Communion

[Joykins]

I grew up in a church that practiced open communion--anyone who had accepted Jesus as their Savior was invited to partake.

Our new church also has open communion, but the pastor said that communion was open to everyone.

There are also other churches who hold closed communion for various reasons.

I had always been taught that communion was for believers only, but on the other hand communion is (in at least one sense) the memory of Jesus and the meals he shared with his followers, especially the last one...and not all the people who ate with Jesus were saved beforehand.

The interesting thing is the new church regards communion as a sacrament and the old church saw it as an ordinance.

How do we approach the Lord's Table? With reverence always...but what makes it special for you?

[Melethiel]

Given that I'm Lutheran, I take a very sacramental approach. I think it'll be easiest to share the Catechism for explanation:


What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.


What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?
That is shown us in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
At my church, Communion is open to all who are baptized, although personally I tend toward the more conservative side and think it should be more limited to doctrinal confession.

[Joykins]

Did a little research and found out that this completely open communion is relatively normal for United Methodists. Details (http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/downloads/Stamm.pdf).

[Joykins]

My understanding of communion doesn't fall neatly into a category. It is a special way to commune with Jesus, to remember him, to remind myself that he is inside me, to commune with other churches all over the world that are doing this, to be particularly aware of the special presence of Emmanuel God-with-us.

I don't know whether that's sacramental or not. I don't think it necessary to always make a distinction between metaphorical and literal when it comes to faith.

[Rhamiel]

I am Catholic, we have closed communion, only catholics who are free of mortal sin are suposed to recieve communion
although personally I tend toward the more conservative side and think it should be more limited to doctrinal confession.
I had a methodist friend who thought like this, he would not take communion with churches that thought differantly then the methodist, not because they were "right" or "wrong" but just out of doctrinal integrity

[Rhamiel]

oh and there are a few exceptions where members of other churches can take communion at a catholic church but I am not sure what they are

[Joykins]

I will gladly and humbly take communion with anyone who will let me.

Slipped through at a Catholic church once but only by accident b/c I didn't know there was such a thing as closed communion at the time.

[Criada]

Ay our church, communion is open to all who are Christians.
However, it is always made very clear that this is a covenant meal, and must only be taken by those who are in covenant with God and with one another.

[Rhamiel]

accidents happen Joykins
accidents also stay the same, it is the substance that changes,

[Rhamiel]

CriadaAy our church, communion is open to all who are Christians.
However, it is always made very clear that this is a covenant meal, and must only be taken by those who are in covenant with God and with one another
that is cool
what does it mean to be in a covenant with God? I am not familiar with that term having a modern usage, like when I hear about a covenant it is refering to Noah or Abraham

[Criada]

Criada
that is cool
what does it mean to be in a covenant with God? I am not familiar with that term having a modern usage, like when I hear about a covenant it is refering to Noah or Abraham
1 Corinthians 11:
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

The old (Abrahamic) covenant depended on the sacrifice of animals..
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the sign of the new covenant (agreement) between God and His people


Hebrews 9:15
And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance

Hebrews 8 and 9 are all about the new covenant - I'd love to have a discussion about it, but praps we should start a new thread, rather than derail this one :)


EDIT: Started a thread about covenant here. (http://foru.ms/t6361664-covenant.html) :)

[RebekkaH]

oh and there are a few exceptions where members of other churches can take communion at a catholic church but I am not sure what they are
I have once heard that if a non-catholic baptised christian marries a catholic in a ecumenic wedding ceremony (with a catholic priest and, for example, a protestant minister), then the non-catholic spouse is allowed to take (catholic) communion together with his/her catholic spouse. But I'm not sure. :sorry:

[DailyBlessings]

I favor completely open communion, believing that communion, being a means and a response to the grace of God, is for God alone to legislate.

[Mary of Bethany]

The Orthodox understanding of Holy Communion is that it indicates unity of faith and membership in the Church, as sharing the actual Body and Blood of Christ, so we practice closed Communion. It is actually even more strict than that - only those Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves to receive by fasting and prayer, and recent confession are allowed to receive.

Mary

[JimfromOhio]

My main concern is how does one determines who recieves or don't recieve communion?

I don't accept communion services in churches that I do not agree with.

How does a local church determine a Christian's beliefs unless they are aware of their beliefs?

