I will repost here what I also posted in your other thread, just to make sure you see it.
This is one of those times where it would be useful to see exactly what the earliest Christians practiced. Fortunately, there actually IS such a record, and it’s called the Didache. This short writing is the ONLY Christian writing besides the Bible that dates to the time when the Apostles were still alive. In fact, in the early church, it was often brought up as a contender for inclusion in the Bible itself. Now, although the Didache eventually wasn’t included in the Bible, it was rejected ONLY because it was seen as a procedural document on how to conduct Christian ceremonies. In other words, it didn’t provide any new revelation that contributed to our salvation, and as such, wasn’t inspired. It IS, however, an historically accurate document on worship in the first century church.
With that in mind, let’s see what the students of the apostles were taught:
**CHAPTER 9
The Eucharist – The Cup – The Bread**
1 And concerning the Eucharist, hold Eucharist thus: 2 First concerning the Cup, “We give thanks to thee, our Father, for the Holy Vine of David thy child, which, thou didst make known to us through Jesus thy child; to thee be glory for ever.”
3 And concerning the broken Bread: "We give thee thanks, our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou didst make known to us through Jesus thy Child. To thee be glory for ever.
4 As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains, but was brought together and became one, so let thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into thy Kingdom, for thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever."
5 But let none eat or drink of your Eucharist except those who have been baptised in the Lord’s Name. For concerning this also did the Lord say, “Give not that which is holy to the dogs.”
**CHAPTER 14
The Sunday worship**
1 On the Lord’s Day of the Lord come together, break bread and hold Eucharist, after confessing your transgressions that your offering may be pure; 2 but let none who has a quarrel with his fellow join in your meeting until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice be not defiled. 3 For this is that which was spoken by the Lord, “In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great king,” saith the Lord, “and my name is wonderful among the heathen.”
So, what do we learn from these passages? First, only baptized Christians may partake in the Eucharist. It is accepted that one must follow, practice, and believe in the Christian religion in order to receive. This is not surprising, and it’s how most denominations treat the Eucharist.
The second passage is more interesting. It states that one must only receive communion after confessing major transgressions. In other words, one cannot be in a state of mortal sin and receive the Eucharist. Since Protestants do not have access to the Sacrament of Confession, under Catholic belief, they cannot be guaranteed of their forgiveness. So, as a precaution, Communion is generally denied to them. This is done to protect them from accidentally committing sacrilege. Please note that even CATHOLICS that are in a state of mortal sin and have not attended Confession are to refrain from partaking in the Eucharist! This is not a mere prohibition against Protestants, and often, there will be Catholics sitting in the pews that do not go up to receive for this very reason.
