The communion service is the most sacred institution that Jesus left His followers to observe after His departure. More sacred than preaching, teaching, planning in committee meetings, building church buildings, or even healing through the true principles of medical missionary work. Although all of the above are very important in the accomplishment of God’s purposes on this earth, the communion service makes all these possible. "It is at these, His own appointments, that Christ meets His people, and energizes them by His presence. . . All who come with their faith fixed upon Him will be greatly blessed. All who neglect these seasons of divine privilege will suffer loss. Of them it may appropriately be said, ‘Ye are not all clean.’" Desire of Ages, p. 656:4.

During this twentieth century, new concepts have been adopted by Adventism regarding this service with respect to who is eligible to participate. Although historically the position is very clear as can be seen by an article by J.H. Waggoner published in 1886 as the stand of Seventh-day Adventists (you may send for a copy), we need a clear Biblical explanation for some of the modern objections to this view.

It is the word of God that must determine our doctrines not convenience. This reliance upon the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy ["To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20] will be the identifying mark of the true church of God upon earth today.

The Apostle Paul wrote that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of the death of Christ: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come." 1 Corinthians 11:26.

This same event was prefigured for centuries in the Old Testament. "When the Saviour yielded up His life on Calvary, the significance of the Passover ceased, and the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was instituted as a memorial of the same event of which the Passover had been a type." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 539:3. Therefore, if we study the Passover service, we will have some understanding as to how to keep the communion service as there are many similarities.

The Lord gave minute details as to how to keep the Passover. Please read Exodus 12:1-14 describing its observance. One of the reasons for the Passover was to keep in remembrance their deliverance from Egypt, and that they were spared from the destroying angel. "For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses." Exodus 12:21-30.

Who else gathered in these Hebrew homes during that awful night? "Many of the Egyptians had been led to acknowledge the God of the Hebrews as the only true God, and these now begged to be permitted to find shelter in the homes of Israel when the destroying angel should pass through the land. They were gladly welcomed, and they pledged themselves henceforth to serve the God of Jacob and to go forth from Egypt with His people." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 279:2.

Even though they made such a remarkable stand and were even separated from the Egyptian world around them and were present at the Passover supper, they could not take part in that Passover unless they had taken one more step. "And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. . . All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you." Exodus 12:43-49.

Keep in mind that these Egyptians now believed just like the Hebrews. They believed in Jehovah as the only true God, they separated from their Egyptian gods and friends, they united with the Hebrews in their homes, and prepared for departure out of the land of Egypt together with the children of Israel. In spite of all these similarities and these decided steps in the reformation process—maybe some even made greater reformations than the Hebrews at large—"No uncircumcised person shall eat thereof." If a person wished take part he must be circumcised first.

"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. . . And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you." Genesis 17:1-11.

What did they pledge when they were circumcised? "He then required of Abraham and his seed, circumcision, which was a circle cut in the flesh, as a token that God had cut them out and separated them from all nations as his peculiar treasure. By this sign they solemnly pledged themselves that they would not intermarry with other nations; for by so doing they would lose their reverence for God and his holy law, and would become like the idolatrous nations around them. By the act of circumcision they solemnly agreed to fulfill on their part the conditions of the covenant made with Abraham, to be separate from all nations, and to be perfect." Vol. 1, Spirit of Prophecy, pp. 262-263.

Is there a ceremony in the New Testament given for the same reason as the Passover? The Apostle Paul gave the following parallel to the believers in Colosse after explaining that the circumcision that we need is not outward but inward: "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:10-12.

Jesus gave us a New Testament symbol of the same spiritual experience that the Old Testament circumcision was to symbolize. "Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, ‘The Lord our Righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:6.

"Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the command: ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean thing.’ And to them is fulfilled the promise: ‘I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’2 Corinthians 6:17, 18." Vol. 6, Testimonies for the Church, p. 91.

When a person is baptized into the truth, he is baptized into the body of Christ. "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13.

And what is this body of Christ? "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." Ephesians 1:22, 23.

And this body of Christ on earth has some very important gifts given it by Christ in order for it to function properly. A partial list of these is given in 1 Corinthians 12:28: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."

