body as a collective membership of believers in Christ that are obedient to His commands by faith in Him and not obedient to the commands of a church organization. The church can not save us as only Christ can save us as no one can be saved outside of Christ. We are told to not forsake the assembling not the membership. When a church goes as far as wanting records for your tax returns so you can pay your tithe out of that and if you refuse then they refuse your member ship until you do pay your tithe and this is a fact.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

what you say is a sad state of affairs that could damage a new believer that yet lacks knowledge as no one has the right to judge someone they just met and never had opportunity yet to sit and talk with them as we can only judge one by the fruits they display. No one can discern or judge the fruits of one they have no knowledge of. How embarrassing would it be to that one who is visiting maybe looking for a home Church to tell them in front of everyone they are not worthy to partake. If they are not worthy then that is personal between them and God, not between them and your church.

This pastor just skips all the steps and gets right to bringing it in front of the church :

 

[for_his_glory]

This pastor just skips all the steps and gets right to bringing it in front of the church :

I'm on dial up and it takes to long to open videos. Satellite for the internet is not available in our neck of the woods yet. Can you give me a jest of what this Pastor said, thank you.

 

[reba]

http://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-in-tirade-caught-on-tape-both-commended-and-rebuked-99661/

Try this link.. it is not a transcript but does give a good idea of what was said..

 

[ezra]

1Corinthians 11:26 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.


I would say the table needs no guarding from sin as the table is a sacrament of faith that is a memorial of the death of Christ until He returns. The unworthy part is not sin that is found in all humankind saved or not as none of us are without sin so none of us would be worthy to partake. The unworthy part is those who partake, but yet have no faith in Christ or recognize His death little lone even knowing Christ will return. They are no different then those who rejected Christ, tried Him and nailed Him to a cross as they have no knowledge of Christ even if they do go to Church.

Unless I have missed the scripture that says so there is no written membership of any church. We become members of the Lord's body as a collective membership of believers in Christ that are obedient to His commands by faith in Him and not obedient to the commands of a church organization. The church can not save us as only Christ can save us as no one can be saved outside of Christ. We are told to not forsake the assembling not the membership. When a church goes as far as wanting records for your tax returns so you can pay your tithe out of that and if you refuse then they refuse your member ship until you do pay your tithe and this is a fact.

we have implemented man made teachings into the Church no where in scripture does it say you can discern another person and refuse them to take Communion. it says judge our self