Can Unbelievers Take Communion?
Communion ought to be a time of celebrating Christ’s finished work on the cross. It ought to be a time when we proclaim his victory over sin and sickness.
Yet for many, communion is a time of navel-gazing self-examination. It’s a time of asking, Am I good enough for God? Am I worthy?
Jesus said “take this cup in remembrance of me,” but we often drink in remembrance of ourselves. This is a misplaced focus. Communion isn’t about you but him. As I have explained elsewhere, communion is a time for receiving the full benefits of what Jesus paid for.
And since Jesus died for all, communion is for all.
Yet many churches say otherwise. They have rules stipulating who can and cannot take communion.
Never mind whether you are good enough for God, the real question is whether you are good enough to eat our crackers and drink our grape juice!
I’m not making light of communion. I understand where these rules come from. They come from this passage:
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1 Cor 11:27-29, KJV)
Heavy words. But understand what Paul is NOT saying: “If you do communion wrong, God will damn you to hell. He’ll smite you with sickness and death.”
No, when Paul tells the Corinthians, “your meetings do more harm than good” (1 Cor 11:17), he is simply saying:
Your meetings are a disgrace. You’re competing with each other (v.18), playing silly games of one-upmanship (v.19), and being incredibly selfish (v.21). Some of you are even getting drunk while others are missing out completely (v.21). By acting this way they you are despising the church and humiliating those who have nothing (v.22). ~My paraphrase
There’s no question the Corinthians were doing communion badly. But there is no suggestion that God was going to smite them.
So how do we account for these judgment verses? What does Paul mean when he says those who participate in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord?
Taking communion in an unworthy manner
Paul is speaking in general terms. Note the word “whosoever” as in “Whosoever shall eat this bread…” Paul is not saying you guys are drinking unworthily and you guys are guilty. He is saying whosoever drinks unworthily will be guilty. He is making a general claim of the kind…
– Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom 10:13)
– Whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. (John 4:14)
– Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15)
The proper question to ask is, who is Paul referring to? Who are the whosoever?
You might think it’s anyone and everyone but if that were so Paul would be wrong when he says there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1).
Paul is not referring to anyone and everyone in general but anyone and everyone outside the kingdom. He is referring to those who don’t value the cross, namely, unbelievers who take communion without recognizing that Christ died for them. It’s not that they are unworthy – none of us is good enough – but that they are eating and drinking unworthily. They are not valuing what Christ has done for them.
But what does Paul mean when he says that such a person is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord?
Guilty of the body and blood
An unbeliever who takes communion can no longer claim ignorance of the gospel. He can’t say “I didn’t know Jesus died for me” because he’s eating and drinking in commemoration of that very death.
Someone who has never heard the gospel is ignorant and therefore capable of receiving mercy and grace. But someone who has heard the gospel and scorned it is guilty of the blood and body of Jesus. Although Judgment Day awaits every one of us, such a person has essentially brought judgment on themselves ahead of schedule. That is what Paul is saying in verse 29.
It’s not that God is reaching down from heaven and smiting the scornful with the damnation stamp; they are damning themselves. They’re in a worse place than when they were ignorant because now they know. They have heard the good news of God’s grace and hardened their hearts to it.
Clearly, Paul is not referring to Christians in these three verses. A Christian, by definition, can no more eat and drink judgment on their heads than they can blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
Paul is not describing those who have received God’s grace with thanksgiving. He is referring to those who have tasted of the goodness of God but rejected it (Heb 6:4-6). He is describing those who have received the knowledge of truth but are unchanged by it (Heb 10:26).
Being “guilty of the blood and body of Jesus” in 1 Corinthians 11 is analogous to “trampling the Son of God underfoot” and treating as unholy “the blood of the covenant that sanctified him” in Hebrews 10:29.
Think of the Pharisees. Think of Judas. They had a taste or a glimpse and concluded this is not for me. By hardening their hearts to the grace of God, they placed themselves beyond the reach of God’s grace and mercy. Clearly, this is serious stuff!
And this brings me back to the question I asked at the top…
Can unbelievers take communion?
Many churches say, “No. It’s inappropriate.”
When I published my earlier series on communion some readers told me the same thing. “Since unbelievers don’t value the cross, they shouldn’t be allowed to drink judgment on themselves by taking communion.”
But don’t you find it interesting that Paul never says this. He never says,
When you do communion, make sure you don’t give any to the unbelievers among you. But be nice about it. Say something like, “If you’re visiting with us today, please let the cup and plate go past. Communion is for Christians only.”
Paul never says this because it’s a ridiculous thing to say.
It is not our job to play the Holy Spirit. Our part is to proclaim the finished work of the cross and one way we do that is through communion. Denying communion to unbelievers is like denying them the gospel. It’s like saying:
I am going to proclaim the good news. If you’re visiting with us today, have the freedom to jam your fingers in your ears. The good news is for Christians only.
Can you see how absurd this is?
[Sidebar: What about verses 31 and 32?]
Communion is a symbol of God’s grace. It represents the price God paid to redeem you from the prison of sin. An appropriate response is to say Thank you Jesus for your death on the cross! An inappropriate response is to dismiss it as irrelevant. This is not for me. Maybe later.
But no one will ever respond unless they are given the opportunity to respond.
Paul never says, “Make sure unbelievers don’t take communion.” Instead, he says, “Let each man examine himself.” In other words, give everyone a chance to respond.
And what is the proper way to examine ourselves? Answer: In light of the cross.
Jesus died for me! Wow! The world says I’m nobody special and I know I am a sinner. But if Jesus did all this for me, then he must really love me. I must be a pearl of great price in his eyes. Thank you Jesus!
Taking communion in an unworthy manner is surely a big deal, but it’s no worse than rejecting the gospel. If we are indiscriminate with one, we should be equally generous with the other.
The next time you do communion, don’t worry about who’s saved and who’s not. That’s not your concern. Instead, proclaim the good news of God’s love and grace and let each respond as the Holy Spirit leads them.
Communion is a time for celebrating Jesus’ death and proclaiming the awesomeness of his grace.
