Episode Details

Who receives this Sacrament worthily? Episode 14 of the Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast is part three of three episodes on the Sacrament of the Altar. I'll discuss who receives the Sacrament worthily and why we practice closed Communion from the Bible. You can follow along at Christforus.org. 

#theology #Lutheran #closedcommunion #Lord'sSupper 

The Sacrament of the Altar Part 3: Who receives this sacrament worthily?   

Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”  

But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.

1. “Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training.” Are there spiritual benefits to fasting and bodily preparation?
   Yes, fasting and practicing self-control can help a person in his faith, but they do not make a person prepared to receive the Sacrament.
   “Bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way.” 1 Timothy 4:8
   Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
   
   
2. What makes a person truly worthy and well prepared to receive the Sacrament of the Altar?
   Faith in these words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
   
   
3. Who is unworthy to receive the Sacrament of the Altar?
   Anyone who does not believe or doubts Christ’s words.
   1. “We believe, teach, and confess also that there is only one kind of unworthy guests: those who do not believe. About these guests it is written in John 3:18, ‘Whoever does not believe is condemned already.’ And this judgment becomes clear and more  grievous, being aggravated by the unworthy of the Holy Supper (1 Cor. 11:29: For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.) Epitome of the Formula of Concord VII:18.
      
      
4. How should you examine yourself before receiving the Sacrament?
   I should examine whether
   1. I am sorry for my sins;
      “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.” Psalm 38:18
      “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you.” 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
   1. I believe in my Savior Jesus Christ and what he says about this Sacrament.
      “This is my body, which is given for you. …. This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:19-20
      “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 3:15
   1. I intend, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to amend my sinful life.
      “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4:22-23 (See Luther’s Christian Questions and Answers in the Small Catechism).
      
      
5. What if you’ve committed a terrible sin, but repented or you have a weak faith, does this make you unworthy to receive the Lord’s Supper?
   No, Christ instituted this Sacrament to strengthen and in