THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Archive #0236

Thank you for your question.  I apologize for not getting back to you sooner; but, due to the many questions we receive, I try to answer them in order.  Your questions are:

ANSWER

1.  “Should unsaved people take communion?” 

Answer: No.

2. “Should the saved who has not repented of their sins, or have something not right in their heart, partake?

Answer: No.  Since we are not God, we cannot look into their mind and access their thinking.  “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13).

3.  You ask, “What is the age of accountability?”

Answer:  Only God knows the age of a child that is accountable.  This varies with the child.  The precise time is not something you, or I, can determine.  God is the only one who knows the age of accountability, since it varies with different children.

4.  “If people take communion that shouldn’t, what is the repercussion?”

Answer:  From these questions, it appears that you want to have your pastor refuse communion to those you feel are unsaved, or in a backslidden condition.

I hope the following will help.:

A.  It is the pastor’s responsibility to teach all present about who communion is for and what its purpose is.  It is not his responsibility to refuse to serve communion.  The pastor’s responsibility ended when he advised the congregation who may take communion and who should not participate. 

B.  It then becomes the person’s responsibility to determine whether to take or not to take communion.  This is not the responsibility of anyone else. 

 “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. (27).

 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.(28).

 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.(29).

 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.(30).

 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (31).

 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” (I Corinthians 11:27-32)

3.  Each person shall give an account of themselves to the Lord.

“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (11).

 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:11-12).

4.  An example of the above is found in the account of the Lord’s Supper given in I Corinthians, Chapter 11.

“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation (i.e. Greek, KRIMA, meaning “judgement.”) to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.(29).

 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (i.e. “dead”).”  (30).

5.  Peter, the Apostle, is a good example of someone worried about someone else.  In John, Chapter 21, Peter asked the Lord,

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?” (20).

Then Peter continues questioning the Lord.

“Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” (21).

“Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (22).

We have all experienced the following, as recorded in one of our old, familiar songs,

“I traveled down a lonely road, and no one seemed to care.

The burden on my weary back had bowed me to despair.

I oft complained to Jesus how folks were treating me,

And then I heard Him say so tenderly.

My feet were also weary upon the Calv’ry Road.

The cross became to heavy, I fell beneath the load.

Be faithful, Weary Pilgrim, the morning I can see,

Just LIFT YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW CLOSE TO ME.”

By: Ira P. Stanphill