Explaining non-participation in Holy Communion

By a common confession of Jesus Christ as Savior, you and your granddaughter can both belong to the “holy Christian church, the communion of saints” (the Apostles’ Creed). We sometimes refer to that church as the “invisible church” because only God can see what is in a person’s heart (1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Timothy 2:19).

You and your granddaughter belong to different “visible churches.” We use that term because we can see who the members are. Your granddaughter’s membership in her church sends the signal that what her church confesses and teaches is what she believes. Similarly, your membership in your church sends the signal that your faith and your church’s teachings are parallel. Because you and your granddaughter represent churches that do not agree in what the Bible teaches, the picture of unity expressed by receiving Holy Communion with others (1 Corinthians 10:17) would be contrived and not genuine.

A very serious matter is what your granddaughter’s church (a non-denominational church) teaches about Holy Communion. If her church’s teachings are representative of non-denominational churches in general, then there is a denial of the real presence of Jesus’ body and blood. If you were to participate in that holy meal with members of your granddaughter’s church, your actions would be saying that you are one with them in doctrine.

As you speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) to your granddaughter, you can explain that it is love for God’s word, love for your own soul and love for the souls of others that is compelling you to refrain from receiving Holy Communion in that home Bible study setting. God bless your conversation.