Holy Communion; Why I don’t take it in some Churches I visit-Adeboye
The 67th convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God gradually wounded to a close on Saturday August 10, 2019 with a Holy Communion service at the Church’s new auditorium at the Redemption Camp.
At the Holy Communion service which attracted the usual large crowd of worshipers, the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye used the opportunity to explain why the church normally holds its Holy Communion service, which is also called the Lord’s Supper at night. He also explained why he turned down the offer to take the communion in other churches.
Adeboye who preached on the importance of the Holy Communion still in line with the theme of the convention which is And God Said, opined that it is an aberration for any church to take the Holy Communion in the day. He pointed out that it is the Lord’s Supper; which by implication should be taken at night adding that “the first time the Passover was taken in the Bible, it was taken in the night on the eve of the Israelites freedom from Egypt. Jesus also took it in the night with his disciples”.
He then explained that the taking of the Holy Communion at night is symbolic. He said, “Tears may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. The night period is symbolic. It means the end of sorrow. It means the end of suffering. It means the end of stagnation. The supper is taken in the night and not in the day.”
While noting that some churches take the Holy Communion during the day, the RCCG G.O said whenever he is invited to such churches and they are servicing Holy Communion in the day he would decline taking it and tell them, “I am fasting”
He explained further that Holy Communion is a serious matter and should not be taken unworthily. “Many are eating it unworthily that is why they are experiencing so many things they should not experience. You can’t come to the Lord’s Table and bear grudge and harbor hatred in your heart against your brother or sister. You will be doing yourself a great harm”
Recalling the early days of the church, he said, “I remember in those days my father in the Lord, Pastor Josiah Akindayomi does not joke with the Holy Communion. In those days we used to take it once in a year. I usually look forward to it. And you need to see the way the power of God fall upon us after taking the communion”
He then warned against taking the Holy Communion for granted pleading with the congregation to ask for power from God as they take the communion.
The Convention would come to a close tomorrow August 11 with the ordination of about 2000 pastors.