We all would recognize the need for apostles, and teachers, but do we recognize the need for governments (church organization)? God said it is needed and so we should believe the same.

This visible organized church on earth has nothing to do with other religious bodies—study for yourself the present application of the Second and Fourth Angel’s messages and the Message to the Laodicean church. ["The figure of spewing out of His mouth means that He cannot offer up your prayers or your expressions of love to God. He cannot endorse your teaching of His word or your spiritual work in anywise. He cannot present your religious exercises with the request that grace be given you." Vol. 6, Testimonies for the Church, p. 408:2.]

They are separated from the world. Christ recognizes only one body. "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." 1 Corinthians 10:15-17.

It is therefore impossible to have communion with those whom we believe to be in darkness and error. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Those known to persist in open sin could not partake. "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." 1 Corinthians 5:7-13.

I have heard the statement that we are not to judge. But the Apostle explains: "For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

Who is to judge those within the church? "‘But,’ say you, ‘should I follow the judgment of the brethren independent of my own feelings?’ I answer: The church is God’s delegated authority upon earth. Christ has said: ‘Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’ There is altogether too little respect paid to the opinion of members of the same church. It is the want of deference for the opinions of the church that causes so much trouble among brethren. The eyes of the church may be able to discern in its individual members that which the erring may not see. A few persons may be as blind as the one in error, but the majority of the church is a power which should control its individual members.

"The apostle Peter says: ‘Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.’ Paul exhorts: ‘Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another,’ ‘submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.’ Unless the advice and counsel of the church can be respected, it is indeed powerless. God has placed a voice in the church which must control its members." Vol. 5, Testimonies for the Church, pp. 107-108. So the church, as a whole, has the right and the responsibility to judge its own members—in this case to determine whether one can partake in the Lord’s supper or not.

Then there is the solemn work of heart searching that each individual must do for himself. "But 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."1 Corinthians 11:28, 29. Therefore, before the service, the church needs to be instructed upon this point carefully otherwise we are responsible for the damnation placed upon the individual members.

In the beginning of First Corinthians, the Apostle Paul had a great burden upon his mind as he thought of the church in Corinth. "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10.

In such a condition (speaking to members of the same church) they could not partake of the Lord’s Supper. Before partaking of this service, the members had to be reconciled one to another. They had to be unified in spirit and in speaking the same things. "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. . . When ye come together therefore into one place, ye cannot eat the Lord’s supper." 1 Corinthians 11:18-20 (mgn).

One of the things required before this service is that all must be united, there must be unity among the believers assembled for the ONE bread symbolized the one body: "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." 1 Corinthians 10:17; 5:7

Thus we find that the very ordinance determines who are to partake in it. They must first be part of the "lump" or the "one bread." This was the consistent teaching of the early Christian church. Not in one instance could it be demonstrated that the ordinances were offered to anyone but to an official member of God’s one visible, organized church on earth.

Many of our honest reform minded friends wish to partake of this communion service with us. We invite you to unite your interests with ours. Unite your hearts to the precious Saviour who will make this possible. "A union of believers with Christ will as a natural result lead to a union with one another, which bond of union is the most enduring upon earth." Vol. 5, Testimonies for the Church, p. 47:3.

As early as 1850, the Spirit of Prophecy gave the following counsel: "Then I was pointed back to the time that Jesus took his disciples away alone, into an upper room, and first washed their feet, and then gave them to eat of the broken bread, to represent his broken body, and juice of the vine to represent his spilled blood. I saw that all should move understandingly, and follow the example of Jesus in these things, and when attending to these ordinances, should be as separate from unbelievers as possible." Vol. 1, Present Truth #11, Nov. 1850 pp. 86,87.

In 1900 this was confirmed as a stand we should take: "The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two monumental pillars, one without and one within the church. Upon these ordinances Christ has inscribed the name of the true God." Of these two monumental pillars, is baptism without (outside) the church or within (inside)? Quite obviously baptism is held for non-members. This is the service in which non-members can participate in. When they are prepared for baptism, when they make a solemn renunciation of the world, then they are to be baptized. This baptismal service must be held before a person can find a home in the church. "Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God’s spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, ‘The Lord our Righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:6." Vol. 6, Testimonies for the Church, p. 91:1, 2. As baptism is held for non-members, communion or Lord’s Supper is for those inside the church. It is for the members of the church of God on earth.

