How can we apply 1 Corinthians 11:29 to our church's Communion practices? Setting the Context 1 Corinthians 11:29: “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” Paul writes to believers who were treating the Lord’s Table like a casual meal, ignoring its sacred purpose. The warning is literal: irreverent participation brings God’s discipline (vv. 30–32). What “Recognizing the Body” Means • Christ’s physical body sacrificed for sins (Luke 22:19–20) • Christ’s spiritual body, the church (1 Corinthians 10:16–17) Failing to honor either truth turns Communion into self-condemnation. Why Examining Ourselves Matters • Verse 28 commands it: “A man ought to examine himself…” • Sin disrupts fellowship (1 John 1:6–7) • Ongoing, unconfessed sin invites judgment (Hebrews 12:28–29) • Reconciliation with others is prerequisite worship (Matthew 5:23–24) Guiding Principles for Communion • Reverence—treat the elements as symbols of the holy sacrifice • Purity—confess known sin (1 John 1:9) • Unity—discern the body by valuing every believer (1 Corinthians 12:12–27) • Order—administer in a fitting, orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:40) Practical Steps for Our Service • Teach the meaning of Communion each time it is observed • Provide a quiet moment for self-examination and confession • Fence the table: invite only professing, baptized believers walking in repentance (Acts 2:42) • Encourage unresolved conflicts to be settled before participating • Offer pastoral counsel for those unsure of their standing • Guide parents to discern a child’s readiness before allowing participation • Serve the elements reverently—no casual remarks, no rush • Close the service with a reminder of Christ’s return (1 Corinthians 11:26) Safeguards for the Congregation • Elders oversee doctrine; deacons assist with distribution (Acts 6:1–4) • Regular instruction in church membership classes on the Lord’s Supper • Periodic review of members’ spiritual health (Hebrews 13:17) • Clear printed or spoken invitations that explain who should partake Cultivating a Heart of Reverence All Week • Daily gratitude for the cross (Galatians 2:20) • Confessing sin promptly (Proverbs 28:13) • Pursuing unity within the body (Ephesians 4:1–3) These habits make examination at Communion natural rather than forced. Expected Fruit When We Apply 1 Corinthians 11:29 • A purified, spiritually healthy church • Credible witness to the world (John 13:35) • Deeper appreciation of Christ’s sacrifice • Protection from God’s corrective discipline Taking Paul’s warning seriously transforms Communion from a routine ritual into a life-giving celebration that honors the Lord, nurtures the church, and proclaims the gospel until He comes. |
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