Unbelievers and communion

[Hunterpoet]

The thought that has crossed my mind is that unless you have witnessed this individual commit a homosexual act, then it is just speculation; Unless of course he has confessed this sin to you personally.

We really need to guard ourselves against bearing false witness, when we have no intimate knowledge of another persons life.

To discuss whether or not an unbeliever or an unrepentant should partake in the Lords supper is worthwhile.

Anyway, whats done is done, and if you have real concerns for this man's soul, then fasting and prayer are in order I should think.

[Shiloh62]

No one should be overtly denied in that we don't know what people really believe or not.

However all should be made clearly aware prior to the serving of communion of the danger to themselves and the disprect they show toward Christ and Christians by taking communion when they don't believe the same things as the congregation does about doctrine or that they simply have no concept of what communion even is or that they are in open rebellion against Christ and are unrepentent about that.

Our congregation handles that by saying prior to the service that anyone wishing to take communion who is not a member of our congregation should speak to the minister prior to taking communion. However if they don't do that, they still would not be turned away.

An unbeliever should obviosly not take communion.

You put it much better than I could have said it. You are right. Although they should not be refused, as you said, there are ramifications, and the church such as yours should notify them of those.

[stacey c]

I must of been taught about communion different than most. Yes it is the rememberance of what Christ did for us, but it goes much deeper than that.

First off, none of us is worthy to participate in it. All of us have "ites" or issues that need to be worked out of us through out our christian walk, just when you may think you "arrived" God will reveal something else that needs to be broken in us, we will never reach perfection this side of heaven.

IMO when He spoke of "unworthily" I believe it was those who didnot take seriously His sacrafice and it is more a joke of having "wine" and bread at church. I believe it was Paul who was rebuking the church because they thaught it was a time of drunkedness and revelery.

But when we partake of communion, yes we are remembering Christ sacrafice but it is also taking in the power of His death. His blood that was shed for our sins, and His body that was broken for us. His blood and body that cleanses our sins, breaks yokes and bondages, and makes me whole. There is power in communion.

I for myself would not dare to judge anyone who may say they are christian but struggle in one area of sin or another. Sin is sin is sin reguardless of what the sin is. So if this man is gay, and professes salvation and struggles with his homesexuality knowing it is sin, pray for him, he just took in the power of the cross to break those chains and bondages!!!

[Shiloh62]

The thought that has crossed my mind is that unless you have witnessed this individual commit a homosexual act, then it is just speculation; Unless of course he has confessed this sin to you personally.

We really need to guard ourselves against bearing false witness, when we have no intimate knowledge of another persons life.

To discuss whether or not an unbeliever or an unrepentant should partake in the Lords supper is worthwhile.

Anyway, whats done is done, and if you have real concerns for this man's soul, then fasting and prayer are in order I should think.

You are right hunter-who are we to judge- I revise my statement, I will pray for them and leave it for God to decide.Thanks for the correction.

[EricH]

Two of my christian friends were just married on Friday. The bride's father is a homosexual. During the ceremony the wedding party and the parents all celebrated communion. The bride's father is the only one that I knew was not a professing christian. Just curious if some have thoughts on this. If you need more detail, I can provide more. I'd love to here your opinions on this.

It does not make much sense for an unbeliever to celebrate communion because it is a remembrance of what jesus jas done in our lives. It would be like an umarried person celebrating their wedding anniversary.

[Smalcald]

Well it is serious business, it is unfair of us to not warn people of the danger they are in when they do not recognize the power of communion. Consider 1 Corinthians

7Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep

Sinning against the the body and blood of the lord! This is serious and I feel that we have an obligation to people to warn them against taking communion if they are not Christians in communion with those who are taking communion. They could get sick, they could die.

[paul1149]

I was at a healing service at a United Methodist Church six weeks ago, and they practiced open communion. First time I've seen it. Anyone could partake. I really am not comfortable with that. I don't go so far as requiring church membership and that sort of paper trail, I think I'd leave it up to individual conscience, but I think the sanctity of the communion - and the good conscience of both the unbeliever and believer on this issue - demands some kind of standard.

On the other end RCs don't even allow their people to partake in Prot. communion. I understand why they prohibit Prots from partaking in RC communion, because of the high view RCs have of both communion and the church, but I don't understand why their own people can't partake in Prot communion, if everyone is acknowledging that physically Prot communion is symbolic. But then I've read stories of how Christian prisoners under persecution shared RC communion in jail; the priest tossed the rules aside. Lots of things I don't understand, and at this point I'm not even sure I want to.

p.

[Believer1997]

I was at a healing service at a United Methodist Church six weeks ago, and they practiced open communion. First time I've seen it. Anyone could partake. I really am not comfortable with that. I don't go so far as requiring church membership and that sort of paper trail, I think I'd leave it up to individual conscience, but I think the sanctity of the communion - and the good conscience of both the unbeliever and believer on this issue - demands some kind of standard.

On the other end RCs don't even allow their people to partake in Prot. communion. I understand why they prohibit Prots from partaking in RC communion, because of the high view RCs have of both communion and the church, but I don't understand why their own people can't partake in Prot communion, if everyone is acknowledging that physically Prot communion is symbolic. But then I've read stories of how Christian prisoners under persecution shared RC communion in jail; the priest tossed the rules aside. Lots of things I don't understand, and at this point I'm not even sure I want to.

p.

I personally do not see anything wrong with offering communion to an open congregation - if you are a Christian and you are reconciled with God - it is a blessed sacrament that one should feel good in partaking of. I don't think I've ever been at another church when communion was being served and I was "carded" or questioned on my belief...

[paul1149]

Believer, I'm not sure if you are agreeing, disagreeing, or making a further point. But I'm in agreement with you. The healing service I referred to was an open Saturday morning affair, well-publicized, and no mention was made that communicants should be believers in Christ. Anyone could well have been there. They simply said it was open to all. That's not the way I would do it.

bb,

p.

[Believer1997]

Believer, I'm not sure if you are agreeing, disagreeing, or making a further point. But I'm in agreement with you. The healing service I referred to was an open Saturday morning affair, well-publicized, and no mention was made that communicants should be believers in Christ. Anyone could well have been there. They simply said it was open to all. That's not the way I would do it.

bb,

p.

Well, Paul - I think it's up to the conscience of the participant.... IF they are Christian and are reconciled with God and have a repentant heart - I see nothing wrong with having an open communion. I do not know why someone who is not a Christian would 1. Be at a healing service and 2. Desire to take Communion ... so I think the celebration was offered to Christians and it was well meant. Blessings to you, also