The Loving Lord's Table - A Vicar's Voice
In the fall we had an excellent series of Bible classes focused on the Lord’s Supper that engaged the minds and invoked lively discussion. This is a topic that I have thought a lot about, as I have to remind my own family that even though they may consider themselves lifelong Lutherans (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America), they are not able to receive the Sacrament at our altar. Even with those we love and do not doubt their salvation, it is the public confession that their church (ELCA) has, as it is at direct odds with Holy Scripture and the Book of Concord. Even though they may have a private confession that may align more closely with our church, they still stand with the public confession of their church body. This is a painful experience, but the pain has a purpose.
When you commune with a church, you are expressing that you agree with their doctrinal teaching. An important section of scripture to consider would be 1 Corinthians 10:14–22. There are three altars discussed: the Christian altar, the Jewish altar, and the pagan altar. This is not necessarily to say that if our friends and family participate in communion at their Baptist or Romanist church, that they are worshiping demons, but it is to draw distinctions between altars and the differences in what is confessed at those altars.
As you consider the teaching of “closed communion,” it is helpful to recognize the historical stance of churches, as most of them, regardless of their denominational affiliation, have always and still do practice closed communion at some level. The idea of completely “open communion” is a recent innovation. Another point is the term as it is used, “closed communion,” which comes from the ancient Church when they would allow nonmembers to join for the service of the Word, but would require that they leave, whether it be a church sanctuary or in a home church space. Then the doors would be “closed” behind them and the service of the Sacrament would take place. The Greco-Romans even began claiming that the Christians were cannibals, because they shared a table to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus. They referred to them as “Thyestians” as there was an occult practice of eating children and these accusations were used to justify extreme persecution. The early followers of Christ were also known for saving the infants that were discarded by the Greco-Romans, but that’s another Vicar’s Voice column. Let’s focus on why these early accusations where levied, the Holy Eucharist.
We learn many things about life and the Lord in the bible, including these three things:
- Command to theological unity: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:1–4; 1 Peter 3:8; John 17:11, 17; Jude 3; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:13
- Warning against false doctrine and false teachers: Matthew 7:15; Matthew 16:6; Philippians 3:2; Colossians 2:8; 2 Peter 3:17; Galatians 1:6–9; Romans 16:17–18; 1 Corinthians 11:19
- The unity of doctrine is expressed at the altar: 1 Corinthians 11:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14–22; Hebrews 13:10; Acts 2:42
Much could be said about the reconciling of these numerous scriptures and I encourage you to read all of them in context. It is helpful for our guests to understand that it is not a “no,” but rather a “not yet,” as further discussion and understanding is warranted. Our children who are in the pews every week are also instructed in Confirmation prior to admittance. Another point to consider is that our pastor has to sleep at night. He takes his role as the shepherd of each of our souls with the utmost seriousness. It would plague a good pastor’s conscience if he gives the sacrament to someone to their detriment (1 Cor. 11:29–30) and no pastor should simply be viewed as a vending machine. The Lord’s Supper was established in the ultimate expression of Love, as the very last will and testament of Jesus Christ, marking the New Testament era, and is not something to be taken lightly.
It may be obvious, but sometimes it needs to be gently pointed out, that if one rejects Christ’s real presence in the Bread and the Blood for the forgiveness of sins and holds to a symbolic view, then there shouldn’t be cause for offense over simple symbols. We continue to pray for unity in the Church and endeavor to bring clarity to the love of Christ given in the Holy Supper. If someone does say “Amen” to the Sacrament received in the Divine Service, then let’s grab a coffee and chat about the lively liturgical life of Mount Calvary and how they can join in.
In Christ,
Vicar Michael Usner
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