Can you attend church during your monthly period and receive communion?

Answer 1

I know of no Christian church that restricts anything to a menstruating woman.

AnswerAs men and women are 'heirs together of the grace of life' and God who made man (generic) made the species homo sapiens both male and female and since the New Testament, which is clearly the context of the question, specifically indicates that gender is not an issue in that all are one in Christ Jesus then the only answer can be that this is not as issue for the New Testament church of today.

The Old Testament laws regarding a person being ceremonially unclean are not relevant here. These have passed away in regard to their relevance for Christians, although I believe some orthodox Jews may still observe some of them.

Let's analyze the question closely.Before a woman with a "MONTHLY PERIOD" can "RECEIVE COMMUNION", first she must "ATTEND CHURCH." The Old Testament prohibits menstruating woman from entering church and only allowed up to the outer side of the church door (Leviticus 15:19-29)..And if Matthew 5:17-19 (New Testaments) is really Jesus' words, then; menstruating women cannot "ATTEND CHURCH." If she cannot "ATTEND CHURCH" , then she cannot "RECEIVE COMMUNION inside the church. However, I can't find any restrictions in the New Testament about a menstruating women receiving communion. So maybe if the services is held outdoors, then, maybe, she can receive communion.

Quick reference

Leviticus 15:29 And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven

Before anyone is tempted to delete my answer again because it does not agree with what they believed in, please see "Discuss Question" page first...

AnswerIn relation to the above answer it must be asserted that it is both theologically and factually incorrect. The context is clearly the Christian church as the Old Testament does not have church or communion. As detailed below the Old Testament ceremonial laws do not apply to Christians.

Secondly, verses taken out of context from The Bible do not prove an argument. Church is not mentioned in the context. The Old Testament religious worship was quite different. And 'Communion' is most certainly not mentioned and could not have been as it did not exist until about 1430 years later!

The words of Jesus from Matthew 5v17 are also de-contextualised and do not apply here as they refer to his work which fulfilled the law and the work of grace in believers who then fulfil the law through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus as the ultimate author of the law understood its meaning correctly contrary to the religious teachers of His day who He called 'blind guides' and 'fools'. Many of their regulations had gotten in the way of both love and true spiritual worship. The law was meant to help not hinder this. Thus, the final abolition of the law as symbolized by the rending of the veil at Jesus death, indicated that His sacrificial death was the final and complete fulfilment referred to in Matthew 5v 17.

Thirdly, it would be a quite simple matter to verify the accuracy of the above-mentioned proposition. If one single Christian church can be found that practices this, then the 'evidence' could be discreetly posted. It has nothing whatsoever to do with New Testament either indoors or out of doors.

On the other hand many followers of Judaism still follow the Mosaic law, where it can be applied either directly or in principle to today. An example is in relation to sabbath keeping and the prohibition against work. Lifts are provided and set so that they stop on every floor of a building to alleviate the necessity for a person to perform the work of pressing the button. In certain situations a 'sabbath days journey' is specifically defined by markers to avoid the breaking of this precept.

Christians have clearly been set free from following the provisions of the Mosaic law as Jesus' finished work on the cross fulfilled the law and superseded it. This was symbolized by the tearing of the thick curtain in the temple. Numerous New Testament scriptures demonstrate this.

For the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1 v 17

Now we know that what things soever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped , and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no person be justified in his sight for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3 v 19-20

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3 v 24

Knowing this that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law, for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.Galatians2v16

The first council of the Christian church held at Jerusalem and presided over by James the brother of Jesus, specifically addressed this issue. Only a very few provisions were seen as being still relevant for non-Jews to follow. This discussion is recorded in Acts 15. This would have been an appropriate place to discuss the continued relevance of the law regarding women attending worship as the place of the law was specifically under discussion. In other places in the New Testament where women are discussed there also is no mention of this issue, thus, in a sense, this is all an 'argument from silence.'

Jesus' statement in Matthew 5 v 17-18 means simply that he himself was to fulfill the law perfectly, which he certainly did. The law, being given by God himself is certainly inspired and its chief purpose was to point to Christ and to show people their need of a savior. The book of Hebrews discusses much of this at length. The book of James and any other verses cited to prove that a Christian is to obey the law of Moses or do works for either salvation or in relation to church life and practice are simply taken out of context and/or misunderstood and misapplied.

In conclusion, the New Testament church and the Old Testament ceremonial religious practices have little in common. The New Testament is much more inclusive and universal in its application.

you may attend the church during your monthly period but you can't receive communion because we all believe that we take the blood of JESUS while the communion so it makes no sense to take the blood of JESUS and then to throw it out of your body...it is a precious jewel that you should keep it and not to throw it...

Answer 2

No reason why not. Old-testament rules can serve as guidelines, but doesn't have to be followed to the letter. So you were reading the first books of the bible eh? Well the guidelines that the Lord set for his people were totally different than the guidelines he has set for us today. He had those rules because they were his chosen ones and the Israelites were supposed to be faithful and follow the Lord in everything they did. it was very important for the Lord to have those guidelines for the ancient israelites, but nowadays we no longer need these quide lines because to say it frankly, were not the israelites. So, yes. Unless you have gotten a word from the Lord saying yo are not supposed to, then go for it.

Answer 3

Catholic AnswerAbsolutely NO ONE MAY TAKE HOLY COMMUNION. Holy Communion may only be received NOT taken. Only a Catholic in good standing, and not in serious sin, may receive Holy Communion. A Catholic in good standing may be a man or a woman.