How biblical is it to have communion only four times a year?

[BlackSaab52]

My Baptist church does it like this, but I think it should be much more regular, even a part of the weekly service. Whay do you all think?

 

[BT]

There is no specific commandment on the frequency of The Lord's Supper. It varies from church to church. We do it once a month. If you think it ought to be more often you should suggest that to your pastor and see what he thinks... or find out from him the reason that it is only 4 times a month..

 

[d0c markus]

4 Times? Wow.... I think it should be done at least once a month if not twice. I'd like to see it done on 1 sunday and 1 wensday night service sometime.

 

[BlackSaab52]

When I read a verse like Acts 2:42 & 46, which state:42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

It seems as if Communion (Lord's Supper, Eucharist, whatever you call it) was a regular part of church meetings. This is just how I see it, though.

 

[Ave Maria]

I come from a Baptist background but I am currently not Baptist. I hope it is okay if I give my opinion. My opinion is that since the Bible does not tell us how often to have Communion, it should be up to each individual church as to how often they do it. However, I think once a month is probably a good frequency. I have heard the argument before that somewhere in the book of Acts it is indicated that the Apostles had Communion every Sunday and so that is the best way to do it. But my own personal opinion is that this is something that should be decided upon after much prayer.

 

[SonOfThunder]

Jesus took this with His disciples behind closed doors at Passover, and yet the First century church started to share a meal and treat it differently than intended, therefore warnings were given. The breaking of the bread and the taking of the wine were symbolic but noteworthy that was part of a larger meal. The Bible is clear on what Spiritual state we must be in to partake of this.

So how often is not clear. Perhaps if you miss a month or two you feel it's been a long time since you remembered Jesus in this way.

I have never taken it yet. But look forward to taking it.

Perhaps talking to your leader might help you in this area. Perhaps there is sound reason why your place of worship do it when they do


James

 

[2Timothy2]

1 Corinthians 11:23-2823 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: 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. 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. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 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. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

I believe this passage shows us the general priciple. That is, the frequency is not the issue, the heart condition is. "As often as ye eat/drink", to me, means "whenever you do it", i.e. no set, specific time frame.

The breaking of bread you mentioned, in Acts2:42, 46, is not necessarily referring to the Lord's Supper observance. I think Luke is trying to show the oneness of the believers at that time. It could be referring to communion, but I think that is a stretch.

Bottom line, frequency just doesn't matter, as long as it is observed, and observed with the proper heart condition. So, it is less Biblical, wrong, to observe the Lord's Table weekly, but with the wrong attitude, than it is to observe it quarterly, or even annually, but with the proper attitude.

 

[Glorianna]

The Bible never says how many times we should take communion so it varies according to each church. I don't think God really cares how often we do it as long as we do it every now and then.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Well I don't know how Biblical or non-Biblical 4 times a year is but I will share what I am going to do.

At my church we do it about once a quarter - which I don't have a problem with, but the service always (or mostly seems) to be an "add on" to the end of a service - the atmosphere almost becomes "hurry up lets get this over with"...........which I struggle with.

So being the teacher/leader of the College/Young Adult Sunday School class, we are going to have our own Commuion/Lord's Supper service when we get to that point in our study of Luke......................we'll see how much trouble I get in for that.....................

 

[Unnamed Servant]

I have a question, why do we formally do it anyway?

Should not our minds always be centered on Christ. Whenever we drink anything should we not be praying to and praising Him? Whenever we eat should we not be remembering His sacrifice for us and our purpose right now?

I think about His blood and body he gave for me all the time, not just when the deacons hand you a cup and a cracker.

Please not that I do not condone this, I believe it is needed because many people do not constently think about the Lord and His sacrifice.

Love-In-Christ,

Unnamed Servant