I have often wondered how a person can have communion with non-members, the most sacred of our church privileges, when we are not even permitted by God to attend the meetings of those not of our faith unless Jehovah specifically sends us there? "The different parties of professed Advent believers have each a little truth, but God has given all these truths to His children who are being prepared for the day of God. He has also given them truths that none of these parties know, neither will they understand. Things which are sealed up to them, the Lord has opened to those who will see and are ready to understand. If God has any new light to communicate, He will let His chosen and beloved understand it, without their going to have their minds enlightened by hearing those who are in darkness and error.

"I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness." Early Writings, pp. 124-125.

For the sake of space here, I urge you to read that whole page in Desire of Ages. For now, I will interject as needed in those paragraphs.

"Christ’s example forbids exclusiveness at the Lord’s Supper. It is true that open sin excludes the guilty. This the Holy Spirit plainly teaches. 1 Corinthians 5:11."

We often only read the first sentence without reading on. Does open sin exclude the guilty? Sister White gives us a reference which is suggested reading in answer to that question. What does 1 Corinthians 5:11 say? "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

After saying "Christ’s example forbids exclusiveness at the Lord’s Supper," she is inspired to go on and not leave that without any limitations. The stipulation is that it excludes those who are guilty of breaking the law of God. 1 Corinthians 5:11 mentions the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th commandments as examples. This goes for any of the other commandments.

For this reason the editorial staff of the Review and Herald of January 1870 [Vol. 37, No. 6] page 45 answered their correspondents as follows: "We do not think it consistent for a Sabbath-keeper to partake of the sacrament with those whom he regards as violating the commandments of God." So then, can we partake the Lord’s supper with those breaking the 4th commandment by holding sacred the first day of the week? No!

"But beyond this [persistent open violation of the law of God] none are to pass judgment. God has not left it with men to say who shall present themselves on these occasions. For who can read the heart? Who can distinguish the tares from the wheat?" Desire of Ages, p. 656:1.

Here we find another restriction. When she writes "But beyond this," she is speaking of that only among the wheat and the tares. Where are wheat and tares found? "‘The field,’ Christ said, ‘is the world.’ But we must understand this as signifying the church of Christ in the world. The parable is a description of that which pertains to the kingdom of God, His work of salvation of men; and this work is accomplished through the church. True, the Holy Spirit has gone out into all the world; everywhere it is moving upon the hearts of men; but it is in the church that we are to grow and ripen for the garner of God." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 70:2. We must be part of God’s true church in this world if we are to "grow and ripen for the garner of God."

Both the wheat and tares join the church. "Not all that is sown in the field is good grain. The fact that men are in the church does not prove them Christians.

"The tares closely resembled the wheat while the blades were green; but when the field was white for the harvest, the worthless weeds bore not likeness to the wheat that bowed under the weight of its full, ripe heads. Sinners who make a pretension of piety mingle for a time with the true followers of Christ, and the semblance of Christianity is calculated to deceive many; but in the harvest of the world there will be no likeness between good and evil. Then those who have joined the church, but who have not joined Christ, will be manifest." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 74:2, 3.

What is meant by tares? "So it is from enmity to Christ that Satan scatters his evil seed among the good grain of the kingdom. The fruit of his sowing he attributes to the Son of God. By bringing into the church those who bear Christ’s name while they deny His character, the wicked one causes that God shall be dishonored, the work of salvation misrepresented, and souls imperiled." Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 71:1. So tares are unconsecrated church members.

Should these tares (unconsecrated church members) be separated from the church and forbidden to take part in communion? "Christ’s servants are grieved as they see true and false believers mingled in the church. They long to do something to cleanse the church. Like the servants of the householder, they are ready to uproot the tares. But Christ says to them, ‘Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.’" Christ’s Object Lessons, p.71:2.

