Knowing when and how to take communion can be difficult. After all, we want to do Christ's will, but fear to do so unworthily. For church leaders and pastors the issues are even more complex. How do we fence the table? Do we allow children and visitors to take the Lord's Supper? Do we open up to any professing Christians, or just to our members? Church leaders must not only safeguard themselves, but all their flock as well, lest any eat or drink unworthily.
In view of these complexities, we here at Joffre The Giant have taken the time to draw up two flow-charts to aid both lay-people and church leaders in their prayerful meditations over how and when to take the Supper of Jesus Christ. We hope that these are helpful, and not overly-complex.
First, for the man in the pew, who is wondering whether or not he should take communion as it passes by him on Sunday:
Now for pastors and church leaders, as they seek to best preserve the Supper.
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Well done. That which makes us worthy is the slain Lamb of God. Man would never be worthy if he were to look at his own performance.
ReplyDeletePeople bring up the issue of suspension from the table. But the 1 Cor 11 text warns of judgements during the action the body will do as a whole. You can't decide not to be part of the body. But you can repent. In other words, Paul calls sinners to stop sinning, but he never says to abstain.
ReplyDeleteBut we know the meal as a sign of sin forgiven. So it is a forgiveness to all who come in faith. It is, on the other hand, a threat to church members who hate God by idolatry, gross public immorality, or other intentional rebellion.
No worries for sinners who use the meal to signify forgiveness.
Curse to the mockers of God who bear his name.
By this token we see it is no threat to children baptised into his name. People worry that they are not mature enough to repent correctly. But far from it, faithful children are not mature enough to commit these wicked sins. But they are mature enough to have faith in the womb (Ps 22.9-10). And mature enough to praise at the breast (Ps 8.2).
So baptized infants can follow the top chart too.