Consecration of Communion?

[George]

Someone mentioned anyone can consecrate communion, but then I’ve heard some say it’s symbolic. If it’s fully symbolic, what does the consecration mean and what’s the necessity of it?

 

[Josiah]

If Communion is just a symbol, if nothing is consecrated, then nothing about the consecration would matter much. Or anything else about it.

Food washing is generally understood as just a symbol. That's why it's never been anything remotely like the Eucharist. And in those few cases where foot washing is a part of weekly public worship, it doesn't matter who does it or who receives it (or anything else, for that matter) cuz it's just a symbol. I practice foot washing every morning in the shower.

But for over 1500 years, Christians did not see the Eucharist as just a symbol. They embraced Real Presence with real blessings. The great majority of Christians still do. It is something sacred and thus conSECRATION matters.

If it's essentially nothing, then essentially nothing about it matters. If nothing is present (except a tiny bit f cheap Weber's white bread and Welch's Grape Juice) then not too much reason to be concerned about it or think much of it or rejoice much in it. At least in foot washing, one's feet get rubbed, which can be rather sensual and nice.


My $0.01


Josiah




.

 

[Particular]

Someone mentioned anyone can consecrate communion, but then I’ve heard some say it’s symbolic. If it’s fully symbolic, what does the consecration mean and what’s the necessity of it?

If Communion is just a symbol, if nothing is consecrated, then nothing about the consecration would matter much. Or anything else about it.

Food washing is generally understood as just a symbol. That's why it's never been anything remotely like the Eucharist. And in those few cases where foot washing is a part of weekly public worship, it doesn't matter who does it or who receives it (or anything else, for that matter) cuz it's just a symbol. I practice foot washing every morning in the shower.

But for over 1500 years, Christians did not see the Eucharist as just a symbol. They embraced Real Presence with real blessings. The great majority of Christians still do. It is something sacred and thus conSECRATION matters.

If it's essentially nothing, then essentially nothing about it matters. If nothing is present (except a tiny bit f cheap Weber's white bread and Welch's Grape Juice) then not too much reason to be concerned about it or think much of it or rejoice much in it. At least in foot washing, one's feet get rubbed, which can be rather sensual and nice.


My $0.01


Josiah




.

What Bible verses are you to referencing regarding communion and consecration?
Traditions with no biblical connection are illegitimate to me. So if you are going to talk about consecration be very specific about the biblical text that requires a consecration. Otherwise you're arguing a tradition without biblical support.

 

[hedrick]

There are two senses in which "anyone" might not be able to consecreate communion:

• Ordination confers metaphysical power. People other than pastors don't have it.
• Communion is an act of God's people. Pastors are authorized by their churches, and act as their representative.

I would reject the first and agree with the second. Note that the second argument doesn't depend upon where you sit on the spectrum between transsubstantion and a purely symbolic view.

 

[George]

This post is what brought up this thread.


https://christianityhaven.com/threads/drive-up-communion.8868/post-188844

Anyone can consecrate the elements and partake nothing biblical about only a priest can do it

 

[psalms 91]

I have done communion at home and I see nothing that says I cant. As long as you treat it with the proper respect and understanding then I see nothing against it. We all have a direct line to God if we choose to use it so we can all pray to bless the elements and read the passages that deal with communion.

 

[Josiah]

• Communion is an act of God's people. Pastors are authorized by their churches, and act as their representative.

Note that the second argument doesn't depend upon where you sit on the spectrum between transsubstantion and a purely symbolic view.


.

The term "Communion" means to "come with union." If self communes self, who is coming with whom "with union?"

While I'd agree there is no specific verse that states, "Thou canst NOT consecrate the elements for thyself or commune thyself alone" there's also nothing - absolutely NOTHING - in Scripture, in the Church Fathers, in any council or tradition or in nearly 2000 years of Christian history and practice to support that; indeed, history and tradition and the Fathers all support the opposite.


I'm reminded we live in a UBER-individualistic world today.... the individualism of ancient Rome infected Christianity like a cancer and it's now festered and is taking over everything. "Just God and ME" "The interpreter of Scripture is ME" "The right one on doctrine is ME" "What is right is whatever is the teaching and feeling of ME today" "Worship is just God and ME (who needs the church, who needs other people?)" "I just ordain ME" ME, ME, ME, ME, ME.




.

 

[psalms 91]

Actually my wife and I do it so it isnt just me and right now there is no church to serve communion, even before one church I attended only did it a couple times a year so it was good for me to do it more often.

 

[Particular]

What Bible verses are you to referencing regarding communion and consecration?
Traditions with no biblical connection are illegitimate to me. So if you are going to talk about consecration be very specific about the biblical text that requires a consecration. Otherwise you're arguing a tradition without biblical support.

Looks like no one can provide scripture regarding "consecration."
Jesus talked to his disciples and said "do this in remembrance of me." There is no place where Jesus says "there must be a priest or consecrated and appointed bishop to perform communion."
When we meet as brother and sister in Christ we remember our King who died so we might live. We raise our glass and we take a piece of bread and we honor him in remembrance. We are made holy, because he is holy. No other special person is needed for us to have communion with our King.