Protestants: Would you be willing to receive communion in a Catholic mass?

Question

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*Technically: I know Catholics would forbid you, unless you had been confirmed into Catholicism.

*But practically speaking: any adult can walk into a Catholic church on Sunday (regardless of what they believe), walk down the aisle, say “Amen”, and receive communion. There is no one who stops you, forbids you, or checks your “Catholic confirmation ID”.

(And I am pressed by the Holy Spirit to solemnly warn any non-Christian from doing this, given 1 Corinthians 11:23-30!)

But addressing the non-Catholic Christians, here:
If you were to visit the Catholic Church this Sunday to see what it was like, would you be willing to partake of the bread/body and wine/blood of Jesus Christ when offered by the Priest at communion?

Why or why not?
And if not, would you be willing at another denomination church that you are not a member of?

And could you please support your stance with scripture?
That is: truth, not just opinions?

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Danny:
Certainly, anybody who reads my question cannot help but see the “solemn warning” I gave in the parenthesis...? But it is worth mentioning that how you say a person should never “invite” a person to communion *could be* misunderstood by non-Christians to be a spiritually analogous to saying that a non-believer is not to be invited to Jesus Christ (via the Gospel) – the very thing the church is commanded by Jesus Christ to do! But, I think, yet we are in agreement on this issue – in the sense that we do “invite” people to Christ by sharing the Gospel...and when and if they do repent and believe and make a public confession of such faith in that church, and join that church, then they make partake of the Lord’s supper. Otherwise, to partake otherwise would be extremely dangerous for them (1 Corinthians 11:27).

Answer 1

no to both. I place my faith in Christ Jesus not man made doctrines.

Answer 2

Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for any one to make others fall by what he eats. Romans 14 :20

I am protestant. In this situation I discussed this issue the Priest. Basically I was advised that I was free to accept the communion if I chose to but was warned that some catholics take offence to protestants partaking in the communion. The compromise that he offered was a blessing. In this way I could share in the community activity without causing any offence. If I had not identified myself there would not have been a problem.

I chose the compromise which suited me because there are protestants who take offence at protestants partaking in a catholic communion.

In the context of food offered to idols (Rom 14) I believe the bread is clean but in any community with any issue it is not just what I believe but what others believe that is important and in this case on the cusp between two communities a significant number of weak consciences to take into account. I forget where the verse is but I suppose it could be said I was in communion but not part of it. LOL

Answer 3

Wow, honest answers aren't always pretty. Due to the fact that I'm answering this on the fly, I won't have time to look up the scriptures to support my answer, but I will try (lol, keyword, try) to come back and remedy that. That being said, sorry in advance to those who I like that may be offended by this answer (as sure someone will be).

First of all, I would not attend another church besides mine. I have no need/desire to adhere to false doctrine, nor worship in places that don't teach the truth.

Catholicism is the most vile of all those in Babylon. In the same way that baptism does no work (producing salvation), communion is not the literal consumption, duh. We observe communion, baptism and feet washing, as those are all ordinances that we were instructed in uphold, but I would not be equally yoked together with the Catholic church.

Well, there, I said it. I think that it is worth saying that the statement does not imply that there aren't saved people who erroneously attend a Catholic church, but the sincere heart will head to the call, "Come out of her my people".

I have several friends who are Catholics, with whom I am open about my views.

Answer 4

I have been to Catholic churches a fair amount during a season in my life. And I did not take communion in the churches, as I'm not catholic, and it is against their Rules. Kait--you have a good perspective on it.
If I were to participate in communion at another church I would visit, it would only be if their rules said I could...not being a member, or whatever other reasons they might have.

Answer 5

Considering each 3 years we completly learn the Bible; how can they feel that? Non-Catholics have not a clue what Mass is like. If they declare too, they need to no longer have paid concentration. You realize the bulletin you recieve after mass has readings we are think to learn every day additionally to the Mass we have attended. Sometimes I marvel, how the Non-Catholics get such off beat know-how. Do you feel they're being deliberatly misled or are they uneducated?

Answer 6

No I would not have communion in a Catholic church if I was allowed to.
Catholics believe that Communion is literally the body of Christ, transformed from bread by the priest presiding over the service.
I believe communion is Symbolic. Which states that the bread and wine are only symbols of Christ’s body and blood, which were offered upon Calvary’s cross for the remission of sins. “This do in remembrance of me”; it is observed in blessed memory, and that is where it ends. So I would go and have it in similar churches

“I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the 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 that bread, and drink of that cup” (I Cor.11:23-28).

Answer 7

No, I would never receive communion at a Catholic church. Christ does not need to be re-sacrificed. Christ's sacrifice does not need to be re-offered. Hebrews 7:27 declares, "Unlike the other high priests, He (Jesus) does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins ONCE for all when He offered Himself." Similarly, 1 Peter 3:18 exclaims, "For Christ died for sins ONCE for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God..." Christ's once for all death on the cross was sufficient to atone for all of our sins (1 John 2:2). Therefore, Christ's sacrifice does not need to be re-offered.

Answer 8

If I walked in to a Catholic Mass and no one told me i couldn't... and I didn't open the Missal to see that I couldn't... yes, I would have gone up with everyone else.... Who knows, i may have done it at some point in my teen years.

I was not aware of that fact until recently (I am in my 30's). I learned about it from my husband shortly before we got married.

Answer 9

My normal answer would be 'no'. I was attending a funeral in a Roman Catholic Church - Kilians in Mission Viejo, and saw them partake in the bread only. The priest was the only one to take the wine.

If the Holy Spirit directed me to partake, then I would, but having known the Holy Spirit, I do not believe that He would do that. He didn't MAKE me speak in tongues either when He baptized me after all, even though He gave me the gift to do it.

I suppose the scripture that would be used in the circumstance of the condition I spoke about is:

Matthew 10
19 . . . At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Answer 10

When I saw this question I wasn’t sure what to think, except that you’re just trying to see what different people think of the Eucharist. However, I do have to say that it seems like you’re almost extending an invitation to non-Catholics to receive Communion, which you shouldn’t do ever. If I’m wrong about my understanding of your question, please let me know.

Answer 11

Yes I would take communion. Communion is biblical.