It is not a time for playing judge and jury.
——
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Escape to Reality 
Hi Paul, thanks for that great article. I´ve been trying to find out more to exact that scripture. But what do you do with verse 30? “That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.”
That’s a great question, Esther. Although the three verses above pertain to “whosoever”, the passage as a whole was written for the Corinthian Christians. They weren’t doing communion properly, meaning, they weren’t doing it in remembrance of Jesus. They weren’t “proclaiming the Lord’s death.” Why did Jesus die? To deliver us from the curse of sin and all it’s effects, including sickness. In their ignorance, they Corinthian Christians weren’t reaping the full benefits of what Jesus provided and as a result they were suffering sickness and some were dying unnecessarily. I have written more about this in my other communion posts. Start with this one.
ok, thank you!
They were doing worse than merely not reaping the benefits of Communion; they were provoking the wrath of God by making a mockery of Christ’s death and resurrection. Communion is no idle thing that is no big deal if done wrong: it is a participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, and those who do so in self-righteousness, arrogance or irreverence number themselves among those who mocked and spat on Jesus during His Passion. If anyone partakes of Communion without a clean conscience or recognizing It as a participation in the Body of Christ shows contempt for Christ’s death and therefore incurs God’s wrath, which will be requited in fiery Gehenna on all who die without making peace with God. Furthermore, unworthy Communion incurs fierce temporal consequences, up to and including death, which means Hell stands ready to reap those who partake unworthily. If anyone is holy, let him approach; if anyone is not holy, let him repent.
Thank you my dear brother for making that clear for me, may God bless you and yours.
Thank you for this post. I grew up learning that communion was restricted to participation by believers. A funny thing happened on the way to church this past year: several neighborhood children started coming to church with us (we have seven children and they love Jesus and love inviting their friends to church =o>).
I found myself struggling with letting them participate in communion (we did not deny them, btw, but I didn’t know if it was the ‘right’ thing). Then I heard in a Rob Rufus teaching where he had allowed an unsaved man to participate in communion; the Gospel was also clearly presented to him at that time. He did not come to Christ that week, but did shortly thereafter.
It dawned on me – what a wonderful object lesson the bread and the wine (or the cracker and the juice, ha) is for the children that come to church with us. We are able to plant seeds of the Gospel each time they partake. I realize today that we need to also invite them to receive the forgiveness depicted in the ceremony; we will purpose to include the invitation with explanation from now on, praying that the Holy Spirit move in their hearts and minds. He did mine at age 8 =o).
Exactly! We should see communion as an opportunity to win the lost, not lose them (they’re already lost!).
taking communion in an unworthy manner is about faith if you believe you are unworthy then you are taking in an unworthy manner ,making the work of the cross powerless. If you partake and believe you are worthy in yourself, you will one day have to defend this. In any event even if you partake in the latter manner you are partaking of the false christ, and have not yet been introduced to the real Messiah.You cannot partake of the real Jesus in an unworthy manner, he is in himself your worthiness.The one who became your Righteousness before God at no past, present, or future cost to you.The price paid in FULL,FULL,FULL!!!!
I for one KNOW that my husband is a unbeliever, ( he calls himself an atheist ) He was raised in the catholic church, went to catholic schools, even a catholic college. He tells me the whole Chirst thing is a bunch of crap. What’s interesting though is about 8 yrs ago he wanted to go to a catholic church because he wanted our children to be baptized in the catholic church……..keep in mind all the while ridiculing Christ and all who believe in him. Communion was served of which I partook of, but I did tell my husband that he should not partake if he truly did not believe. Thank God he decided not to. You see….my husband has heard the good news many times. over and over the years his heart has continued to harden. He is very faithful in listening to his doctrianal belief of evolution. I do believe he would have drank judgment unto himself in the sense he would have given access to the enemy, fair game if you will to come and rob, steal, and kill. God has had mercy.
Debbie, you did the very thing I’m saying we oughtn’t do – you preached law instead of grace. You said “you should not.” Don’t you see that your husband’s response to grace is not your business? It’s between him and the Holy Spirit.
Our part is to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Since your husband has already made up his mind on that matter, or thinks he has, how much additional harm can he do by taking communion unworthily? None! Once you have hardened your heart, it’s hardened. (I couldn’t give two hoots what the enemy thinks is fair game. And since when does the devil play by the rules anyway?)
Rather than give him rules (“you should not”) and condemnation (“you’ll reap judgment”), why not try grace? Trust me, nothing else will win him over.
It could kill him on the spot. That’s what harm it could do.
My stepfather is the same, a self proclaimed agnostic catholic. He no longer goes to church as a creaster though, because I told him if he doesn’t want to be there then he shouldn’t go. However, when he used to, I never said anything to him about communion at all. I always wanted to see if he would take Jesus into himself and risk changing his heart. I never saw him do so, but now I think it may have been better for me to suggest it. The power of God in the Eucharist is real, and eating His judgement upon himself may be what he needs to bring him to salvation in this life and the next instead of condemnation. Something to ask the Lord for in prayer as well when it comes to your husband. God love you! In Christ, Andrew
This is a good post and well explained. True communion is about what Christ did and not about what we are trying to do. I understand the doctrine of healing and how it is supposed to be in the “atonement,” but there is something amiss about this. I have been both a pastor and a public speaker both here and abroad and one thing is certain; believing for salvation is simple, but getting healed is far more complex and for some out of reach forever…
Steven, you ask some valid questions about healing, but this post is not the place to put them. Please find a post on healing (use the search box at the top of this site) and join the discussion under one of those posts. Thanks.
I agree that unbelievers should not be prevented from taking communion if they wish to do so. I have a question about verse 30 when it talks about “that is why many among you are sick or have fallen asleep”, might that be the “judgment” come from them keeping their focus on themselves in their examination rather then focusing on the cross and Christ crucified? I’m trying to get a complete picture of the whole passage in context.
