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Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Church Life: AD 150  /  Communion  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
Justin Martyr describes Sunday worship: prayers, a kiss, bread and wine mixed with water, deacons distributing to those present and carrying portions to the absent, plus “letters of communion” for travelers; what kind of unity, oversight, and accountability does that picture assume, and what would have to change in our church life for communion to function that way again?
Another way to ask: Justin Martyr describes communion with shared prayers, deacons distributing, serving the absent, and “letters” for travelers. What kind of unity and accountability does that picture assume, and what would need to change in our churches for communion to work like that again?

Direct Answer

Justin’s description assumes a unified church life where leaders oversee who may receive, deacons serve the congregation, and traveling believers are recognized across congregations through accountability (“letters of communion”). For communion to function that way again, churches would need clearer standards for membership, baptism, discipline, and inter-church recognition—rather than a fragmented, independent approach.

Support from Transcript:

  • Justin’s order: after prayers, “we greet one another with a kiss,” then bread and “a cup of wine mixed with water” are brought to the presider.
  • The leader offers thanksgiving, the people say “amen,” and deacons distribute to “each of those present.”
  • Deacons “carry away a portion to those who are absent,” showing pastoral care and practical unity.
  • Participation is limited: “no one is allowed to partake… but” the baptized believer “living as Christ has commanded.”
  • Bercot says travelers commonly carried “letters of communion” stating they were “in good standing.”
  • He notes local autonomy yet real unity: “to a large degree, autonomy… and yet it was all one church…not divided like it is today.”
Discussion Follow-ups

What would your church need to put in place to know who is “in good standing” without becoming legalistic? How might “letters of communion” challenge modern individualism and church-shopping?

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