OC | Question 85 & 86

Q85: Who are to come to the table of the Lord?

A: They only who are truly sorrowful they have offended God by their sins, and yet trust that those sins are pardoned them for Christ’s sake, and what other infirmities they have, that those are covered by His passion and death, who also desire more and more to go forward in faith and integrity of life. But hypocrites, and those who do not truly repent, do eat and drink damnation to themselves (a).

(a) 1 Cor. 10:21-22; 11:27ff.

Q86: Are they also to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper who in confession and life declare themselves to be infidels, profane, and ungodly?

A: No. By that means the ordinance of God is profaned and the wrath of God is stirred up against the whole assembly (a), wherefore the church by the commandment of Christ and His Apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, using the keys of the kingdom of heaven, ought to drive them from this Supper till they shall repent and change their manners. 

(a) 1 Cor. 11:20-22, 34; Cf. Psa. 50:1ff; Isa. 1:11ff; 66:3; Jer. 7:21ff.