Why not? "There is in the Saviour’s words another lesson, a lesson of wonderful forbearance and tender love. As the tares have their roots closely intertwined with those of the good grain, so false brethren in the church may be closely linked with true disciples. The real character of these pretended believers is not fully manifested. Were they to be separated from the church, others might be caused to stumble, who but for this would have remained steadfast." Christ’s Object Lessons, p.72:1. The reason for this is that the character of these tares is not fully manifested. How long is the church to bear with such souls? Till their character is fully manifested and then they are no longer a tare, they are fully distinguishable.

And for how long will God’s true church have to bear with such elements? "The world has no right to doubt the truth of Christianity because there are unworthy members in the church, nor should Christians become disheartened because of these false brethren. How was it with the early church? Ananias and Sapphira joined themselves to the disciples. Simon Magus was baptized. Demas, who forsook Paul, had been counted a believer. Judas Iscariot was numbered with the apostles. The Redeemer does not want to lose one soul; His experience with Judas is recorded to show His long patience with perverse human nature; and He bids us bear with it as He has borne. He has said that false brethren will be found in the church till the close of time." Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 72-73.

Let us remember that in speaking of the tares, Jesus was not speaking of those persisting in open sin? "Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from the church, but He has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. He knows our nature too well to entrust this work to us. Should we try to uproot from the church those whom we suppose to be spurious Christian, we should be sure to make mistakes. Often we regard as hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ is drawing to Himself. Were we to deal with these souls according to our imperfect judgment, it would perhaps extinguish their last hope. Many who think themselves Christians will at last be found wanting. Many will be in heaven who their neighbors supposed would never enter there. Man judges from appearance, but God judges the heart. The tares and the wheat are to grow together until the harvest; and the harvest is the end of probationary time." Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 71-72.

A tare is not one that is persistently daring to continue in open sin but one whom we suppose to be a spurious Christian, one in whom we are judging his motives and thus his character.

"When believers assemble [who are believers but church members] to celebrate the ordinances, there are present messengers unseen by human eyes. There may be a Judas in the company, and if so, messengers from the prince of darkness are there, for they attend all who refuse to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Heavenly angels also are present. These unseen visitants are present on every such occasion. There may come into the company persons who are not in heart servants of truth and holiness, but who may wish to take part in the service. They should not be forbidden. There are witnesses present who were present when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and of Judas. More than human eyes behold the scene." Desire of Ages, p. 656:2.

Was Judas a Ciaphas? Was he professing heathenism? Was he a member of the Jewish church? Or was he a member of the newly organized Christian church? In Desire of Ages, p. 294:3 we read that the disciples were anxious that Judas become one of their number. We then read that Judas actually "joined the disciples." "[H]e was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ. He felt the influence of that divine power which was drawing souls to the Saviour. He who came not to break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax would not repulse this soul while even one desire was reaching toward the light. The Saviour read the heart of Judas; He knew the depths of iniquity to which, unless delivered by the grace of God, Judas would sink. In connecting this man with Himself, He placed him where he might, day by day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of His own unselfish love. If he would open his heart to Christ, divine grace would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of the kingdom of God."

Judas was ordained to the ministry (Education, p. 93:1) and then brought "within the inner circle of His chosen and trusted disciples." Education, p. 92:4. He was named treasurer, minister, evangelist; he could heal the sick and cast out devils. Desire of Ages, p. 717:0.

Why was Judas (a tare and this goes for all tares) permitted to remain in the inner circle of disciples? First of all Christ wanted to give him an opportunity to change his defects of character. "I was shown that the fact that Judas was numbered among the twelve, with all his faults and defects of character, is an instructive lesson, one by the study of which Christians may be profited. When Judas was chosen by our Lord, his case was not hopeless. He had some good qualities. In his association with Christ in the work, by listening to His discourses, he had a favorable opportunity to see his wrongs, to become acquainted with his defects of character if he really desired to be a true disciple. He was even placed in a position by our Lord where he could have his choice either to develop his covetous disposition or to see and correct it." Vol. 4, Testimonies for the Church, p 41:3.

Another major reason for not expelling Judas was that Christ would have incurred untold difficulties with the remaining disciples and with the unbelieving Jews. "Christ knew, when He permitted Judas to connect with Him as one of the twelve, that Judas was possessed of the demon of selfishness. He knew that this professed disciple would betray Him, and yet He did not separate him from the other disciples, and send him away. He was preparing the minds of these men for His death and Ascension, and He foresaw that should He dismiss Judas, Satan would use him to spread reports that would be difficult to meet and explain." Vol. 5, Bible Commentary, p. 1102.

