Introduction:
This is a question a visitor might have who attends our church around Easter time, as we prepare to take the Lord’s Supper. Also, this question has been asked by members of our church who simply do not feel “worthy” to take the Lord’s Supper.
Before answering this question, let’s talk about what the Lord’s Supper is.
The Christian practice of taking “the Lord’s Supper” (a term used in 1 Corinthians 11:20; also called “Communion” in 1 Corinthians 10:16) can be a bit of a controversial subject. At best, many churches differ on the manner and frequency in which it is taken. Some churches take it every service, some take it monthly, some take it on Christmas and Easter… etc.). Some churches are “closed communion” (meaning only church members can partake) while others are “open” or “close” (meaning like-minded believers are welcome to join their church for the occasion).
A more concerning controversy is a church’s reason for taking the Lord’s Supper. To some it is the mode or means to salvation. To others, it is an obligation which keeps one in the good graces of God. Some believe that taking the Lord’s Supper with unconfessed sin will send a person to Hell. What a scary situation people would be in to think that, on one hand, they might not be allowed in Heaven if they don’t take the Lord’s Supper; but on the other hand, they might go to Hell for taking the Lord’s Supper with unconfessed sin in their life!
We believe that the Lord’s Supper, though it is an important and solemn ordinance that we practice, has nothing to do with whether or not we go to Heaven. It is simply a reminder of what the Lord has done for us in shedding His blood for us on the cross. The practicing of this ordinance is a commemoration of this symbolic meal that God commanded His disciples to keep after sharing the final Passover meal with them in the upper room (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In instituting this practice, Jesus was putting an end to the Jewish feast day [John 2:13, 1 Corinthians 5:7] which would be fulfilled by Jesus’ death on the cross).
For the above mentioned reasons, our church observes the Lord’s Supper once per year (during the week before Easter), and here are the prerequisites for partaking:
Are you saved?
Salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone! Anyone who is looking toward water baptism or the Lord’s Supper for the salvation of their soul is missing the mark entirely. We would certainly not want to contribute in any way to someone ignorantly taking the Lord’s Supper in this lost condition. It is the most literal application of someone being “unworthy” to partake (1 Corinthians 11:29). So, if you are not sure you are saved (eternally secure), this needs to be your first course of action.
Are you baptized?
Again, water baptism is not a part of one’s salvation. It is a picture of one’s salvation that was received by faith in Jesus Christ. However, this is something Jesus instituted and it seems closely related to one’s reception into Christ’s church and becoming a disciple of Christ (Acts 2:41-47). Before a person takes the Lord’s Supper, I believe they should take what we call the “first step of obedience” by being baptized; then they can be taught to observe all things as is taught in God’s word (Matthew 28:18-20).
Based on this belief, baptism is a prerequisite for joining Iola Baptist Temple. If you were not baptized after you placed your faith in Jesus, we would be happy to lead you in taking this step.
Are you united with your local church?
This is a point of contention among many believers, but we believe you should only receive the Lord’s Supper with your local church body (not meaning the closest in proximity, but the church to which you belong that assembles at a certain “location”). Of course there are people in other churches who are your brothers and sisters in Christ, but we believe that they should be observing the Lord’s Supper under the governance of their own local church. It is great to fellowship with believers from other churches, and it is perfectly fine to attend other churches from time to time; but the governing of a local church body, and the implementing of certain rules and customs within that body, necessitates that we participate in our own church services with our own church family. Other churches could have some customs and practices that are similar to ours, or they might differ (1 Corinthians 11:16). And also, a local church should know better if its members are in good standing with the church or not (1 Corinthians 5:7-13).
Are you living with unconfessed sins?
Obviously, if every sin prevented us from being able to take the Lord’s Supper, then there would be no one to take it; and that seems pretty counterproductive! That isn’t what we are talking about. The idea here isn’t that we are without sin, but that we recognize our sinful state and are willing to judge ourselves and try to make the right choices rather than being puffed up and prideful about our disobedience (1 Corinthians 11:31). Reoccurring sins that mar our testimony in the community should be judged within the local church and proper measures of church discipline should be taken for the overall health of the church (1 Corinthians 11:27-30, James 5:14-16, 1 John 5:14-17. However, not every sin is open and public. We know our hearts and we know our struggles. Again, if we humble ourselves and desire to do right, we should be able to focus on what the main purpose of the Lord’s Supper is—to unite together as a church body in remembering the sacrifice of our Lord.
We don’t want to be flippant or irreverent about this. Neither do we want to hold ourselves to an unreasonable standard that would keep us from ever taking part in this wonderful practice. If you know in your heart that there are sins you need to deal with in order to be in good fellowship with your church and with God, then decide you are going to deal with them! God is a patient and forgiving Father, and is always waiting for you to come to Him.
The Lord’s Supper is a wonderful, meaningful service to receive. Jesus wants you to “do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25), so I encourage you to take part in this great memorial service. You shouldn’t be too fearful to receive it, but neither should you take it in a flippant or irreverent manner.
