I hear some pastors quote Matt 5:23,24 during communion:
23 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
I don't understand what this scripture has to do with communion? This text is talking about murder.
Also, 1 Cor 11:27-30
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood[d] of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner[e] eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s[f] body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
What do you think this means? I've been made to feel as though I should not take communion if I haven't forgiven someone or feel ill-will in my heart towards someone, etc.. I've been afraid that something bad would happen to me if I took communion if my heart is not right. Then I came to realize that the scripture is not saying that we must be worthy to take communion. Afterall, who among us is truly worthy? It's saying that we should not take communion in an unworthy manner; in a way that doesn't represent the meaning of communion.
What do you think?
23 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
I don't understand what this scripture has to do with communion? This text is talking about murder.
Also, 1 Cor 11:27-30
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood[d] of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner[e] eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s[f] body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
What do you think this means? I've been made to feel as though I should not take communion if I haven't forgiven someone or feel ill-will in my heart towards someone, etc.. I've been afraid that something bad would happen to me if I took communion if my heart is not right. Then I came to realize that the scripture is not saying that we must be worthy to take communion. Afterall, who among us is truly worthy? It's saying that we should not take communion in an unworthy manner; in a way that doesn't represent the meaning of communion.
What do you think?