My wife and I have been attending a small pentecostal church for about a year. I prefer home churches more than organized churches for reasons I have already stated on my blog. But the small church is where God has me for now.
A couple months ago, I didn't partake in their communion service. It was not because I quit believing, but because it was a matter of conscience. Each person should examine his or her own heart as to what they are doing and why they are doing it. But, what I have seen over the years has bothered me greatly—even in the larger churches that we had attended in the past. I have been grieved by how this sacred covenant rite has been abused, both by ministers and by members (including myself in the past).
Here are some serious questions you may want to consider. Do you know the true meaning of the covenant involved with communion? Have you taken communion so often that the true meaning has been lost or has been made common? Have you ever taken communion when you didn't want to or didn't feel right about it, but you did anyway because of others around you? Or did you take it when you were not even thinking about Jesus at the time? Has taking communion felt more like a habit or a tradition to you? What do you do when you are visiting another church? Do you still take it when you have some issue with God or with someone else? Is the fear of what people may think more important than what God thinks? Has your partaking of communion become hypocritical?
The Communion covenant is a prophetic reminder of what Jesus did in his sacrifice and the cost involved in our serving of God. Our partaking of the covenant should mean that His blood is on our hands if we prove to be unfaithful to Him. It is a blood covenant. We have chosen to come into an agreement with those same terms as his disciples did — to deny self and take up our cross and follow Him... to our death. Jesus had asked his disciples if they were able to drink of the same cup as He would. And they agreed, out of a curtain amount of ignorance—just as we have. The "cup" represented the cost; the shedding of Jesus' blood for them. Even hours later, Jesus himself in the Garden of Gethsemane, was still struggling with "the cup" and the terms, even to the very point of sweating blood. (Luke 22: 42-44)
Jesus told his disciples to "do this in remembrance of me." The word "remember" is also a covenantal word; it means to think back—in this case to the cost or the requirements. Covenant agreements were usually sealed with a meal (bread and wine). In communion it is the "eating of His flesh" and the "the drinking of His blood," represented by the bread and the wine. By doing so, we become one with Him and with the Body of Christ to the extent of our willingness to lay down our lives for His sake, the Gospel, and our brothers.
Yet today, some casually offer and take communion as if it were some kind of tradition or ritual that has to be preformed before they can move on to the next program, the next song, the offering, the sermon and onto the "finish line" (exit sign to the real world). I know that seems crude, but let's be honest here. Seriously think about it. Communion should not be taken lightly, because it is a matter of life and death. There are serious consequences (involving health) for everyone involved. (I Cor. 11:27-32). Apostle Paul warns us to "examine ourselves" and, "to judge the body rightly" (the church), that we are connected to. When we don't do this we can open the door for judgment. (This is a major problem in big churches — very little intimate fellowship and often lots of hidden secrets.) Is there a lot of sickness in your church? Maybe this is one of the reasons.
I have seen a number of problems in churches over the years regarding the communion service. Mainly, it doesn't look anything like the example Jesus gave. He said, "remember," but we seem to have forgotten. I have divided the problems into four areas: When, How, Who, and Attitude, the most important being attitude surrounding covenant. Many ministers and organizations have struggled with these same issues. To solve the problems they simply establish certain rules and guidelines, and the ministers seem to be content with that. When in truth each minister and member should be asking God what He would have them do, instead of following other men's guidelines.
First, is when do we have communion? The scripture says, "as often as you think of me," Yet, Jesus only had it one time with his disciples after being with them for over three years. That in itself should be a note of caution, considering there was a traitor in the group. However to solve the problem of when, religious organizations have come up with guidelines, suggesting once a month; and most ministers have followed suit. Usually the first Sunday of the month is the religious guideline, and it has become a tradition, with a few exceptions.
The second problem is twofold—the unleavened bread and how to serve it? It seems that the bigger the church is, the bigger the problem is—but religious people are very resourceful. "Then the Lord took bread and blessed it," He then broke it and gave it to them to divide between the disciples and said, "this is My body." We've come a long way from one loaf of baked unleavened bread to tiny individual crackers or bread bits. What happened to the loving act of women baking break, or the human touch of the elders in breaking the bread? Today, churches have become very "hands off" and germ conscience. Everything has to be just right, decent, neat and safe.
Yet Jesus' body hung naked on a rugged cross, broken, plucked, beaten, torn, shredded and pierced for us. (Nothing was neat about His death.) When Jesus fed the five thousand plus people, he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples to divide. Afterward they picked up the leftover pieces. (I don't think it was for the birds.)
Now the question about the wine and how to serve it? "Then, the Lord took the cup and He gave thanks..." Again organizations of big churches lead the way and the smaller churches follow. Since wine was forbidden in their doctrines, grape juice became the standard. (This would be a shocker to the early church). Then came the matter of how to dispense it, since there was no alcohol to kill any possible germs. The small whiskey shot glass with modifications, became "the cup" of preference , considering people's fears and lack of faith. (There are lessons to be learned in the "crushing" of the grape and the waiting until the time is right for the purpose for which it is meant to be used. This concept is how God tries to work, and how he instills truths into our lives.)
