Can a Roman Catholic take communion at a Lutheran Church?

[Jay2004]

What is the Lutheran position on this? Do Lutherans consider a Roman Catholic Baptism valid?
Will they allow a Roman Catholic to partake in Holy Communion?

 

[Rechtgläubig]

Do Lutherans consider a Roman Catholic Baptism valid?

Yes. Any Baptism with water and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is valid.

Will they allow a Roman Catholic to partake in Holy Communion?

Not at WELS churches. I will let ELCA ans LCMS answer for themselves.

 

[Protoevangel]

Any Baptized Christian is welcome to take Holy Communion at an ELCA church.

All Trinitarian Baptisms are considered valid n the ELCA.

 

[SPALATIN]

Any Baptized Christian is welcome to take Holy Communion at an ELCA church.

All Trinitarian Baptisms are considered valid n the ELCA.

The LCMS and WELS and ELS are much more strict about it but the major requirement is that you believe in the REAL PRESENCE of Christ in the elements. Not Transubstantiation or Consubstantiation. You must also confess that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

 

[Jay2004]

You have mentioned, different Lutheran churches. Are all these different churches in communion with one another? What are the diferences between these Lutheran churches?

 

[SPALATIN]

You have mentioned, different Lutheran churches. Are all these different churches in communion with one another? What are the diferences between these Lutheran churches?

Jay,

There are several different Synods in the Lutheran church. The word Synod means to walk together. Among the ones to put the name Lutheran to them are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and then there are a few others that are smaller.

All but the first one considers themselves "Confessional Lutherans" though there are some in the ELCA who consider themselves confessional there are many congregations who forsake the confessions in their Divine Service. I don't want to get into church politics here though. I know that there are a few here that are with the ELCA and while I disagree with their Synod's stand on many issues I don't condemn my Christian Brothers and Sisters who come from that synod for the mistakes of the heirarchy.

Scott Strohkirch

 

[JVAC]

The LCMS and WELS and ELS are much more strict about it but the major requirement is that you believe in the REAL PRESENCE of Christ in the elements. Not Transubstantiation or Consubstantiation. You must also confess that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.

A clarification about the No to consubstantiation or transubstantiation,

The Lutheran Church, along with Anglicans and Eastern Orthodox, do not try to define the mystery and our teachings just state that The Bread and Wine is the Body and Blood of Christ.

Otherwise the posts here are Good, except I am ELCA, so I would welcome you to our Communion Table! Feel free to visit us and commune with us!! However, every church no matter what affiliation is different. Some LCMS churches will serve you communion too, but most won't. Some ELCA churches are more loose than others with regards to liturgy. Lutheranism is a very "Federalistic" religion, that is to say, most of the practices are established at congregation level, however, strict adherence to the Synod is enforced in all things necessary to salvation.

-James

 

[SPALATIN]

A clarification about the No to consubstantiation or transubstantiation,

The Lutheran Church, along with Anglicans and Eastern Orthodox, do not try to define the mystery and our teachings just state that The Bread and Wine is the Body and Blood of Christ.

Otherwise the posts here are Good, except I am ELCA, so I would welcome you to our Communion Table! Feel free to visit us and commune with us!! However, every church no matter what affiliation is different. Some LCMS churches will serve you communion too, but most won't. Some ELCA churches are more loose than others with regards to liturgy. Lutheranism is a very "Federalistic" religion, that is to say, most of the practices are established at congregation level, however, strict adherence to the Synod is enforced in all things necessary to salvation.

-James

So are you saying that Holy Communion is Adiaphora? Because I do believe that Holy Communion is necessary to my salvation since it is a means of Grace by which I receive forgiveness of sins.

 

[JVAC]

(wait while I look up "Adiaphora")

.....

(thinks a little bit more)


....

Oh, I think I got it. I wasn't trying to say that Communion wasn't necessary for salvation, I was merely stating that we have to listen to our Synods on important matters such as this. However, there is a difference in opinion of the Synods.

-James

 

[Phoebe]

I believe the ELCA would let a Catholic take Communion, but the Catholic Church would probably frown upon it.

The term "Cafeteria Catholic" comes to mind.

 

[Caelum]

We need a stick thread outlining the major differences between ELCA, LCMS and WELS...or is there already one? (I'm too lazy to look )

 

[JMRE5150]

We need a stick thread outlining the major differences between ELCA, LCMS and WELS...or is there already one? (I'm too lazy to look )

We already have a similar one.

Robb