SHOULD
COMMUNION, i.e., THE LORD'S SUPPER be Open, Closed,
or Close? ~ What is the difference? Glad you asked.
Open Communion: All Christian believers present at the time the Lord's Supper is celebrated, local church members or visitors, can participate in remembering Christ through receiving the elements. The individual person determines if he/she is spiritually ready to receive the Lord's Supper.
Closed Communion: Only members of that local church fellowship may participate in the Lord's Supper celebration.
Close Communion: Local church members and visitors from other church fellowships in the same denomination may participate in the Lord's Table celebration.
Open Communion: All Christian believers present at the time the Lord's Supper is celebrated, local church members or visitors, can participate in remembering Christ through receiving the elements. The individual person determines if he/she is spiritually ready to receive the Lord's Supper.
Closed Communion: Only members of that local church fellowship may participate in the Lord's Supper celebration.
Close Communion: Local church members and visitors from other church fellowships in the same denomination may participate in the Lord's Table celebration.
Confusing? I agree. And I do not believe Jesus Christ
meant to confuse anyone when in Luke 22:19 we read, "He
took bread, gave thanks and broke it,
and gave it to them, saying, 'This
is My body which is given for you; do this
in remembrance of Me.' "
So what is the difference between the three Communion practices? The following excerpt comes from GotQuestions (dot) org:
* * * The difference between “Open” and “Closed” communion hinges on a church’s view of the purpose of communion and the authority of the church. Churches that practice “open” communion invite all professed believers in Christ to join them in observing the ordinance.
Churches that practice “Closed” communion limit involvement in the Lord’s Supper to their own local body - only official members in good standing are allowed to partake.
Some churches practice a third type, which they call “Close” communion. In “Close” communion members of other churches in the same denomination are allowed to break bread together with the members of the local church. * * *
In a given local church fellowship, who decides who can participate in the Lord's Supper? Is it the pastor, the deacons or elders, their denomination? Who makes that spiritual decision?
I ask myself, "When Jesus 'took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me' - who was He addressing when 'He gave the elements to them'?" "Them" at that time referred to His apostles who were sharing the Passover Meal with Him in the Upper Room on that particular evening.
But when He said, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" - I am convinced His "you" was addressing all believers down through the ages. Jesus Christ did not die just for His apostles - He did not die just for pastors, elders, deacons. He did not die just for Baptists, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. He did not die just for a given denomination. No, Jesus Christ died on the cross to offer salvation and eternal life to ALL who will believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior.
Nowhere in that Luke 22:19 verse, or anywhere in the Bible, do I see Jesus Christ telling any denomination, any church, any pastor, elder, deacon - that THEY should judge who is saved, who is a believer, who is spiritually fit to join Him at His Lord's Table.
Think about it. A person, a church, or a denomination which tells a person, "You cannot take the Lord's Supper with us, because you might not be a real believer" - is placing himself, his church, his denomination in the position of being God, of passing judgment on another - just because that person is not a member of his local fellowship.
I must ask that person, church, or denomination, "Are you that SURE that all members of your local church, the ones with whom you are willing to take the Lord's Supper - are they ALL true believers?" If not, then using your criteria, you must deny them Communion. How will YOU judge which in your own fellowship deserve to receive Communion?
How can you be sure? The solution is simple. Offer the Lord's Supper to all who are attending your Communion Service - and leave it to that individual and to God to judge who is fit to sit at His Table. In my understanding of the Bible, in over 33 years of study, that is what is taught in God's Word.
One last thought on that subject: I attribute my salvation to a man, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, through whose Godly love, patience, and guidance I was able to see my path to the foot of the cross, where Jesus Christ died for me and where He was inviting me to become an adopted child of God, through Him. But to be honest, even though I feel it with ever fiber of my being, that Pastor Sam is a true believer - I cannot say with absolute certainty that is true. Only Pastor Sam and God know for sure.
