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When am I cleansed enough to take communion?

Asked Dec 29, 2007, 04:04 PM — 25 Answers
I am a Christian and don't know which Church I should go to. I want to take communion but don't know if I am cleansed enough for the Lord.

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Fr_Chuck's Avatar
Fr_Chuck Posts: 72,607, Reputation: 37031
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#2

Dec 29, 2007, 04:48 PM


You can never be clean enough, but you can be forgiven.

And what church you go to, will depend on when they allow you to.
If you go to the Baptist or Methodist Church for example all you have to be is baptised.

If you are a Lutheran ( MO SYND) you have to take their classes and join their church before you can take communion.

If you are a catholic, you would have to take classes, be confirmed and then join the church.

But we are never and can never clean ourself enough
smearcase (Jan 1, 2008 08:14 AM): I have been a Meth for 50+ years and have never heard any requirement of baptism.   Source:
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margog85's Avatar
margog85 Posts: 246, Reputation: 98
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#3

Dec 30, 2007, 03:32 PM
That's one thing I always disagreed with the Catholic Church on, even when I was Catholic. If you weren't Catholic, you couldn't receive communion. If you hadn't been to confession, you couldn't receive communion. If you didn't believe in the Eucharist as the body of Christ, you couldn't receive communion. If you were in 'mortal sin' you couldn't receive communion.

However, the Eucharist is presented as a channel of the grace of god, wherein humans are united with god in a special and unique way.

If Catholics believe there is such power in the Eucharist, why withhold it? And what gives humans the power/authority to decide who can partake in something through which another can receive grace? Isn't that putting limitations on the god you believe in? Or thinking that he puts limitations on who he allows to come to him?

According to Catholic/Christian belief, and as is said before the consecration, Jesus said 'Take this, ALL OF YOU, and eat it. This is my body, which will be given up for you.'

Jesus supposedly knew that Judas was going to betray him- kind of a big deal, don't you think? Maybe something that just might be considered a 'mortal sin'? But, as the story goes, Jesus didn't snatch the bread from his hands and tell him he couldn't have any- what gives the church the right to make that determination as to who is 'worthy' and who isn't if Jesus never indicated any kind of limitation of that nature.

And yes, I know the rhetoric about Catholicism being a synthesis of scripture and tradition- that's why change is near impossible in regard to anything of significance in the Catholic church- women priests, homosexuality, priests being allowed to marry again (because they used to be able to!)-

Idk- Just doesn't seem to make very much sense.

If you believe that communion is something you want, I'd say just go for it. Honestly. I'm not Christian, but... If you feel that receiving communion will bring you closer to god, and into a better union with god, do you really think god would refuse you if that's what you're truly seeking? If you believe in a loving god, would that loving god turn someone away who's sincerely seeking to grow closer to him?

I don't think so.
ineedhelpfast (Mar 12, 2008 09:47 PM): if your not a christian then why are you posting something you dont know much about it   Source:
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fallen2grace's Avatar
fallen2grace Posts: 201, Reputation: 75
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#4

Dec 30, 2007, 08:29 PM
You have to be saved first.
desidario (Dec 31, 2007 10:31 AM): Was Judas saved?   Source:
hyperbaptistgirl (Feb 8, 2008 09:44 AM): You do not have to be saved to do communion,you must love Jesus and FYI a lot of people get saved during of after communion.   Source:
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fallen2grace's Avatar
fallen2grace Posts: 201, Reputation: 75
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#5

Dec 31, 2007, 10:15 PM
Quote:
desidario disagrees: Was Judas saved?
I don't Know. Was he? I didn't really know how to explain the rest of my anwser. I mean every time we take communion at chruch the paster says something. But I can't remember therefore I can't explain it. I will get it this weekend though, when we take it next. He explains it well.
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Wangdoodle's Avatar
Wangdoodle Posts: 220, Reputation: 257
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#6

Jan 1, 2008, 08:02 AM
One should be in the state of grace when receiving communion.

"Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the cup; for he who eats and drinks unworthily, without distinguishing the body, eats and drinks judgment to himself." 1 Corinthians

We should really make a good examination of conscience before presenting ourselves for receiving communion.
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smearcase's Avatar
smearcase Posts: 1,561, Reputation: 942
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#7

Jan 1, 2008, 08:41 AM
My comment in response FR_CHUCKS answer got cut off (format for rating a comment is terrible to try and type into).
I tried to say that in my 50 years as a Methodist I have never heard of a requirement for baptism before Communion.
We have been members of several diff Methodist churches in 3 states over the past 20 years. The Meth ministers invite all those who have accepted Christ or who are considering accepting Christ to partake of Communion.
How would you enforce such a requirement? There were 541 people at two Christmas Eve services at my church this year. Communion was offered at both services. Many people hadn't been to church for a year, some for many years and prob a few-never.
I certainly don't mean to imply that Methodists don't take Baptism seriously. It is a standard ritual.
Detailed information is available at UMC.org Thank you
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Fr_Chuck's Avatar
Fr_Chuck Posts: 72,607, Reputation: 37031
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#8

Jan 1, 2008, 09:31 AM


If I am mistaken I am sorry, the several Methodist Churches I have preached out and have helped with their serices all seemed to have a notice that communion was open to all baptised individuals in their programs handed out.

But as in control, it is a self control as it is in all churches.
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fallen2grace's Avatar
fallen2grace Posts: 201, Reputation: 75
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#9

Jan 1, 2008, 12:10 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wangdoodle
One should be in the state of grace when receiving communion.

"Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the cup; for he who eats and drinks unworthily, without distinguishing the body, eats and drinks judgment to himself." 1 Corinthians

We should really make a good examination of conscience before presenting ourselves for receiving communion.
Actually, I think that is what I was trying to say. :/
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Wangdoodle's Avatar
Wangdoodle Posts: 220, Reputation: 257
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#10

Jan 1, 2008, 07:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by fallen2grace
Actually, I think that is what I was trying to say. :/
I wasn't disagreeing with you or anything. Just, you know, putting my two cents in for what ever it's worth.
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