Taking Communion (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Theology] >> Morality & Ethics



Message

mikejonesoftn -> Taking Communion (6/26/2008 3:30:20 AM)

Hi, A friend and I were having some bible discussions and the topic of "taking communion" was brought up, she is Church of Christ and she believes that we are "commanded" to take communion on the first day of the week (which we both believe is Sunday.)

However I do not believe that we are "commanded" to take it on a Sunday (Now if I'm wrong please let me know, I do not want to go through life not actually knowing)

From my understanding most people believe it should be taking on a Sunday because of Acts 20:7

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. (NKJV)

When I look at 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, I see

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. (NKJV)

If Jesus attended us to do this every first day of the week, wouldn't he have said anything about it? He's specific about the eat/drink part but not about the day to do it on?

Until further research, my opinion is that we are to take it, no matter what they day is, but we do it in the remembrance of him. But I could be wrong this is JMO.

Can any one shed some light on this?


*Edit, wasn't sure if this was the right forum.



earthless -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 7:48:23 AM)

She is wrong.



BerianAardvark -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 8:33:27 AM)

There is no direct statement as to when or even how often we should take communion in scripture. The early church met on the first day of the week both to recognize and celebrate the Resurrection, and (especially as the Followers of the Way, as the church first called itself became increasingly estranged from the Jews, to differentiate themselves from them.) But they also met on other days as well.

Some churches take communion as part of most every service, others limit it to one Sunday a month. They both do so in order to honor God.

Those that do so once a month (usually the first Sunday) believe that to offer communion every Sunday risks making it a common everyday thing and less meaningful and special, a routine thing not a remembrance.

Those who offer communion every service (in some cases even including Wednesday night Bible study) do so believing that every time they gather together it is to remember Christ and His sacrifice as they study His Word.

I have attended both types of churches, I personally prefer frequent communion, but am not about to call anathemas down upon those who believe they are honoring God by only offering it once a month, in fact the church I attend at present is one. It is also a Bible teaching church where they are careful to feed their congregation the Word of God in a manner that they can understand and apply.

That also is a communion and a remembrance albeit without physical elements.

Tim



stellaluna -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 8:53:29 AM)

What they said. Your friend is mistaken.



Qtman -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 9:27:14 AM)

I have to agree with the others. You friend is mistaking Church policy for biblical commandments. We are not commanded to take communion let alone what day or how often. The key words are "as Oft as you do this". That means exactly what as it says. When you do take communion you should do it in remembrance of Him.



JimboFletch -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 9:52:29 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mikejonesoftn
From my understanding most people believe it should be taking on a Sunday because of Acts 20:7

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. (NKJV)

I agree with what others have said so far but I wish to make one comment. In case it isn't obvious, breaking bread means to eat a meal; it isn't referring to the Lord's Supper.



BerianAardvark -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 12:04:58 PM)

quote:

I agree with what others have said so far but I wish to make one comment. In case it isn't obvious, breaking bread means to eat a meal; it isn't referring to the Lord's Supper.


A good case can be made for the separation of Communion (also known as the Eucharist and by other names) and the Lord's Supper, I have heard arguments in both directions (and personally favor the idea that originally the Lord's Supper referred to the meal that generally preceded the Eucharist/Communion).

I cite below two sources that don't exactly support my beliefs, but do give some insight as to the what and when of early celebrations of the Lord's Supper. (The scripture referenced here is 1Co 11:20)

The Eucharist proper was originally celebrated as a private expression of devotion, and in connection with a common, daily meal, an agape or love-feast. In the apostolic period it was celebrated daily. The social and festive character of the meal grew largely out of the gentile institution of clubs or fraternities, which served as savings-banks, mutual-help societies, insurance offices, and which expressed and fostered the spirit of good-fellowship by common festive meals, usually in gardens, round an altar of sacrifice. The communion-meal of the first and second centuries exhibited this character in being a feast of contribution, to which each brought his own provision. It also perpetuated the Jewish practice of the college of priests for the temple-service dining at a common table on festivals or Sabbaths, and of the schools of the Pharisees in their ordinary life.
Indications of the blending of the eucharistic celebration with a common meal are found here, Act_2:42; Act_20:7, and more obscurely, Act_27:35. (Vincent's Word Studies)

