During the COVID-19 period, some believers received the Holy Communion at home by themselves. However, this practice caused great controversy in the church, as some queried whether it was useful or appropriate. From the perspective of the ecumenical Church, such behavior was very inappropriate.
They thought only the pastor had the authority to preside over the ceremony; only the bread and cups consecrated by them affected. Therefore, it was very inappropriate for believers to receive the bread and the wine at home.
However, some denominations that oppose the institutional church believed that individuals also had the authority to eat unleavened bread and drink grape juice at home. All believers are a priest.
When the churches in China ceased their gatherings due to the pandemic's outbreak, some foreign believers received the Communion at home, following the live video broadcasted by their churches.
In many people's eyes, this practice only had the function of commemorative but lacked the effect of Communion. They regarded the Holy Communion as an essential way to connect with the Lords' life, definitely not a ritual performed by eating unleavened bread and drinking grape juice.
To make exact was that it was not just to eat or drink, but to commune with each other through feasting with Jesus. What was more, the Bible says, "For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Therefore, somebody advised that though the church was closed, if the location was at low risk, the pastor might, at his discretion, come to the believers' home to preside over the ceremony for those in desperate need. Following the COVID-19 protocols and protecting themselves against the virus, the pastors could bring one or two staff co-workers to avoid crowds.
In short, the believers must receive the Holy Communion with awe and not merely perform religious rituals at home.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
有位弟兄跟我说，有位肢体这几天自己在家里准备圣餐，以履行圣礼。可这种做法却在教会内引起了巨大争议，到底信徒在家自己举行圣餐，是否拥有果效呢？这种做法是否合宜？从大公教会传统看，此种行为是非常不妥的。
只有牧者才具备主持圣餐的权柄，也只有经过他们祝圣的饼和杯才具备功效。因此信徒自行在家举行圣餐，是非常不合适的。
不过有些反对建制教会的宗派认为，既然信徒都是祭司，那么个人同样拥有举行圣餐的权柄，因此在家里预备无酵饼、葡萄汁是可以的。而国外一些教会在疫情爆发，教堂停止活动后，就是采取视频直播，信徒在家吃圣餐的做法。只是这种做法，在不少人看来，只具备纪念的作用，而缺乏共融的果效。
有个问题需要明确，圣餐礼并不是随便的吃喝，而是通过与耶稣一同坐席，达到彼此生命的共融。更何况“因为人吃喝、若不分辨是主的身体、就是吃喝自己的罪了。”（林前11:29）因此圣餐绝对不是你吃了无酵饼、喝了葡萄汁就履行了宗教仪式，而是我们与主生命联结的重要方式。
因此，在教会暂停，所在地又处于低风险的情况下。牧者是可以酌情为亟需的信徒送去圣餐的, 为其举行圣餐礼。。当然整个过程要遵守防疫的规定，做好个人防护，尤其是参与人员不宜过多（牧者带着一、两位同工即可），以免出现人员集聚。
总之我们对待圣餐必须充满敬畏，而不是仅仅为了履行宗教仪式而在家里随意行事。
http://www.gospeltimes.cn/article/index/id/55280
礼拜暂停无法领圣餐，信徒可以在家自行领受吗？
During the COVID-19 period, some believers received the Holy Communion at home by themselves. However, this practice caused great controversy in the church, as some queried whether it was useful or appropriate. From the perspective of the ecumenical Church, such behavior was very inappropriate.
They thought only the pastor had the authority to preside over the ceremony; only the bread and cups consecrated by them affected. Therefore, it was very inappropriate for believers to receive the bread and the wine at home.
However, some denominations that oppose the institutional church believed that individuals also had the authority to eat unleavened bread and drink grape juice at home. All believers are a priest.
When the churches in China ceased their gatherings due to the pandemic's outbreak, some foreign believers received the Communion at home, following the live video broadcasted by their churches.
In many people's eyes, this practice only had the function of commemorative but lacked the effect of Communion. They regarded the Holy Communion as an essential way to connect with the Lords' life, definitely not a ritual performed by eating unleavened bread and drinking grape juice.
To make exact was that it was not just to eat or drink, but to commune with each other through feasting with Jesus. What was more, the Bible says, "For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Therefore, somebody advised that though the church was closed, if the location was at low risk, the pastor might, at his discretion, come to the believers' home to preside over the ceremony for those in desperate need. Following the COVID-19 protocols and protecting themselves against the virus, the pastors could bring one or two staff co-workers to avoid crowds.
In short, the believers must receive the Holy Communion with awe and not merely perform religious rituals at home.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times.)
- Translated by Abigail Wu
As Churches are Closed Down, Can Believers Receive Holy Communion at Home?
