Importance of Humble Communion Participation in Christian Worship
The importance of humble communion participation in Christian worship is a topic of ongoing debate among various Christian traditions. The disagreement centers on the significance and manner of participating in the Lord's Supper, with different traditions emphasizing distinct aspects of the sacrament.
Disagreement on Communion Participation
The debate surrounding humble communion participation is multifaceted. At its core, it involves understanding the nature of the Lord's Supper and the attitude with which believers should approach it. Some traditions stress the importance of self-examination and humility before partaking in communion, while others emphasize the sacrament's role in fostering unity and fellowship among believers [4, 8].
Position 1: Emphasis on Self-Examination and Humility
One position, represented by the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions, underscores the need for self-examination and humility before participating in communion. According to this view, believers must examine themselves to ensure they are worthy participants, acknowledging their sinfulness and Christ's sacrifice [4]. This perspective is rooted in 1 Corinthians 11:27-31, where Paul warns against eating and drinking unworthily. John Calvin's Institutes emphasize the importance of self-examination, highlighting that participants should approach the table with humility and a recognition of their sin [5].
Position 2: Emphasis on Unity and Fellowship
In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John of Damascus, focuses on the sacrament's role in uniting believers with Christ and with one another. This perspective emphasizes the mystical and communal aspects of communion, viewing it as a means of participating in the divine life. The emphasis is on the believer's union with Christ and the community, rather than on individual worthiness [6].
Position 3: Balance between Self-Examination and Communal Participation
The Lutheran tradition, as expressed in the Augsburg Confession, strikes a balance between the need for self-examination and the importance of communal participation. This view acknowledges the significance of approaching communion with humility and faith, while also emphasizing the sacrament's role in nourishing believers and fostering unity within the community [7].
Shared Ground
Despite these differences, all positions agree on the importance of humility in Christian worship and the significance of communion as a means of grace. The scriptural basis for humility is found in passages such as Philippians 2:5-8 and 1 Corinthians 11:26, which emphasize Christ's example and the proclamation of his death in the Lord's Supper [1, 3].
Divergence in Traditions
The divergence in traditions stems from differing hermeneutical commitments and prior doctrinal premises. The Reformed emphasis on self-examination is rooted in a strong view of the sacrament's significance and the need for worthy participation. In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox focus on unity and fellowship reflects a more mystical understanding of communion. The Lutheran balance between self-examination and communal participation represents a mediating position, seeking to preserve both the individual and corporate aspects of the sacrament.
The various Christian traditions continue to grapple with the complexities of humble communion participation, reflecting the richness and diversity of Christian thought on this topic. As the apostle Paul exhorts, believers are called to share with the saints and practice hospitality, underscoring the communal dimension of Christian worship (Romans 12:13) [2].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:26: 11:26 In taking the Lord’s Supper, Christians proclaim the saving significance of the Lord’s death to those around them until he comes again (see 1:7-8; cp. 1 Thes 1:9-10; 3:12; 4:13-18; 5:23).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:20: When . . . therefore--Resuming the thread of discourse from Co1 11:18. this is not to--rather, "there is no such thing as eating the LORD'S Supper"; it is not possible where each is greedily intent only on devouring "HIS OWN supper," and some are excluded altogether, not having been waited for (Co1 11:33), where some are "drunken," while others are "hungry" (Co1 11:21). The love-feast usually preceded the Lord's Supper (as eating the Passover came before the Lord's Supper at the first institution of the latter). It was a club-feast, where eac”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:2 1:26 1:27 1:31 2:7 2:7 2:17 2:18 2:23 2:23 3:7 3:9 3:12 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:22 4:4 4:7 4:10 4:13 6:3 6:5 6:6 6:18 7:21 8:21 9:6 12:12 12:17 14:18 14:18 15:1 15:1 15:5 15:17 16:9 17:7 17:7 17:10 17:10 17:13 17:15 17:27 18:2 18:23 20:3 20:7 21:1 21:12 21:24 22:1 22:8 22:16-18 23:4 23:19 24:7 24:10 26:27 27:28 27:38-39 28:12 28:20 29 30:2 31:19 31:20 31:40-41 32 32:10 32:13 32:29-30 33 34 36:22 37:18 37:28 37:33 38:18 42 43 43:14 45:5 47:9 47:9 47:29-30 48:14 48:16 49:5-6 49:18 Exodus 2:12 3:2 3”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 105: 45:12 45:14 48:12 53:4-5 53:8 53:8 53:8 53:9 61:1 61:1 64:4 65:1-2 65:2 65:13-16 65:16 65:16 66:1 66:1-2 66:1-2 66:7 Jeremiah 1:6 17:9 23:22 23:24 Ezekiel 27:23 37:7 44:2 Daniel 1:8-16 2:15 2:22 3:20 3:23 6:16 10:2 11:37 12:1-3 Hosea 1:6-7 13:4 13:4 Amos 3:6 Micah 1:3 Zechariah 9:9 Malachi 1:11 3:6 3:6 3:6 3:6 4:2 4:2 4:6 Matthew 1:21 1:21 1:23 1:23 1:25 2:20 3:11 3:15 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 4:2 4:4 5:3 5:5 5:8 5:17 5:17 5:17 6:25 6:26 6:33 7:6 7:18 7:23 8:3 8:3 8:30 9:2 9:4 10:6 10:15 10:16 10:22 10:28 ”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article X. Of the Lord's Supper.: Article X. Of the Lord's Supper.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER VI. 41-59. (part 13): Lord's table it is taken, by some to life, by some to destruction: but the thing itself, of which it is the sacrament, is for every man to life, for no man to destruction, whosoever shall have been a partaker thereof. 16. But lest they should suppose that eternal life was promised in this meat and drink in such manner that they who should take it should not even now die in the body, He condescended to meet this thought; for when He had said, "He that eateth my flesh, anti drinketh my blood, hath eternal life," He forthwi”