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RTAYLOR068 · Jan 24, 2011, 01:54 PM

Before you can take communion do you have to be baptist first.

smoothy · Jan 24, 2011, 01:58 PM

Most protestants don't do the communion thing... but Catholics do weekly.

ebaines · Jan 24, 2011, 03:34 PM

Are you asking specifically about taking communion in a Baptist Church? It depends. Some Baptist churches require that you be a member of that particular congregation. Others are more open - either simply requiring that you be "christian" (which to a Baptist means something very specific), and still others are open to anyone who wants to come forward. I suggest you ask what the particular custom is at the church you are attending.

ebaines · Jan 24, 2011, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by smoothy

Most protestants don't do the communion thing......but Catholics do weekly.

Not true - many protestant denominations include the Eucharist either every week, or close to it. Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Methodists come to mind.

Wondergirl · Jan 24, 2011, 03:48 PM

I think you are asking if you must be baptized before you can take communion. Is that correct? Yes, you do.

Usually baptism comes first, even for adults, to show they are serious about becoming a Christian and want to be dedicated to the Lord. In Catholic and Protestant churches, Baptism is first, then First Communion and/or Confirmation (or in reverse order). Confirmation is the renewal of Baptismal vows. Being able to take Communion shows that you are a member of God's family and honor the sacrifice Jesus made for you.

smoothy · Jan 24, 2011, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by ebaines

Not true - many protestant denominatoins include the Eucharist either every week, or close to it. Episcopalians, Lutherans and Presbyterians, and Methodists come to mind.

Um... I disagree with you there... I grew up as a Methodist, and attended weekly... and I only ever saw it once a year... ever and never at certain churches, like the one I attended... in fact I never saw a communion outside of a Methodist religious retreat during the winter I attended annually growing... and never outside of there. And I have also attended Baptist churches as well as a couple others over the years... never saw a weekly communion there either... ever.

Wondergirl · Jan 24, 2011, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by ebaines

Not true - many protestant denominatoins include the Eucharist either every week, or close to it. Episcopalians, Lutherans and Presbyterians, and Methodists come to mind.

Lutheran churches that have more than one Sunday service offer communion in one service one week, and in the other service the next week. Some congregations have a mid-week service for those who missed church on Sunday or who will be out of town on the coming Sunday. Very small congregations with only one service might offer Communion only once a month.

Fr_Chuck · Jan 24, 2011, 03:54 PM

Yes, if you do a head count, more Protestants do communion every week ( or at least every other) than don't, only a handful don't do it on a regular basis.

Episcopalians, Anglicans, most Lutherans, Presbyterians, and some Methodists have it every week. Other Lutherans, Methodists have it twice a month.

Most Baptist have it a couple times a year but there are 100 's of types of Baptists and 1000's of independent ones
The best way is to ask prior to the service if they don't say at the service.

Some Lutherans have a "closed" communion, others don't, most Anglican and Episcopalians have open communion, all methodists have open that I know of.

All of the Baptist churches I have been to ( limited number) have all had open communion . But there is always an exception I am sure.

*** In open I mean that you have to be a professed baptised Christian,

So if you count the number of members in Anglican, Episcopalians, Lutheran, Presbyterians and other churches, my guess is more Protestants do it every week ( or at least every other) than don't

ebaines · Jan 24, 2011, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by smoothy

Um.....I disagree with you there.....I grew up as a Methodist, and attended weekly....and I only ever saw it once a year......

Yes - I guess I should have said "United Methodist." There are Methodists and then there are Methodists.

Fr_Chuck - nice summary. I tried to give you a greenie but the system says I've been too generous to you!

smoothy · Jan 24, 2011, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by ebaines

Yes - I guess I should have said "United Methodist." There are Methodists and then there are Methodists.

Fr_Chuck - nice summary. I tried to give you a greenie but the system says I've been too generous to you!

Incidentally... I was a United Methodist. And yes... there is a major rift within the methodist church. Most of which occurred after the period I commented on... as I haven't attended regularly in recent years but did in my youth.

HeadStrongBoy · Jan 25, 2011, 09:51 AM

One very disturbing fact that all the other answerers are not aware of is that The Church Age ended in 1988. At that time God's spirit permanently left ALL the churches because of two reasons. It was God's plan that The Great Tribulation should begin. And the churches had become so apostate that ALL of them were not following the truth of the Bible, particularly in regard to salvation. There were, however, still SOME members who actually are true children of God. Now God commands all believers to come out of the churches because Satan is installed there, ruling officially. The scaraments that are performed there have no spiritual value of any kind. So the question of baptism and communion is totally moot. Except that those two CEREMONIES have some value as teaching tools to help us understand what God was doing during The Church Age.

smoothy · Jan 25, 2011, 09:59 AM

Exactly what (self edited original comment) and where did you pull that one from HeadStrongBoy? And what cult believes that? The protestant Church (any of the branches I know anyway) doesn't teach that nor does the Catholic Church.

