Non-Denominational Churches and Real Presence?

[jinc1019]

Has anyone heard of a non-denominational church that actually supports some form of the doctrine of the real presence? Even a spiritual real presence? For me, this is a major theological doctrine but virtually every non-denomination church I know of rejects it. I would very much like to be in a non-denominational church, but I find it hard to do so with my belief about the Eucharist.

Thanks for your time in advance!

Justin

 

[mightymouse1119]

You are in the wrong section buddy, was Assembly of God, and then Non-Denomination most of my life. And I could tell you Its probably once a month (very rare) and its nothing more then a mere symbol of Our Lord's death. Nothing more, Sorry. I see you got a Roman Catholic icon?, If you looking for a non-Roman approached yet Evangelical look else where, I would start looking into Lutheran. And to be clear this is my experience.

 

[jinc1019]

Hi Mightymouse,

I agree you are probably right. I have looked into various Lutheran denominations already, but I think the ELCA is far too liberal theologically, and I think the LCMS and WELS have various issues as well that make them unattractive choices. For instance, both view the office of the Pope as the Anti-Christ, which I think is a radical position, and both treat Luther like he was an infallible source of truth, when it is entirely possible that as a flawed man, Luther made mistakes theologically...and I believe he did in a few areas, albeit important areas.

I do appreciate the help though!

 

[CountryElder]

Has anyone heard of a non-denominational church that actually supports some form of the doctrine of the real presence? Even a spiritual real presence? For me, this is a major theological doctrine but virtually every non-denomination church I know of rejects it. I would very much like to be in a non-denominational church, but I find it hard to do so with my belief about the Eucharist.

Thanks for your time in advance!

Justin

You'll find that the Independent Christian Churches (Campbell/Stone) will have communion weekly, but the doctrine of the "real presence" may be a sticking point. I've found that they acknowledge God's presence in preaching, board meetings, and safety for their missionaries, but at the communion table they tend to shy away from terms like that, mostly out of an over reaction to Catholicism. Whether they acknowledge it or not, Christ IS with you at the altar!
CE

 

[Norah63]

Most non-doms are just made up of all the different religions pieced together.
Finding a perfect group anywhere may not be possible. If you want the fellowship of other christians then one must be willing to endure their shortcomings as well as others do our own. Christ establishes His church with you. We are all living stones, a building fitly joined together. Take communion in your own home and you will be better off.
jmho

 

[jinc1019]

You'll find that the Independent Christian Churches (Campbell/Stone) will have communion weekly, but the doctrine of the "real presence" may be a sticking point. I've found that they acknowledge God's presence in preaching, board meetings, and safety for their missionaries, but at the communion table they tend to shy away from terms like that, mostly out of an over reaction to Catholicism. Whether they acknowledge it or not, Christ IS with you at the altar!
CE

Interesting view about Christ being there regardless of the view of the church. I am not sure that is completely true. Is Jesus present even if we don't ask Him to be?...I certainly hope that is true. Even if it is true though, there remains the question of whether one should be in a church that teaches something is not important when I believe it is. Thanks for sharing!

 

[jinc1019]

Most non-doms are just made up of all the different religions pieced together.
Finding a perfect group anywhere may not be possible. If you want the fellowship of other christians then one must be willing to endure their shortcomings as well as others do our own. Christ establishes His church with you. We are all living stones, a building fitly joined together. Take communion in your own home and you will be better off.
jmho

Hi Norah. I agree with much of what you said...but I don't at all agree that we should be taking communion at home as if it is the same thing as Holy Communion. That certainly is not what the earliest Christians did and I don't believe we should either.

 

[jakael02]

Is Jesus present even if we don't ask Him to be?...I certainly hope that is true. Even if it is true though, there remains the question of whether one should be in a church that teaches something is not important when I believe it is. Thanks for sharing!

Hey Jinc - the Catholic position is that you need a validly ordained Priest that can consecrate the host into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Any unordain person cannot do that. If it was possible to consecrate without Holy Orders, you would have satanist consecrating hosts all day long and then profaning our Lord.

A suggestion given to me, is to spend 1hr in front of the Blessed Sacrament, then pray for what Church God wants you to attend. It works a miracle for me.

Kindly - James

 

[jinc1019]

Hey Jinc - the Catholic position is that you need a validly ordained Priest that can consecrate the host into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Any unordain person cannot do that. If it was possible to consecrate without Holy Orders, you would have satanist consecrating hosts all day long and then profaning our Lord.

A suggestion given to me, is to spend 1hr in front of the Blessed Sacrament, then pray for what Church God wants you to attend. It works a miracle for me.

Kindly - James

Hi James,
Thanks for posting. I am very aware of the Catholic position...but I realize that wasn't made clear here. I don't believe the laying on of hands transmit some kind of special authority or power to transform the bread wine. My position on this issue is similar to Martin Luther's position.

To address your point...Just because a person doesn't need Holy Orders does NOT mean anyone can do it. God gets to make that decision. Further, I am certain that over 2,000 years, many very bad people in the Church with Holy Orders, including some possibly evil people, have consecrated bread and wine at Mass. So, while I can certainly respect your opinion having spent a lot of time in Catholic Church myself, I can't agree with you on the specifics. I won't go into detail here because this isn't the thread for that, but I think history has proven many of the Catholic Church's position on authority and apostolic succession false. Obviously, they argue to the contrary.

