Communion at Protestant churches

[Theodore]

You would have to bring me proof that because its open communion its a love fest so anyone can come

Ive never heard communion being called a love fest.

And you keep saying that a big old church supper in a catholic church is comparable to a protestant communion. The analogy is not very charitable.

Open communion does not require church membership in all churches, some but not all. They just accept others from different denominations to partake.

And to correct you, they do require people to confess their sins to God ahead of time. In fact spend the whole service speaking to just that. Including the songs sung, and scripture read.

Like I said thats the most lamest deal I have ever heard that they have to save the left over bread crumbs for turkey stuffing because there is starving people in the world. If they really wanted to be thrifty they should have frozen it and used them for next time. And not wasted church resources to stuff their turkeys.

Even if they didnt believe it was Jesus what they were doing was in bad form. And I still say that just because they acted poorly gives no excuse to continualy bring it up as a example of what protestants do with left overs. Like I said before its not right to judge a group by a few of its own.

Stating a fact is not being uncharitible, and the fact IS that Non Catholics do not beleive in the real presence True charity is to refute error and to proclaim the thruth to those who are in error… Peace

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Stating a fact is not being uncharitible, and the fact IS that Non Catholics do not beleive in the real presense. True charity is to refute error and to proclaim the thruth to those who are in error… Peace

I never disputed that fact. In fact agree with it.

I disputed comparison of a informal church hall dinner to a protestant holy communion service as being similar.

So I guess thats refuting error.

 

[Theodore]

I never disputed that fact. In fact agree with it.

I disputed comparison of a informal church hall dinner to a protestant holy communion service as being similar.

So I guess thats refuting error.

Yep it sure is !! Many are called but few accepts his invitation… Christ made me a over i couldn’t refuse either, "his Real Presence " and we also have the luxury of uniting ourself to him in Prayer.

 

[peary]

Stating a fact is not being uncharitible, and the fact IS that Non Catholics do not beleive in the real presence True charity is to refute error and to proclaim the thruth to those who are in error… Peace

Lutherans believe in the Real Presence, but they refer to how the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ as consubstantiation. But I don’t think it matters because they rejected the priesthood and the Mass a a Sacrifice. I think Anglicans believe the same way.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Yep it sure is !! Many are called but few accepts his invitation… Christ made me a over i couldn’t refuse either, "his Real Presence " and we also have the luxury of uniting ourself to him in Prayer.

This thing sure circles alot is your response to mine??

 

[Kitty_Chan]

Lutherans believe in the Real Presence, but they refer to how the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ as consubstantiation. But I don’t think it matters because they rejected the priesthood and the Mass a a Sacrifice. I think Anglicans believe the same way.

Thats the word I was trying to remember, I think Methodists do too. OS Luke explained that to me. For your info the whole thing was a confusion I understood it always as real presence even though protestant (Baptist Nazarene) So imagine my surprise to find out not everyone thought that way. With the kind help of OS Luke, Pegrino and Pax they helped sort out my confusion.

So now I understand it alot more. And having just participated in a communion service this last weekend, I found it alot more reverant that stated here. And I appreciated you for being positive about it in the first place. thus why I said something. After all if we cant get along, where is the worlds hope?

 

[GKC]

Lutherans believe in the Real Presence, but they refer to how the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ as consubstantiation. But I don’t think it matters because they rejected the priesthood and the Mass a a Sacrifice. I think Anglicans believe the same way.

Anglicans believe a lot of different things. About the Real Presence, you can find Anglicans who profess exactly what the RC does. Exactly.

Familiar territory around here.

GKC

 

[viper78912]

You should not be surprised if people from your congregation go ahead and receive the Eucharist the next time they go to a Catholic Church, because of your example to them - in their view, you are “brave” to receive in their church and show everybody that “we are all the same in the eyes of Jesus,” and they will reciprocate out of love for you, by being “brave” and receiving in yours, to show that, yes indeedy, we really are all the same.

“For God So Loved the World….” (John3.16). Jesus Christ did not die for any religion.
If a non Catholic attends Holy Mass and receives Spiritual Communion, will Jesus Christ Come to Him? Is Spiritual Communion less than Sacramental Communion?
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth” (John4.24).