What I do know is that if Pastor Sam had not loved me to the cross - most likely I would still be wandering in the perverted secular world today - walking toward an eternity without God, an eternity in hell. But praise God, I am a child of God, because of the Light I saw through and in Pastor Sam.
But if I am a leader in a church which practices Closed Communion or Close Communion - I would have to tell Pastor Sam that he cannot join me and Jesus Christ in the Lord's Supper celebration - because he is not a member of our local fellowship and therefore I am not sure he is really a believer. Do you see the gaping fallacy in either of the Closed or Close Communion practices?
Most church fellowships which practice Closed or Close Communion also have the restriction that only a believer who has been baptized, preferably in their church fellowship, can participate in the Lord's Supper. Really? Then the thief on the cross could not participate at your Lord's Table - for he was not baptized. "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' " (Luke 23:43) He can be in Jesus Christ's Paradise - but he cannot participate in your Lord's Supper celebration.
In those churches who practice Closed or Close Communion, my mother, if she were alive, could not join us in the Lord's Supper - because she was not baptized. My step-father had her in a cult church for 20 years. But before she died in a nursing home, I was able to get her connected with a Bible-believing Baptist church where the pastor led her to the Lord. He told me, "Bill, I led her in the Sinners' Prayer, but because of her strokes I am not sure she understood fully." And I told him, that is why I had not tried to do it over the phone while she was in the nursing home in Little Rock.
Yet, God is so gracious. For at her viewing, before the people came, I stood by her casket and I heard a revelation telling me, "Don't worry. She is with Me now." I have never heard such a revelation about myself, although I have no doubt of my salvation. But through His grace, I did receive that revelation from the Holy Spirit about her - and it was not my imagination. For it was totally unexpected.
Yet she could not take Communion at a church which practices Closed or Close Communion. Really? That is a true case of: "God said she is saved - Man said I am not sure" - so she has to be excluded from celebrating the Lord's Supper. Not according to Jesus Christ.
More about the Lord's Supper ~ The Lord's Supper is NOT a one time event. Jesus tells us to do this "in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). How often does your church remember Jesus Christ and what He did to offer us eternal life? That is reflected in how often your church fellowship celebrates the Lord's Supper?
Should we call it Communion - or should we call it the Lord's Supper? Either is correct, but let's examine both. Calling it the Lord's Supper is probably most common and, for me, has a deeper meaning. What is more personal and intimate than coming to the table to share a meal with friends and family?
Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine (or sup) with him, and he with Me." That is the ultimate intimacy, being at the Lord's Supper Table. That implies we are in personal communion with Him - just as when we sit, pray, and eat with our immediate family. It is a form of Communion, but I personally prefer to consider it dining at the Lord's Supper Table - with Him.
Let's look at the way several leading theologians define the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A. Dr. Wayne Grudem: His book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" (1311 pages) is considered a standard textbook in most seminaries. In his shorter version of the same book, which I have in my personal library, titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith" (528 pages) - chapter 28, pages 387-394, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
B. Dr. Wayne Grudem: His book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" - in chapter 50, pages 996-997, tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
C. Dr. Ron Rhodes: Dr. Rhodes is president of "Reasoning From Scripture Ministries," and author. He is also adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot Seminary (Biola), and Veritas Evangelical Seminary. He tells us his book "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" - chapter twenty-four, pages 229-230:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Since we participate in the Lord’s Supper in Remembrance of Him and His Redemptive Work on the cross - it would seem that we should do this fairly often. Since becoming a believer in 1987, I have been in different Filipino-American Baptist churches in Southern California - and typically we have always celebrated the Lord's Supper once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month, at the close of our regular worship service.
The Lord's Supper we receive at the close of our worship service is always a special blessing and a source of additional spiritual strength to help us face the coming week in the secular world. Typically on the first Sunday of each month, we close the worship service by having the elders, or other spiritually mature members, pass the elements (unleavened wafers and grape juice) to the congregation.
