Beloved

Just wondering what the current consensis is on Holy Communion...

An x-pastor did about an hour teaching that the bread ( waffer) and wine (grape juice ) that Jesus refered to in the 4 Gospels was not actually refering to the bread and wine service but the fellow shipping of believers...

Whether he was right or wrong several in the church still were blessed by sharing communion...

__________________
Shalom

( SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. )

Beloved
1 Corinthians 14:1 Let Love be your highest goal.

Boanerges

Yet Christ broke the bread and poured the wine. This form of communion is representative of His body ( the Bread of Heaven) and the wine ( His precious blood).

Pastor Gary

It is a Christian, Biblical, scriptural procedure. However, is it for everyone? Perhaps - perhaps not.

Denominational teachings dictate whether or not it is to be observed and celebrated and for everyone else, it is a personal choice. Is it necessary for salvation? Not at all - it is meerely a ceremonial, personal re-committment to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

smellycat

if they explain what the reason is for it,no problem.seems like the word has gone quiet for a long time where i live.i couldn,t tell you about any festivals,as in what they mean.i will have to find out the reasons before i could say.

Boanerges

Communion is definitly a choice and we are scriptuarally warned to search out hearts before partaking.

Dusty

1 Corinthians 11:23-32



23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27Therefore, 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. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

__________________

Trials prove a Christian

Love confirms a Christian

But death crowns a Christian

Watchman

I'm for communion. At the beginning of each month it is a good way to renew our relationship with Christ and pay homage to him.

__________________
Habakkuk 3:2LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD.
Renew them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy

PaulB

When I was a little kid, I didn't like it when we had communion, because it made church last longer! So now as an adult, when they announce that we're going to have communion, I have this initial goofy negative reaction towards it! But then when I think of all that Jesus did for me...and this is a concrete way of reaffirming my faith again and again...I would rather have communion every week, and I would rather walk to the front and actively receive the elements, and not just sit in the pews. But that's just me!

__________________
...to know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge...

CSchultz

As an LCMS Lutheran, Holy Communion holds such a powerful significance for me that I find it difficult to even enter into this conversation.
We hold to a "Close" communion. (Often that is miss-pronounced by non Lutherans as "Closed" communion) which it is not. Rather it is the common belief in a single understanding and doctrinal interpretation.

I do not believe that Holy Communion is symbolic. Because Our risen Lord said; "Take and eat, this IS, my body." ... Take and drink, This cup IS the new covenant in my blood...

He did not say "Represents", my body and blood. He said "IS"

That being said, we do not however hold to the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. Where the substance itself, actually transforms into blood and flesh.

I agree with Pastor Gary, that it is not necessary for salvation. I believe that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

However, with respect Pastor Gary, I disagree with your statement that it is purely ceremonial. The true body and true blood of our Lord are present within and under the elements.

Is it for everyone? No. For those who at the time view it as a legalistic ceremony, or simply a ceremonial rite need not partake in the Lords Supper.

When the sanctity of the Eucharist begins to erode, its celebration is best left to those who hold it as truly sacred.

It is, like Baptism, a means of grace, the ministration of the body and blood of Christ, is none other than the communication and sealing of the forgiveness of sins, as the words declare: "Given for you," and: "Shed for you for the remission of sins," Luke 22:19, 20; Matt. 26:28, and "This cup is the New Testament in My blood," 1 Cor. 11:23; Jer. 31:31-34 ("New Covenant").

Therefore if Holy Communion is being partaken of among non-common beliefs, or without regard for it’s significance, or as a ceremonial, outward presentation of faith. It is then best not to be participated in at all.

Rumely

I believe Jesus was speaking metaphorically when He said "This is my body...this is my blood..." We use speech like this all the time and understand it in its metaphorical context. I don't take issue, however, with those who believe that it somehow becomes the body and blood, or those who believe that Christ's body and blood are somehow present in and/or with the elements. My only worry is that these beliefs may lead some to think of or utilize the elements as if they were magical talismans rather than keeping their eyes focussed squarely on the One who bears the scars of His broken body and shed blood. He is the source of my grace with no intermediary mechanism.

That's my doctrinal position. Now for my personal position. I'm all for communion. While I regard the "ritual" as symbolic in nature, I nevertheless take it in faith, being reminded of what He did for me, appealing to Him for a good conscience and good conduct. For me, then, it is not a "mere" ritual, but an act of supplication and contrition and worship.

Just curious, and not to stir up trouble, but would my doctrinal position make me unwelcome at the communion table in the Missouri Synod?