It is possible that here the term applies both to the Agapē or Love-feast (a sort of church supper or club supper held in connection with, before or after, the Lord’s Supper) and the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper. The selfish conduct of the Corinthians made it impossible to eat a Lord’s Supper at all. WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT by Archibald Thomas Robertson


Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book II
But always must we conduct ourselves as in the Lord's presence, lest He say to us, as the apostle in indignation said to the Corinthians, "When ye come together, this is not to eat the Lord's supper."[83]

Tim



JimboFletch -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 12:14:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BerianAardvark
A good case can be made for the separation of Communion (also known as the Eucharist and by other names) and the Lord's Supper, I have heard arguments in both directions (and personally favor the idea that originally the Lord's Supper referred to the meal that generally preceded the Eucharist/Communion).

In my neck of the woods, Communion & the Lord's Supper are meant as one and the same, i.e. when the body & blood of Christ are represented in the receiving of the bread & wine. We Baptists don't use the term "Eucharist."

I am familiar with the "Agape" meal but I don't think it has generally been practiced since sometime around the 2nd century when the abuses addressed by Paul became too pervasive.



Zhi -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 12:36:22 PM)

I thought agape meals were around today as good ol' fashioned potlucks. ;) Baptists are GOOD at potlucks!



BerianAardvark -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 12:51:52 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

quote:

ORIGINAL: BerianAardvark
A good case can be made for the separation of Communion (also known as the Eucharist and by other names) and the Lord's Supper, I have heard arguments in both directions (and personally favor the idea that originally the Lord's Supper referred to the meal that generally preceded the Eucharist/Communion).

In my neck of the woods, Communion & the Lord's Supper are meant as one and the same, i.e. when the body & blood of Christ are represented in the receiving of the bread & wine. We Baptists don't use the term "Eucharist."

I am familiar with the "Agape" meal but I don't think it has generally been practiced since sometime around the 2nd century when the abuses addressed by Paul became too pervasive.


I attend and am a member of a Baptist church as well. [;)]

Part of my reason for using that word is to point out that there have been several words used to refer to the rite/sacrament/celebration/(insert identifying label of your choice) of communion, and over the course of time the exact relationship between the words has shifted especially after the Protestant Reformation where people adopted terms to differentiate themselves from other Christian sects.

There are records of Agape meals through out church history, though by differing names. In fact the church pot luck is very likely a direct descendant.

Your millage may vary,
Tim



mikejonesoftn -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 1:13:58 PM)

thanks to those who replied, your replies were helpful.



endless_night -> RE: Taking Communion (6/26/2008 7:59:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

quote:

ORIGINAL: mikejonesoftn
From my understanding most people believe it should be taking on a Sunday because of Acts 20:7

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. (NKJV)

I agree with what others have said so far but I wish to make one comment. In case it isn't obvious, breaking bread means to eat a meal; it isn't referring to the Lord's Supper.


Breaking bread can refer to the Lord's Supper or a meal, it does not always mean "eating a meal", you have to read the context.



SonInMe1 -> RE: Taking Communion (6/27/2008 8:56:08 AM)

My church takes communion 4 times a year usually in differing ways. The best one in my opinion, was after a sermon where ther pastor outlined the sins in our lives, asked us to write down the ones that affect us the nmost....and then walk up front where there were two wooden crosses and literally nail them to the cross.

It was...powerful. It brought my daughter to tears.

I am not sure it would have the same effect if we did that every week.

By the way, being in a baptist church we do consume over 70 dozen of Krispie Kremes a week...maybe that is the breaking of bread....?

[:D]



Page: [1]



Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.5 ANSI