A question of practice resurfaced just a few evenings ago. I recall that as a high school student I took communion at Crossroads as part of the worship service, sunday morning high school class, wednesday night high school class, and a camping trip at Lake Berryessa. The unspoken idea that was conveyed during this time was that taking communion could only help you; the more you got your hands on the bread and wine, the better.
I have since come to disagree with this strategy for communion-taking and now believe that where the church exists, it should only be taken in the worship service. Coming to this view required first a clearer view of what the church is- my assumption for this post is that the Reformed tradition's definition of the church is reasonable and valid: the word preached, the sacraments administered, and church discipline.
Our idea that taking extra helpings of communion could only help does not stand up to the bibles teaching. 1 Corinthians 11 says that whoever fails to discern the body when they take communion eats and drinks judgment upon himself. Taking communion casually does not benefit, and has awful consequences. This is a very, very stern warning to not treat the sacred as the profane.
I believe that the definition of the church is key. How do we prevent people from taking the supper in vain? Someone needs to be preaching the gospel, explaining the spiritual reality behind the carnal signs, so that those who participate will sincerely remember the Lord and proclaim his death. Additionally, someone should be conducting church discipline, making sure that those who due to the hardness of the hearts would take the supper in vain are prevented from doing so. For those reasons, I think that communion should only be taken in the main worship service where pastors and elders are present (unless you're meeting in a basement in China, or whatever other exception you can think of). Where the opportunity exists to take communion every week in the worship service, why would we offer it in other settings?
So the question was: where is it right to give communion, and why? I realize that I've done mostly answering and not asking in this post, but Ive answered using only 1 scripture, and only from my own perspective, so I wanted to post here for our mutual edificaiton. I'm interested to know if you have thought about this before, and why you came to your conclusions.
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PS happy reformation day!
ReplyDeletewhat about those who work at say a summer camp for the summer? if they stay at the camp on sundays, have a bible study and want to take communion can they, if there is no "pastor" there to govern?
ReplyDelete(unless you're meeting in a basement in China, or whatever other exception you can think of). i think this quote might get you in a bit of trouble, just because if biblical guidelines are to be used can you make exceptions, such as being in a basement in china?? or should we always hold the same measuring rod to everyone? and if not then what are the exceptions?
We could think of a lot of exceptions.
ReplyDeleteMy thought was, is there a distinction between exceptional and ordinary? And if it exists does the ordinary take priority?
i think there is an "ideal" situation in which it is to be taken, and that is at your home church together as a family. but i wouldn't stop someone from taking it if they are on a missions trip with the local church, or there are a couple of other situations i would probably permit. i think the important part is the "spirit" in which its taken the "let a person examine himself, then, and so eat the bread and drink of the cup." (vs 28) is really the issue. is it being taken:
ReplyDelete1.) without remembering Christ (vs.24,25,26)
2.) done in the same manner in which we eat our regular meals (vs.22,34)
3.) without examining his/her ownself (vs.28)
4.) without discerning (or considering) the rest of the congregation (vs.29,33)
i don't know if this helps or not. if these are the criteria would you still not see taking it at waterski weekend permitable, if it's done by all believers together that are there?
i'm not saying i disagree i'm just thinking outloud and think that you have raised a great issue for us to consider.