What custom is observed when those who have received confirmation instruction are admitted to Lord´s Supper for the first time?

Before coming to the Lord’s Table for the first time, those who have been baptized and have received confirmation instruction, publicly confess their faith before the congregation, and promise to be faithful members of a congregation that is faithful to God’s Word. After that, the congregation receives them as members eligible to receive Communion, and prays that the Holy Spirit will give them strength to remain in faith in their Lord and Savior until they die, and to inherit eternal life. (The rite of Confirmation).

If young people or adults have not been baptized, before being baptized, they are asked questions similar to those asked in the rite of Confirmation. They are eligible to partake of Communion after being baptized.

Rev. 2:10: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Rev. 3:11: Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Where may we partake of the Lord´s Supper?

A doctrinally informed Christian will commune only there, where the real presence of Christ’s body and blood is confessed, and where God’s Word is taught in its truth and purity.

1 Cor. 10:21: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s Table, and of the table of devils.

What is the practice in Lutheran churches, when coming to partake of the Lord´s Supper?

Since ancient times Lutheran churches have required that those who intend to partake of the Lord’s Supper, make their intention known to the pastor. At the same time they have the opportunity for private confession and for conversing with the pastor concerning spiritual matters. This is a good practice to retain, where possible, even though in small congregations a pastor knows his flock well. A pastor always has the right, when he so desires, as the shepherd of souls, to talk to communicants before they commune.

1 Cor. 4:1: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Heb. 13:17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.

To whom must a pastor not give Holy Communion?

He must not give Holy Communion

1. To those, who have not been baptized into the Christian faith.


2. To manifest and impenitent sinners, in order that they will not eat and drink to their damnation.
   
   

   Matt. 7:6: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine.
   
   1 Cor. 11:27: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of he Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.



3. To those who have abandoned the Christian faith and have not repented and returned.


4. To those of different faiths, for in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we confess that we are one in faith with those with whom we commune.
   

   Rom. 16:17: I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them.
   
   Cor. 10:21-22: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s Table and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?



5. To those who have caused offense, and have not as yet removed it, so that no one will have any basis for believing that they are partaking of the Lord’s Supper while impenitent.
   

   Matt. 5:24: First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
   
   1 Cor. 10:32: Give none offense... nor to the church of God.



6. To those who are not able to examine themselves, and do not understand what they receive in the Lord’s Supper. Such people are small children, the unconscious, those mentally confused, those who are asleep, those patients who because of their illness do not understand what the Lord’s Supper is, and those other Christians, to whom the chief parts of Christian doctrine, especially the doctine of the Lord’s Supper, have not as yet been taught.
   
   

   1 Cor. 11:29: He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.

   
   
   Luther: “I cannot say that the Bohemians, who give Communion to children, are right.” (Letter to Hausmann, 1527)

Who are unworthy guests at the Lord´s Table?

Unworthy guests at the Lord’s Table are those, who do not consider their sins to be damning sins, and who do not consider the Lord Christ’s work of redemption to be indispensible. They do not therefore believe that Christ has paid their debt of sin, and that in this Sacrament He gives them His body and blood as a pledge and seal of this forgiveness. If such people nevertheless partake of the Lord’s Supper, they eat and drink to their damnation.

Joh. 3:18: He that believeth not is condemned already.

1 Cor. 11:27-29: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of he Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

May a person whose faith is weak partake of the Lord´s Supper?

Especially those whose faith is weak should partake of the Lord’s Supper, for they receive strength for their faith through this Sacrament.

Matt. 9:24: I believe, help Thou mine unbelief.

Is. 42:3: A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.

Joh. 6:37: Him that cometh to Me I will inno wise cast out.

How are you to examine yourself before partaking of the Lord´s Supper?

I am to examine myself before partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and to ask myself before God,

1. Do I confess that I have earned God’s condemnation because of my sins?


2. Do I believe that God is merciful to me because of Christ, and that He assures me of this with His Son’s true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper?


3. Do I sincerely intend, and do I desire, with the help of God’s grace, to forsake sin and to improve my life?

When are we properly prepared for the Lord´s Supper, and worthy communicants?

No work or preparation of our own makes us worthy communicants.

We are worthy when we have a tender conscience and are sorry for our own sins, but nevertheless believe, that Christ has sacrificed His body and blood also for the forgiveness of our sins, and we long to be assured of this.

Matt. 9:12: They that be whole need not a physician, but they are sick.

Matt. 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

What benefit is there in outward preparation?

Outward preparation, such as fasting, restrained and dignified demeanor, and appropriate dress are good customs. They may help us to think of the priceless worth of the Sacrament and its great blessings and help us to receive it with thanksgiving. God’s Word, however, does not command outward preparation, so it is a matter of free choice. Outward customs do not make worthy communicants of us. Even unbelievers may have them.

Why are we to partake of the Lord´s Supper worthily?

Who, then, receives such Sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unprepared; for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.

We are to partake of the Lord’s Supper worthily, because we are partaking of the body and blood of the Lord Christ Himself, and because God’s Word expressly exhorts us to do so.

1 Cor. 11:28-29: Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.