Unbeliever = under condemnation; believer = no condemnation (see John 3:18). When an unbeliever drinks unworthily – without fully appreciating or valuing what Christ did on the cross – the consequences are eternal condemnation. When a believer drinks unworthily – without fully appreciating or valuing what Christ did on the cross – the consequences are they don’t get to participate in the full benefits of God’s grace. Paul is simply referring to unbelievers in these three verses to show that communion, like the gospel, is a big deal. He is not threatening those whom Christ justifies in any way.
The word for judgment (or damnation if you read the KJV) in verse 29 is krima. Unlike other judging words (krino, krisis, etc.) which are neutral, krima almost always means a negative judgment in the NT. Another key word is the word for guilty (enochos) in v.27 – it is never applied to Christians in the NT. So we can conclude that Paul is using the most serious language he can to (a) describe what happens to hard-hearted unbelievers and (b) to show believers that communion is important.
That makes sense, and your whole post, along with this response to verse 30 fits very well with Hebrews 10:26. In other words, if an unbeliever continues in unbelief after receiving knowledge of the Gospel, then what is represented in communion (sacrifice for sins), has no benefit to them.
if a person asks us if he is “allowed” to take communion, we should tell him that the choice is his and his alone… replying this way is, in itself, offering grace to an unbeliever….
we should be inviting people into this new Life that Jesus died for us to have… if we tell unbelievers that they can’t take communion – that’s kind of like propping up a “Do Not Enter” sign in front of the Door!
What if an atheist takes the communion and later repents in the future. What happens to the judgement he dranked upon himself in the past when he was an atheist?
The same question could be asked of everyone of us who hears the gospel and only later repents. The judgment Paul refers to is eternal condemnation – it hasn’t happened yet. As long as you’re alive you can repent.
If you have met the real fullness of Jesus the true Christ you cannot partake of this body in an unworthy manner, the reason being is that you understand that your worth is in him. If a person has found or is looking for their worth anywhere else they are already condemned they don’t need communion to be condemned.
There is no condemnation for those in the real Christ Jesus.
Paul, what do you think about children taking communion? And do you see any connection between the fact that children participated in Passover and the place of children in communion? Somehow I believe they ought to grow up being included until they are old enough to confess otherwise. It seems that to ban children from the Table would be the same as the withholding of grace/gospel message of communion from unbelievers(…?) I would be interested to know your thoughts on this.
I hope it would be clear from the post above and this post that I would NEVER ban anyone from the communion table. Banning people from communion is like banning people from the gospel. The law-minded may like to ban people but grace is always inclusive.
Thanks for the clarification. I just know that most churches make it a habit to keep small children from the Table because they “don’t understand.” But it seems that in the same manner as with Passover (which is of course a shadow) they ought to grow up partaking and hearing the redemption Story. (Can you imagine the Hebrews sending their children out of the room or sit in a corner so they could experience Passover?) I think it is a way to nurture the Gospel into our children until they are mature enough to fully understand.
I totally agree. I strongly dislike church practices that disenfranchise (is that the right word?) the young. I want my kids to grow up thinking that praying and communion and experiencing God’s love in all it’s facets are the normal, everyday experiences of life.
Paul, can you please explain on Heb 6: 4-6, Heb 10:26, as it helps those who think “in grace, its silly to be serious” considering grace as a license to sin.
You will find posts on both in the archives. Alternatively, use the search box at the top of this page.
This is a timely post. My care group is having communion from time to time and we are joined new comers. The question of whether to include them or not came to mind. Deep down, i felt peace including them so they were able to participate. Your post is a confirmation to what The Holy Spirit is telling me.
When Jesus instructed the disciples in communion he aid do this in REMEMBRANCE of me , you can only take communion if you have met the real Jesus . If you have not met Him you are only drinking and eating.I believe that the warning is to believers not to partake in communion while discussing the latest gossip or sport scores, it should be done in an orderly manner. We should remember that this was the early church everything was new.
i feel crucified with Christ, nolonger i that lives……..this probably answers the question because we are in Christ Jesus sanctified, justified by faith and in eternity glorified with our LORD and GOD. In this world we can share in the communion and remember, grow until then…GLORY BE TO GOD.
I’d be interested on your thoughts regarding a sacramental view of communion (ie as a means of grace) versus communion as an ordinance (ie a symbol). I find it interesting that John Wesley, who held a sacramental view, was very much in favor of administering communion to unbelievers, as he felt that it was a means by which they may encounter God’s grace to lead them to salvation. Thoughts?
Jesus said unless you eat my body and drink my blood, After the flood instruction is given not to drink the blood, the life is in the blood. My view on this is that if you drink the blood you are responsible for taking the life. If an unbeliever taking communion is convicted of his responsibility this is good as the next revelation would be of the awesome Grace of God. I believe Wesley was seeing evidence of this.
This is the true word of God.
Love this! I am newly Christian, never baptized. I’m looking for a denomination, but I find it very divisive and hurtful to he told, “Sorry. You’re not baptized. No communion for you.” I have found churches that will let you participate IF you “accept Christ”- pretty vague and hard to prove if you ask me. Therefore I think it should just be offered, as a symbol of God’s love and grace. My husband is not a fan of religion, but loves Jesus. I want him to feel welcome at whichever church I want to go to. However- I am not finding one that seems open to this kind of communion. Any suggestions for denominations to check out?
I don’t know that I would look for a particularly domination. Rather, search for a group of like-minded friends who love Jesus and who cares what denomination they are. BTW, there’s no reason why you can’t take communion at home with your husband. We often do in our house.
Thank You 🙂 I found a church that seemed nice nearby. Progressive and has open communion! We went today and it was wonderful! Very welcoming and loving. We’re going to keep going back and see how it goes.
Oh Yes Paul you are so right! The “first Communion” was taken ‘in the houses’ of the Israelites – on the night of the passover of the Angel of Death! IN THEIR HOMES – and if the Lamb (-read -bread) was too BIG for the family – to share it with the neighbours! Beautifully Clear pictures of the Last Supper – Communion meal to come – centuries later – hosted by the Lamb Himself! The same meal we partake of and share today!
