Tell me more ×
Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 5 down vote favorite

About seven years ago my wife and I (who are childless) left our old church and set out to find the best church we could in the area. We ended up in a church that practices paedo (child) communion. They do not practice this because they believe that the children are saved, but because they believe that the children are members of God's Covenant People because they have been baptized, as most presbyterians do. They often point to the passover feast as the similar Old Testament 'sacrament' where the children ate with the whole family. What other evidence both biblical and historical exists for this practice.

share|improve this question
Interesting that they point to Passover; I was under the impression that a Hebrew boy had to be 13 before attending? – Thomas Shields May 3 '12 at 15:00
That is apparently a modern invention. The question is, "What would they have eaten that night before they left Egypt?" – Nathan Bunney May 3 '12 at 15:01
Interesting list here of who practices this: paedocommunion.com/whoswho.php – Nathan Bunney May 3 '12 at 15:09
Started to write an answer that got into rambling, so I'll give the short bit here. In 1 Cor 11:24, Jesus says "do this in remembrance of me". If one believes that to apply to any of his followers aside from simply those who were present that day, one must also generally presume it applies to all - children included. – Iszi May 3 '12 at 17:30
3  
@NathanBunney We're talking about religion. I'd be surprised, and possibly worried, if others didn't disagree. – Iszi May 3 '12 at 18:28
show 3 more comments

1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote accepted

Here's what my denomination, the United Methodist Church, says about child communion:

May young children receive Communion?

Certainly. As The United Methodist Book of Worship puts it, “All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children, are invited to receive the bread and cup.” We remember that when some of Jesus’ disciples tried to keep children away from him he said: “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14 NRSV).

But do young children know what they are doing when they receive Communion?

Do they understand the full meaning of this holy sacrament? No, and neither do any of us. It is a wonderful mystery, and children can sense wonder and mystery. Children cannot understand the full significance of family meals, but we feed them at our family tables and at Christ’s family table. Young children experience being loved by being fed. They sense the difference between being included and excluded at a family meal. They have the faith of a child, appropriate to their stage of development, which Jesus recognized and honored. Indeed, he said to adults: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15 NRSV).

I understand that other denominations have children wait until they have a better understanding of communion. I'm sure they have good, scriptural reasons for their belief.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.