Expert: Joe Norman - 11/14/2008

Question
I am a member of COC, though am alone right now here in Bahrain, is there something wrong with observing the Lord's supper alone?


Answer
Hi michaelg,

Thank you for asking me your question. I will try to provide you with a Bible answer because the Bible is our authority for all aspects of the Christian life. I will share my opinion but will also provide scripture and you need to study God's word to make sure what anyone tells you is indeed the truth. I am a fallible human as we all are and can be wrong. Just because we are listed as "experts" does not mean we are an authority that is beyond question. Only God is perfect. I know you are aware of that, but just felt the need to remind you and anyone else who might read my answer.

If there are no fellow Christians anywhere near you and you are only able to worship by yourself, it is my opinion that you are better off observing the Lord's Supper by yourself than not at all, but that is strictly my opinion on the matter. Here is some scripture that speaks about the Lord's Supper for you to review. I am using the English Standard Version.

Luke 22:17-20
17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.


1 Cor.11:20-29
20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

There is not much in the New Testament about the Lord's Supper. There is one other passage in I Corinthians chapter 10 that you can read, but the overall concern in that chapter is in regard to whether or not it is sinful to eat meat sacrificed to idols and Paul compares the pagan sacrifices to idols to the Lord's Supper.

We should meet with fellow Christians for worship together and to share in taking the Lord's Supper but sometimes that is just not possible so we do the best we can. I am confident that God is aware of your situation and He is just pleased that you desire to continue remembering Christ's sacrifice even when you are alone.

I pray that you will eventually be among your family (both physical and spiritual) and friends and I pray for God's protection over you until then if this is His will. This life is temporary and we live as pilgrims in a strange land longing to be home with God one day. May God bless you and if you have any further questions, feel free to ask and I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible.

        In Christ, Joe Norman