As this is being done, our pastor will review and share Scripture relating to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). And then, together, we and our believing visitors, participate in the eating of the wafer, symbolizing His body, and the drinking the grape juice, symbolizing His blood shed for us.
Our pastor will explain that the Lord's Supper is a time for all believers to do a spiritual examination of himself or herself. That it is a time to for all believers to renew our focus on Christ, our Christian walk, and our Christian obedience. Then our pastor will remind those present during the worship service that the Lord's Supper is only for those who have believed and received Him as Lord and Savior.
He will assure those who are not yet believers that we do not look down upon them for not being able to participate at that time - but that we sincerely pray that they will make the decision to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.
Actually, before we celebrate the Lord's Supper, that would be a great time to have an altar call. For then those who do make a decision at that time to follow Christ - can then participate in their first Lord's Supper celebration. What a wonderful way to start their Christian life.
How often does YOUR church fellowship "Do this in remembrance of Him"? ~ Daily, weekly, monthly, once a year, once every three years, never? Once again, my personal feelings are that it should be done frequently enough to stay in faith with His teaching, yet not so frequent that it becomes a ritual and loses its flavor. Taking Communion every day or every week, for me, would bring it into the realm of being a ritual.
Yet a church which only partakes of the Lord's Supper every six months, once a year, or once every several years - gives me the feeling that this church places no real value on His declaration, "do this in remembrance of Me." I have to ask, "Does this church really have a relationship with Jesus Christ - if it remembers Him only every few years?"
What message would that send to your church fellowship, to visitors, when your church does not celebrate the Lord's Supper - or only does it once every few years?
As I suggested above, the Lord's Supper should not be a major, all day affair. It is most effective when seen as an adjunct spiritual blessing closing our regular worship service once a month. It is like our monthly "spiritual vitamin boost" to sustain us in our secular world.
Another view of making the Lord's Supper a major feast event is reflected in the apostle Paul's admonition to the church at Corinth.
In 1 Corinthians11:20-34 the apostle Paul admonishes the church at Corinth because they made the Lord's Supper into a major meal or feast - when it really should be seen as a Spiritual Snack (my interpretation) meant to fill us Spiritually, not Physically. Come in reverence, simplicity, and pureness of heart to His Table. That is what He asks us to do, often enough to be special, not so often as to become a Religious Ritual - "do this in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, ! Corinthians 11:24 and 25).
Once again, it is my personal view and belief, but I believe that the Lord's Supper should be celebrated on a monthly basis in every church - and that ALL believers present that day, local members and visitors, should participate. Food for thought? I pray this has given you sincere Christian food for thought.
While there are churches which teach that only members of that local church fellowship can partake of the celebration - I personally believe that when our Lord told us in Luke 22:19, "do this in remembrance of Me" - He was speaking to ALL believers, not just a local fellowship. And what kind of Christian community would we be if we cannot welcome and share the Lord's Table with visiting brethren?
The following two short videos will help us better understand the meaning and responsibility of participating in the Lord's Supper.
The first video is a short, 4 minute, animated explanation taken from GotQuestions web site and is a good review of that special form of worship:
The second short video (3 1/2 minutes) is one I made from a PowerPoint Presentation based upon chapters 48 through 50 of Dr. Wayne Grudem's book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine." This 1311 page book published in 1994 has virtually become a standard textbook in most Christian seminaries.
There is a shorter version of his book titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings Of The Christian Faith" published in 1999. A pastor Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, gifted me this shorter book of Christian doctrines which has been a true blessing in my Christian writing ministry. And I have Dr. Grudem's initial book "Systematic Theology" downloaded into my computer in Adobe PDF format. So I can study from both.