Wondergirl · Jan 25, 2011, 10:11 AM

I found it. Harold Camping, of the-end-of-the-world-is-May 21, 2011 fame, "teaches that all churches have become apostate and thus must be abandoned. In the place of church he encourages personal Bible study and listening to his Family Radio broadcasts."

Harold Camping - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HSB must be a Camping follower.

HeadStrongBoy · Jan 25, 2011, 10:21 AM

Quoting smoothy:
Exactly what (self edited original comment) and where did you pull that one from HeadStrongBoy?

Bravo, did you actually READ what I wrote ? Careful, don't let it contaminate your thinking.

Wondergirls is correct, this time. I do follow Mr. Camping. Pretty obvious if one does just a little research. I never did try to hide it. I just did not make a BIG POINT of it. Ha ha.

Wondergirl · Jan 25, 2011, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by HeadStrongBoy

Wondergirls is correct, this time. I do follow Mr. Camping. Pretty obvious if one does just a little research. I never did try to hide it. I just did not make a BIG POINT of it. Ha ha.

If I remember correctly, in one of these threads, you had agreed with his reckoning about May 21, 2011. After that, my conclusion was easy. Plus, it helps to be a librarian with an excellent memory.

dwashbur · Jan 25, 2011, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

If I remember correctly, in one of these threads, you had agreed with his reckoning about May 21, 2011. After that, my conclusion was easy. Plus, it helps to be a librarian with an excellent memory.

But you can bet we won't be getting any apologies from HSB on May 22...

Got to go with WG here, HSB. After all, we librarians have to stick together ;)

NeedKarma · Jan 25, 2011, 11:12 AM

It'll be interesting to visit this board on May 22nd... if it's still here. (har-har)

smoothy · Jan 25, 2011, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by HeadStrongBoy

Quoting smoothy:
Exactly what (self edited original comment) and where did you pull that one from HeadStrongBoy?

Bravo, did you actually READ what I wrote ? Careful, don't let it contaminate your thinking.

Wondergirls is correct, this time. I do follow Mr. Camping. Pretty obvious if one does just a little research. I never did try to hide it. I just did not make a BIG POINT of it. Ha ha.

I read what you said... and while I make no claims about being the most religious person here... (and I even have Jehovahs witnesses as relatives so I know its not from there) that is clearly not a doctrine preached at any church or group I have been exposed to. And I have spent as much time in Catholic chruches as I have protestant wones the last 20 years (wifes catholic). Not once have I heard a Preacher, reverand or Priest say any of what you said in that post...

Never heard it elsewhere either... thats why I wanted to know exactly where that came from... not that I believe it at all (I don't)... just curious of the source.

Incidentally... I'm direct, sometimes ssarcastic... sometimes blunt... its just my style. No personal offense intended. I'm a slow and poor typist... its easier for me to be direct. I'm far more verbose in person than online.

I haven't read any of the follow-up links or posts yet... having one of those days at the office you never wish to repeat. Should by tonight however.

classyT · Jan 26, 2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by HeadStrongBoy

One very disturbing fact that all the other answerers are not aware of is that The Church Age ended in 1988. At that time God's spirit permanently left ALL the churches because of two reasons. It was God's plan that The Great Tribulation should begin. And the churches had become so apostate that ALL of them were not following the truth of the Bible, particularly in regard to salvation. There were, however, still SOME members who actually are true children of God. Now God commands all believers to come out of the churches because Satan is installed there, ruling officially. The scaraments that are performed there have no spiritual value of any kind. So the question of baptism and communion is totally moot. Except that those two CEREMONIES have some value as teaching tools to help us understand what God was doing during The Church Age.

The church age ended in 1988?? Ha ha ha... well this has been one heck of a long 7 year tribulation. Too funny.

To the OP-

According to my Bible you do NOT have to be baptist ( there were no baptist back in the first century church.) AND.. you do not have to be baptized in order to take communion I think it is a good idea though because the Lord asked us to. But I see NO verse that says you must be.

dwashbur · Jan 26, 2011, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by classyT

the church age ended in 1988??? ha ha ha...well this has been one heck of a long 7 year tribulation. too funny.

To the OP-

according to my Bible you do NOT have to be baptist ( there were no baptist back in the first century church.) AND..you do not have to be baptized in order to take communion I think it is a good idea though because the Lord asked us to. But I see NO verse that says you must be.

Agreed. That said, many churches have traditions or standards of their own regarding things like communion, so it's a good idea to find out what they are for the church you're going to and respect them accordingly. For example, when I was doing music ministry in a Catholic church several years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of receiving communion because it's something extremely important to them, and they believe that only a full-fellowship Catholic can take it. Out of respect for that tradition, even though I don't agree with it, I abstained.

As with so many other areas of life, it's all about balance.