Therefore, Judas was an example of all the tares that would appear in the church of Christ till the close of time. Christ knew his character but the disciples did not. "The history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that might have been honored of God. Had Judas died before his last journey to Jerusalem he would have been regarded as a man worthy of a place among the twelve, and one who would be greatly missed." Desire of Ages, p. 716:1. And so it is today. Some of the more experienced Brethren may be able to recognize a Judas but the rest of the church may not distinguish those characteristics until the fruit is fully ripened.

It is for this very reason that the Judases are invited to the Lord’s supper. They are church members that are in serious need of spiritual help. This help could not be given better at any other occasion than the communion because "Christ by the Holy Spirit is there to set the seal to His own ordinance. He is there to convict and soften the heart. Not a look, not a thought of contrition, escapes His notice. For the repentant, brokenhearted one He is waiting. All things are ready for that soul’s reception. He who washed the feet of Judas longs to wash every heart from the stain of sin." Desire of Ages, p. 656:3.

For this very reason, "None should exclude themselves from the Communion because some who are unworthy may be present. Every disciple is called upon to participate publicly, and thus bear witness that he accepts Christ as a personal Saviour. It is at these, His own appointments, that Christ meets His people, and energizes them by His presence. Hearts and hands that are unworthy may even administer the ordinance, yet Christ is there to minister to His children. All who come with their faith fixed upon Him will be greatly blessed. All who neglect these seasons of divine privilege will suffer loss. Of them it may appropriately be say, ‘Ye are not all clean.’" Desire of Ages, p. 656:4.

For the sake of answering another common objection, we again quote a paragraph form Desire of Ages 656: "When believers assemble to celebrate the ordinances, there are present messengers unseen by human eyes. There may be a Judas in the company, and if so, messengers from the prince of darkness are there, for they attend all who refuse to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Heavenly angels also are present. These unseen visitants are present on every such occasion. There may come into the company persons who are not in heart servants of truth and holiness, but who may wish to take part in the service. They should not be forbidden. There are witnesses present who were present when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and of Judas. More than human eyes behold the scene."

In the first place, notice the italicized parts of this paragraph. What does it mean "There may come into the company persons who are not in heart servants of truth and holiness, but who may wish to take part in the service"? What does it mean to be in the company? We’ll let the upper portion of the same paragraph explain that. There it says "a Judas in the company." The bottom part "in the company" must mean in the same way that Judas was a part of the company. As we have already studied, Judas was a member of the early Christian church. So when it says, "There may come into the company persons who are not in heart servants of truth and holiness, but who may wish to take part in the service. They should not be forbidden." This means that when a person joins the church and we have questions whether he is a Judas or not, we are not to forbid him from participating in the communion service.

Furthermore, who are those that are not in heart servants of truth and holiness? These are the Judases. It did not read that they are persistently living in open violation of the law of God! Or that they are people like the Egyptians who sympathize with the cause of God and even made many if not all the outward reforms in their life but who have not yet come to the point of becoming members of the church. It only mentions that they are not servants of God in heart. And who can read the heart? Only God. Therefore these are again the tares who have not joined Christ but have outwardly joined the church.

To verify that this is the meaning of this passage, the very next paragraph applies the very same wording to the one officiating at the communion service. "Hearts and hands that are unworthy may even administer the ordinance, yet Christ is there to minister to His children." If the previous paragraph means a non member, then this one means a non member which we definitely cannot accept. We cannot recognize a Catholic priest or ministers of other denominations to administer these ordinances in our churches. If we do, then we must recognize the churches they represent as the church of Christ on earth today—this is the goal of ecumenism. Open communion fits perfectly into the ecumenical moment. If we accept this, then we must encourage our sons and daughters to marry into these churches. If we do so, then there is no reason that we should exist as a separate people and we must cease preaching the Second and Fourth Angel’s messages and the Message to the Laodicean church (Vol. 6, Testimonies for the Church, p. 408). But that is not God’s plan today in these closing scenes of earth’s history.

