Transcript People Are Strange

People Are Strange
The Doors and Beyond!
Part Seven - Lesson 1
ESV Luke 1:50 And his mercy
is for those who fear him from
generation to generation. 51
He has shown strength with
his arm; he has scattered the
proud in the thoughts of their
hearts; 52 he has brought
down the mighty from their
thrones and exalted those of
humble estate; 53 he has filled
the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent
empty away.
ESV Jeremiah 23:1 "Woe to the
shepherds who destroy and scatter the
sheep of my pasture!" declares the
LORD. 2 Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of Israel, concerning the
shepherds who care for my people: "You
have scattered my flock and have driven
them away, and you have not attended
to them. Behold, I will attend to you for
your evil deeds, declares the LORD. 3
Then I will gather the remnant of my
flock out of all the countries where I
have driven them, and I will bring them
back to their fold, and they shall be
fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set
shepherds over them who will care for
them, and they shall fear no more, nor
be dismayed, neither shall any be
missing, declares the LORD.
LIX. When thou instruct the people, O
bishop, command and exhort them to
come constantly to church morning
and evening every day, and by no
means to forsake it on any account,
but to assemble together continually;
ESV
Johnto17:11
Holy
neither
diminish
theFather,
Church keep
by
withdrawing
and
causing
them
in yourthemselves,
name, which
you
have
the body
Christ
to may
be without
its
given
me,ofthat
they
be one,
member.
is not
spoken
evenFor
asitwe
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concerning the priests, but let every
one of the laity hearken to it as
concerning himself, considering that it
is said by the Lord: “He that is not
with me is against me, and he that
gathereth not with me scattereth
abroad.” [Apost. Const]
After this let the sacrifice follow, the people standing, and
praying silently; and when the oblation has been made, let
every rank by itself partake of the Lord's body and precious
blood in order, and approach with reverence and holy fear, as
to the body of their king. Let the women approach with their
heads covered, as is becoming the order of women; but let the
door be watched, lest any unbeliever, or one not yet initiated,
come in.– Ap. Const. Bk II Sec. VII, LVII
If any brother, man or woman, come in from another parish,
bringing recommendatory letters, let the deacon be the judge
of that affair, inquiring whether they be of the faithful, and of
the Church? Whether they be not defiled by heresy? . . .And
when he is satisfied in these questions, that they are really of
the faithful, and of the same sentiments in the things of the
Lord, let him conduct every one to the place proper for him. –
Ap. Const. Bk VIII Sec. II, XII
“This food we call Eucharist, and no one may receive it
unless he believes that our teaching is true, and has been
washed with the washing for forgiveness of sins unto
regeneration, and lives as Christ handed down to us.”
[Apology I, Justin Martyr, 150 AD]
“We do not abolish the Mass but religiously keep and defend
it. In our churches Mass is celebrated every Sunday and on
other festivals, when the sacrament is offered to those who
wish for it after they have been examined and absolved.”
Apology, XXIV, The Mass
Chrysostom says that the priest stands daily at the altar,
inviting some to Communion and keeping others away.
Augsburg Confession, XXIV
Protestant
19%
Rome
49%
Indep
20%
East
12%
Protestant
19%
Indep
20%
Rome/East
61%
Slice 2
0%
Closed Communion: Rome & East = 61%
Passover eaten
in homes
Growing
Post Refo,
division/corruption
Only for Israel
500, 15%
Corruption/Division
OT Church,
Luther
1400, 41%
Samaritans,
Sadducees,
Pharisees
Corruption of doctrine/life
in West
East/West split
Christ eats Passover
with His disciples
Pre Refo,
1517,
44%
Church
admits
Early
only the baptized,
and those united in
doctrine and life
St. Paul to
Corinth
Early Church admits
only the baptized
Institutes Eucharist
From a Roman Catholic Website . . .
Even Christians who don't believe in the Real Presence generally
understand that Communion is a Christian rite, and is therefore
reserved only for Christians. Only the most liberal Protestant
denominations would allow non-Christians to receive Communion.
