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Can an unmarried person in a sexual relationship be a communion server in the Church of England?

As a member of the PCC we have been asked to recommend two people to be communion servers. One is older in a long term relationship, living together and not married. The other is in a relationship, not living together. Some members are against both as the presumption is that they are both in a sexual relationship. I have been unable to find anything biblical or from the c of e to support this view. Can anyone enlighten me ?

Clarify Share Report Asked February 22 2020 A752444c 6806 4b60 bf96 f1b5e0c1cb7e David Thomson Supporter

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20230618 192834 Donna Williams Supporter
I would like to state that I do not know what is considered lawful or unlawful in your particular denomination, so it is impossible for me to give a yes or no answer. However, I would like to share what is on my heart concerning this issue. 

In my opinion there is a more serious matter that needs to be addressed, and that is, the spiritual condition of these individuals.

Jesus paid our sin debt on the Cross, and we must receive what He did for us by faith, but the first thing that we must do is "Repent". It seems that there has been no turning away from sin, and no true change of heart or mind. Jesus declares in Luke 13:3: "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." King James Version of the Bible. 

Jesus also said in John 3:3: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." And in verse 5: "except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

My concern is for their souls and where they will spend eternity, not whether they should be serving communion or not. Truth be told, none of us are worthy to do anything in the church or in the kingdom of God, for that matter. But thank God for His grace and mercy towards us all. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." 

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will do a work in their hearts and lead them to repentance. The Holy Spirit is the One who reproves us of sin. 

I encourage you to read the Word of God for yourself. I believe religion without Christ is very deceptive and many are perishing because of religious beliefs that are in direct violation to the Word of God. 

I hope that the scriptures that I have shared will enlighten you to the truth of God's Word, and will cause you to examine your own heart, as it pertains to your relationship with the Lord. Finally, Jesus said, "if the blind lead the blind, both will fall in the ditch."

February 23 2020 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Al Mark Supporter
If you want to know what the Bible says about sexual relationships, it is very clear that it is only to be between a husband and his wife - a married couple. In Gen 2:24, it says "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh". This phrase "one flesh" is understood to mean sexual intimacy, and Jesus confirmed that it was confined to marriage in Matt 19:5. Any sexual relationship outside of marriage is called in the greek "porneia", which is sexual immorality, and the New Testament explicitly says Christians should avoid sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18, Heb 13:4, 1 Thess 4:3-5, Eph 5:3, 1 Cor 7:2, Col 3:5, 1 Cor 6:9-11). Ephesians 5:21-33 says Christian husbands should consider their wives as part of their own bodies, even as Christ considers the universal church as part of his body. Hence, anything that disrupts this relationship by being outside the boundary of marriage is not part of God's purpose and ultimately hurts people.

February 28 2020 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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