Certain exiters of Armstrongism were recently asked to give their input on whether they felt Christians who do not attend a church should observe the Lord's Supper at home, either by themselves, or with their converted mate. We received some interesting and good replies, especially in light of the fact that Herbert W. Armstrong and his ministers have always taught that if healthy members didn't show up for the Passover service, they were gravely sinning and were in danger of "losing the Holy Spirit." To the contrary the Scriptures show that the Holy Spirit and eternal life are not lost or taken away.   

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever"; (John 14:16)

"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:28).

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," (Ephesians 1:13).

We are sealed the moment we place our faith in Christ. (II Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13;  4:30)

My personal viewpoint on that is no, I think it is an outward expression and symbolic of our faith, however not necessary. If we make it necessary, then we make void grace. 

The whole Lord's Supper issue (or baptism issue or assembling issue) just goes in circles. Grace is not really free if one believes that a Christian must do them. It is as simple as that. Obviously the Church was created for all of us and is a good thing when the Holy Spirit is in control. Assembling with other Christians is better than not.

But it drives me nuts when certain ministries end up contradicting themselves on all this. They go on and on about the wonderful Grace of Jesus Christ, then systematically dismantle it very subtly. --Former WCG member (woman)

It's bothered me that some people in some churches use this as leverage in order to get people to attend their or some other church.

I suppose an individual or couple could observe a communion at home. Why not?

Personally, I see the statement of Jesus regarding keeping it as a matter of "do this in remembrance of me" to be open ended. Were they at that time doing it in remembrance of Him? Is there some set time or frequency? Doesn't appear to be.

I get a bit on edge when someone says I gotta do something, as though faith is not enough. I don't have a problem with not participating in a communion, and I don't feel a personal need to participate in a ritual in order to remember, which seems to be what some commandments were all about--the Sabbath for example. --Former WCG member (man)

Jesus said that "where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there also." So I think that this would apply to private home Communion as well. I truly don't see a commandment saying you have to go to church in order for Communion to be valid. I do find that taking Communion with a sizeable fellowship of believers can be nice. It did seem important to the early church fathers to observe communion during Resurrection Sunday, but there didn't seem to anything indicating how often one should observe it beyond that. It seemed important to the church fathers to synchronize the celebration of the Resurrection so they would observe it on the same Sunday throughout the empire, and they thought it a good thing that everyone observe Communion in one accord as a high holy day, but there was no command concerning the frequency, nor the exclusiveness of the church to administer it.

I think it is very personal and intimate and that God looks on the heart. God knows where your heart is, and taking Communion in church as a mere "routine" is wrong. Our own personal family tradition is to do it on the Friday before Resurrection Sunday. We have a formal dinner with roasted lamb, and we teach our children that Jesus was the sacrificial lamb of God. We also eat the bread and drink wine (grape juice for the kids) and tell them about Jesus teaching us to "do this in remembrance of Him" and what He did for us on the cross. As far as I know, we are the only ones in our mainstream church that does this little ceremony with our kids. I've heard about others who have done something similar. So it appears that one can partake of Communion in the privacy of one's home. I think that churches just give us the opportunity to do it more frequently. --Former WCG member (woman)

My personal opinion is that if someone feels they have to take communion to earn salvation then that is salvation by works and legalism. If someone wants to take communion because they want to remember Christ's teaching, then they can do that by themselves or with others, however it works out. I don't think you have to do it in a church. --Former PCG member (woman)

I see no reason why a person who has received Christ not partake in this time of remembrance by themselves if that is their only option at the time. --Former WCG member (man)

This is a point I haven't come to a conclusion on. I've thought about how I should go about it and I pray to God that if there is a church in which He is working I want to be led to it. 

I need to pray and think more about it. I would feel better about taking communion in a manner pleasing to Jesus, Who gave us His example. I think I might go and take it with this church I attended in the past. I well understand no church can be perfect. If one was, I couldn't join it. --Former WCG member (man)

That is a difficult question to answer, but I will give my current opinion. I think if the Communion is taken with proper gravity, that is truly appreciating the sacrifice Christ and God made for each of us, then it could be taken at home by individual believers. However, those taking it should be careful not to add to what the Scripture plainly states. The WCG and its splinters are guilty of adding to the Scripture their own twists of doctrine. The Communion is what it is. It shows the Lord's death until He comes.

I know that is only my opinion. I would not dare to try to tell anyone that is the way it should be. I do know that so many exiters have a very difficult time finding a new church home where they are comfortable. I personally don't know if I will ever be comfortable in a church again. --Former PCG member (woman)

My personal opinion is that its what's in the heart that counts. I just think most of the time people are looking for a way to be closer to God and closer to being better people. So we dream up rituals that we think will do that. Not saying that's true of everyone of course, but then again, what difference does it make what we do if our spirit is in line with His love, grace and mercy and our reverence of Him for His great salvation. I think its fine to take communion at home--or not at all. It does nothing one way or the other to add to the salvation that was freely given by Him. He knows our hearts and why we do what we do and it's between us and God. We all make personal choices for personal reasons and what good for one is not what dictates what's good for another. Let all we do be done in love and to His glory and unto Him. --Former WCG member (woman)

I can only answer this from my heart where I've learned to go for answers.

I believe that communion with the Lord can be done by simply bowing your head and with humbleness and prayer, or even silence, joining in with Jesus for a moment or minutes of sharing and worship. That is supping with the Lord.

People are focused too much on FORMALITIES. That is the old wine. Jesus freed us from that. I don't see anything wrong with taking communion, but if a person starts to feel guilty or sinful for not participating in the "act," they have a problem. It is the HEART that Jesus sees and not so much the formalities of our flesh. Plus, we must remember that there is spiritual (supper) (food) compared to the "host" that some churches take. I'd rather sup with Jesus taking the spiritual food rather than go through the fleshly ACT of taking the "host."

So, should they? If they would like...but if they think it is necessary for salvation, or is required scripturally, I think they are incorrect. Again, Jesus, our Lord and Savior, took many Old Testament REQUIREMENTS away from us.

I see nothing wrong with it, but it is not required. Sorry for a long answer for such a short question but I could even keep going longer. --Mike (formerly involved with PCG)

How can I observe Passover if I have left the group? (Q&A which explains that the observance of holy days in the group was for the purpose of controlling members and that the Passover was not given to commemorate the death of Christ)

My Position in Christ (accepted and secure forever)

Can I commit the unpardonable sin? (Q&A)

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