Why Can't Protestants Take Communion in a Catholic Church

Black Cordelias ^

[NYer]

Q. Why can’t Protestants receive communion at the Catholic Church?

A. To protect them from Judgment.

1 Corinthians 11: 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be
guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

Since, Protestants do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as we do, they do not discern or recognize that Jesus’ body is present under the appearance of bread and wine. We would be allowing them to eat and drink judgment upon themselves. The prohibtion is actually very charitable but, unfortunately, it is usually seen as a rejection.

Evidence of this interpretation of this passage is supported by St. Justin the Martyr :

“We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true…”
-Justin Martyr -FIRST APOLOGY, 66,20–(150 A.D.)

Q. Why do we call the bread “The Host”?

A. Our use of this term, to refer to the consecrated bread, comes from the Latin word hostia, which means ‘victim’. We believe that Jesus Christ is really present in the consecrated bread and wine on our altars. The mass is a re-presentation of the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. Therefore, Jesus is the victim of sacrifice and we call the bread the host/victim to help us remember that it is no longer bread but the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ given to us to strengthen and keep us on the journey to Heaven.

[NYer]

Why are there no Bibles in the pews at Catholic Churches?

To the excellent response provided by phil1750, I would like to quote Dr. Scott Hahn's personal experience when, as a Protestant minister, he attended a Catholic Mass - Bible in hand!

---

Scott Hahn’s The Lamb's Supper - The Mass as Heaven on Earth.
Foreword by Fr. Benedict Groeschel.
Part One - The Gift of the Mass

---

Hahn begins by describing the first mass he ever attended.

"There I stood, a man incognito, a Protestant minister in plainclothes, slipping into the back of a Catholic chapel in Milwaukee to witness my first Mass. Curiosity had driven me there, and I still didn't feel sure that it was healthy curiosity. Studying the writings of the earliest Christians, I'd found countless references to "the liturgy," "the Eucharist," "the sacrifice." For those first Christians, the Bible - the book I loved above all - was incomprehensible apart from the event that today's Catholics called "the Mass."

"I wanted to understand the early Christians; yet I'd had no experience of liturgy. So I persuaded myself to go and see, as a sort of academic exercise, but vowing all along that I would neither kneel nor take part in idolatry."

I took my seat in the shadows, in a pew at the very back of that basement chapel. Before me were a goodly number of worshipers, men and women of all ages. Their genuflections impressed me, as did their apparent concentration in prayer. Then a bell rang, and they all stood as the priest emerged from a door beside the altar.

Unsure of myself, I remained seated. For years, as an evangelical Calvinist, I'd been trained to believe that the Mass was the ultimate sacrilege a human could commit. The Mass, I had been taught, was a ritual that purported to "resacrifice Jesus Christ." So I would remain an observer. I would stay seated, with my Bible open beside me.

As the Mass moved on, however, something hit me. My Bible wasn't just beside me. It was before me - in the words of the Mass! One line was from Isaiah, another from Psalms, another from Paul. The experience was overwhelming. I wanted to stop everything and shout, "Hey, can I explain what's happening from Scripture? This is great!" Still, I maintained my observer status. I remained on the sidelines until I heard the priest pronounce the words of consecration: "This is My body . . . This is the cup of My blood."

Then I felt all my doubt drain away. As I saw the priest raise that white host, I felt a prayer surge from my heart in a whisper: "My Lord and my God. That's really you!"

I was what you might call a basket case from that point. I couldn't imagine a greater excitement than what those words had worked upon me. Yet the experience was intensified just a moment later, when I heard the congregation recite: "Lamb of God . . . Lamb of God . . . Lamb of God," and the priest respond, "This is the Lamb of God . . ." as he raised the host. In less than a minute, the phrase "Lamb of God" had rung out four times. From long years of studying the Bible, I immediately knew where I was. I was in the Book of Revelation, where Jesus is called the Lamb no less than twenty-eight times in twenty-two chapters. I was at the marriage feast that John describes at the end of that very last book of the Bible. I was before the throne of heaven, where Jesus is hailed forever as the Lamb. I wasn't ready for this, though - I was at Mass!

