Bible Question:
Communion that is closed to us hardly seems like communion at all. In the preceding verses, Paul describes that the practice of the Lord's supper had become irreverant and self-serving, i.e. a dinner party instead of a solemn remembrance, with gluttony and drunkeness. How do we go from rebuking that practice to excluding people who want to come to the Lord's table but have not proven their righteousness to the local elders and so are excluded? As Paul says in 11:28, "But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup." Examine himself, not be examined by others, right? Isn't this a matter of personal conscience, like when we are to reconcile our disputes before offering our worship, i.e. Matthew 5:23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." Parable |
Bible Answer: I said we are to judge ourselves, and not others ... if we think we aren't to partake, the communion is closed to us. Searcher |