This is a question a visitor might have who attends our church around Easter time, as we prepare to take the Lord’s Supper. Also, this question has been asked by members of our church who simply do not feel “worthy” to take the Lord’s Supper.
Before answering this question, let’s talk about what the Lord’s Supper is.
The Christian practice of taking “the Lord’s Supper” (a term used in 1 Corinthians 11:20; also called “Communion” in 1 Corinthians 10:16) can be a bit of a controversial subject. At best, many churches differ on the manner and frequency in which it is taken. Some churches take it every service, some take it monthly, some take it on Christmas and Easter… etc.). Some churches are “closed communion” (meaning only church members can partake) while others are “open” or “close” (meaning like-minded believers are welcome to join their church for the occasion).
A more concerning controversy is a church’s reason for taking the Lord’s Supper. To some it is the mode or means to salvation. To others, it is an obligation which keeps one in the good graces of God. Some believe that taking the Lord’s Supper with unconfessed sin will send a person to Hell. What a scary situation people would be in to think that, on one hand, they might not be allowed in Heaven if they don’t take the Lord’s Supper; but on the other hand, they might go to Hell for taking the Lord’s Supper with unconfessed sin in their life!
We believe that the Lord’s Supper, though it is an important and solemn ordinance that we practice, has nothing to do with whether or not we go to Heaven. It is simply a reminder of what the Lord has done for us in shedding His blood for us on the cross. The practicing of this ordinance is a commemoration of this symbolic meal that God commanded His disciples to keep after sharing the final Passover meal with them in the upper room (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In instituting this practice, Jesus was putting an end to the Jewish feast day [John 2:13, 1 Corinthians 5:7] which would be fulfilled by Jesus’ death on the cross).
For the above mentioned reasons, our church observes the Lord’s Supper once per year (during the week before Easter), and here are the prerequisites for partaking:
Are you saved?
Salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone! Anyone who is looking toward water baptism or the Lord’s Supper for the salvation of their soul is missing the mark entirely. We would certainly not want to contribute in any way to someone ignorantly taking the Lord’s Supper in this lost condition. It is the most literal application of someone being “unworthy” to partake (1 Corinthians 11:29). So, if you are not sure you are saved (eternally secure), this needs to be your first course of action.
Are you baptized?
Again, water baptism is not a part of one’s salvation. It is a picture of one’s salvation that was received by faith in Jesus Christ. However, this is something Jesus instituted and it seems closely related to one’s reception into Christ’s church and becoming a disciple of Christ (Acts 2:41-47). Before a person takes the Lord’s Supper, I believe they should take what we call the “first step of obedience” by being baptized; then they can be taught to observe all things as is taught in God’s word (Matthew 28:18-20).
Based on this belief, baptism is a prerequisite for joining Iola Baptist Temple. If you were not baptized after you placed your faith in Jesus, we would be happy to lead you in taking this step.
Are you united with your local church?
This is a point of contention among many believers, but we believe you should only receive the Lord’s Supper with your local church body (not meaning the closest in proximity, but the church to which you belong that assembles at a certain “location”). Of course there are people in other churches who are your brothers and sisters in Christ, but we believe that they should be observing the Lord’s Supper under the governance of their own local church. It is great to fellowship with believers from other churches, and it is perfectly fine to attend other churches from time to time; but the governing of a local church body, and the implementing of certain rules and customs within that body, necessitates that we participate in our own church services with our own church family. Other churches could have some customs and practices that are similar to ours, or they might differ (1 Corinthians 11:16). And also, a local church should know better if its members are in good standing with the church or not (1 Corinthians 5:7-13).
Are you living with unconfessed sins?
Obviously, if every sin prevented us from being able to take the Lord’s Supper, then there would be no one to take it; and that seems pretty counterproductive! That isn’t what we are talking about. The idea here isn’t that we are without sin, but that we recognize our sinful state and are willing to judge ourselves and try to make the right choices rather than being puffed up and prideful about our disobedience (1 Corinthians 11:31). Reoccurring sins that mar our testimony in the community should be judged within the local church and proper measures of church discipline should be taken for the overall health of the church (1 Corinthians 11:27-30, James 5:14-16, 1 John 5:14-17. However, not every sin is open and public. We know our hearts and we know our struggles. Again, if we humble ourselves and desire to do right, we should be able to focus on what the main purpose of the Lord’s Supper is—to unite together as a church body in remembering the sacrifice of our Lord.
We don’t want to be flippant or irreverent about this. Neither do we want to hold ourselves to an unreasonable standard that would keep us from ever taking part in this wonderful practice. If you know in your heart that there are sins you need to deal with in order to be in good fellowship with your church and with God, then decide you are going to deal with them! God is a patient and forgiving Father, and is always waiting for you to come to Him.
The Lord’s Supper is a wonderful, meaningful service to receive. Jesus wants you to “do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25), so I encourage you to take part in this great memorial service. You shouldn’t be too fearful to receive it, but neither should you take it in a flippant or irreverent manner.
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