(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians that some of them were sick and dying because they were abusing Holy Communion. He then instructed them to examine themselves before taking the Lord's Supper: "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (I Corinthians 11:28).
All Saints Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, a congregation of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, states this on their website regarding who may receive Holy Communion:
"This meal is God’s love for you. All are welcome to receive the gift of bread and wine (wine or grape juice). This includes people of all ages and abilities; any faith (or non-faith) background; and people who believe, want to believe, or don’t know what to believe. Even if you have not yet been baptized, come and eat!"
The Christian Church has always taught that baptism is to precede Holy Communion. "This meal is God's love for you" is true for those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ for forgiveness. But for those who do not, this meal becomes God's judgement. "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died" (I Corinthians 11:29-30).
Probably the people at All Saints Lutheran think they are being loving by saying that anybody can take communion. In reality, they are hurting people in this life and possibly the next.
In Jesus our Savior,
Pastor Tom Brock
(See All Saints Lutheran Church's website where it talks about communion here)
The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians that some of them were sick and dying because they were abusing Holy Communion. He then instructed them to examine themselves before taking the Lord's Supper: "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (I Corinthians 11:28).
All Saints Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, a congregation of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, states this on their website regarding who may receive Holy Communion:
"This meal is God’s love for you. All are welcome to receive the gift of bread and wine (wine or grape juice). This includes people of all ages and abilities; any faith (or non-faith) background; and people who believe, want to believe, or don’t know what to believe. Even if you have not yet been baptized, come and eat!"
The Christian Church has always taught that baptism is to precede Holy Communion. "This meal is God's love for you" is true for those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ for forgiveness. But for those who do not, this meal becomes God's judgement. "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died" (I Corinthians 11:29-30).
Probably the people at All Saints Lutheran think they are being loving by saying that anybody can take communion. In reality, they are hurting people in this life and possibly the next.
In Jesus our Savior,
Pastor Tom Brock
(See All Saints Lutheran Church's website where it talks about communion here)
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