Listen:  112.6

Let’s read the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”  The Lord had instituted this remembrance feast with His disciples as recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  We find the believers continuing this in Acts 2:42 where we read, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  This term, “breaking of bread” is synonymous with this meeting to remember the Lord.  We often refer to this as ‘communion’ which means fellowship.  It is a time when the Lord’s people fellowship together in thinking about our blessed savior and partaking of the emblems that represent Him in His death.  It is a time that is so precious to the Lord.

When should one begin participating in this remembrance meeting?  The key word here is ‘remember.’  Only those who are saved can ‘remember’ the Lord.  It would be so out of order for those who are not saved to participate in this remembrance feast.  How can you remember someone that you do not know?  Age is not an issue here; salvation is what is required.  Before allowing someone to participate in this holy service, this person should have a proper testimony of faith in the Lord Jesus and exhibit a holy life.  I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians, chapter 5 where a man was excommunicated from the Corinthian church for living in sexual sin.  1 Corinthians 5:11 instructs us, “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”  This is, of course, different that when a person commits a sin and confesses it to the Lord.  That sin is forgiven and settled.  The incident before us is of one who continues to live in sin.

Discipline in the House of God is so important for the testimony of the local church.  We are told that someone who is called a brother, or professes to be saved, must be separated from if they are living lives of sin.  We are told, “not to keep company” with such a person.  How dishonoring it is to the Lord when one of His children is living in sin, and the believers around him act like nothing is wrong.  What are we trying to accomplish by ostracizing a believer living in sin?  We are seeking that person’s restoration to the Lord.  2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 says, “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”  It is an act of love when we, in love, separate ourselves from that person and rebuke him for his sins.  When someone is set aside by a group of believers that love that person, surely he will be ashamed and repent of his evil deeds and desire to be restored to sweet fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, there is no age limit to someone partaking of communion, or remembering the Lord and His death on the cross for us.  We just want to make sure that person is truly saved and is not living in sin.  (112.6)