In this time of the Coronavirus Crisis, When we are not able to gather physically as a church Family. To continue worshipping, the Church is organising online meetings but not communion. Why?
Let’s have a little look at the topic from the Bible, why is it not biblical to do communion virtually?
Physical gathering of the Church as body, not only personal worship in homes: Book of Acts 2:40-42, mentions how the early church was partaking the Lord’s supper as a church ordinance, not as an individual but to meet together at one place, even though there were persecutions at that time. So, throughout the Bible, The Lord’s supper is taken in a physical gathering of the Church. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul mentions the phrase, “when you come together” for five different times which means, he emphasizes gathering together or assembling/cohabiting physically. We all know that the church is the primary place where all believers gather together/assemble. There is nowhere in the Bible mentioned about Lord’s supper being taken privately or individually (alone). In fact, In Luke 22: 17, Jesus says, “Take this and share it among yourselves” which teaches us Lord’s supper was intended for the believers to share when they come together (assemble) physically.
One bread, One Cup, One Body: 1 Corinthians 10: 16-17, Says ‘that the church by eating one bread, drinking from one cup symbolizes that we are one body and have been united in Christ’ which is also mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 22. The elements for the Lord’s Supper are not fixed but the church as long as possible prefers to share the same elements for both the bread and the cup whether it be bread or juice.
But the importance here is the display of the union between believers and Christ as well as the unity among believers because of Christ and not individuals so as to take it privately.
It is an act of Remembrance: It is an act of Remembrance: Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:25-26, says that the Lord’s supper is an act of Remembrance and a proclamation to the Lord’s death (work of the Cross) until He comes. Only believers are allowed to partake in the Lord’s supper while unbelievers are not allowed to partake; they are not restricted to be present, because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to them by believers while partaking in the Lord’s Supper. So in the virtual platform, it is difficult for the elders of the Church to control and ensure that only believers partake and not unbelievers who are present in the meeting.
Lord’s supper is not Prasad?: Prasad is taken to receive a blessing, to have a self-transformation, and develop a connection with the divine. The Lord’s Supper on the other hand is not literal but symbolic where the bread represents the body of Jesus Christ and the cup represents the blood of Jesus Christ. It symbolizes the New Covenant.
Don’t take it with an unworthy manner: 1 Cor 11:27-28 says that one must examine himself/herself and not to take Lord’s Supper with an unworthy manner. This means it is a solemn act of worship and must be followed by discipline/seriousness not casually and carelessly. Verse 30 says that because of unworthy manners or Wrongful participation in it “many among you are weak and sick and a number asleep (died)”.
Do it as often as you meet: The Bible does not mention how many times we should partake in the Lord’s Supper. Nor it provides any time and place restrictions for this. Instead, we see in the bible that We are to celebrate the Lord’s Supper as often as we can when we meet together. (1 Cor 11:26 )
Obeying the Authorities:
Obeying the Authorities: Romans 13:1-2 says we are commanded to submit and obey the authorities. We believe that this is the uncertain time where Govt. has temporarily restricted physical church gathering nationwide for safety measures rather than imposing or permanently closing the Physical gathering of the Church.
So we as a church decided to obey the authorities as mentioned in Romans 13 as it doesn’t go against the scripture. But it is important to know that the Bible teaches us to submit for the Lord’s sake to human authority (1 Pet.2:13). This means if the authority is against the law of the Lord (Scripture) we are to listen to God rather than the authority (Acts 4:19).
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
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