ViaCrucis
Confessional Lutheran
- Oct 2, 2011
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I'm of the position that the Table should be open, not closed; but it's important to consider oneself and where they are when they go up. At my church one isn't going to be given a theological quiz when coming up to the altar; but the Eucharist is meant for baptized, believing Christians. But no one comes to the Table perfect, no one comes to the Table without doubts, without a struggle in faith. We are all beggars who come before Christ's Table, and it is He Himself who gives Himself freely to us in and under these humble elements of bread and wine.
In my opinion, there are good arguments for both Open Communion and Closed Communion.
The Church faithfully obeys Christ by administering His body and blood in the Eucharist, and herein God acts and works to accomplish His grace and healing in us; on some level the individual who comes to the Table is answerable only to God, and God alone knows where they are in life. Nevertheless it is the body and blood of Christ broken and shed for you; because that's what it is, that's what it always is. And also because it is what it is, St. Paul tells us to approach it with due reverence:
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves." - 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
-CryptoLutheran
In my opinion, there are good arguments for both Open Communion and Closed Communion.
The Church faithfully obeys Christ by administering His body and blood in the Eucharist, and herein God acts and works to accomplish His grace and healing in us; on some level the individual who comes to the Table is answerable only to God, and God alone knows where they are in life. Nevertheless it is the body and blood of Christ broken and shed for you; because that's what it is, that's what it always is. And also because it is what it is, St. Paul tells us to approach it with due reverence:
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves." - 1 Corinthians 11:27-29
-CryptoLutheran
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