by KCWriteWinger

Created on: January 26, 2010

This is a debate that has taken place for centuries between orthodox, and evangelical Christians. It is not an easy one to settle, and probably will never be settled till Christ comes again in all of His Glory.  The debate surrounds the Roman Catholic tradition concerning Holy Communion vs. the non-Catholic method of celebrating Christ's death and resurrection.

Catholics will quickly condemn Protestants and Evangelical's for not using grape juice instead of real wine, and using unleavened bread instead of what they call Communion wafer.  The Protestants will then condemn those within the Roman Catholic church for using real wine that contains alcohol which some Protestants believe to be sinful to consume. No where at the last supper did Christ burn incense creating a cloud of smoke, chanting in Latin, and swinging a lantern either.

Jesus took the bread, and broke it, and said to his disciples, take and eat, this is my body that is broken for you, do this is remembrance of me, and he did the same with the "fruit of the vine" as well.  The Scripture also tells us that we are examine ourselves before God to make sure that our motives for taking communion are good ones, so that we are sure that we have dealt with our own sins before we partake of the symbol of the broken body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we are warned that anyone who partakes in an unworthy manner, not being concerned with the sacrifice of Christ, brings upon himself / herself the judgment of  Almighty God.

So I believe the real issue is that of self-judgment, as well as that of celebrating the finished work of Christ on the Cross. 

We are told in 1 Cor 11:31 - " But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment."

Why have we allowed the Lord's Table to become a table of argument?   Clearly I would say that many on both sides have failed to examine their own hearts before God when they approach the communion table. This table reminds me of what a filthy sinner I really am, and how unworthy I am of God's love, especially the fact that he would step down from his throne in heaven, to be beaten, and flogged. Spat upon, mocked, and marched naked and bleeding through the streets of Jerusalem, to be crucified in my place.  I justly deserved to die that day, and I justly deserve to be cast into Hell, but because of the selfless Son of the Living God, I am pronounced as clean before my Lord, made pure in his sight based upon the finished work of Christ.

Holy Communion, A Biblical Ordinance instituted by Christ himself. To be time of personal reflection, confession, and remembrance.  So let us come before the Lord's Table as people who have taken time to examine themselves in the sight of God, so that when we do partake of these sacred elements, that we are doing so with the proper motivation, having confessed to God our sins, and not having anything against any of our brothers or sisters in Christ.  All this so that we are prepared to truly take communion the way Christ meant for us too, so that we do not bring upon ourselves the judgment of God.

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