Taking Communion alone?

[p_rehbein]

Matthew 18:20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Hebrews 10:23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised
24 .) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 .) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Acts 1:11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12 .) Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
13 .) And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 .) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Romans 1:7) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 .) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

1st Corinthians 1:1) Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 .) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Galatians 1:1) Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
2 .) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 .) Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 .) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Ephesians 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 1:1) Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 .) Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 .) I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 .) Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 .) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Colossians 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
2 .) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 .) We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 .) Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

1st Thessalonians 1:1) Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 .) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 .) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 .) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 .) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 .) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 .) So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

1st Timothy 2:8) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Romans 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 .) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 .) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Ephesians 4:1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 .) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 .) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 .) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 .) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 .) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 .) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 .) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 .) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 .) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 .) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 .) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 .) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 .) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 .) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 .) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 .) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

 

[p_rehbein]

...........COMMUNION.............

n. noun

• The act or an instance of sharing, as of thoughts or feelings.
  
• Religious or spiritual fellowship.
  
• A body of Christians with a common religious faith who practice the same rites; a denomination.
  
  

 

[1still_waters]

Can you provide some commentary on why you included these verses into a post about private communion being valid? I don't see a direct correlation.

Ephesians 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 1:1) Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 .) Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 .) I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 .) Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 .) For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

Colossians 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,
2 .) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 .) We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 .) Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

1st Thessalonians 1:1) Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 .) We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 .) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 .) Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 .) For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 .) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 .) So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

1st Timothy 2:8) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Romans 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 .) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 .) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Ephesians 4:1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 .) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 .) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 .) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 .) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 .) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 .) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 .) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 .) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 .) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 .) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 .) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 .) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 .) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 .) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 .) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 .) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

I don't know of any scriptures that directly speak against doing communion privately. All scriptures that speak of communion have it done in a group, but that doesn't necessarily make private communion wrong.

 

[p_rehbein]

Happy to.............if people will read those passages and NOTICE to who they were addressed..............they will see that they were for the Church........all of the saints............and when they tie this in with the definition of "communion," it's pretty clear that communion is a SHARED experience...............

Now, can one commune with God alone? Sure, but to commune with God and "take Communion" isn't the same thing.

If one takes communion alone, what purpose does it serve? How does that edify the body of Christ........the Church?

The scriptures provided show that it is really important to believers to be PART of the ONE BODY.......not an island unto themselves.............

(my thoughts........may just be me........)

 

[1still_waters]

Happy to.............if people will read those passages and NOTICE to who they were addressed..............they will see that they were for the Church........all of the saints............and when they tie this in with the definition of "communion," it's pretty clear that communion is a SHARED experience...............

Now, can one commune with God alone? Sure, but to commune with God and "take Communion" isn't the same thing.

If one takes communion alone, what purpose does it serve? How does that edify the body of Christ........the Church?

The scriptures provided show that it is really important to believers to be PART of the ONE BODY.......not an island unto themselves.............

(my thoughts........may just be me........)

Ok technically one can't commune alone.
Maybe the question should be narrowed down to....

Can you take the Lord's supper alone?

I think folks may be getting hung up on the term "communion" as they miss what the OP is really asking.

 

[p_rehbein]

Ok technically one can't commune alone.
Maybe the question should be narrowed down to....

Can you take the Lord's supper alone?

I think folks may be getting hung up on the term "communion" as they miss what the OP is really asking.

possibly...............and I did not say one could NOT celebrate communion alone........just don't see how that would edify the "body?" Even considering the Lord's Supper, the usual way is either with fellow believers or with family.......again, one could I suppose, but what purpose does it serve?

I suppose if a person was in a situation where they were completely isolated from other believers........it would be just fine......but if other believers are all around, why celebrate in isolation?

I think there were some in Egypt who celebrated the Lord's Supper in their homes.....but don't remember if they included their families or not..........anyway.......

Seems to me we should be concerned with the edification of the Church.........

 

[1still_waters]

I've heard stories of Lutherans who literally had a pastor flown in from out of town, just so they could take communion. That seems a bit extreme, and puts pastors a major wall between pastors and non-pastors.

 

[p_rehbein]

I've heard stories of Lutherans who literally had a pastor flown in from out of town, just so they could take communion. That seems a bit extreme, and puts pastors a major wall between pastors and non-pastors.

I would believe that would be unnecessary...........believers gathered together in His name are all that is necessary.......in my opinion...........just as with baptism............it isn't a requirement for a Pastor do baptize folks........any mature believer ...... elder if you wish ........ is able to baptize a new convert in my opinion........

And, as I said.......I think communion could well be celebrated in a persons home with their family.......in so doing, they would be instructing their family in the Gospel of Jesus..........

BUT COMMUNION IS RESERVED FOR BELIEVERS............those who are not born again are in serious danger IF they celebrate Communion...........according to Paul. So, a persons family should ALSO be believers in and followers of Jesus.

Jesus gave us three "celebrations" of this sort........

Baptism: Can one baptize their self? What purpose would it serve?

Communion: What purpose does singular celebration serve?

Foot Washing: again, is this not to be a fellowship celebration?

Not all congregations have Pastors.............but goodness...........they surely SHOULD HAVE mature believers, elders who are knowledgeable in the Word of God...........and capable of instructing new converts........