Since the Catholics and Orthodox constitute the large majority of
Christians, closed Communion is actually the norm for most of the
Christians in the world!
The policy of a "closed Communion" is nothing new; in fact it goes
back to the earliest Christians. The Didache, a book of Church
discipline dating back to the late first century A.D., clearly states that
only Christians can receive the Eucharist:
"But let no one eat or drink of this eucharistic thanksgiving, but they
that have been baptized into the name of the Lord."
Didache 9:10-12
As tragic divisions started to form within Christendom itself, it soon
became necessary to close access to the Lord's Table even to some
baptized Christians.
And on the Lord's own day gather yourselves together and break
bread and give thanks, first confessing your transgressions, that
your sacrifice may be pure. And let no man, having his dispute with
his fellow, join your assembly until they have been reconciled, that
your sacrifice may not be defiled; for this sacrifice it is that was
spoken of by the Lord; "In every place and at every time offer Me a
pure sacrifice; for I am a great king, saith the Lord and My name is
wonderful among the nations". - Didache 14:1-5
Why? Because Jesus once said "If you are offering your gift at the
altar, and there remember that your brother has something against
you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled
to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:2324). God wants us to worship Him in love, humility and unity, not with
prideful divisions among us, rooted as they are in sin.
Questions to Ponder . . .
According to Christ, can a person from another
denomination, who has an unreconciled dispute with our
doctrine and practice, properly commune at our altar?
St. Paul writes (1 Corinthians 10:18): “Consider the people
of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants
in the altar?” How does the principal of comm-unity
prohibit people taking Communion where there is division
in faith and love?
Are there ever exceptions to the rule? That is, are there
cases where a baptized, repentant Christian MAY be
admitted to an altar that is not his or her own?
Again from that Roman Catholic Website . . .
Mother Church makes some exceptions to her closed Communion policy in
certain situations. She would allow an Eastern Orthodox Christian to
receive in an emergency (although that person's own church would forbid
it). Members of the Polish National Catholic Church, an Old Catholic
communion, are also allowed by the Vatican to partake in our Eucharist if
they have no recourse to their own Communion. And a Protestant may be
given permission to receive the Eucharist, but only if he or she:
- has a serious spiritual need (i.e., is dying or under persecution);
- is unable to receive in his/her own church for a long time;
- is living a genuine Christian life, not a life of sin;
agrees with the teaching on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist;
- gets permission from his/her own church to receive Communion in another.
Unless all these circumstances are met, a Protestant cannot receive
Communion in a Catholic church. The Church is not being mean,
snobbish or exclusive. Christians who are not in union with us cannot
receive Communion with us, nor can those who have a dispute with us.
The Eucharist cannot be used as a means toward a unity which does not
yet exist.
Communion Practice at Saint Luke
We believe and teach that holy communion is the true body
and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine,
instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to
drink. (Luther's Small Catechism)
We believe that this meal we share does not belong to any
pastor, congregation, or church body. It is truly what it is called:
the Lord's Table. Because it belongs to the Lord Himself, we
welcome everyone to this table whom our Lord welcomes
to this table, namely every Christian who shares this belief
and desires what He gives to sinners in this meal:
forgiveness, life, and salvation.
We welcome children who have not yet been instructed
concerning the Lord's Supper or who have not yet been
confirmed to come to the altar to receive a blessing. Please let
the pastor know beforehand whether a child has been
confirmed.
Communion Practice at Saint Luke
We believe and teach that holy communion is the true body
and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine,
instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to
drink. (Luther's Small Catechism)
We believe that this meal we share does not belong to any
pastor, congregation, or church body. It is truly what it is called:
the Lord's Table. Because it belongs to the Lord Himself, we
welcome everyone to this table whom our Lord welcomes
to this table, namely every Christian who shares this belief
and desires what He gives to sinners in this meal:
forgiveness, life, and salvation.
We welcome children who have not yet been instructed
concerning the Lord's Supper or who have not yet been
confirmed to come to the altar to receive a blessing. Please let
the pastor know beforehand whether a child has been
confirmed.
Next Week
Through the Doors!