Communion Restrictions
Go take a look at this post on Out of Ur, and determine your reaction.
Theologian J I Packer is asked, "Do you believe that access to the Lord’s Table should be restricted, and if so, how does the church do that in a way that’s inoffensive?" Here is part of his answer:
The second point of restriction is when individuals in the congregation are known to be living in sin. If the attempt has been made to wean them away from sin according to the rules of Matthew 18, and it’s failed, then the text says, “Let him be to you as a heathen and a publican,” a tax collector, someone beyond the pale. The pastor, with the backing of those who were trying to wean the person away, should say, “Don’t come to the Lord’s Table. If you come, the bread and wine will not be served to you. I shall see to that.”I have to ask -- who determines if the sin is large enough to keep the person from communion? Who determines what is sin? Are some sins larger than others? Don't we all sin? Are any of us worthy to come to God?
Where is the grace? Where is the love?
Labels: Communion
posted by Kim at 9:53 PM
2 Comments:
All who love Jesus
The liturgy (in one of the forms) invites all who "truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways...".
So all sin, and all who repent are welcome to take communion. Am I interpreting it correctly? It seems to me to leave determination of what your sin is and whether or not you have repented of it to the individual.
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