Communion - Bread and Wine

[Smalcald]

I have a different take on what communion is, BUT I don't want to sidetrack on that issue as it was really not your question.

Communion is as you say a sacred thing, but that would mean that regardless of how worthy or unworthy we are when we take communion it would not hurt others or the Body of Christ, Sacred is still sacred, it could however hurt us.

But what does that mean as you point out? For me it goes back to the instructions given by Paul. Know what you are doing in communion, know that you have faith in Christ, know what your congregation believes about communion and accept that belief, and really and truly believe that your sins are forgiven. If you believe these things yes partake. If you have questions about them it is better to wait.

[~Shalhevet~]

What makes one unworthy to take communion?

[BFP]

I think a preachers kid grows up with a perpetual guilty conscience, and it doesn't help any at the communion table. My biggest guilt, I think is that I smoke...and that is what you would call a deliberate sin...something I know I shouldn't do and I do anyway because I can't seem to break the habit.

I feel guilty if I *think* the wrong thoughts about other people...I feel guilty over ANYTHING! And I'm not talking passing guilt...I am talking real guilt. I was brought up to be guilty...I was the oldest of four kids and expected to be the perfect example of a good Christian 'seen and not heard' from the time I was very young. I got hauled out the the car during church for spankings almost every Sunday...usually for giggling with my siblings during services. Nothing was ever good enough.

Through all that, one thing that was always impressed apon me was that you never came to the Lords table guilty. So communion to me has always been a big scary unobtainable thing that I am supposed to be doing to please God, but I never feel good enough to be pleasing to God. Any slip up during the week...any judgements made while sitting in church...like "wow, that person is big!" Can alter my whole idea when that bread comes around:>)

I know I am saved by grace, and forgiven...I know all that...but for the life of me I can never *feel* good enough to be at that table. Somtimes the Lord really pushes me to take communion, in the starngest ways:>) But for the most part I do not because I cannot measure up. Not a healthy way of thinking, I know...that is why I am asking all these questions and trying to get this all straightened out in my own life:>)

[BFP]

What makes one unworthy to take communion?

My question is...how could anyone think they are worthy?

[BFP]

I think I found it! I entered your question...what makes one unworthy to partake...and came up with this sermon...great read! Thanks for posting that question Or'el Shalhevet! It helped me answer mine! Here's the link...

http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/2007-0...orthy/%E2%80%9D

[georgedrw81]

Communion is taken when one feels they should. It is a reminder of Jesus love for us.

Blessings

[CAP73]

I have never not taken communion when offered...yet. I always search my heart for any unforgiven sin and ask for forgiveness before I'll take communion. There have been times I've had to take it a little after everyone else.

[KC02]

I think your question answers your question Communion is a time for self examination and to remember and refocus on Jesus.

I'm not certain how many feel they are "worthy" but I never have. I always see the reality that I need more and more of God's grace in my life. Perhaps that's what it's all about.

What makes one unworthy to take communion?

My question is...how could anyone think they are worthy?

[Bold Believer]

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank You. Now does this mean that if you partake in an unworthy state you can make not only yourself, but the congregation weak/sick...or does this mean you will only bring judgement and sickness on yourself?

What happened today is this...I was there with friends who are not married but living together...they partook and I did not, partially because I wanted to let them know somehow that maybe they should not be partaking...let them question why I was not. And they did ask me why I did not partake...I told them because I didn't understand communion but know there are spiritual connotations involved and that I was a little confused about communion. I told them if they were confused maybe they should speak to the pastor.

(one of them is baptised as an adult, the other as a baby to the Catholic church)

Anyway...communion is a very sacred and spiritual thing to me, and many times I do not partake...actually most times I don't. Like I said earlier, I partake when God puts it bluntly that morning that I should. He does lead me:>)

I believe it means on yourself. No one can be held responsible for the sins of another. Now if a pastor has absolute knowledge of sin on someone's part, he can refuse to serve them.

[As to your friends' situation, that's a question of a whole 'nother thang (as we say down South). A marriage 'ceremony' doesn't make a marriage. A marriage license doesn't make one either. If this man has taken this woman as his wife, who are we to say they are fornicating? They may be more committed then some people who've been through the whole ceremony/licensing thing. If your male friend was cohabitating with a different woman every other day, then yes, I'd say he's fornicating (and vice versa for the woman). ]

[HAZARD]

Okay...I am NOT a new Christian...I'm a preachers kid brought up in a Brethren church and currently attend another non denominational church. In my life as Christian I have always been confused by communion. In the Brethren churches it is a very closed meeting that takes place before the 'family bible hour' meeting. In the 'closed' meeting they partake of bread and wine every Sunday, and that is when offering is taken as well. You must be baptised to take part in this meeting, and there is more...living your life to a certain standard before God. If you have been convicted of a sin such as molesting a child or something big like that you would be told that you cannot attend the closed communion meeting.

In the church I attend now, and in most churches today the communion is open to all and no questions are asked. But doesn't the Bible tell us somewhere that to do it this way can make the congregation sick? I have a huge hang up with communion and really search myslef well before partaking...and most times do not partake. Sometimes GOd slaps me upside the head and TELLS me to take of it, but most times I am just confused about wether I will be causing more harm thatn good by taking it (heart not in the right place, rough week, sins in the previous week (not big ones, but sins nonetheless) )

Anyway I know there are some wise people on here from many denominations...what is your take...when should, or shouldn't one partake in communion?

Scripture proves the Lords supper is the outward rite in which believers eat broken bread, not flesh, and drink the fruit of the vine, not blood. to COMMEMORATE the broken body and the shed blood of Jesus Christ until He comes again (READ, Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:17-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 11:20-30), there is not excuse for believing otherwise.

The "symbols," the "bread" and the "wine," will always remain just that, "literal bread and wine" regardless of who or what prayer is said over them. No man can change these elements into Jesus Christs real flesh and blood in any sense. To believe otherwise is pure paganism, idolatry, and superstition.

Transubstantiation was declared and decreed by Pope Innocent 111 in the year 1215 A.D. By this doctrin the priest pretends to perform a daily miracle by changing a wafer into the body of Christ, and then he pretends to eat Him alive in the presence of the people during Mass. The Gospel condems such adsurdities. Holy Communion is simply a memorial of the sacrifice of Christ (Luke 22:19,, 20; John 6:35; 1 Cor:26). The adoration of the wafer (HOST) was invented by Pope Honorius in 1220 A.D. The Catholic Church also made it obligatory to have communion at leats one per week, and even every day if possible. Priests have communion four or five times per day, which means, every time they say mass.

Haz.