Spiritually, the Holy Spirit, the eternal Spirit of God,who dwelled in Jesus Christ, who empowers the Church, Who is the source of our life in Christ, and Who is poured out on those who believe as the guarantee of redemption. The Church is the assembly of those who have accepted God's offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The spiritual Church is one body with many members, ordered in such a way that, through the one Spirit, believers may be built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. Christians are called to a committed fellowship of believers in worsihp and communion.

Regarding Church's authority, I do and will submit to the Church's authority as long as they are following according to the Word of God. When it comes to Communion, I will respect their beliefs but they won't see me come inside and worship with them unless one person can persuade me to come.

[shrewdsnake]

Sacrament.

Since we don't know people's hearts I don't think it should be restricted. For me personally I think it should be taken when you feel the desire to show you are still walking with Christ. I have taken it at special times and refused it when I have had a heavy heart and don't feel I'm doing my best to follow Christ.

[3girls2dogs]

Well, I'm Catholic, so Communion is pretty much the end-all, be-all for us. You must be free from sin to accept. I spend a lot of time in Confession :sigh:

[Rhamiel]

I have once heard that if a non-catholic baptised christian marries a catholic in a ecumenic wedding ceremony (with a catholic priest and, for example, a protestant minister), then the non-catholic spouse is allowed to take (catholic) communion together with his/her catholic spouse. But I'm not sure. :sorry:oh no that is not it, the Catholic Church allows members of some churches to recieve communion if they can not get to their church, I know this courtesy is extended to the orthodox and I think anglicans, I am not sure what churches are allowed by the Catholic Church to do this, and only when they can not make it to their own church
MaryThe Orthodox understanding of Holy Communion is that it indicates unity of faith and membership in the Church, as sharing the actual Body and Blood of Christ, so we practice closed Communion
that is a good understanding, catholics also fast before reciving the eucharist, how long is it custamary for members of the EO to fast?

[Rhamiel]

JimHow does a local church determine a Christian's beliefs unless they are aware of their beliefs?
SnakeSince we don't know people's hearts I don't think it should be restricted.
It is not like we have "communion cops" waiting in the church to check out your baptismal certificate, it is just a request that people who recieve communion be catholic and free of any serious sin.
One thing is, all the priests I talk to are so liberal I do not even know what a mortal sin is any more and it makes deciding to recieve or not to recieve the Euchrist a rather painful decision.

[Joykins]

Jim
One thing is, all the priests I talk to are so liberal I do not even know what a mortal sin is any more and it makes deciding to recieve or not to recieve the Euchrist a rather painful decision.

Be as sincere and complete as you can and trust God for the rest.

Being a Protestant I confess my sins during prayer. I am sure I miss some so I ask God to also forgive the sins I can't remember specifically.

[Mary of Bethany]

oh no that is not it, the Catholic Church allows members of some churches to recieve communion if they can not get to their church, I know this courtesy is extended to the orthodox and I think anglicans, I am not sure what churches are allowed by the Catholic Church to do this, and only when they can not make it to their own church
Mary
that is a good understanding, catholics also fast before reciving the eucharist, how long is it custamary for members of the EO to fast?

From midnight (or bedtime - whichever comes first). Or for rare evening Liturgies - from noon or so. Obviously, exceptions are made for children or for people with health concerns - it's between the person and his priest.

Mary

[MrJim]

I take a sacramental approach in the Baptist church where I receive~yeah sounds dumb, I know but it's where I'm at.

The plainer mennonite churches I know do practice closed communion~one of the reasons is that the elders/pastors believe they have some responsibility in the spiritual condition of their congregation, and would share in the sin of the participant if they were receiving unworthily...fwiw.

[Rhamiel]

I heard that the some Baptists consider it a mystery, and some consider it to only be a symbol

[MrJim]

I heard that the some Baptists consider it a mystery, and some consider it to only be a symbol

Yeah, traditionally the baptists and anabaptists take the symbolic route, but then I'm a bad baptist ;)

[Rhamiel]

so how do you view the eucharist

[RebekkaH]

From midnight (or bedtime - whichever comes first). Or for rare evening Liturgies - from noon or so. Obviously, exceptions are made for children or for people with health concerns - it's between the person and his priest.

Mary
How early/late in the morning is your mass?

