Members only Communion

[JLBS13]

I have just begun to attend a church, where I heard the announcement that only bonafide church members would be allowed to receive communion. Later the reasons were given. Based on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, as well as the scripture about after the resurrection Jesus descended into hell where he took the keys of heaven and hell. It was further explained that these keys should be passed on to the churches. I researched these sources but could not conclude for myself if this was a legitimate stance to withhold communion to be based on.

I believe that the Jesus' given command to take communion in remembrance of Him over rides the man-made rule to with hold it.

Please advise me.
JoAnne

 

[JesusFan]

I have just begun to attend a church, where I heard the announcement that only bonafide church members would be allowed to receive communion. Later the reasons were given. Based on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, as well as the scripture about after the resurrection Jesus descended into hell where he took the keys of heaven and hell. It was further explained that these keys should be passed on to the churches. I researched these sources but could not conclude for myself if this was a legitimate stance to withhold communion to be based on.

I believe that the Jesus' given command to take communion in remembrance of Him over rides the man-made rule to with hold it.

Please advise me.
JoAnne

Many Baptist churches have requirements of be saved, no active sinning issues, water baptism, be a member yet Bible states palinly only requirements are be saved, and be not living in known unconfessed sinning

 

[Salty]

I had a pastor explain that only members may partake as they may not know of the spiritual life of the individual (actually saved, immersed, living a Christian life ect.)
So I asked John (yes, that is his real name) so if a missionary your church financially support - if he came on a communion Sunday - he would not be allowed to partake? He answered "yes". My response was that wouldn't they know those things about a missionary they support? His wife spoke up and stated "That is a good question" The pastor never did answer my question!

 

[Salty]

I was talking to a Baptist military chaplain in Mainz - who was closed communion - he served at a small post. He was the only chaplain there. So I asked him how he handled the closed communion. He told me - he would have a guest speaker the first Sun of each month - and that guest would service. Chaplain told me that no-one ever caught on! (Remember a Chaplain is not required to go against the tennets of his faith.)