Baptist Communion

There is none. we are to judge ourselves, if
there be a reason we should not participate.1Co 11:27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this
bread, and drink this cup of the Lord,
unworthily, shall be guilty of the body
and blood of the Lord.
1Co 11:28
But let a man examine himself, and so
let him eat of that bread, and drink of that
cup.
1Co 11:29
For he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the
Lord's body.10

 

Did not Judas partake in the Last Supper?

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by preacher:
Did not Judas partake in the Last Supper?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>No. He left, the supper was celebrated, then he returned.

 

Where does it say that Judas missed the Lord's Supper?

 

“Verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” Matthew records that each one of them asked Him, “Lord, is it I?”

Shortly thereafter, Judas left. (John 13:31) Then, as the eleven remaining apostles looked on, Jesus took a loaf of unleavened bread in His hands. He blessed it, thanking God for that which it symbolized.

 

There are of course Biblical justifications to the close type fellowship when it involves the Lord’s Supper. You just have to look a little deeper. As it has been stated earlier already, there are two ordinances given to the New Testament Church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

The sentence in question is obviously the prerogative of the local church. Now the justification of reserving the Lord's Supper to those who are baptized members of the local church can be based on several indirect Bible references. These references are the personal letter of recommendations from the Apostle Paul to the following churches (just to mention a few):

· Romans 16:1-2 is recommending Phoebe to the church at Cenchrea. She was a precious worker.
· Philippians 2:19-30 is highly recommending Timothy and Epaphroditus to the church at Philippi.
· Colossians 4:10 is recommending Marcus (Mark) to the church at Colossae.
· Philippians 3:2 is warning the church at Philippi of evil workers or false teachers.

Now it is evident that people were traveling all over the (known) world at the time and as such they were going to the established churches. It is evident from the very beginning that Paul had established a policy in regards of traveling believers. They were given letters of recommendation to carry with them to the churches were they were going. A classical example was listed in Romans 16:2, where Paul writes to the church in Cenchrea, "That ye receive her (Phoebe) in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatever business she hath need of you..."

Obviously believers of like faith were sharing the Lord's Supper together, but in light of the above Bible references (specifically Philippians 3:2) it was necessary to carry a letter of personal recommendation with them so that they could be identified as such. For this reason, Independent Fundamental Baptist Churches throughout the world practice this custom. It has been an established custom to give a letter of transfer to a member, who is moving to another part of the country (or some other countries), for past membership in good standing. And as he or she is encouraged to join a church of like faith and practice as soon as possible (which is incorporated in our Statement of Faith), the individual will only be deprived of receiving the Lord's Supper for the duration of transition. Since traveling individuals cannot be verified of their true faith and standing, it is difficult for any church to administer the Lord's Supper to them. Hence the personal letters came into practice.

 

The Lord's Supper should be open to any believer. The scripture says "Examine yourselves", not that the preacher or church should examine you.

Some Baptists exhibit Pharisaical tendencies on some issues.

 

The Great Commission is given to each and every local congregation institutionally. Therefore the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are local church ordinances. To practice open baptism or open communion is to misunderstand the nature of the church, the meaning of the great commission, and the purpose of the ordinances.

And, Michael Wrenn, to accuse others of phariseeism because they disagree with you is the hight of pariseeism. You should borrow Dr. Bob's book.

 

Raulf7 says: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>For a start the NT doesnt have any system for being a member of a Church, if you were a believer and went to the Church you were automatically a member. There was no system of membership as we have today.

Was Paul a Baptised member of all the Churches he founded and went to?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I suspect you are mistaken. The bible tells us that the church at Jerusalem had a church membership roll. See Acts 1:13-15.

Members could be disciplined out of the membership. See 1 Cor 5:1-13.

And yes, Paul had letters of commendation sent from his home church to the new churches transfering his membership just as we do today. 2 Cor 3:1.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Michael Wrenn: The Lord's Supper should be open to any believer. The scripture says "Examine yourselves", not that the preacher or church should examine you.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry Michael, but we are talking about apples and oranges here. The self examination is necessary for every person taking the Lord's Supper, and it has nothing to do with an outside (non-member) person.

 

Mabey I'm half asleep or something, but is there scripture for not allowing a professing christian to partake?

 

Paul speaks against division in the church many times here is what he says in Ephesians 4:3-16

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

The Great Commission was to individuals, not to local churches. The most common thing I see on this board is idolizing the local congregation.

 

After a brief description of what the Lord's Supper is about, and that it is an ordinance for believers only, the pastor should envoke a strong warning that unless you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you should not take part in this ordinance. Then I think anyone wishing to participate should be allowed.

Two final comments: Most assuredly many unsaved people that should not have participated have done so through the ages. Lastly, some of them are members of your church, so it's frugal to try and play traffic cop in this matter, and rude to visitors to deny them!

[ August 31, 2001: Message edited by: wellsjs ]

 

My question is who's blood and body are we supposed to be partaking of? Jesus' or the local congregation's?