Which ministers has Christ given charge over this service? "These ordinances are regarded too much as a form, and not as a sacred thing to call to mind the Lord Jesus. Christ ordained them, and delegated his power to his ministers, who have the treasure in earthen vessels. They are to superintend these special appointments of the One who established them to continue to the close of time. It is in these, his own appointments, that he meets with and energizes his people by his personal presence. Notwithstanding that there may be hearts and hands that are unsanctified who will administer the ordnance, yet Jesus is in the midst of his people to work on human hearts. All who keep before them, in the act of feet-washing, the humiliation of Christ, all who will keep their hearts humble, who will keep in view the true tabernacle and service, which the Lord pitched and not man, will never fail to derive benefit from every discourse given, and spiritual strength from every communion. They are established for a purpose. Christ’s followers are to bear in mind the example of Christ in his humility. This ordinance is to encourage humility, but it should never be termed humiliating in the sense of being degrading to humanity. It is to tender our hearts toward one another. Those who come to the sacramental service with their hearts open to the influences of the Spirit of God will be greatly blessed, even if the ones who officiate are not benefited thereby." Review and Herald, June 22, 1897:9. We are invited to the foot-washing ceremony where, if we haven’t settled our differences before, then is the time.

"This covenant deed was to be ratified by Christ’s own blood, which it had been the office of the old sacrificial offerings to keep before the minds of his chosen people. Christ designed that this supper should be often commemorated, in order to bring to our remembrance his sacrifice in giving his life for the remission of the sins of all who will believe on him and receive him. This ordnance is not to be exclusive, as many would make it. Each must participate in it publicly, and thus say: ‘I accept Christ as my personal Saviour. He gave his life for me, that I might be rescued from death.’" Review & Herald, June 22, 1897:5

Exclusive in these statements is used in the sense of having this service publicly rather than privately.

If someone belongs to another church, or acts independently, or believes differently, or lives in open sin, we can have no communion with him. 1 Corinthians 5:11: "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Romans 16:17,18.

Dear reader, I appeal to you to surrender your whole heart, mind, and soul to the power of the Holy Spirit working through Jehovah’s word; to unite your interests with the people of God who are identified as the remnant in Revelation 12:17 "which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." A people who are earnestly contending "for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 3. A people who are attempting by the grace of our Saviour not to act like the "seven women [churches]" who "shall take hold of one man [Christ], saying, We will eat our own bread [doctrines based upon church tradition rather than the word of God], and wear our own apparel [righteousness]: only let us be called by thy name [Christians], to take away our reproach." Isaiah 4:1.

The prayer of Christ before Calvary is yet to be fulfilled: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." This prayer was prayed not only for the disciples who followed Jesus on earth in person "but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." John 17:21, 20.

How is this unity to take place? The Spirit of God answers this: "The cause of division and discord in families and in the church is separation from Christ. To come near to Christ is to come near to one another. The secret of true unity in the church and in the family is not diplomacy, not management, not a superhuman effort to overcome difficulties—though there will be much of this to do—but union with Christ.

"Picture a large circle, from the edge of which are many lines all running to the center. The nearer these lines approach the center, the nearer they are to one another.

"Thus it is in the Christian life. The closer we come to Christ, the nearer we shall be to one another. God is glorified as His people unite in harmonious action." Adventist Home, p. 179:1-3.

"Then as the children of God are one in Christ, how does Jesus look upon caste, upon society distinctions, upon the division of man from his fellow man, because of color, race, position, wealth, birth, or attainments? The secret of unity is found in the equality of believers in Christ. The reason for all division, discord, and difference is found in separation from Christ. Christ is the center to which all should be attracted; for the nearer we approach the center, the closer we shall come together in feeling, in sympathy, in love, growing into the character and image of Jesus. With God there is no respect of persons." Vol. 1, Selected Messages, p. 259:2.

The place to achieve this is in an upper room experience. Those of us who are desirous to hasten the second coming of Christ need to meet together to study the Christ whom we are waiting for in the doctrines that He has left for us to teach. As we come together in fully accepting Christ as our personal Saviour, we will harmonize upon the doctrines and be a united force in this world. It is only then that we are prepared to partake of the emblems of our crucified and risen Saviour which are an effective symbol of that unity.