What is the value and ordinance of communion?

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enril

enril

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Aug 18, 2024
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I have come into question, as I understand that it is a symbol, but it says in my study bible that it is not intended to be taken as a ritual or rite, which I understand, but if it is not a ritual, what is it? I don't understand enough to even fully understand my own question, tbh.
(and there's a reason it's not in BDF, I've asked questions like that before, but they always turn into debates about my salvation status, not answers.)
 
I just spent 1/2 hour defining terms. Communion is an ordinance (requirement) in some churches. It involves a particular set of steps (ritual) to appropriately complete the process (rite).

(Phewww)... For some, it is an essential practice of their faith. For others it is a symbolic act of faith. So I think ultimately it depends.... How's that?
 
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Seeker47 said:
I just spent 1/2 hour defining terms. Communion is an ordinance (requirement) in some churches. It involves a particular set of steps (ritual) to appropriately complete the process (rite).

(Phewww)... For some, it is an essential practice of their faith. For others it is a symbolic act of faith. So I think ultimately it depends.... How's that?
Click to expand...
Thanks, yes, for my church it is a symbolic ordinance, however, I am not personally aligned exactly with my church. The pastor preaches from the word alone and that is enough. However, it seems that it is a thing of some importance, however I believe that anything done simply out of habit is worthless, or close to it, except as a way of building toward genuine faith. CS Lewis has a quote about that too, but I can't find it. it was in mere Christianity.
 
It's done in remembrance of Jesus sacrifice on the cross. So not a worthless habit, that is significant part of the faith, one that Jesus asked his disciples to do and carry on doing....as part of fellowship as well.

Some churches are like 'man cannot live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'
So they do explain what it's about from scripture. When Jesus said "I am the bread of life" he was meaning you get spiritual nourishment from Him for your soul in same way bread is nourishment for your body.

If they don't explain it properly you COULD see it as just part of the ritual of the church and sort of not understand what it's all about. Some churches neglect to say this but assume everyone knows what it's all about since they've been doing it for centuries.
 
Mere Christianity is more about Christianity from a scholars point of view, like for intellectuals who come from atheism. It doesn't quote or refer to scripture so much that I remember. He was trying to explain faith to them apart from the Anglican church (or church of England) that he became a part of. The CoE call this communion 'the eucharist' which means 'thanksgiving' and it is quite an elaborate and prescribed tradition for them. Eg needs to be done a certain way, the priests/ministers are all in robes, you meant to kneel down, the cup is meant to be a gold chalice, the bread is meant to be these wafers stamped with a special monogram, the drink is meant to be a red port wine....
 
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