In this short presentation video, chapter 48 speaks of the church, chapter 49 speaks of Baptism, and chapter 50 addresses the Lord's Supper. Below is the text from a slide in the presentation which speaks of what I have tried to express earlier regarding participating in the Lord's Supper:
You can view this PowerPoint based video at:
I pray this discussion of the "The Two Ordinances" has been helpful to you - and that your church family is enjoying the spiritual blessings of regular visits to the Lord's Table.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
So what is the difference between the three Communion practices? The following excerpt comes from GotQuestions (dot) org:
* * * The difference between “Open” and “Closed” communion hinges on a church’s view of the purpose of communion and the authority of the church. Churches that practice “open” communion invite all professed believers in Christ to join them in observing the ordinance.
Churches that practice “Closed” communion limit involvement in the Lord’s Supper to their own local body - only official members in good standing are allowed to partake.
Some churches practice a third type, which they call “Close” communion. In “Close” communion members of other churches in the same denomination are allowed to break bread together with the members of the local church. * * *
In a given local church fellowship, who decides who can participate in the Lord's Supper? Is it the pastor, the deacons or elders, their denomination? Who makes that spiritual decision?
I ask myself, "When Jesus 'took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me' - who was He addressing when 'He gave the elements to them'?" "Them" at that time referred to His apostles who were sharing the Passover Meal with Him in the Upper Room on that particular evening.
But when He said, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" - I am convinced His "you" was addressing all believers down through the ages. Jesus Christ did not die just for His apostles - He did not die just for pastors, elders, deacons. He did not die just for Baptists, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, etc. He did not die just for a given denomination. No, Jesus Christ died on the cross to offer salvation and eternal life to ALL who will believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior.
Nowhere in that Luke 22:19 verse, or anywhere in the Bible, do I see Jesus Christ telling any denomination, any church, any pastor, elder, deacon - that THEY should judge who is saved, who is a believer, who is spiritually fit to join Him at His Lord's Table.
Think about it. A person, a church, or a denomination which tells a person, "You cannot take the Lord's Supper with us, because you might not be a real believer" - is placing himself, his church, his denomination in the position of being God, of passing judgment on another - just because that person is not a member of his local fellowship.
I must ask that person, church, or denomination, "Are you that SURE that all members of your local church, the ones with whom you are willing to take the Lord's Supper - are they ALL true believers?" If not, then using your criteria, you must deny them Communion. How will YOU judge which in your own fellowship deserve to receive Communion?
How can you be sure? The solution is simple. Offer the Lord's Supper to all who are attending your Communion Service - and leave it to that individual and to God to judge who is fit to sit at His Table. In my understanding of the Bible, in over 33 years of study, that is what is taught in God's Word.
One last thought on that subject: I attribute my salvation to a man, Pastor Sam Lacanienta, through whose Godly love, patience, and guidance I was able to see my path to the foot of the cross, where Jesus Christ died for me and where He was inviting me to become an adopted child of God, through Him. But to be honest, even though I feel it with ever fiber of my being, that Pastor Sam is a true believer - I cannot say with absolute certainty that is true. Only Pastor Sam and God know for sure.
What I do know is that if Pastor Sam had not loved me to the cross - most likely I would still be wandering in the perverted secular world today - walking toward an eternity without God, an eternity in hell. But praise God, I am a child of God, because of the Light I saw through and in Pastor Sam.
But if I am a leader in a church which practices Closed Communion or Close Communion - I would have to tell Pastor Sam that he cannot join me and Jesus Christ in the Lord's Supper celebration - because he is not a member of our local fellowship and therefore I am not sure he is really a believer. Do you see the gaping fallacy in either of the Closed or Close Communion practices?
Most church fellowships which practice Closed or Close Communion also have the restriction that only a believer who has been baptized, preferably in their church fellowship, can participate in the Lord's Supper. Really? Then the thief on the cross could not participate at your Lord's Table - for he was not baptized. "And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.' " (Luke 23:43) He can be in Jesus Christ's Paradise - but he cannot participate in your Lord's Supper celebration.
