Is not taking communion a sin?

[strelok0017]

I am a bit perplexed by this. It's not just a theological matter but also a personal one which is why I'm asking.

 

[Erth]

 

[Hammster]

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

That sounds like a command to me.

 

[Boidae]

Not really sure.

Our church has communion once a year on Easter.

 

[Bella Vita]

No it is actually worse to take communion if you are not ready for it or are still living in sin. Communion is a serious thing and a person needs to be in a right place with God before taking it. Taking it just because everyone else is is wrong.

 

[Alithis]

No it is actually worse to take communion if you are not ready for it or are still living in sin. Communion is a serious thing and a person needs to be in a right place with God before taking it. Taking it just because everyone else is is wrong.

i agree .but perhaps i would word it ..it is sinful to take communion of you do not recognize the whole body of Christ or if you harbor Un-forgiveness in your heart.

 

[catch21wide]

From how I understand the Bible and preach it, if you feel like you don't need to take part of communion then you shouldn't. Only if you feel you are truly right with the Lord and you believe you can take a worthy part of the service.

 

[Alithis]

hmm i dunno catch..

it is not by worthiness, but need, that we come to the cross .. so i don't think one needs to be worthy .. just have faith and forgive as you have been forgiven and admit to God your own failings asking for forgiveness .. and you will leave justified by faith

 

[truefiction1]

Partake as often as possible with a penitent heart. Use prayer, fasting, and confession of sins to attain this inner disposition. Communion is the wedding feast of the Lord's parable. Make no excuses not to attend, and cloth yourself with the garment of repentance rather than showing up without proper spiritual attire, only to be ultimately bound and cast out to a place where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth".

For those of us living in this world amidst constant temptations and earthly cares, I would think that we should regard the receiving of Communion only once per year to be unacceptable -- even unthinkable.

 

[Alithis]

Not really sure.

Our church has communion once a year on Easter.

i find that a bit sad .. "Do this as often as you gather ,in remembrance of me..."

 

[ChaseWind]

i find that a bit sad .. "Do this as often as you gather ,in remembrance of me..."

I have been searching for the phrase you have in quotes and cannot find that in the Scripture. What version of the Bible are you quoting and what is the reference? I'd like to study that verse if you will supply it.

 

[Hammster]

I have been searching for the phrase you have in quotes and cannot find that in the Scripture. What version of the Bible are you quoting and what is the reference? I'd like to study that verse if you will supply it.

My in-laws (Church of Christ) haves used this "verse" to base weekly communion on (and for the record, I don't have a problem with taking the Lord's Supper weekly).

But the "verse" isn't in the bible.

 

[Hentenza]

The question should be: Why not take communion in remembrance of Christ if one loves Christ?

1 Cor. 11
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number [s]sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Are those not taking communion examining themselves?

 

[Erth]

I am a bit perplexed by this. It's not just a theological matter but also a personal one which is why I'm asking.

I think I see now what you said. I thought you were trying to say that it is a sin to commune. That is usually what your question would imply. But what you wanted to ask was perhaps something like this:

Is it a sin to refuse to take communion?

 

[ChaseWind]

My in-laws (Church of Christ) haves used this "verse" to base weekly communion on (and for the record, I don't have a problem with taking the Lord's Supper weekly).

But the "verse" isn't in the bible.

The Lutheran and Episcopal churches have the Lord's Supper or Eucharist the central point of the service. I checked in Luther's Larger Catechism to see if I'd find that quote. Here is what Luther wrote on the Lord's Supper:

"However, if you say: But
the words are added, As oft as ye do it; there He compels no
one, but leaves it to our free choice, answer: That is true,
yet it is not written that we should never do so. Yea, just
because He speaks the words, As oft as ye do it, it is
nevertheless implied that we should do it often; and it is
added for the reason that He wishes to have the Sacrament
free, not limited to special times, like the Passover of the
Jews, which they were obliged to eat only once a year, and
that just upon the fourteenth day of the first full moon in
the evening, and which they must not vary a day. As if He
would say by these words: I institute a Passover or Supper for
you which you shall enjoy not only once a year, just upon this
evening, but often, when and where you will, according to
every one's opportunity and necessity, bound to no place or
appointed time; although the Pope afterwards perverted it, and
again made a Jewish feast of it."

When "quotes" are used, I expect some authoritative source or the quote to be attributed to some person or writing.

 

[branchofthevine]

Well it depends on the situation. Under normal circumstances, when everything it fine, then I suppose it would be, but why would you not take it then? However, I think that if you have sin in your heart, or if there is an offense between a brother or sister in Christ than I think this principle is important to keep in mind:
"Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24)

First, reconcile ourselves to our brother or sister, or reconcile our sin to God, and then take communion with a glad and thankful heart.


but again, under normal circumstances, it probably would be.

 

[grandma dolittle]

No it is actually worse to take communion if you are not ready for it or are still living in sin. Communion is a serious thing and a person needs to be in a right place with God before taking it. Taking it just because everyone else is is wrong.

Very true!

 

[strelok0017]

Yeah, my question was if it was a sin to skip it if I discovered I had a sin in my life I wasn't really aware of or am battling some kind of lust (not sexual). I know that the Bible says that we must test ourselves before we do it because we might end up drinking judgment.

How should I take communion then? I know I gotta be repentant and broken or rejoicing in the Lord but I'm not sure if I should take it. I try to test my conscience each time but I always find a flaw.

 

[Erth]

Yeah, my question was if it was a sin to skip it if I discovered I had a sin in my life I wasn't really aware of or am battling some kind of lust (not sexual). I know that the Bible says that we must test ourselves before we do it because we might end up drinking judgment.

How should I take communion then? I know I gotta be repentant and broken or rejoicing in the Lord but I'm not sure if I should take it. I try to test my conscience each time but I always find a flaw.

You find flaws in yourself? Is not that a good thing though?

Traditional churches have the sacrament of confession to work out issues like those you described, like questions about ones conscience, about when it is right to receive the gifts and when it is not right, etc.

 

[strelok0017]

My Church takes communion once a month. We don't practice the sacrament of confession but I know about it and the procedure. It's not just that I find flaws but unresolved problems. Therefore I'm unqualified for the communion. I think.