 

[jmcrae]

If a non Catholic attends Holy Mass and receives Spiritual Communion, will Jesus Christ Come to Him? Is Spiritual Communion less than Sacramental Communion?
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth” (John4.24).

If a non-Catholic comes to Mass and makes a spiritual Holy Communion at the moment of the Consecration, he will be closer to Christ than he has ever been before in his whole life.

If he later becomes a Catholic, then he will be even closer than that.

 

[Grace_Seeker]

Next time a friend invites you over, tell your friend you will be there in Spirit. So will you also turn away…

I have had to do that on occassion. When my daughter graduated from university this past summer, we were not able to be there with her physically. But we did get on the phone and call her. She was so pleased to hear from us, she said it was just like were where right there with her. Why? Because we really were with her in spirit. There is no turning away associated with being present only in spirit. Rather there is a connection. In fact, if you are not with someone in spirit, I question if there is any value in being with them “in person”. Surely we have all experienced a time when someone was physically present in our midst, but in reality they were somewhere else. I want Jesus’ REAL presence with me in Communion. That begins when he is with us in Spirit. If he is also with you physically, then more power to you. But I will not replace his real presence that I experience with him by his spiritual presence for a few molecules of wheat that have somehow transformed themselves to flesh unless I can also still retain that spiritual presence which makes his presence real.

 

[jmcrae]

But I will not replace his real presence that I experience with him by his spiritual presence for a few molecules of wheat that have somehow transformed themselves to flesh unless I can also still retain that spiritual presence which makes his presence real.

In the Catholic Church, there is no “either/or.” Jesus comes into our bodies fully alive, Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

One priest explained to us one time that at the moment that we receive the Eucharist, we become imitators of Mary at the moment of the Annunciation - we are little “Theotokoses” (God-bearers) at that moment.

 

[LilyM]

“For God So Loved the World….” (John3.16). Jesus Christ did not die for any religion.
If a non Catholic attends Holy Mass and receives Spiritual Communion, will Jesus Christ Come to Him? Is Spiritual Communion less than Sacramental Communion?
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and Truth” (John4.24).

The Gospel according to viper

So why, pray tell, do any of us ever need or want bread and wine at all? Ever? Why not do away with Communion altogether, just sit around and sing Kumbaya and revel in spiritually communing with Our Lord? It’s the same thing, isn’t it? Except it isn’t - spiritual communion most certainly IS less than Sacramental communion, as much as engagement is less than sacramental marriage.

Jesus commanded us to do as He did. Which wasn’t Spiritual Communion, nor was it a symbolic Eucharist, nor was it Consubstantiation. It was the Catholic Eucharist. I’m not saying the other practices aren’t worthy and good, when for whatever reason one can’t receive Him in the full Catholic sacrament. But certainly they ain’t equal.

 

[Grace_Seeker]

I understand that Catholics (and Lutherans too) believe in the physical real presence (vs. a spiritual real presense) of Christ specifically because Jesus said, “This is my body.” The difference between you and me is that I don’t think Jesus meant that phrase to be taken literally at any greater level than the following statements, every bit as clear as the passage you cite and every bit as much in scripture, some even the very promise of Jesus himself:

Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. (Exodus 15:6)

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. (Psalm 20:6)

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” (Psalm 110:1)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)

But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." (Luke 22:69)

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

Now my question to you is simple: Does God have a physical right hand?

 

[peary]

Anglicans believe a lot of different things. About the Real Presence, you can find Anglicans who profess exactly what the RC does. Exactly.

Familiar territory around here.

GKC

I suppose Anglicans can believe whatever they want to believe. That seems to be the “in thing” with episopals these days! The theology of the day seems to be “If I believe it, then it must be true!”

 

[homewardbound]

I can’t understand how anyone who has actually read John chapter 6 could still believe Jesus was just being symbolic.

“He who does not eat of my flesh or drink my blood DOES NOT HAVE LIFE IN HIM.”

No real presence, you have no life in you. Spiritually, you are wounded and have no where to go for nourishment.