I did this before I was saved and I thought I was at the point of no return. This was the most heartbreaking and terrifying moment of my life and then the following Sunday I opened my heart to Jesus’ and received Him into my heart.
Brother Paul, my question is on who should preside over the communion function…can anyone lead or preside over it.
Who can preach the gospel? The answer to my question is the answer to yours.
This in my opinion is why religion has problems with common people. According to the Bible, common people heard jesus “gladly,” but this is far from the case today. We have dramatically shifted from simply living out of a sense of purpose and love to talking about whether or not an “unbeliever” can take communion. This comment stream resembles a discussion on how one would acquire a home mortgage. Unfortunate and sad as this is why most of Christianity today revolves around these internal convoluted discussions…
I visited a Church today. I am a secret convert to Christianity. I believe fully in Jesus and His sacrifice. But my name is not a Christian name and I have not been baptized.
While I was at the Church, I was lucky enough to drop in just before Mass. I participated fully and even went up to receive communion. It’s a church where the priest feeds the congregation, one by one. The priest asked, Christian? I said yes. He asked, then why didn’t say Amen? I apologized and said Amen. He looked annoyed, because I must have done something wrong again, and said, what are you doing? I was confused and blurted, “It’s been a long time since I’ve come to Church”. He replied, then confess and come.
It was pretty humiliating.
I’m sorry you experienced that humiliation Jo. I cannot imagine Jesus ever being annoyed with anyone who came to him to receive something.
Ah, to be fair I must tell you what happened after I had some time to digest the experience.
I understood that he was probably trying to ensure that Communion is not taken lightly.
Moreover, the experience served as a sudden realization to me that if I am to receive communion, I must become a proper member of the church. Maybe I am being prodded to realize that I cannot simply walk in when I feel like and partake of what is considered to be the most sacred ritual in Catholicism.
Thank you for your empathy Paul.
Hi Jo you say you are a secret convert and this I appreciate, but it seems you have just moved cells and are still in prison , the jailor has just changed, and now become the priest.Jesus even offered his body and blood to the people that crucified him, saying if you do not eat my flesh and drink my blood you will not inherit the kingdom. But this priest makes you that at risk , and in good conscience wish to partake of Jesus, feel guilty about taking communion.Find a church that let’s Jesus in, he is not in the one you visit.He is only there when you visit them.
Chris, I really appreciate your response.
Is not communion all about remembering what Christ has done- the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins and body for the new nature that we have? Communions purpose should be for Christians to be REMINDED of these two things. Sadly, Christians today don’t even know that they have been forgiven and they have a new glorious nature, let alone be reminded of it.
How many unbelievers do take communion? and if they did maybe the Holy Spirit is revealing Christ to them something would have to motive a person from unbelief to belief.When I was a unbeliever and communion was offered to me I wouldn’t take it due to it having no reference to me or meaning until Holy Spirit enlighten my heart then it meant everything and it only took a second for him to do so.The Spirit can teach us all thing’s and it can be done in a heartbeat.
Wow
Thank you so much for sharing this
Really sound sensible practical thinking just how Jesus intended it to be and wants the world to understand
Really liberating
Go bless you
Would Jesus have taken communion with a practising gay?
Well, I beleive that if Jesus broke bread with Judas, stayed in Zachias home, accepted annointing from a prostitute, accepted water from a Samaritan woman, defended an adultereous women, then I would say yes he would. For me, Jesus’ life and ministry is a model of inclusion for us to emmulate; where grace, love and mercy trump judgement.
How far and wide is Jesus’ love & invitation to come and partake in a meal with him? It cannot be fully appreciated without reflecting on Rev 3:20 followed by Psalm 103 in full. I encourage you to shut out those voices that condemn you and to only have ears to hear Jesus saying “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person.” and to fully understand that when we trust in him as our Lord, then “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Although I agree that no MAN can examine the heart of the communion taker, I think it’s an entirely different set of circumstances when the Leader of communion says “we invite non believers of Christ to take communion. No other statement. That’s it. Well, That’s just wrong. That’s a mockery of the sacrament. It would be much better to talk about the gift of Christ, what communication represents and why we do this and then invite those who would like to accept this gift of Christ in their hearts to “come on down” and “take communion”. That leaves the each person with the CHOICE. Not just, Hey, come on up and go through the motions, it doesn’t really mean anything. That’s what you are saying if all you say is “non-believers can take communion”.
Let me add to this comment. No where do I say “you have to take a class” or “you have to be member of the church” or “you have to be baptized” or “pass a test given by the chruch elder” or any other “rule”. If you do not believe in Christ, and you don’t want to, then taking communion is meaningless. I have issue with a church leader inviting non-believers in Christ to take communion with no other information about “the what and why of communion” which can be said in less than 30 seconds. The table is open to all who believe in their hearts that Christ died for them, for their salvation, period.
True Nancy, Paul is talking to believers, not unbelievers. Why would an unbeliever take communion in the first place? Communion is for “the remembrance of the Lords death”. They could not be remembering something they don’t believe!… Your making it sound as if communion was for evangelist work, bringing in the lost to take communion and thus believe. No, just the opposite, evangelize with the power of the Gospel, then they have something to come for; to “remember the Lords death, until He come”!
Why would an unbeliever take communion? Because there’s a plate of crackers and cups being passed around and everyone else is doing it. Don’t overthink this. No one is saying we should expect unbelievers to partake of something that is meaningless to them. That’s missing the point. The point is we shouldn’t be rude and religious when Jesus was none of those things. As for the table being an evangelistic opportunity, it is a wonderful opportunity since it is a time for remembering Jesus’ death. “Why are we doing this? Let me tell you.”
I appreciate the fact that Communion is all about Grace and the Gospel, not rules. However, it is still possible for either a believer or an unbeliever to take Communion in an “unworthy” manner and reap judgment unto themselves. Thanks for the clarity, Paul.
The “judged by the Lord” scriptures have been used to scare the saints into thinking that God will whack them, make them sick or even kill them if they don’t engage in acts of self-purification. I specifically address those scriptures in this post. Thanks.