 

[PastorTeacher]

I have attended non-denom churches and I am studying to be a Pastor and every church that I have been to has held communion and I tend to uphold communion in the church that I Pastor. The Bible is clear that we hold communion.

 

[hopeinGod]

You'll be hard pressed to find a nondenom that believes in transubstantiation. In fact, I don't believe one exists. Few nondenoms believe in OSAS as well, so you may not want to continue looking within them for a church home.

I'm afraid to direct you to a Catholic Charismatic group because the majority of Charismatic groups believe you can lose your salvation.

Maybe a small home group would be more doctrinally agreeable. Good luck.

 

[Pastor hammer]

Each Christain must dedicate time everyday to The Lord. You can read his living word, pray and speak to him. Take time to listen as well as he will respond.

I have found personally that non-denominational churches are more like a Bible study then being wrote every week, and that had always fit my needs better. I was raised Catholic, and was away for over 20 years until I had been back again for a visit, (this was years ago) and I still know the mass start to finish! This may be good for some, but not for me.

What ever Church you attend must follow the Bible and fulfill your Biblical needs. You are still responsible for your own personal relationship with The Lord!

God Bless
Pastor Bob

 

[abysmul]

I wonder if it's a regional thing... because around here, most of the non denominational congregations have communion/the Lord's supper regularly.

edit:

Oh, and transubstantiation is not taught or believed in any non denominational congregation that I know of.

 

[Pastor hammer]

I don't believe you need to have communion every Sunday! That is part of the reason I left the "wrote" formate Sunday Church! I was not fulfilled with the spirit from hearing the same thing every Sunday.

Have you, yourself read the Bible?

 

[CountryElder]

Interesting view about Christ being there regardless of the view of the church. I am not sure that is completely true. Is Jesus present even if we don't ask Him to be?...I certainly hope that is true. Even if it is true though, there remains the question of whether one should be in a church that teaches something is not important when I believe it is. Thanks for sharing!

"Where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of them".

CE

 

[Pastor hammer]

Yes, when two or more......

One must follow the Bible as that is the living word! To many Churches are not! Just look at all that are allowing gay marriage just as one example! I know that this is a discussion for a different thread, I just what to make my point that the Bible is key to the Church!

The Bible does not say that you shall share The Lord supper every gathering. The Lord, only did it on the night that he was betrayed.

Pastor Bob

 

[CountryElder]

Yes, when two or more......

One must follow the Bible as that is the living word! To many Churches are not! Just look at all that are allowing gay marriage just as one example! I know that this is a discussion for a different thread, I just what to make my point that the Bible is key to the Church!

The Bible does not say that you shall share The Lord supper every gathering. The Lord, only did it on the night that he was betrayed.

Pastor Bob

Possibly, but it also doesn't say that you shouldn't, and it has been sufficiently documented in historical/Patristic writings that it was indeed their custom. I would venture a guess that your church performs a baptism or ordination in a specific way that is not spelled out step by step in scripture. I understand that a weekly observance has lost meaning for you, but for others it's still a measure of comfort and blessing!

CE

 

[Pastor hammer]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against celebrating the Lords supper every week! I'm just saying its not required!

I'm also glad you brought up Baptism! Some non-denominational are very dead set that total submersion is the only way.

I dedicated two weeks just studying Baptism. Baptism is uniting oneself with Jesus Christ in his birth, death and resurrection! There in nowhere in the Bible that states instructions on how to do it. If Churches which to copy John the Baptist then they should also wear clothing made of camel hear, leather belt, eat locusts and raw honey while doing Baptizms.

Which leads me to this question. What do you think John the Baptist would have done had he been walking across the desert with only a wine skin of water and someone asked him to Baptize them? I don't think he would have turned them down.

My conclusion on Baptism is, that there is no rule on age or how it is preformed. One may also decide to be re-Baptized as an adult. Baptism is not required to get to heaven ether! Example, one of the men crucified with Christ asked that he be remembered, and Jesus said "I promise you today you will be in Paradise with me." Luke 23:43
My guess would be that the man had not been Baptized.

Bob

 

[jinc1019]

I have attended non-denom churches and I am studying to be a Pastor and every church that I have been to has held communion and I tend to uphold communion in the church that I Pastor. The Bible is clear that we hold communion.

You are absolutely right that all churches generally hold some kind of communion service. My questions are about what they teach the communion service actually is and what they teach about what happens at the service.

 

[jinc1019]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against celebrating the Lords supper every week! I'm just saying its not required!

I'm also glad you brought up Baptism! Some non-denominational are very dead set that total submersion is the only way.

I dedicated two weeks just studying Baptism. Baptism is uniting oneself with Jesus Christ in his birth, death and resurrection! There in nowhere in the Bible that states instructions on how to do it. If Churches which to copy John the Baptist then they should also wear clothing made of camel hear, leather belt, eat locusts and raw honey while doing Baptizms.

Which leads me to this question. What do you think John the Baptist would have done had he been walking across the desert with only a wine skin of water and someone asked him to Baptize them? I don't think he would have turned them down.

My conclusion on Baptism is, that there is no rule on age or how it is preformed. One may also decide to be re-Baptized as an adult. Baptism is not required to get to heaven ether! Example, one of the men crucified with Christ asked that he be remembered, and Jesus said "I promise you today you will be in Paradise with me." Luke 23:43
My guess would be that the man had not been Baptized.

Bob

Dear Bob,
All good points. I don't disagree with any of it. I also agree about baptism and salvation and the other requirements many denominations have about baptism that really are not scriptural.