I know I can fast from midnight to, say, 2 PM (tops), but there's no way I can fast from noon to evening, that would be too hard! :sorry:

[MrJim]

so how do you view the eucharist

this is my body
this is my blood

Don't exactly understand all the ins & outs, but probably take a view somewhat like the Eastern Orthodox or Lutherans I guess...one opinion that would be a bit unconventional is that I consecrate the elements myself~thinking I don't need a priest to do it, since we are called a royal priesthood...

[Albion]

Most, but not all Anglican churches practice open communion, by which is meant that all adult, baptised Christians in good standing in whatever their denomination might be are allowed to commune. However, many parishes also tell the worshippers--from the pulpit, altar, or in the bulletin---that we believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the bread and wine. This might be considered open communion with instruction. Should any commune unworthily because they are in serious sin or come forward on a lark or as a curiosity, the scriptures testify that they are hurting themselves, but as others here have noted, it is not possible for any of us to know their hearts in advance.

[DailyBlessings]

this is my body
this is my blood

Don't exactly understand all the ins & outs, but probably take a view somewhat like the Eastern Orthodox or Lutherans I guess...one opinion that would be a bit unconventional is that I consecrate the elements myself~thinking I don't need a priest to do it, since we are called a royal priesthood...
I would suggest that it is the Lord who consecrates the elements, regardless of the man or woman holding up the cup. I would not object to a non-pastor consecrating the elements at time of need, since that role is one that itself is defined by vocation or necessity, not the decree of a candidacy committee. However, the roles of teaching and the distribution of communion are strongly linked in my mind, so I would tend to stand with tradition is this regard, when possible.

[Criada]

In our church no-one consecrates anything - we just share the bread and wine. A few members help to distribute it, and whoever id leading the meeting explains for the sake ofvisitors, and usually leads in prayer. We are non-liturgical - so this is rarely the same two weeks running.

[DailyBlessings]

In our church no-one consecrates anything - we just share the bread and wine. A few members help to distribute it, and whoever id leading the meeting explains for the sake ofvisitors, and usually leads in prayer. We are non-liturgical - so this is rarely the same two weeks running.Do you mean that you don't believe that the communion meal is sacred at all?

[Criada]

No - it *is* sacred - but it is sacred because of Jesus, not because of any ceremony we carry out. He is in it, and that makes it a very sacred and serious thing. But joyful as well.

I love communion - and I love sharing it with my family and with my brothers and sisters in Christ. But we break bread together at home too - because Jesus said "Do this as often as you eat it...." And we eat bread pretty frequently!

[DailyBlessings]

Ah, that's what I thought.

[higgs2]

WHat I love about my church is that baptism is the only requirement for communion. Therefore, my children took communion as infants at their baptism -- a drop of wine from the priest's finger. :)

[Mary of Bethany]

How early/late in the morning is your mass?

I know I can fast from midnight to, say, 2 PM (tops), but there's no way I can fast from noon to evening, that would be too hard! :sorry:

Liturgy at our parish begins at 9:30 and is over about 11:30, then we have a pot-luck meal together in the fellowship hall. :thumbsup:

Mary

[Michie]

Liturgy at our parish begins at 9:30 and is over about 11:30, then we have a pot-luck meal together in the fellowship hall. :thumbsup:

Mary
That sounds really nice. :)

[Mary of Bethany]

WHat I love about my church is that baptism is the only requirement for communion. Therefore, my children took communion as infants at their baptism -- a drop of wine from the priest's finger. :)

Yeah, that's one of the things I love best about Holy Communion - seeing the babies and little ones receive. :)

For those who don't know, the Orthodox Church uses leavened bread that is mixed with the wine in the chalice, and the priest spoons the wine and bread directly into the communicant's mouth, so babies can receive tiny amounts and they don't choke.

Mary

[meh]

I attend a conversative American Baptist church and we practice open communion to anyone who wishes to partake. It's not done casually, but it's offered to all.

Last Christmas, our interim preacher got up during the Christmas Eve service and said that if you hadn't accepted Christ, you must not take communion. His reasoning made sense, I guess, but I was so stunned frankly I didn't catch the passage he referred to. It's in Acts, perhaps? I know it was Paul, speaking about unbelievers who take communion drink from the chalice of abomination, and we would then drink from abomination for accepting it with them? I'm sure someone here will know what I'm referring to.

Anyway. That didn't go over well with the church members and it's never happened again. I prefer open. But I certainly don't feel offended or anything in other churches where they ask us not to partake.