 

[p_rehbein]

1st Corinthians 11:23) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 .) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 .) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 .) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 .) 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.
28 .) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 .) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 .) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 .) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 .) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33 .) Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34 .) And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

 

[2Thewaters]

Jesus would not deny any man to come to him because he is alone in alaska with no friends...

that is silly fanatacism.

 

[p_rehbein]

Jesus would not deny any man to come to him because he is alone in alaska with no friends...

that is silly fanatacism.

You SHOULD READ ALL OF A COMMENT...........we have already established this...........goodness........

 

[1still_waters]

1st Corinthians 11:23) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 .) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 .) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 .) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 .) 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.
28 .) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 .) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 .) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 .) For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 .) But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33 .) Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34 .) And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

The question is, what is an unworthy manner?

Before the scripture above, Paul addressed a problem at the Corinthian church in relation to how they observed the Lord's supper.

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

The Corinthians were hoarding food and getting drunk, as others in the church went hungry. So I think the unworthy manner is more about something like that, and not really related to taking the Lord's supper alone. The Corinthians were more interested in hoarding food and getting drunk, as they forgot what the bread and cup were actually about. Hence they're told not to eat it in an unworthy manner. In this context that means eating to gorge yourself, and drinking to get drunk, all the while not recognizing the bread and cup are meant to be done in remembrance of Jesus.

 

[p_rehbein]

I did not intend for that scripture to address taking communion alone.......rather what I had stated in my comment #28

BUT COMMUNION IS RESERVED FOR BELIEVERS............those who are not born again are in serious danger IF they celebrate Communion...........according to Paul. So, a persons family should ALSO be believers in and followers of Jesus.

It must needs be we establish the seriousness of celebrating communion............this celebration is no joking matter......not saying that anyone here is saying that, or making light of it.............saying this for those who may be reading this and are not familiar with just how serious/important this celebration is........

 

[Simona25]

The question is, what is an unworthy manner?

The way Judas partook.

 

[1still_waters]

I did not intend for that scripture to address taking communion alone.......rather what I had stated in my comment #28

BUT COMMUNION IS RESERVED FOR BELIEVERS............those who are not born again are in serious danger IF they celebrate Communion...........according to Paul. So, a persons family should ALSO be believers in and followers of Jesus.

It must needs be we establish the seriousness of celebrating communion............this celebration is no joking matter......not saying that anyone here is saying that, or making light of it.............saying this for those who may be reading this and are not familiar with just how serious/important this celebration is........

A major concern of mine is that folks take...

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

... and they turn it into a directive to focus more on themselves, than on actually observing the death of Jesus.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

People get so focussed on the state of their heart, that they forget this is about remembering the death of Jesus.
Examining yourself is more about making sure you're recognizing the cup and bread for their true purpose. I mean that's what Paul got on them for, because they were all stuffing their faces and getting drunk instead of using the cup and bread for their true purpose.

 

[2Thewaters]

Commnion is good
if you are not a born again believer with a real relationship with GOd, you willbe possessed by the devil like Judas was

it will separate the family so you know who is who and who is playing church

After the Juds left Jesus gave a sermon to those remaining...

 

[onlybygrace84]

good answers everyone! I see it can go both ways, and i could have said the "Lord's Supper" instead of communion so i apolgize. My intention was not to mislead people. Nor is it to suggest we bypass a chance to edify the church to gratify ourselves. I thought I put that in the OP. I'm merely asking, for instance I wake up in the AM and am alone with God, can I observe the Lord's Supper as part of my personal time with God, when there are no believers around?

 

[crossnote]

good answers everyone! I see it can go both ways, and i could have said the "Lord's Supper" instead of communion so i apolgize. My intention was not to mislead people. Nor is it to suggest we bypass a chance to edify the church to gratify ourselves. I thought I put that in the OP. I'm merely asking, for instance I wake up in the AM and am alone with God, can I observe the Lord's Supper as part of my personal time with God, when there are no believers around?

Again why not wait til you can partake with others?
Let me ask, what is your purpose for taking Communion?
Can that purpose wait until you are with other believers to partake corporately?

 

[onlybygrace84]

Again why not wait til you can partake with others?
Let me ask, what is your purpose for taking Communion?
Can that purpose wait until you are with other believers to partake corporately?

It is to remember the Lord's death for me as He said, "Do this in remembrance of Me..." I have my reasons and I've explained some, but what I'm not understanding is this idea that someone who wants to observe the Lord's Supper alone is some how circumventing the Church. Especially when I've stated several times that I'm not recommending anyone to do such a thing. I mean we each have our opinions and convictions on the matter. Perhaps this is one of those "Romans 14" things where if I'm convicted by doing it, I shouldn't. But I have yet to feel as though I'm in the wrong, so I see no issue with it, I was merely seeing if I was alone in my belief on the issue. Which from all the replies I've received it's a mixed bag...

 

[onlybygrace84]

Again why not wait til you can partake with others?
Let me ask, what is your purpose for taking Communion?
Can that purpose wait until you are with other believers to partake corporately?

On that note though, what if I am the member of a Church that never observes the Lord's Supper, or only once a year? Surely we are to observe it more than that. For the record, I attended an Assemblies of God church that for the 2 years I was there never once did it, and I grew up in a Baptist church that only observed the Lord's Supper once a year, on the Wednesday before Easter, and then only roll members were allowed to partake, so a few years I couldn't observe...