In those churches who practice Closed or Close Communion, my mother, if she were alive, could not join us in the Lord's Supper - because she was not baptized. My step-father had her in a cult church for 20 years. But before she died in a nursing home, I was able to get her connected with a Bible-believing Baptist church where the pastor led her to the Lord. He told me, "Bill, I led her in the Sinners' Prayer, but because of her strokes I am not sure she understood fully." And I told him, that is why I had not tried to do it over the phone while she was in the nursing home in Little Rock.
Yet, God is so gracious. For at her viewing, before the people came, I stood by her casket and I heard a revelation telling me, "Don't worry. She is with Me now." I have never heard such a revelation about myself, although I have no doubt of my salvation. But through His grace, I did receive that revelation from the Holy Spirit about her - and it was not my imagination. For it was totally unexpected.
Yet she could not take Communion at a church which practices Closed or Close Communion. Really? That is a true case of: "God said she is saved - Man said I am not sure" - so she has to be excluded from celebrating the Lord's Supper. Not according to Jesus Christ.
More about the Lord's Supper ~ The Lord's Supper is NOT a one time event. Jesus tells us to do this "in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). How often does your church remember Jesus Christ and what He did to offer us eternal life? That is reflected in how often your church fellowship celebrates the Lord's Supper?
Should we call it Communion - or should we call it the Lord's Supper? Either is correct, but let's examine both. Calling it the Lord's Supper is probably most common and, for me, has a deeper meaning. What is more personal and intimate than coming to the table to share a meal with friends and family?
Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine (or sup) with him, and he with Me." That is the ultimate intimacy, being at the Lord's Supper Table. That implies we are in personal communion with Him - just as when we sit, pray, and eat with our immediate family. It is a form of Communion, but I personally prefer to consider it dining at the Lord's Supper Table - with Him.
Let's look at the way several leading theologians define the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A. Dr. Wayne Grudem: His book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" (1311 pages) is considered a standard textbook in most seminaries. In his shorter version of the same book, which I have in my personal library, titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith" (528 pages) - chapter 28, pages 387-394, he tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
The Lord Jesus instituted two ordinances (or sacraments) to be observed by the church. The previous chapter discussed "baptism," an ordinance that is only observed once by each person, as a sign of the beginning of his or her Christian life. This chapter discusses "the Lord’s Supper," an ordinance that is to be observed repeatedly throughout our Christian lives as a sign of continuing in fellowship with Christ. . . .
The meaning of the Lord’s Supper is complex, rich, and full. Several things are symbolized and affirmed in the Lord’s Supper.
1. Christ’s Death: When we participate in the Lord’s Supper we symbolize the death of Christ because our actions give a picture of his death for us. . . . “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
2. Our Participation in the Benefits of Christ’s Death: Jesus commanded his disciples, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26). As we individually reach out and take the cup for ourselves, each one of us is, by that action, proclaiming, “I am taking the benefits of Christ’s death to myself.” . . .
3. Spiritual Nourishment: Just as ordinary food nourishes our physical bodies, so the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper give nourishment to us. But they also picture the fact that there is spiritual nourishment and refreshment that Christ is giving to our souls; the ceremony that Jesus instituted is, in its very nature, designed to teach us this.
4. The Unity of Believers: When Christians participate in the Lord’s Supper together they also give a clear sign of their unity with one another. In fact, Paul says, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17).
Bill Gray Note: If your church or denomination practices Closed or Close Communion - aren't you denying the "unity of believers" that is symbolized in the Lord Supper and in His sacrifice to offer all people eternal life?
B. Dr. Wayne Grudem: His book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" - in chapter 50, pages 996-997, tells us regarding the Lord's Supper:
Who Should Participate in the Lord’s Supper?
Despite differences over some aspects of the Lord’s Supper, most Protestants would agree, first, that only those who believe in Christ should participate in it, because it is a sign of being a Christian and continuing in the Christian life. . . .