Hopefully, this clarifies your question. The Bible is in the Mass, from its prayers to scripture readings that change on a daily basis. Over the span of 3 years, a Catholic attending daily mass, will have read the entire Bible.

[Iscool]

Q. But how do we know for sure Jesus meant this literally?

A. We can ask ourselves, “What did the earliest Christians believe about communion?” The writings of the early Church Fathers tell us what these first century Christians believed about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In 110 A.D. St. Ignatius of Antioch, who was taught the Christian faith by the apostle John, wrote about the heretics of his day:

That's it

You believe it because some your church says some guy name Ignatius says it's so???

[NYer]

There are a number of churches in communion with the rcc.

Indeed! Thanks for posting that link.

Although it is not widely known in our Western world, the Catholic Church is actually a communion of Churches. According to the Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, the Catholic Church is understood to be "a corporate body of Churches," united with the Pope of Rome, who serves as the guardian of unity (LG, no. 23). At present there are 22 Churches that comprise the Catholic Church. The new Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope John Paul II, uses the phrase "autonomous ritual Churches" to describe these various Churches (canon 112). Each Church has its own hierarchy, spirituality, and theological perspective. Because of the particularities of history, there is only one Western Catholic Church, while there are 21 Eastern Catholic Churches. The Western Church, known officially as the Latin Church, is the largest of the Catholic Churches. It is immediately subject to the Roman Pontiff as Patriarch of the West. The Eastern Catholic Churches are each led by a Patriarch, Major Archbishop, or Metropolitan, who governs their Church together with a synod of bishops. Through the Congregation for Oriental Churches, the Roman Pontiff works to assure the health and well-being of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this nicely:

"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).

Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.

To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15).

A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill his of her obligations at any Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaldeans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.

[the invisib1e hand]

Catholocism reeks with rote symbolism.

No, the Catholic symbolism is Catholic. The protestant symbolism non-catholic because it's protesting catholicism.

It's like a runaway little boy acting like his father.

Look, I don't expect you to agree with me, but that's the way it is. I didn't agree with it either, for a lot of wasted years.

Shalom.

[tiki]

Wow! I surely wouldn’t want to believe that way either, you would feel so insecure!

While my salvation is ALWAYS in God’s hand, it is also in mine and it does behoove me to always be vigilant, to strive for the prize and not become complacent.

I’m also a Catholic convert and became one because it just seemed that a lot of the time I was being told that I was the arbiter of truth and not truth itself.

[Bosco]

Sola ecclesia.

[pepperdog]

Many churches have closed communion. Many don’t but do ask that the communicant be a baptized Christian. None are asked to show proof of their baptism nor of their church affiliation that I know of. My big giggle came when I found that my children had received communion in the Catholic Church, which was okay as they were both baptized Catholics, but had never made their first confession when they did it. Believe it on not there was no lightening strike nor thunder from the sky. I think God loves the little children and wants them fed.

[wombtotomb]

The purpose for using the missalettes instead of only our bible in the Mass is because the entire church reads exactly the same reading on any given day. We follow a calendar in those missals, one reading from the OT, then a Psalm, which is usually set to music which is not in my bible, in between, then a reading from the NT, and finally a Gospel reading. Our hymns are also in the missal.

We work our way through the entire bible every couple of years and then start again. This is desireable for a couple of reasons. First, All scripture is good for study, and 2. we are not at the whim of what our priest feels is his favorite passages or teachings.

The Church should all be on the same “page” so to speak, as we all have one belief. If a particular pastor dislikes a certain teaching, he will still have to teach it, where a pastor who is not, can avoid dealing with scriptures that contradict or cause him discomfort.

John Chapter 6 is an excellent example. In my former church, this was never read even once in the 8 years I regularly attended there. It was a conflict as communion was symbolic and the bread of life discourse in Jn 6:66 (therefore many of his followers left him and walked with him no more) caused problems and questions such as, if it weren’t literally his body and blood, why did Jesus let them leave? Why didn’t he call the back and explain that they misunderstood his parable? Why did he ask his apostles if they were going to leave also?.

[lonestar]

I knew I needed to find out what "Communion" really is. Holy Communion.

