Online Bible Study - Foundations of Faith

The Lord's Supper

Second, that same verse of the Bible teaches us also that if a person is living in sin but is not sorry for his or her sin or willing to repent of that sin, he/she should not participate in this Breaking of Bread. If he/she does partake, according to the Bible, he/she will eat and drink judgement upon himself/herself. Some people wish to cover up their sinful lives by taking Holy Communion even though they are continuing in unrepentant sinning. Galatians 6:7 speaks to such people in these words, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."

Third, a person whose faith is weak should most certainly come to the Lord's Table to receive God's assurance of forgiveness, and for the strengthening of their faith. John 6:37b, "…whoever comes to, me I will never drive out!" And also Matthew 11:28, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Fourth, what about communing little children and people who are senile or mentally incompetent? We know from the Bible that "God is Love" (1 John 4:8a), and also from the Psalmist David, "The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made" (Psalm 145:9). So concerning these individuals we can only understand that since they are unable to examine themselves, the following word of God applies to them, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). We also know from 1 Corinthians 11:28-29, "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of that bread and drink of that cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself." We should pray for such persons, help them in worship and praise, and let the Lord be in charge of their blessings.

A fine Biblical practice concerning the Lord's Table is that it is ideal for all who partake at the Lord's altar to profess the same faith and fellowship. In 1 Corinthians 1:10ff Paul encourages, "I appeal to you, brothers in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no division among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." Again, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:14-17 (especially in verse 16b-17), "And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ. Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf."

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