I agree, I used to separate the sheep and the goats when doing communion, but came to see it as you do. I have found that it is a great way to present the gospel to people, even kids, in an interactive manner; it’s all about Christ, not us.
I have a husband who isn’t believer (yet), on his ID card he’s a Muslim, but he never go to a mosque.
We’ve been married for more than 10 years. I born as a Muslim, but then Jesus found me. I go to the average church, it’s a big church in my country Jakarta, Indonesia, but they teach us about what we should do/shouldn’t do, i failed in so many way on what God expected on me from what they teach me. I’m tired, exhausted to pleased God, and then i decided to life in sin and when i’m old i will repent. In that church my husband never want to go to church.
Long story cut, Grace finds me, and i found a grace based church. I go there, even i ask my husband to go with me, and he said yes (For me that’s a miracle).
I never offer him communion, because he never want to accept it. One day when i take communion Holy Spirit prompt me to offer him, i just do what He told me, and my husband received it, Hallelujah.
A few month later, he told me that when he take communion he felt warm all over his body and he don’t know what it’s. I just told him, it’s the work of Holy Spirit, because Jesus love you. And told him about Jesus finished work at the cross.
I don’t know what will happen to him, but i believe on Act 16:31
Wonderful story, Anggia. Thank you for sharing. I am excited to hear what the Lord is doing in your lives. I have found that when we try and make things happen, frustration and disappointment is the result. But when we trust the Lord miracles occur. A similar thing happen with my wife, many years ago. When I tried to convert her, it was a total disaster. But once I got out of the Lord’s way, he wooed her and won her and all I could do was marvel. Truly God is interested in saving marriages and families and whole households. If he has one he wants the lot!
Indeed God restore my marriage, Pastor Ellis. Before grace found me my life is such a messed, i’m addicted to drugs, my husband is a drug dealer and drug addict, no love in our marriage.
Lack of grace, makes me think that God mad at me. I try to please God so that He may blessed me and my family, but then i failed. I found not so easy (even impossible) to please God with our own work. In 2013, after 8 years of marriage and he never change. I don’t love him anymore and feel that i have to divorce my husband. My plan is i want to open new book with clean page without him. But God’s plan is much better (Jer 29:11). In the same year, Grace found me through Pastor Joseph Prince, my mom gave me his book ‘Reign in Life’
When i know God loves me and doesn’t angry with me, it’s so relieve me. The more i hear and read about God’s love for me it’s radically change my mind. In 2014, God restore my marriage (without my effort on it, it’s purely His work on me and my family, i just rest and enjoy God’s work). Lord Jesus who turn water into wine (John 2:1-11) makes my marriage sweet as wine.
My husband leave his life as drug dealer, and find a decent Job. Early on this year, i realize i don’t have desire anymore to drugs, never on drugs since then. God gave me Job with good payment and i still have time to hear and read about His love. Now, i go to church with my all family member, 10 years ago i think that impossible.
I’m addicted to God’s love, His love makes me want to open my bible to know Him more and more. His love captivated me. His love makes me able to in love again to my husband, His love makes my husband love me. Now, all i want to do is to tell anyone i met, that God love you (John 3:16), nothing you do/don’t can change it. Rely on God’s love, not your own work (Jeremiah 17:5-9; Proverbs 3:5). Btw, i still reading your book Hyper-Grace, your book really help me and a lot of people out there, who doesn’t understand Grace. Keep on preaching Grace/Jesus (He is a living grace). Everyone have to know the important of what Jesus done at the cross. God bless you and all of your family, Pastor Ellis.
You are a living, breathing testimony of God’s powerful grace! God is good!
Wow this is such a blessing! I never heard this! Thank you so much for this!
communion is not for unbelievers. but believers in christ.1co11:26. let man examine himself before taking communion.
Who is the gospel for? Who is the cross for? The answer to those questions is the same as the answer to yours for the communion is the good news of the cross in symbolic form.
Great post, Paul. I’ve wrestled with this a lot and it’s nice to see others have come to same conclusions I have. I, too, believe we should not prevent those who are unbelievers from taking communion. I agree that asking them to pass the plate or remain seated just alienates them because it comes across so unloving, regardless of our intentions. I tend to leave it a little more open ended in our services, however, I emphasize, regardless of where we are coming from when we take communion, that Christ tells us to remember him and what he did. That being said, I think where I may need to do some more study is on who the “whosoever” may be referring. I came to the conclusions that because this was written to the church in Corinth, and that the church was made up of believers, that Paul was referring to believers there in 1 Cor 11 when he said “whosoever”. For example, in his greeting in 1 Cor 1:2 he addresses the letter to those “Sanctified in Christ Jesus”. Despite their problems in the church Paul never questions their salvation in 1 Cor. And given the context of the Lord’s supper passage in 1 Cor 11, it seems to me that taking the Lord’s supper was to reflect the attitudes of the first half of the chapter and that is thinking of (or loving) others with our actions. Vs 21-22 I think is key. “One goes hungry” and “Do you humiliate those who have nothing?” It seems to me that to eat in an unworthy manner was partake of the Lord’s supper with a self focus, rather than focusing on the needs of others in the church. Anyway, those are just my thoughts. Again, I may need to do some more study on this. But, thank you again for you insights! I greatly appreciate it!
It could be both meanings.
“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession…Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Here’s another quote “Do this in remembrance of me”
If it hasn’t happened, it cannot be remembered.
So when Jesus forgave the crippled man and the soldiers who killed him – none of whom repented – that was cheap grace? I would rather preach the grace Jesus preached than prostitute the love of God with dead works.
