Closed communion

[Iollain]

Well the warning was for all believers to make sure that no one recieved the ordinance in an unworthy manner. 1 Corinthians 11:27 says, "Therefore, 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." Thus, we believers are supposed to look out for fellow believers, and unbelievers (that's how I interpret it, anyway). If I brought unbelieving friends to church, I would definitely caution them not to recieve communion. If a person does it in ignorance, then I'm sure God would forgive him. But if an unbeliever recieves communion knowing that he's not supposed to, then I doubt any good woud come of the consequences.

Good post Arunma. Also if someone has a particular sin in their life that they are struggling with.

 

[SonOfThunder]

Well the warning was for all believers to make sure that no one recieved the ordinance in an unworthy manner. 1 Corinthians 11:27 says, "Therefore, 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." Thus, we believers are supposed to look out for fellow believers, and unbelievers (that's how I interpret it, anyway). If I brought unbelieving friends to church, I would definitely caution them not to recieve communion. If a person does it in ignorance, then I'm sure God would forgive him. But if an unbeliever recieves communion knowing that he's not supposed to, then I doubt any good woud come of the consequences.

May I comment and give my example.

I am ex Jehovah's Witness and have been in my current Baptist church for a few months. Before I thought about taking communion (we used to call it the emblem) I studied it out as The Jehovah's Witnesses take it once a year and it is offered to only those that are of the 144,000. So all my life I saw no one take it at all.

this is the study I did .

COMMUNION

KOINONIA = a having in common (Koinos), partnership, fellowship. Thus it is used of the common experiences and interests of Christian men,

Of sharing in the realisation of the effects of the blood (ie.) The death of Christ and The Body of Christ, as set forth by the emblems, in The Lord’s Supper.




​

1COR 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?





Is not taking communion refusing the New Covenant?



The communion bread and wine symbolises being in covenant with Jesus



4 (John 6:53 KJV) "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."



John 6:51-"I am the living bread which came down out of heaven; if ANY MAN eat of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."



Are the anointed or just those that saw Jesus or lived in His time given the right to partake of the ‘emblem”? when did this period end Biblically? And is it reserved only for ‘the little flock or 144,000?

Lets take at look at when Jesus shared bread like this with His disciples… first we notice it is at passover, and behind closed doors, so Jesus gave this to a select few on a Special occasion. How often it should be taken may be pinned down to once a year at passover.



WHO are anointed?



4 (1 John 2:27 KJV) "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."



The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

All believers receive the Comforter

and become a temple of the Holy Spirit

that is becoming Anointed



4 (Romans 8:11 KJV) "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

4 (Romans 8:15 KJV) "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

4 (Romans 8:16 KJV) "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

The Spirit is the Anointing

Jesus was anointed when the Spirit descended upon Him as a dove







A warning or teaching is given here to the first century church and it speaks of the taking of The Lords Supper clearly.



1COR 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.



1COR 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.



1COR 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.



1COR 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:



1COR 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.



1COR 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.



1COR 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.



1COR 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.



1COR 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.



1COR 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.



1COR 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.



1COR 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.



1COR 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.



1COR 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.



1COR 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.



Here again is an example of who took this after they believed



ACT 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.



ACT 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.





The term here is Apostles doctrine…. Look into



LUK 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:



LUK 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.



LUK 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:



LUK 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.



LUK 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.



LUK 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.





New Testament, is that new covenant?



1COR 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?



1COR 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.





Sorting out the symbolic to apply to us today is difficult, Jesus is the symbolic Bread and the blood He spilt is also pictured in the cup. As Christians we are partakers symbolically of that Bread and Blood. We accept that Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb and in doing so we are symbolic partakers of his broken body and his spilt blood.




So, after this I knew that it was for all believers and was refused it at the church I go to when it was offered as they practice closed communion.

The Pastor gave all the reasons why you should not pratke, with the warnings the Bible give.

So a believer is refused it on the grounds of the fear of the pastor, that some might take it unworthy.

My thoughts are that the pastor does not know the hearts of each of those taking the bread and the wine, God does. If he offers all the Biblical reasons as to why it is taken and why it cannot be taken and the results of taking it in an unworthy state I think He has done his job as pastor to his flock.

Just my thoughts,

James

 

[R.J.S]

I'm still curious as to the reasoning of those who practice (Baptist's that is) closed (i.e. only those who are a member of the church may participate) communion.

Whilst I am not a baptist I will explain why we have a closed communion.

1 Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

The Lord's supper is a symbol of unity and to let in leaven is to leaven the whole body and so cause disunity.

 

[R.J.S]

So closed communion is done for the benefit of unbelievers.

And for believers

 

[Andyman_1970]

The Lord's supper is a symbol of unity and to let in leaven is to leaven the whole body and so cause disunity.

I understand that. But my example of a Missionary Baptist church (granted your not baptist, but hopefully someone here can comment on this) - if, as I understand it, you're not a member of that specific congregation you cannot participate, even if you are a believer and a Missionary Baptist.

I understand prohibiting unbelievers from participating - I don't understand prohibiting believers from prohibiting based on church membership. I'm sure there is a reason for this, but what it is I have not been able to determine.