Second, many Protestants would argue from the meaning of baptism and the meaning of the Lord’s Supper that, ordinarily only those who have been baptized should participate in the Lord’s Supper. . . .
But others, including the present author (Dr. Grudem), would object to such a restriction as follows: A different problem arises if someone who is a genuine believer, but not yet baptized, is not allowed to participate in the Lord’s Supper when Christians get together.
In that case the person’s non-participation symbolizes that he or she is not a member of the body of Christ which is coming together to observe the Lord’s Supper in a unified fellowship (see 1 Corinthians 10:17: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread”).
Bill Gray Note: Personally I believe the question of who should participate in the Lord's Supper falls upon the individual person. For you and I cannot tell a person he or she is not saved, not a believer in Christ. Such a decision falls upon the individual to do a self-examination such as:
1. "Have I truly received the Lord?" Keep in mind that the thief on the cross was not baptized.
2. "Am I currently harboring an unrepentant sin which would prevent me from participating in the Lord's Supper?"
Neither I, nor you, nor any pastor, can answer those questions for this individual. That is between the individual and God.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
C. Dr. Ron Rhodes: Dr. Rhodes is president of "Reasoning From Scripture Ministries," and author. He is also adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot Seminary (Biola), and Veritas Evangelical Seminary. He tells us his book "The Complete Book of Bible Answers" - chapter twenty-four, pages 229-230:
What are the different views of the Lord’s Supper?
There are four primary views:
The Roman Catholic view is known as transubstantiation. The advocates of this view say that the elements (unleavened wafers and wine/grape juice) actually change into, become, the physical body (and blood) of Jesus Christ.
The Lutheran view is labeled consubstantiation. According to this view, Christ is present in, with, and under the bread and wine. Christ is truly present, but no change occurs in the elements.
The Reformed view is that Christ is spiritually present at the Lord’s Supper. It is a means of grace. The proponents of this view say that the elements contain a dynamic presence of Jesus, and it is made effective in the believer as he partakes.
The memorial view (Dr. Rhodes view and my view) is that the elements do not change. The ordinance is not intended as a means of communicating grace to the participant. The bread and wine are (only) symbols and reminders of Jesus in His death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Since we participate in the Lord’s Supper in Remembrance of Him and His Redemptive Work on the cross - it would seem that we should do this fairly often. Since becoming a believer in 1987, I have been in different Filipino-American Baptist churches in Southern California - and typically we have always celebrated the Lord's Supper once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month, at the close of our regular worship service.
The Lord's Supper we receive at the close of our worship service is always a special blessing and a source of additional spiritual strength to help us face the coming week in the secular world. Typically on the first Sunday of each month, we close the worship service by having the elders, or other spiritually mature members, pass the elements (unleavened wafers and grape juice) to the congregation.
As this is being done, our pastor will review and share Scripture relating to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). And then, together, we and our believing visitors, participate in the eating of the wafer, symbolizing His body, and the drinking the grape juice, symbolizing His blood shed for us.
Our pastor will explain that the Lord's Supper is a time for all believers to do a spiritual examination of himself or herself. That it is a time to for all believers to renew our focus on Christ, our Christian walk, and our Christian obedience. Then our pastor will remind those present during the worship service that the Lord's Supper is only for those who have believed and received Him as Lord and Savior.
He will assure those who are not yet believers that we do not look down upon them for not being able to participate at that time - but that we sincerely pray that they will make the decision to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.
Actually, before we celebrate the Lord's Supper, that would be a great time to have an altar call. For then those who do make a decision at that time to follow Christ - can then participate in their first Lord's Supper celebration. What a wonderful way to start their Christian life.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'"
At this time, all believers then, together, eat the wafer symbolizing His body broken for us.
1 Corinthians 11:25-26, "In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."
Then, all believers, together, drink of the grape juice symbolizing His blood spilled for us.