Morden days preaching is confusing the God Grace as a License for sin. The practice of Communion has been done by Jesus within his Disciples by saying do this in my remembrance of me. Every time When a Believer come in the time of Communion, need to justify himself by confusing this is the blood and body of Christ that had been shed on the cross of Calvary for my sin. Now am I living a holy life according to the will of God. Everyone should understand that in the 1st place Jesus preached the Gospel for the salvation of sin but he practiced communion only with his 12 Apostals. Should not confuse the act of salvation with the act of Communion. Even now a day’s people are taking communion by themselves in their homes. The word communion has it’s own explanation come in unity. Before anyone part take in Lord’s Table, he should believe accept Christ as their personal saviour
and obeyed his Great commission. Yes God wants everyone to be saved but not by compromising his own Law(ie the righteousness of God). Today’s churches had no Guts to preach the truth, because of the fear, that people will leave the church. Everything God will bring in justice as in Mathew 7:21-24.
That’s true Paul E., yet Paul denotes the grace of God as something that teaches denying (Repenting?) ungodliness and worldly lust and ‘rather’ living righteously and Godly in this world (Titus 2:11,12). No, all the world has been forgiven (1 John 2:2), yet all the world has not received this grace (blood bought forgiveness) either! I believe Dietrich has something there, in that if we don’t truly repent there is no mercy granted, as only “…. whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. Thus, “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves”, meaning we can have our cake and eat it too. In other words, we can live like we want, because we perceive Gods forgiveness, yet without penitence (confessing and forsaking), which is the “very start” of walking righteously. There is a great difference between perception and reality, as John said, “Do be deceived (in perception), he that does righteousness (in reality) is righteous, even as He is.” 1 John 3:7.
I noticed I quoted 1 John 3:7 wrong, as it should be; There is a great difference between perception and reality, as John said, “Do (not) be deceived (in perception), he that does righteousness (in reality) is righteous, even as He is.” 1 John 3:7.
I tend to agree with Andrew Farley’s interpretation, that he is talking about being judged by other people, not by God. He also believes that the reason people were sick and possibly dying (or passing out drunk) was because of the excessive drinking and eating. while I don’t doubt that there is healing power in taking communion, it seems very forced to me to read that into this passage.
And one might say it is forcing a point to say the Corinthians were merely “passing out drunk” when Paul says “this is why many among you are weak and sick, and have fallen sleep” (1 Cor 11:30). Paul uses the same word a few chapters later when he says, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed” (1 Cor 15:51). That’s not drunkenness but death. Paul also interprets falling asleep as dying in 1 Cor 15:18 and 1 Thess 4:13.
Let Paul interpret Paul and the issue is clearly far more serious than overeating and drunkenness. He’s talking about sickness and death. You might be interested in this more recent article on communion.
it could include dying as well. habitual drunkenness can certainly lead to organ failure resulting in death.
So could drunk chariot-driving. 🙂
I was having a conversation with my dad and I truly believe he is a saved, God fearing christian man. Im only 14 but throughout my whole life he would advise me about how to walk with the lord and what is right and wrong. I’ve never asked him a question he didn’t know the answer to. So I think it’s safe to say I trust him. I’ve been indulging myself into the bible more and more lately coming to realize more and more about God’s word and doing that I stumbled across a passage that lead me to ask my dad something about why Jesus had to be baptized which led me ask about taking communion. Which finally led me to ask “So if you’re not baptized or saved you can’t take communion. So.. what happens if you do?”, Which he replied with “Oh! One would be punished! This is serious. One could literally die”. I’m legitimately convinced, and terrrriiiffffiieeed I’m damned to hell. Obviously doesn’t know I’m having trouble knowing whether I’m saved or not.
I had a similar experience when I was a young boy – I was terrified of taking communion in an unworthy manner and being punished. (You can read the story here.) Your father sounds like a good man, but do you know that your heavenly Father is the best Dad of all? And there is no way he would hurt or punish his kids.
Think about how many millions of people take communion every week. Some are good, some are bad, yet no one, in 2000 years has ever died from taking communion. It hasn’t happened because Jesus bore all our sins and mistakes on the cross. He was punished so that in him we might be forever unpunishable.
How do we know if we are saved? If you love Jesus, you are!
Hi Paul,
This is a great resource to have online, I appreciate you having shed light on such a controversial topic. Like you mentioned, we see this a lot in churches nowadays, as people play the “judge rule” over others, it is so sad that the Bible is full of scriptures as to not behave in this manner towards others. We are supposed to be “light” in the darkness, we are supposed to bring enlightenment, encouragement and so much more to a fallen world. I am 100% with your input. We are God’s loving children “not the unrespectful kids that no one wants to hang around.” Just like kids behave as there parents are and have taught them to be. We are supposed to be loving and embracing just like our Father is.
Blessings!
Pastor Ernie Echauri
The Walk Miami Church
God bless you📖 I like the way you explain comunion from aloving God point of view.
I don’t take communion at the Pentecostal church. I do believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. Saying that I was brought up in a Christian Pentecostal home was saved and water baptized in water and received the holy spirt known as speaking in tongues the only church that I know has that power. But for years haven’t gone to church until recently with my grandson . Looking for a church that will fill my needs. I haven’t taken communion and felt uncomfortable when they offered it to me. I feel nit worthy and living the life that Jesus would want me too.im 70 yrs old don’t abuse my body with drugs or alcohol and don’t steal.but I need to confess my sins to be born again then I would take the bread of Jesus body and the wine for his blood shed. This is who I am and what I believe.
Joan, you are either born again or you are not. One cannot be born again and again. You say you “do believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin.” That’s salvation according to John 3:16 and Romans 10:9,10. Pentacostal is just a name taken from Acts 2 that tells us of the day the Holy Spirit came to the Church, as there are many other Church’s with the “power from on High” manifested in its body, including even some Baptist, yes even the Southern Baptist, praise God.
So, though you have sinned and are sharing (confessing it according to James 5:16) with the body, this gives rise to health to all your parts; spirit, soul and body, Psalms 103:2,3. And yes, we need to, “…. walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” Galatians 1:10, but since you have examined your life and see it not doing so, be of good courage and have confidence, “If any man sin we have an advocate Christ Jesus” 1 John 2:1 and know that, “If we confess our sin’s God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleans us from all unrighteousness”. (Note; not that we should sin , as Paul the Apostle said; “Awake to righteousness and sin not” 1 Corinthians 15:34) Dear saint, don’t let anything stop you now, from Holy Communion!