How do you explain Kennedy, Biden, Pelosi and other "good Catholics" who vote to kill fetuses and show up for "Holy Communion?"

One of my Catholic friends who went to Catholic boarding schools, said this about the Catholic Church: All my life I've heard, "The church says this and the church says that" and one day I realized "The Church" is a bunch of old men sitting in Rome and they know nothing about real life or real problems.

[Jemian]

I have enjoyed this discussion. I am interested in learning the doctrinal points held by the Roman Catholic church. That is entirely the greater end.

I haven’t heard or read any rancor here but a statement and clarification of belief. I appreciate it.

[NYer]

To be fair on this, when we take communion, the Pastor always tells the congregation that communion is for people who have already been saved. It has no meaning unless you’re saved.

My understanding of the Baptist communion service is that it is symbolic. The Holy Eucharist in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ (as explained above). Only those who have received a Trinitarian Baptism and are in a state of grace, may receive the Eucharist.

[the invisib1e hand]

How do you explain Kennedy, Biden, Pelosi and other "good Catholics" who vote to kill fetuses and show up for "Holy Communion?"

One key difference I discovered between Catholicism and Protestantism (as I knew it -- "non-denominational") is that Catholicism expects you to conduct yourself according to what you have been taught. But it won't do your thinking for you. You're free to fail to do so.

Now, there is this thing called "excommunication," which I trust you will be hearing more about...

[RobbyS]

Baptists do not let even Baptists belonging to another congregation communicate. To them it is an act that binds together their faith community.

[big'ol_freeper]

"The Church" is a bunch of old men sitting in Rome and they know nothing about real life or real problems.

Yeah, Pope John Paul II, who lived under the thumb of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, and Pope Benedict XVI, who lived under the Nazis in Germany, know nothing about real life or real problems, as opposed to you who obviously are a self-ordained expert in such things.

Can't believe anyone could make such a dumb@ss statement.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Yes, ponder that. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). That only who believes in Him will be saved (John 3:16). Do not judge so you are not judged (Matthew 7:1).

Christ's own words about being saved do NOT mention communion (which, in fact, was used for remembrance and reflection, not a requirement to be saved). Salvation comes from faith the profession of faith by baptism; those are the words of Jesus. The mass celebrant himself says the words "take, eat this is my body which was shed for you. Do this in remembrance of me".

Communion will not save you; attending mass will not save you. Confession will not save you. It is by faith and faith alone that we receive the Grace of God. We ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus and he will intercede on our behalf. THOSE are His words.

FWIW, I was raised Methodist on the weekends, Catholic during the week (K-12 in Catholic schools), married a Catholic girl (she's now a Methodist), and my mother-in-law is the Catholic education director for a local parish, as well as the RCIA director. My grandmother-in-law has made probably close to 10,000 rosaries over the years for each of the 4th grade students at the parish school as they go through confirmation.

I know the Catholic mass forwards and backwards, as well as the theology behind Catholicism. And I know the theology of Protestantism. And I read the Bible.

Suffice it to say, Catholics do a GRAVE disservice to Christianity, the words of Jesus, and themselves when they insist the Catholic church and its rites are the only way to salvation. It is NOT by works that we are saved - THAT is the teaching and words of Christ.

If you insist your doctrine is the only "correct" way to worship, then you have done exactly what Jesus commanded us to not do - you have put process and procedure ahead of relationship, and are no better than the Pharisees of His time.

[Faith65]

Doesn’t really answer it.

Services at other Christian denominations have readings from scripture during service but they also have Bibles in church too.

[ccmay]

Likewise, a Catholic who would present himself for Communion at a Protestant church, would be equally ignorant.

Only by Catholic reckoning. The Protestant churches that retain the sacrament of the Eucharist offer it to all baptized adult Christians without distinction.

-ccm

[NYer]

You believe it because some your church says some guy name Ignatius says it's so???

We believe because Jesus Christ said it is so! The early Church Fathers, like Ignatius, simply quoted our Lord.

[Huber]

At some it is. Lutherans and Anglicans do believe in the Real Presence, but not to the same extent that Catholics and Orthodox do.

That may be true for Anglo-protestants, but not for Anglo-Catholics