Did the Early Church Receive Communion in the Hand?
The practice of receiving communion is a central ritual in Christian worship, symbolizing the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples. One of the most debated aspects of this practice is whether the early church received communion in the hand. This article aims to explore the historical evidence and theological perspectives surrounding this question.
The early church, as documented in the New Testament, primarily practiced the Eucharist through the mouth. The Gospels describe Jesus offering bread and wine to his disciples during the Last Supper, and the disciples partaking of these elements by mouth. The New Testament passages such as 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and Matthew 26:27 suggest that the early church followed this practice.
Scholars argue that the early church received communion in the mouth due to several reasons. Firstly, the Eucharist was seen as a sacred mystery, and partaking of it with the mouth was believed to be a sign of reverence and humility. Secondly, the early church faced persecution, and receiving communion in the mouth allowed for discreet worship practices. Lastly, the early church was influenced by Jewish dietary laws, which prohibited the consumption of food with the hands.
However, there is evidence to suggest that the practice of receiving communion in the hand did emerge in the early church. One such example is the Didache, a Christian manual from the late first or early second century. The Didache states, “Let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptized, for of the Lord’s table there is one flesh.” This passage implies that the Eucharist was distributed to individuals, which could be interpreted as a form of receiving communion in the hand.
Another piece of evidence comes from the writings of early church fathers, such as St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Justin Martyr. While they do not explicitly mention the practice of receiving communion in the hand, their descriptions of the Eucharist suggest that it was distributed to individuals, which could imply the use of hands.
Theological perspectives on the issue of receiving communion in the hand vary. Some argue that the early church received communion in the mouth due to the influence of Jewish dietary laws and the sacred nature of the Eucharist. Others believe that the practice of receiving communion in the hand emerged later in the church’s history, influenced by cultural and social factors.
In conclusion, while the evidence is not conclusive, it seems that the early church primarily received communion in the mouth. However, there are indications that the practice of receiving communion in the hand did exist in some form. Theological perspectives on this issue continue to evolve, as scholars and believers seek to understand the historical and spiritual significance of the Eucharist in the early church.