Note of interest, both Galatians 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:34 speak of the “Knowledge of God”, as it is the determining factor for pleasing God.
I am a believer in Jesus Christ, born again now for 15years. I just took communion with my Pastor and he said that it is not for unbelievers and if they take it they will be cursed..he also believes one can lose their salvation. I been praying and seeking the Lord if I should find another church. What do you think..or anyone??
I think praying and seeking the Lord on this matter is an excellent idea!
I love what you have shared. Thx
Sir you are more than right. Even the Holy Spirit revealed this to me. And the reason many people will not believe is because they have been indoctrinated with church tradition and religion, and they have refused to allow the Holy Spirit teach them.
How can anyone even think they are “worthy” to take communion? John the Baptist said he was unworthy to even untie the sandals of Jesus. The apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners. If we take the attitude of these two great men, communion becomes a celebration of the mercy and grace of God expressed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Any rules placed on who can and who cannot take communion is just religion. I thank the Lord that he steered me out of that camp a long time ago. Thank you for this article Paul.
BTW. Jesus was killed for two reasons, he said he was God, and he wasn’t “religious” enough according to the Pharisees. (Oh my he healed on a Sabbath)
Using Paul as an example of still being a sinner to make your point is deceptive. Read on and note that he speaks of being a Pattern (example) to them that should follow after ( 1 Timothy 1:16) . He was the chief sinner, but no longer, as he now was “following “ after the one having died to sin (Romans 6:2) to now having fellowship with the one who is author of salvation, through faith. We declare his death to be our life, a life of faith that is manifested (demonstrated) by being awakened to righteousness, were one sins not (1 Corinthians 15:34). If Paul were the chief of sinners, in the present tense, how could he say: “Follow me as I follow Christ”, Christ is our example to follow, who never sinned (1 Peter 2:21,22) , compared to the devil who sinned from the beginning (1 John 3:8).
We can trust that the one who say’s, he follows Christ steps, is the same one who admonished; “If we Judge ourselves we wont be judged , but when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord” Why? So that “we should not be condemned with the world”. . 1 Corinthians 11:31,32. Apostle was addressing Christians, and admonishing them to beware of the temporal judgments with which God chastised his offending servants. Self-examination (verse 28) is necessary to right attendance at this holy ordinance. If we would thoroughly search ourselves, to set right what we find wrong, we should stop Divine judgments, of which provoke him, expressed in the prior Chapter 10:9-11.
Paul wrote to Timothy describing himself as the chief of sinners at least eight or ten years after he wrote Romans. It seems your argument is out of order chronologically.
How do you explain away the attitude of John the Baptist? You are missing my point entirely. Two of the greatest God seeking men that ever walked the earth consider themselves unworthy of Jesus Christ. The closer these men where to God the more they realized they were undeserving and unworthy sinners. That’s the only pattern that I see.
Hi Scott, you might be interested in my take on the chief of sinners passage.
No, I understand your point, and you used two great Godly men, but John (the Baptist) was still in his sins and in need of baptism (Matthew 3:14). Back to what Paul said, If he was still such a sinner, it does not flow with what he wrote a couple of verses before (1 Timothy 1.12-13), were “enabled me” meaning having died to sin, to live no long therein, Romans 6:2 and “Who was before”, indicating no longer now, such a person. Even changing his name, from Saul to Paul, 2 Corinthians 5:17, as “even so we also should walk in (this) newness of life” Romans 6:4.
Again, in Romans 5:8, speaking of a past tense to a present tense, “while we (those who are now believers) were yet (still) sinners, Christ died for us”, indicating a great change. A change that could simply be termed, from sinner, to saint. 2 Corinthians 11:3.
I agree we are now worthy because of our baptism with Christ unto newness of life, until we do those things displeasing to God, which at such time we examine ourselves. If Paul were still such a person, he would be considered a reprobate, and have cause to take his own advise of “examining” 2 Corinthians 13:5. But assures us (and we can trust his cliam), “that you shall know that we are not reprobates. 2 Corinthians 13:6.
How do we know the difference? By their works, their walk. But, we know he “was not” of those who, “profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:6.
I really appreciated it when you said, “to deny communion to unbelievers is like denying them the Gospel”. I am a reformed born again Catholic who has experienced the saving and healing power of the Lord in communion when I was fallen away. Jesus slowly gnawed away at my guarded lies and hidden sins, just like I was supposed to gnaw on Him for life. Jesus penetrated my heart, even though I was a creaster who only went on holidays and when I was home to keep my mom (somewhat happy).
It wasn’t until He pulled me from the pit and the prison on my own making that He showed me the need for confession before taking communion. It wasn’t the churches doctrine or teaching, it was the word of God in Corinthians spoken from the ambo at mass. I felt so sick with conviction at the time I thought I would faint and now, many years later, He has me gladly going to confession every week and asking Him to examine me before I do. I also do that with Him throughout each day, because I want Him to make as much like Him as possible and as far removed from my old, dead self as well.
The Eucharist that IS the body and blood of our Lord is filled with every aspect of Him and His divinity so the only unbelievers, and overly protective believers, who should be afraid to take Him are the ones afraid of changing their ways and becoming godly people who strive for holiness in all they desire, feel, act on, and think. Jesus transformed my life, and He wants to do the same for everyone who comes to Him. Do not keep people from doing so, but inform them on who they are consuming so we are not held responsible for their ignorance or defiance like Ezekiel 3 and 33 talk about. In Christ, Andrew
What if…..
..this coming November 3rd, in a small church gathering, Jesus Himself should walk through the door and unobtrusively take a seat? Hopefully at least one person there would notice and recognize Him, hopefully the pastor would. Anyway, upon his realizing the Lord’s attendance, the pastor would acknowledge Him and ask Him to please be the host of the Lord’s Supper which is to be observed that day. It’s only right, since it IS His Supper after all. Jesus would perhaps accept, but with the warning that He might do things a bit differently than the congregation is used to. Assured that is no problem, He would walk to the front of the room and look at the preparations laid out. “Oh,” He might remark, “I see you already have the bread broken into bite-size pieces, whereas I broke off pieces from the whole loaf and gave that to my group, but that’s little matter.” And, “I see you have juice already poured out into little plastic cups, while I had one cup that was passed around to share. But that’s all right also, since the cold and flu season is upon us. And it’s good actually that it’s juice, not wine, since there might be someone who is recovering and would possibly have a problem with alcoholic drink.” Upon seeing four men rising from their seats and starting to come forward, Jesus would urge them to return to their seats to be with their families. “My Supper is not, was never intended to be, a Ceremony or Ritual, you must realize….simply a way to tell about my body being broken and my blood poured out for unworthy sinners. So, I will start by handing the tray of bread to the person nearest me and they may pass it to their neighbor and so on, till everyone has had the opportunity to take a piece. This bread is my body, broken for you. Take and eat, ALL of you. Then, I will pass the tray of juice in the same manner. This is my blood poured out for you. Take and drink. This bread and juice proclaims my redemptive death in your behalf.” He feels a tug on his shirt tail, and turns to see a look of concern on the pastor’s face. “Yes, what is it? …..Are there no conditions? No, no conditions. I never stated any conditions, just obedience to take, eat and drink….. Shouldn’t I tell them to pray first, and confess their sins? No, I will forgive their sins in response to their obedience. I will open their eyes of understanding AS they drink and eat. I will give them peace that passes all understanding. I will make my abode with them. I will be with them and in them, as they go. Does that not suffice? It is all so simple, and perhaps that’s the problem with it being rightly understood.” The trays having been passed around so that all could eat and drink, Jesus leads them in singing “Amazing Grace,” pronounces a blessing on all, and bids them “Remember and proclaim my death until I come again.”
…..what if?
Cool.
Nice work here! Very engaging approach to communicate the true essence of communion.
I watched a murder mystery the other day. An unusual sentence was handed down by the judge. He sentenced the killer to life in prison with no chance of parole and for good measure added on another 20 years. It reminded me of this discussion. Yep … that’s what God does when an unbeliever takes communion…he adds another 20 years on top of eternity.
I truly agree. The faith leaders and true believers of Christ in this generation need to stop being legalistic and stop qualifying people. God’s grace are for everyone. God bless you!
I have been thinking about the communion table only being offered to members of the body of Christ and nonmembers being forbidden by the leadership because they will bring sickness and death on themselves for they have taken it in an unworthy fashion. My Father God is a good Father and we are missing an opportunity to invite ‘Orphans’ into the family of God when we forbid them to come to the table . ☺️
So right….if Christ Himself were handing out the bread and juice in a gathering today, I cannot see Him denying them to ANYone! “The Church” is seriously misunderstanding the bit there in 2 Cor. 13, imo. No, I’m not a seminary graduate or have any kind of qualification to say this other than that I KNOW HIM.
Paul is speaking to believers here in 1 Corinthians 11, and we know this because he never mentions that “they will bring sickness and death on themselves”, as believers only “sleep”, non believers “die”, thus speaking to believer’s, Luke 8:52, John 11:11 Acts 13:36, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
True, God is good, and would never leave a souls eternal destiny to such an ordinance. As in Baptism, (the other great ordinance) there is a protocol, believe on the Lord Jesus and then be Baptized, Act 18:8. I took communion for years at the Episcopal Church my parents took me to, yet did not get saved until I confessed Jesus Lord per Romans 10:9 and 10, at an on campus college bible study.
But one thing both of these great ordinance’s have in common is the word, and with the word such that hear it , and believe it, can then be saved, then follow up with the practice of them! For we know the progression to salvation is; 1st hear the Gospel,, 2nd believe the Gospel , 3rd receive the seal, Ephesians 1:13.
Bottom line. Taking either, or both ordinance’s will neither save nor condemn the non believer, but only sooth their souls, for a season..
Thanks
I really appreciate this post. I grew up in a church where communion was exclusive to believers, but recently I started to think about why that is, and this article was very helpful. I’m coming to the same conclusion that communion should be offered to all. I do however disagree that “whosoever” is talking about unbelievers, or that “unworthy manner” means unbelieving. I believe that such interpretation is taking the passage out of its context. In the passage surrounding 1Cor11:27-29, Paul is criticizing the church for being segregated and leaving people out of the Lord’s supper (whether by not waiting for others to arrive or seating them separately). So “unworthy manner” refers to the attitude of segregation or being exclusive. It’s the same attitude of “you need to really understand what this means or you’re not worthy to take it.” So by leaving people (e.g. unbelievers and children) out of communion, we are doing exactly what Paul was saying not to do. Oh, the irony! We all need grace, don’t we. 🙂
What part of “as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till he come”, does an unbeliever have any part of? It seems none, for they don’t believe this! The whosoever’s that Paul mentions are of the whosoever’s of the church, taking part of communion. We know this by these scripture; “ For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” As only Christians “sleep”, unbelievers “die”.
Also, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” This is done by believers so as to keep from the scourging hand of God, as David said; “Before I was afflicted, I went astray”, exactly what Paul is speaking of, as afflictions come from going astray. But, if a believer does his own judging, it will keep him from chastening, and thus condemned with the world (world of unbelievers).
No, a good pastor would share the salvation message to the unbeliever at this point, giving chance for them to believe, otherwise they would be taking it without sincerity. Interesting word, it comprises of two , “sine” – without; “cera” – wax.. Seems back in the day marble statues could get scared, so sculptor (to keep from throwing out the entire piece) would put wax in the scare, thus saving face, so to speak! Bottom line, only God knows who are “without wax”.
To interpret the verse you quoted (as often as you eat…) to mean “showing the Lord’s death (or proclaiming the Lord’s death) is the only thing that we do when we take communion” would be, I believe, an interpretation out of context…
Please note I don’t normally publish long comments or which do not directly discuss the article. More here.
Wasn’t Judas at the institution of the first communion and only left afterwards? There is no indication he didn’t participate and Jesus didn’t stop him.