Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: math1h3@jetson.uh.edu Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Infant Communion Message-ID: Date: 19 Dec 90 09:24:37 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of Houston Lines: 49 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article , ecmath!tim@uunet.uu.net (Tim McLarnan) writes: Our recent discussion of infant baptism has set me to thinking about a related issue. In the Orthodox Church, infants are baptized, chrismated, and first receive communion all during the same Liturgy. Subsequently, they continue to receive communion regularly, even in periods of our history when adult communion has been rather infrequent. [Generally the concern is that the communicant must be able to "discern the body", as Paul said. This is normally taken to mean that if they are not able to understand the significance of the act at least at some level, they ought not to participate. {deletions} --clh] This is what I see as the relevant passage: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the boy and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself." -- 1 Cor. 11:27-29. For the issue at hand, "A man ought to examine himself" seems particularly relevant. One should spend some time, reflecting on one's sins, and one's need for forgiveness, and on the source of that forgiveness, before receiving the body and blood of the Lord. This requires mental and spiritual maturity. On the other hand, while the Lord's supper, properly received, is certainly beneficial for our salvation, it is not stated as a requirement for salvation, as is Baptism --"Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." John 3:5. The church, in administering the Sacrament, has a responsibility to prevent people from abusing the Sacrament or taking it unto judgement. Therefore we do not commune infants, who cannot 'examine themselves.' Just at what point a person is sufficient mature in mind and spirit to receive the sacrament, is not clear. Typically in Lutheran churches (at least in the WELS) we confirm students in our Christian Day Schools in the eighth grade. I think we are within our Chrisian freedom in doing this. There is, however, no doubt that some are ready before this age, and some we confirm are going through the motions, and eventually leave the church. David H. Wagner a confessional Lutheran. My opinions and beliefs on this matter are disclaimed by The University of Houston.