Originally posted by Soulman:
I noticed when my former pastor would present the Lords' supper, that after we were finished in the auditorium he would take it back to the nursery workers, Masters Club workers etc. No problem there.
My question is: What about shut ins who are members that can no longer come to church? Is it acceptable for the pastor or another church official administer the Lord's supper in their home?
This concept was totally rejected by the pastor with no real biblical reasoning. Is it biblical to take it outside the confines of the church parking lot? What say you?
I believe mioque put some truth into the conversation. For many Christians the church is “idolized”, and anything outside of it is called into question. The Spirit of God is in each one of use regardless where we may be.
When we began thinking only worship can take place in a church, we run into problems. Where were Jesus and His Apostles at the last Supper? They were in a room, perhaps a party room above a restaurant, or even the owners living quarters. I don’t believe it makes too much difference for He was there, so that is where the Church was. The Church is Jesus Christ, and we are in that Church, the Body of Christ. If we wish to commune with Christ Jesus at meals with a glass of wine in our homes, by ourselves, with family, and or friends, can any say this is not acceptable? Is this what I Corinthians 11 may be trying to tell us in verse 34?
When we endeavor to confine God into our little minds and buildings, can we be any different than the Catholic church, or some others? The Temple worshippers? Jesus didn’t have this last supper in the Temple for this was not the place. To commune is to be with Him, the Body of Christ Church, and the commune is not all about us coming together to commune with each other, but it is He and we as individuals to remember Him as He requested. We talk to Him and must isolate, and concentrate on Him and remember what He did for us.
I am not saying it is not proper to have communion in church, but it must be done in order, and reverence without any soliloquy, while doing so – just the Spirit within us communicating with Christ Jesus.
We don’t know the actual day of His birth, and the month is certainly not December, as He didn’t give us this information for a good reason. He never intended for us to remember His birthday, only His sacrifice. So He says, “remember Me”, and we do this whenever we wish as this is not a demand, but a request. This is our memorial to Him.
I believe we can make a person to person call to say hello to let Him know we remember Him, thank Him, and tell Him how eager we are to see Him. We can do this every meal, or snack time, but when we come together, I believe we then are making a “conference” call, and any that wish to participate should be able to do so. He let Judas participate, so who are we to turn away any sinner. The unsaved sinner's direct line to heaven has never been connected, so the dead are speaking to a dead 'phone. Christian faith, ituttut.
