Partaking of Lord's Supper with unbelievers

[Kevin]

Matt, I am encouraged by your concern for this man. I pray that he will grow in his faith & that you may have the blessing of seeing it.

 

[Matthew1034]

I did not partake because I had a conviction that there were unsaved among who partook unknowingly.

Matthew,

I commend you for your concern for the man in question. I'm sure you are a blessing (albeit also a good thorn) for him. I also commend you for your concern about everything being done in proper order in the Lord's Supper. In my response to you I was not addressing your concern about being your brother's keeper, nor was I questioning your concern about fencing the table. My concern was a pastoral concern about why you refused to partake. I have heard over the years, "Pastor, I'm not taking the Lord's Supper today because I'm a sinner." I've also heard (once or twice) "I'm taking the Lord's Supper because I haven't sinned this week." But, I've never heard "Pastor, I'm not taking the Lord's Supper this week, because the guy sitting next to me is a sinner." That's a new one to me, and it concerns me because I hear in it a possible echo of Luke 18:9-14.

In Christian Love,
Lance

Lance, in a way the feedback on this board to my thoughts are positively overwhelming - many here are Reverends and Pastors and Elders, and their knowledge is far above mine; their words are priceless and perspectives to be respected. I don't want to be a nag at church and cause grief to those above me and neither do I want to do that here! Its a great thing to talk about our Lord and all this stuff and I'm grateful to have the feedback here. So thank you!!!

Thanks for mentioned the parable in Luke, it is something to add to my thoughts.

Matt, I am encouraged by your concern for this man. I pray that he will grow in his faith & that you may have the blessing of seeing it.

Thank you for your prayer, Kevin - we both thank you. And I apologize if my words at face value seem to elevate my concerns over yours, I only mean to state the circumstances more accurately so its clear that I am somewhat accountable for this man's soul.

You have been honest and your thoughts and concerns are very helpful, thank you Kevin.