The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum communion and infants.

Ok, I have a question. I’m still reading more about covenant theology. So I was wondering today. Reformed Presbyterians look at baptism like circumcision, in that it is a sign and seal of the new covenant. We baptize our infants because we are told that the promises are for us and our seed. We are bringing them into the covenant community while they are in a state of not being able to understand what it is that is being done of their behalf. We then are to raise our children up in the covenant community and in God’s Word.

We also look at communion like Passover. We take communion in remembrance of what God has done on our behalf that we could not do for ourselves. Communion should only be offered to the covenant community. So my question is, if infants are baptized before they are able to understand what is being done on their behalf as a sign and seal of the covenant, then why don’t they partake of the communion before they are able to understand the significance of it, as members of the covenant community?

Just trying to get a better understanding of this concept, if there are other threads that someone could point me to, that would be great. Or if anyone would like to try to better explain this, that would be great. Also, I have read a lot about covenant theology from several books. But I was wondering if anyone knew of any book that better explains the current practical concept of the covenant community. In other words, instead of going back and making a case for covenant theology and explaining it through the series of Old Testament covenants, rather, focusing more on how it should pertain to the church today and what we as an average layperson should understand clearly about it. I really haven’t found a book that does this. So if anyone has any suggestions, I would be most appreciative. Thanks.

Y.B.I.C,

Dave.

I know this has been discussed here before, however, it very simply goes to what the Scripture itself states;

An infant, child, etc cannot examine himself or discern the Lord's body and thus would be eating unworthily and would be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Where baptism for an infant does not take an examination of one's self, communion does.

Historically speaking in the Western Church paedo-communion was the common practice between the 3rd - 12 centuries (Tommy Lee, The History of Paedocommunion: From the Early Church until 1500). In the Eastern Church, it remains the communion practice to this day (Timothy Ware, The Orthodox Church). In the 6th century most Reformers opposed paedocommunion (few exceptions like Wolfgang Musculus). Calvin stated that paedocommunion was the common practice of the ancient Church, but that it had "deservedly fallen into disuse" (Inst 4.16.30). The Lord's Supper, according to Calvin, is "only for those who are capable of discerning the body and blood of the Lord, of examining their own conscience, of proclaiming the Lord's death, and considering its power" (Inst 4.16.30).

A current book on the issues is Keith Mathison's Given for You.

Luther's Catechism has a wonderful section on this - and how an infact/child cannot examine theirself (easier than saying himself/herself...ha). The Church's doctrine must be followed by those partaking in Communion, and although they may be saved/believers, they must be examined before partaking.
Churches typically have an age for examination. Of course this age is somewhat arbitrary - but to keep it open, one year an 11 year old will say they are ready..and maybe they are! But once ONE parent sees that then lil' Suzie too is ready at 11, and so is Johnny. Then next year Bobby will be ready at 10 years of age...eventually this falls apart. Hence the arbitrary age for Confirmands that is appropriately set.