Question
“How can we handle the issue of unconverted who think they are ‘Christians’ (or saved), and ‘that they have fellowship with God’ because they are members of any denomination (i.e., Pentecostal, Baptist, etc.), and when attending our worship services they want to take (or take) the Lord’s Supper?” This brother went ahead to add, “Would we be committing a sin if we let that happen?”
Answer
Bobby L. Graham
Athens, Alabama, USA
The concern of this brother is widespread, because others also do not wish to drive off these interested persons so that no opportunity to teach them remains. We should be careful not to hurt their feelings (Matthew 10:16). I say this, not because truth will not sometimes hurt feelings, but because it ought to be truth that does it, not our careless handling of the truth (Ephesians 4:15). When we teach what truth declares about the Lord’s Table being in the kingdom (Luke 22:16) and in the local church (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), we do what we must do. On the other hand, when we become policemen who enforce this teaching on aliens by forbidding their participation, we do more than truth teaches or authorizes us to do. There is a difference between teaching truth, which God authorizes, and enforcing it, which He does not authorize.
The solution to this problem is spiritual education. The local church and individual members can accomplish good, even in this area, by simply teaching people what the New Testament teaches about the Lord’s Supper, particularly its participants. Those redeemed by the death of Christ are the ones who can benefit in the Supper by remembering Christ their Passover (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 5:7). The needed teaching can take place in special lessons or in brief lessons at the Table. Whichever way is used to teach, those teaching should be sure to choose their words carefully, so they do not unnecessarily disparage the intentions or motives of the outsiders. It is easy to call such in questions when there is no need to do so. Simply teach what the Bible says.
When a non-Christian drinks the cup or eats the bread, he does not benefit spiritually as does the Christian, because he is unprepared by conversion and teaching to benefit. If enforcement is the answer, then why do we not also enforce similar restrictions on the singing, praying, contribution? There is no more authority for our becoming enforcers than there is for their partaking. Their position as aliens does not give them special exemption from sin, but it does suggest to strong Christians that they need our hand to guide and help, not the back of the hand.