 

[arunma]

Some people are concerned that unbelievers might recieve communion, so they rule that only members of the congregation may recieve communion. That way, they're certain that everyone recieving the ordinance is a believer.

Of course, this thinking is flawed, because one could very well have unbelivers in his own congregation. So I agree that it's not the best policy.

 

[eldermike]

Unbelievers DO recieve communion, every time you have it. Jesus had communion with Judas, so do we.
The warnings are redundant, but they give us a chance to reflect every time we have communion. The warnings say that those that are not saved are.........Not saved. And those that are saved but not living for Jesus are.........going to pay a price for the wrong choices they are making. It's not just true for communion, it's true between times of communion. Paul used the time of communion to teach, so should we. However, closing communion to save someone from the conquences of their choices is not biblical. The bible is clear that the choice belongs to the individual, just as salvation is personal, so is the walk.

 

[SonOfThunder]

Unbelievers DO recieve communion, every time you have it. Jesus had communion with Judas, so do we.
The warnings are redundant, but they give us a chance to reflect every time we have communion. The warnings say that those that are not saved are.........Not saved. And those that are saved but not living for Jesus are.........going to pay a price for the wrong choices they are making. It's not just true for communion, it's true between times of communion. Paul used the time of communion to teach, so should we. However, closing communion to save someone from the conquences of their choices is not biblical. The bible is clear that the choice belongs to the individual, just as salvation is personal, so is the walk.

I agree it is not Biblical. Teach, do it well and leave it to the one who wishes to remember Jesus. When we are judged before God we are judged as individuals and if we take it unworthily after knowing what the requirements are then we will reap what we sow.

To date I have never taken communion (and wish to) because the church I go to practice this closed table.

James

 

[arunma]

I agree that unbelievers should be presented with the choice of recieving communion (that is, we should have open communion, ideally). But I also think we should caution unbelievers to not recieve communion. After all, it's true that Judas recieved communion. And look what happened to him. It would have been better for Judas if he were never born!

 

[R.J.S]

I don't understand prohibiting believers from prohibiting based on church membership.

We use letters of commendation so if you are new to the area and you carry a letter then we will let you break bread with us.

We always make sure that the person requesting to fellowship and break bread with us is a born again believer who has been baptised. So on the Lord's day after the request the issue is layed before the assembly and if through the week no objections are made they come into fellowship the next Lord's day.

 

[R.J.S]

Unbelievers DO recieve communion, every time you have it. Jesus had communion with Judas, so do we.

Judas left before Christ instituted the Lord's Supper.

Judas had his communion:

Luke 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

Judas had his covenant:

Luke 22:5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

Judas had his promise:

Luke 22:6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

 

[eldermike]

Judas left before Christ instituted the Lord's Supper.

Judas had his communion:



Judas had his covenant:



Judas had his promise:

LK 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

I noticed you constructed a list of sorts: Communion - Covenant - Promise. What is this all about?

 

[R.J.S]

LK 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

In Luke 22 two cups are used, the one for the Passover (in fact there are four used for the Passover at the time Jesus did this), and the new one for instituting the Lord's Supper.

I noticed you constructed a list of sorts: Communion - Covenant - Promise. What is this all about?

We have our communion with Christ, Judas had his with the unbelievers. We have the New Covenant, Judas has his covenant with the unbelievers. We have our promise in Christ, Judas had his promise from unbelievers.

 

[Iollain]

Judas was there when Jesus was talking about the cup and the bread, if you read all Luke 22.


Luk 22:17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves:


Luk 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.


Luk 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.


Luk 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.


Luk 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me [is] with me on the table.

 

[Andyman_1970]

In Luke 22 two cups are used, the one for the Passover (in fact there are four used for the Passover at the time Jesus did this), and the new one for instituting the Lord's Supper.

With all due respect, the Text does not indicate there is a different cup between the verse 17 reference to cup and the cup in verse 20 - none that I can find at least.

 

[R.J.S]

With all due respect, the Text does not indicate there is a different cup between the verse 17 reference to cup and the cup in verse 20 - none that I can find at least.

"the cup after supper" in verse 20

 

[eldermike]

We have our communion with Christ, Judas had his with the unbelievers. We have the New Covenant, Judas has his covenant with the unbelievers. We have our promise in Christ, Judas had his promise from unbelievers.

Brother, you are constructing something here. Scripture clearly says that Judas was chosen as the one who would betrayed Jesus. John 17 clearly lays this out. Judas was handed over to Satan before He was offered communion.

This is a picture of reality even in our churches today. Some serve Satan, some Jesus. There is no way to understand this other than the way it's written. Jesus knew then who was in the hands of satan, He knows today. Our problem is, we do not know. Notice that the other 11 did not know who it was, so is the situation today, we don't know anymore than they knew.
Communion has to be open.

 

[Andyman_1970]

"the cup after supper" in verse 20

Again with all due respect, there is no indication that it was a different cup from the first cup.

 

[R.J.S]

Communion has to be open.

No brother, communion must be closed!

2 Cor 6:14, 15 "For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?"

 

[eldermike]

No brother, communion must be closed!

Can you show me a scripture that supports this?