How often does YOUR church fellowship "Do this in remembrance of Him"? ~ Daily, weekly, monthly, once a year, once every three years, never? Once again, my personal feelings are that it should be done frequently enough to stay in faith with His teaching, yet not so frequent that it becomes a ritual and loses its flavor. Taking Communion every day or every week, for me, would bring it into the realm of being a ritual.
Yet a church which only partakes of the Lord's Supper every six months, once a year, or once every several years - gives me the feeling that this church places no real value on His declaration, "do this in remembrance of Me." I have to ask, "Does this church really have a relationship with Jesus Christ - if it remembers Him only every few years?"
What message would that send to your church fellowship, to visitors, when your church does not celebrate the Lord's Supper - or only does it once every few years?
As I suggested above, the Lord's Supper should not be a major, all day affair. It is most effective when seen as an adjunct spiritual blessing closing our regular worship service once a month. It is like our monthly "spiritual vitamin boost" to sustain us in our secular world.
Another view of making the Lord's Supper a major feast event is reflected in the apostle Paul's admonition to the church at Corinth.
In 1 Corinthians11:20-34 the apostle Paul admonishes the church at Corinth because they made the Lord's Supper into a major meal or feast - when it really should be seen as a Spiritual Snack (my interpretation) meant to fill us Spiritually, not Physically. Come in reverence, simplicity, and pureness of heart to His Table. That is what He asks us to do, often enough to be special, not so often as to become a Religious Ritual - "do this in remembrance of Him" (Luke 22:19, ! Corinthians 11:24 and 25).
Once again, it is my personal view and belief, but I believe that the Lord's Supper should be celebrated on a monthly basis in every church - and that ALL believers present that day, local members and visitors, should participate. Food for thought? I pray this has given you sincere Christian food for thought.
While there are churches which teach that only members of that local church fellowship can partake of the celebration - I personally believe that when our Lord told us in Luke 22:19, "do this in remembrance of Me" - He was speaking to ALL believers, not just a local fellowship. And what kind of Christian community would we be if we cannot welcome and share the Lord's Table with visiting brethren?
The following two short videos will help us better understand the meaning and responsibility of participating in the Lord's Supper.
The first video is a short, 4 minute, animated explanation taken from GotQuestions web site and is a good review of that special form of worship:
What Is The Importance Of The Lord's Supper / Christian Communion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GOAeH8Grao
The second short video (3 1/2 minutes) is one I made from a PowerPoint Presentation based upon chapters 48 through 50 of Dr. Wayne Grudem's book "Systematic Theology - An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine." This 1311 page book published in 1994 has virtually become a standard textbook in most Christian seminaries.
There is a shorter version of his book titled "Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings Of The Christian Faith" published in 1999. A pastor Friend, Pastor Ed Dacio, gifted me this shorter book of Christian doctrines which has been a true blessing in my Christian writing ministry. And I have Dr. Grudem's initial book "Systematic Theology" downloaded into my computer in Adobe PDF format. So I can study from both.
In this short presentation video, chapter 48 speaks of the church, chapter 49 speaks of Baptism, and chapter 50 addresses the Lord's Supper. Below is the text from a slide in the presentation which speaks of what I have tried to express earlier regarding participating in the Lord's Supper:
"The Lord’s Supper looks forward to a greater feast (Matthew 26:29, Revelation 19:9). From Genesis to Revelation, God’s aim has been to bring His people into fellowship with Himself, and one of the great joys of experiencing that fellowship is the fact that we can eat and drink in the presence of the Lord."
You can view this PowerPoint based video at:
"Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Bible Doctrine" by Dr Wayne Grudem, Chapters 48, 49, 50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLMu7xI2Wg&list=PL_YT3RttutrgBgasKH52cypQO_ADjr5ns
I pray this discussion of the "The Two Ordinances" has been helpful to you - and that your church family is enjoying the spiritual blessings of regular visits to the Lord's Table.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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