Its sad that people argue about it and are fooled by what some other man has said about it instead of simply reading Jesus’s words and believing them. That so many will believe some fire and brimstone pastor over God. Just like the Jews in the passage who turned their back on Christ, they do the same. I am so blessed that God has answered the prayer I prayed for over two years (“God, Please lead me to Your Truth”) So very blessed.

Luckily, or sadly I should say, my mom’s church only offers communion once a year. Not that it matters since its just symbolic. Even though I am not confirmed Catholic yet, I would never again partake in Protestant Communion.

 

[peary]

In the Catholic Church, there is no “either/or.” Jesus comes into our bodies fully alive, Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

One priest explained to us one time that at the moment that we receive the Eucharist, we become imitators of Mary at the moment of the Annunciation - we are little “Theotokoses” (God-bearers) at that moment.

I never thought about it in that way. Thank you!

Also, a lot of Protestants reject the idea of transubstantiation because they can’t understand how such a thing could occur (they have no problem accepting all the other miracles in the bible, but this one is difficult for them to comprehend!)

If Christ, after his Resurrection, was able to walk over water, go through walls, appear and disappear at will in the midst of everyone, then why is it so difficult to accept the premise that He makes Himself available body, blood, soul and Divinity to us in the Eucharist? It is his resurrected body that makes this possible!

 

[Theodore]

I have had to do that on occassion. When my daughter graduated from university this past summer, we were not able to be there with her physically. But we did get on the phone and call her. She was so pleased to hear from us, she said it was just like were where right there with her. Why? Because we really were with her in spirit. There is no turning away associated with being present only in spirit. Rather there is a connection. In fact, if you are not with someone in spirit, I question if there is any value in being with them “in person”. Surely we have all experienced a time when someone was physically present in our midst, but in reality they were somewhere else. I want Jesus’ REAL presence with me in Communion. That begins when he is with us in Spirit. If he is also with you physically, then more power to you. But I will not replace his real presence that I experience with him by his spiritual presence for a few molecules of wheat that have somehow transformed themselves to flesh unless I can also still retain that spiritual presence which makes his presence real.

That’s the beauty of it, he comes to us completely. Did you think he only comes to us as a piece of flesh !! we receive the whole BODY, BLOOD, SOUL and DIVINITY the same way he appeared to the apostles after the ressurection that surely must be better than to only receive him spritually.
So will you also turn away… Peace

 

[jmcrae]

I never thought about it in that way. Thank you!

Also, a lot of Protestants reject the idea of transubstantiation because they can’t understand how such a thing could occur (they have no problem accepting all the other miracles in the bible, but this one is difficult for them to comprehend!)

If Christ, after his Resurrection, was able to walk over water, go through walls, appear and disappear at will in the midst of everyone, then why is it so difficult to accept the premise that He makes Himself available body, blood, soul and Divinity to us in the Eucharist? It is his resurrected body that makes this possible!

I think it’s interesting that St. John precedes the Bread of Life discourse with an account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, almost as though He were anticipating the next question - how can Jesus multiply His body and blood, soul and divinity, to feed such a great multitude of people?

By doing it with ordinary food, Jesus shows that He is fully capable of feeding billions of people with Himself, over and over again.

 

[peary]

I think it’s interesting that St. John precedes the Bread of Life discourse with an account of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, almost as though He were anticipating the next question - how can Jesus multiply His body and blood, soul and divinity, to feed such a great multitude of people?

By doing it with ordinary food, Jesus shows that He is fully capable of feeding billions of people with Himself, over and over again.

I never realized that! I went back and read John’s gospel of the loaves and fishes. Yes, it is true! Thank you!

 

[viper78912]

The Gospel according to viper

Jesus commanded us to do as He did. Which wasn’t Spiritual Communion, nor was it a symbolic Eucharist, nor was it Consubstantiation. It was the Catholic Eucharist. I’m not saying the other practices aren’t worthy and good, when for whatever reason one can’t receive Him in the full Catholic sacrament. But certainly they ain’t equal.

In John 4.32-34, Jesus Said,” I Have food to eat of which you do not know. “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His Work.”
An addict emerging from the den is easily recognizable as being ‘spirit filled.’
With due respect, how many are recognizable after Holy Communion, as being ‘Spirit Filled’? Are we doing His Work?