The third problem is who should partake of communion? The answer is really quite simple. All who have the desire to love and obey Jesus with all their hearts. However, many churches have tried to teach their members that whenever a person becomes a Christian, that person may participate in communion; they also tell people that parents should determine whether their children are old enough and whether their children understand the meaning of communion. But there seems to be very little discernment or accountability from ministers regarding the behavior of their flock or the behavior of new people coming in to meetings. Often people are living in sin and still participating in communion, also influencing others around them. This is a serious problem, especially in larger churches—and such a church body will be judged by God. There is often little available time for ministers to get to know their flock when they are in their offices or in meetings. Discernment comes by being on one's face before God and being out among the flock like a Shepard, examining each sheep as often as possible, and not just greeting people or shaking a few hands. The minister also needs to be interceding for his flock, and needs to be on guard for danger. He should not take things for granted until it's too late and the damage is done. Ministers should not feel obligated to serve everyone in order to maintain respectability, nor leave the members or adults to judge for themselves. It would help if we all confessed our sins one to another (and this includes ministers), ...so that you may be healed. (James 5:16). This would give the body an opportunity to be complete or be made whole.
The third problem is who should partake of communion? The answer is really quite simple. All who have the desire to love and obey Jesus with all their hearts. However, many churches have tried to teach their members that whenever a person becomes a Christian, that person may participate in communion; they also tell people that parents should determine whether their children are old enough and whether their children understand the meaning of communion. But there seems to be very little discernment or accountability from ministers regarding the behavior of their flock or the behavior of new people coming in to meetings. Often people are living in sin and still participating in communion, also influencing others around them. This is a serious problem, especially in larger churches—and such a church body will be judged by God. There is often little available time for ministers to get to know their flock when they are in their offices or in meetings. Discernment comes by being on one's face before God and being out among the flock like a Shepard, examining each sheep as often as possible, and not just greeting people or shaking a few hands. The minister also needs to be interceding for his flock, and needs to be on guard for danger. He should not take things for granted until it's too late and the damage is done. Ministers should not feel obligated to serve everyone in order to maintain respectability, nor leave the members or adults to judge for themselves. It would help if we all confessed our sins one to another (and this includes ministers), ...so that you may be healed. (James 5:16). This would give the body an opportunity to be complete or be made whole.
Fourth, and most important I believe is our Attitude. Look at the attitude and what Jesus did, before and after communion that night. First, "He loved them to the end. I earnestly desired to have this meal with you." Then He got up, "and began to wash the disciples' feet..." Then he gave instructions. "For I gave you an example that you should do as I did to you."(John 13:15). Then He predicted the future by saying, "Truly, truly, I say one of you will betray me..." (John Ch.13:21). Jesus was discerning the body of believers. We need to take the proper time to prepare our hearts before God. The wrong attitude only adds to the other three problems. If our attitude is right, then by faith it doesn't really matter what is eaten (regular bread, crackers, or pretzels) or the drink (any fruit juice, fruit blends, or Kool-Aid if necessary). What matters is the heart, who you're with and why. Don't you agree? And it should be done by faith, when we are led by the Holy Spirit.
Note—a week from today will be one of the most holy days for the majority of Christians around the world—Christmas. This is another tradition fueled by emotions and deception, just as Easter. I have chosen to follow Jesus and not Christianity (a religion which seems to be based mostly on doctrines and traditions of men, rather than on the TRUTH, Jesus Christ). I will continue to love people and pray that their eyes be opened to the lies and deceptions, even as God opened many other people's eyes, including mine. So for now, I will obey God who has asked me to turn my focus on reaching the lost and not the saved. Next year, 2010, will be a year of big changes (for me, others and the world), but it will all begin with small steps of obedience, steps that I'm taking now. You can also begin today by taking small steps of obedience and trust in the loving Heavenly Father. God Bless You, and have a great new year.
Note—a week from today will be one of the most holy days for the majority of Christians around the world—Christmas. This is another tradition fueled by emotions and deception, just as Easter. I have chosen to follow Jesus and not Christianity (a religion which seems to be based mostly on doctrines and traditions of men, rather than on the TRUTH, Jesus Christ). I will continue to love people and pray that their eyes be opened to the lies and deceptions, even as God opened many other people's eyes, including mine. So for now, I will obey God who has asked me to turn my focus on reaching the lost and not the saved. Next year, 2010, will be a year of big changes (for me, others and the world), but it will all begin with small steps of obedience, steps that I'm taking now. You can also begin today by taking small steps of obedience and trust in the loving Heavenly Father. God Bless You, and have a great new year.
