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.)

 

[Dr. Bob]

Communion is a church ordinance, allowing each congregation to make their own decisions on "details". If you opt for membership in a church, you will have a voice/vote in such private policies. It is NOT

Frequency - every worship (weekly), monthly, quarterly, annually
Style - as separate part of service; as part of love-feast
Time - morning, evening, alternating, mid-week, other
Location - in church building; in homes; in nursing home
Elements - kosher bread (matzoh) and kosher wine (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), unleavened bread and welches juice, bread and grape koolade
Participants - closed (members only); close (those in same practice/denomination); open (anyone who claims to be a Christian)
Administration - ordained pastors only; deacons; any males; by family (father or spiritual guardian of family)
Theology - a memorial service (not in any way "salvation"; sacrament (part of "salvation"); transubstantiation (becomes Jesus - Catholic); consubstantiation (Jesus with elements - Lutheran)

I would ask about ALL of these before joining a church.

 

[Dr. Bob]

BTW, in the church we founded we used matzoh and real wine (non-alcoholic), every week as a part of worship Sunday morning (middle of service, not tacked on as afterthought), led by ordained pastor with each man providing for family, in our church location, close communion as a memorial only. NO "saving grace" or merit to our account.

 

[Salty]

At one church -
Month 1 = Sun AM
Month 2 = Sun PM
Month 3 = Wed

excellent post Dr bob

But one question - is it Biblical for a chapel (ie military) to serve commonunion?
as such chapel is not a local church as there is not real membership

 

[37818]

1 Corinthians 11:23-34,

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

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.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Wherefore, my brethren, when ye And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.me together to eat, tarry one for another.

And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation.