Explanation of the beliefs and policy of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and of Sts. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church regarding Holy Communion Who is welcome to join us for Holy Communion? Some believe that members of any Lutheran Church, or even any baptized Christian, is invited to commune with us. Others feel that anyone who believes as we do about Holy Communion may commune with us. And some feel that only fellow members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) should join us at the altar. This little pamphlet is intended to help our guests and members to answer the above question and to understand our policy regarding Holy Communion. First of all, it is important to keep in mind that our Holy Communion policy is more than simply a practice of our congregation. It is based on the theology of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod as derived from Holy Scripture. The intent of our policy is not that
we might be legalistic and exclusive, but that we might attempt to ensure that all who commune with us do so to their spiritual benefit, and so that the Body of Christ may be built up and united in one faith. We believe, most importantly, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior who died and rose so that all people may receive the free gifts of forgiveness and everlasting life. We trust in him alone for salvation. Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6; Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. And we believe that this sacred meal is a precious gift that Christ gave to his Church on the night before he died. We also believe that by the power of Jesus word, he miraculously touches us with his physical body and blood when we receive the instituted bread and wine of Holy Communion (Real Presence). We read in Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. These words are also found in Mark 14 and Luke 22. John does not record the Lord s Supper, but in 6:54-56 he records Jesus words, Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. There are some denominations that do not interpret Jesus words literally because we cannot understand how Jesus can give us his body and blood in this Sacrament. We do not claim to understand how Jesus does this. We simply believe without understanding, in the same way as many people in the Bible believed Jesus words and trusted his power without understanding. Who can understand how Jesus could walk on water, cure the sick or raise the dead? We simply believe because we trust that Jesus is truthful and because we trust that he is true God who has power to do anything. As the angel said to Mary in Luke 1:37 who didn t understand how she, a virgin, could give birth to a son, For nothing is impossible with God. For 1500 years the Christian Church accepted Jesus words about Holy Communion literally, simply by faith without the need to understand. It was not until the era of the Renaissance, otherwise known as the age of enlightenment that some people started to interpret Biblical truth in a manner that seemed consistent with worldly wisdom and philosophy. Instead of believing even when they could not understand, some began to believe as they understand according to human logic. If a literal interpretation of a Bible passage was not consistent with human logic, another interpretation was sought and preferred. Some decided that since we cannot understand Jesus words this is my body this is my blood, we should reject his literal words and interpret them as this represents my body this represents my blood. They believe that Holy Communion is no more than a reminder of Jesus death. And there are others who hold that it is not important whether a person believes Jesus words or not, and each one should interpret them as they understand them. Such people consider the meaning of Jesus words to be insignificant. We use only unleavened bread and grape wine in Holy Communion because that is what Jesus used when he said, this is my body this is my blood. We offer nonalcoholic grape wine to those who have health issues regarding alcohol. Jesus own words are always spoken when this Holy Supper is offered in our church, for it is Jesus words that create the miracle of the Sacrament. Without his powerful words, we would receive only bread and wine which would offer no spiritual value to us. Scripture teaches not only that Christ s
physical body and blood are miraculously present with the bread and wine, but that those who commune together should all believe this and be of one faith. Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 1Cor.10:17. Scripture also teaches that we should examine ourselves before communing. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 1Cor.11:28; that we should not be harboring hatred or grudges when approaching God, but should be willing to forgive. If anyone says, I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. 1 John 4:20 If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matt.5:23-24; and that those who receive this Sacrament unworthily do so to their spiritual harm. Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1Cor.11:29 In summary, we believe 1. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior who died and rose so that all people may receive the free gift of everlasting life. 2. In Holy Communion we receive with the bread and wine the physical body and blood of Jesus. 3. In Holy Communion we receive forgiveness and the strength to live a life of faith in Jesus Christ. 4. By communing together the members of the congregation are expressing our unity of faith as fellow members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. 5. By communing together we are expressing our intent to share Christ s forgiveness with each other and to be at peace with one another. John 14:6; Matt.26:26-29;1Cor.10:17;11:23-29;15:3-4. We could be legalistically rigid regarding who is invited to commune with us. If that were the case, even members of our congregation who do not fully agree with all the Biblical teachings of the LC-MS, who have not sufficiently examined themselves, or are harboring resentments should not commune. Though we do commune together because we are living under grace and believe that God forgives our faults and failures. According to the Gospel, we give one another the benefit of the doubt. Likewise, we try to give all who come into our midst this same benefit of the doubt according to the Gospel. The LC-MS has not historically practiced closed communion which excludes all others from outside the congregation regardless of circumstances. Rather, we practice close communion, in which those who commune are united in one faith and doctrine. While ordinarily only fellow members of the LC-MS commune with us, we recognize that there are exceptions. In two documents of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the LC-MS, we read: Since fellowship at the Lord s table is also confession of a common faith, it would not be truthful for those who affirm the Real Presence and those who deny it to join one another. And The synod has established an official practice requiring that pastors and congregations of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals of only those synods which are now in fellowship with us. ( Theology and Practice of the Lord s Supper 1983 pp.21-22). Even as the LC-MS biblical and confessional teaching has denied admission to the Lord s Supper to those of a different confession, the Synod has also consistently held that there can be exceptions to this ordinary way of proceeding and that such exceptions are best left up to ad hoc pastoral discretion. And A simplistic use of denominational membership as the sole criterion for communion
admission, unaccompanied by exhortation and teaching, would be a caricature of biblical and confessional teaching. And finally, if we consider exclusively the denominational membership of an individual, denominational membership can become a substitute for genuine faith. ( Admission to the Lord s Supper 1999 pp.46-47). Our SELC Circuit Counselor, Rev. Ken Ballas, stated regarding this subject: Jesus did not willingly and innocently die for a select few including orthodox Lutheran Christians. Similarly, our Lord did not institute His Holy Supper for His sinful Church on earth (we will not need the Sacraments in Heaven) with the intent of excluding what we might judge to be marginal cases. And there has traditionally been a certain degree of freedom among Lutheran Christians as to how each congregation prayerfully manages its own way of doing things including public worship of our Triune God. Because we are sinful human beings we will likely make mistakes as we attempt to implement our Holy Communion policy. It would be much easier to be legalistically rigid and exclusive. But that would have the potential of driving people away, and barring some whom the Lord would consider worthy of His Holy Supper. It is more difficult to follow the Gospel as we try to reach out to others who are growing in their faith or are seeking to become one with us. Therefore, in the following circumstances we may admit those who are not of the LC-MS: A former member of an LC-MS congregation who has since moved to a location where there are no LC-MS congregations, and has chosen to join a Lutheran church that most closely resembles the LC-MS in doctrine and practice. A Baptized Lutheran not of the LC-MS who has spoken with the pastor, has expressed agreement with the Biblical teachings of the LC-MS, and has been invited by the Pastor to commune with us. A Baptized Christian who is experiencing a life-threatening illness, and professes a faith that is consistent with the teachings of the LC-MS, but there is no time or opportunity for the person to join an LC-MS congregation. A Baptized Christian who is no longer connected with a congregation not of the LC-MS, has indicated a desire to become part of our family of faith, has received instruction from the pastor regarding Holy Communion and has expressed agreement with that teaching. Such a person may commune while the change of membership is in process if invited by the pastor because of special circumstances. Guests who are not members of an LC-MS congregation are asked speak with Pastor or an Elder before communing with us for the first time. Members and guests who are not communing are invited to come forward to receive a special blessing from the pastor. Christians who are firmly connected with a congregation that is not in agreement with our theology should not assume they will be able to commune. We do not necessarily doubt their Christian faith. We simply ask them to respect our beliefs regarding Holy Communion. We can recognize each other as Christian brothers and sisters, while at the same time recognizing that there are substantial differences between our faith bodies. Finally, it is important that we trust the pastor and elders of our congregation in this matter. It is unhealthy for the congregation to have members policing the communion rail. As Rev. Ken Ballas pointed out, ultimately, Holy Communion with our living and loving Lord and one another first and foremost remains not something for us to argue about or dissect like a laboratory frog. Even with the best of intentions, this may undermine our ministry to those who seek healing and growth, and also inhibit us as we seek to carry out our mission to reach up with faith, out with love, and in with fellowship. Sometimes our decisions may seem inconsistent to the casual
observer as we attempt to take into account each person s unique circumstances. Please understand that we do our best to ensure that all who commune with us do so for their spiritual benefit and as a blessing to our congregation. Those who have further questions or concerns should speak with the pastor. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. Psalm 133:1 Rev. Jeff Harter - July 2011