The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Examination - 1 Cor 11:29

I will simply echo the admonishment which J_Edwards gave you in his most recent response to you above, re: assuming things which simply are not existent nor found in the Scriptures. Perhaps you may not have noted, most all the quoted passages of Scripture I offer are from the ASV. I do not nor cannot acknowledge nor accept your erroneous eisogesis, misapplications nor quoting from your personal "DSV" (aka: "Devised Standard Version").

How can I say that the passage has nothing to do with the elder's examination? Quite easily, actually, since as I pointed out to you before, the CONTEXT of the Corinthian passage is not addressing any idea of an "examination" and specifically in regard to the qualifications one must allegedly meet to partake of the Lord's Table. I take very seriously the apostle John's admonishment and warning to not add to Scripture.

Secondly, as I also pointed out, the passage does not speak of "excommunication" but rather "ostracism" (aka: shunning) those who were disorderly, busybodies, lazy, etc. Notice also that this idea of ostracism is re-enforced in that Paul says to treat such as "brothers". If excommunication was the intent of the action to be taken, then the excommunicated person could not be looked upon and/or treated as a "brother". For in fact, to excommunicate is to pronounce an individual as an unbeliever due to an attitude of unrepentance in regard to serious sin and/or heretical doctrine.

Lastly, qualification to partake of the Lord's Table is NOT based upon one holding to a right understanding of a full-orbed systematic theology, but rather that the person have a genuine and valid profession of faith in the Lord Christ, a life consistent with that profession and not be under discipline by the church. The Lord's Table is UNIVERSAL and does not belong to any single congregation nor denomination. One is to be examined by the church on these 3 elements and these alone. And the individual is responsible for self-examination. The salient issue is the spiritual state of one's soul and not one's ability to answer a list of arbitrary doctrinal questions.

I say to you once again:

In His grace,