Thank you for taking the time to talk about this and share your thoughts. You have done your research and it is much appreciated! This is one of those topics where I was kind of like "I really don't know" either way, but I feel like I understand it a lot better now, so thank you!
The only thing I would add, not in a critical way but just a comment, when Paul is giving instructions about examining and discerning, a lot of people have interpreted that to mean examine "yourself", but in the context it seems to me that he is saying examine the bread and the cup, and discern / distinguish / make a distinction - in your mind - that this is not just any bread or juice, this represents the body (and blood) of Christ.
So in agreement with what you were saying, for someone who is not a Christian, they might not be discerning or distinguishing this - as God wants them to, and also they might be unable to because they don't understand what it represents. but for those of us who believe and understand what Jesus did for us and were baptized in his name, and into his death, we understand what this represents and -hopefully- we are distinguishing it in our own minds when we are participating and not just passing it along.
I guess overall maybe we have not placed as much importance on this as we need to. Thanks again!
Interpreting "Discern the body" and "Examine yourself" is a tough needle to thread, but I lean toward what you say about understanding the value and importance of the bread and fruit of the vine.
Thank you for the follow up! Towards the very beginning of the video, I was thinking, “The church needs to be purified.” Open communion is definitely just one of many impurities that waters down the body of Christ. Thank you so much for examining the Bible and church culture honestly and being humble enough to speak out when the church can do better.
Thank you for your hard work and efforts on this and for making us aware! Where I attend, communion is offered on Sun Evenings for those who were unable to partake of it during the AM service. They go off to our library and take it while the rest of us sing a closing song and are dismissed. Scripturally, wouldn’t it be better if we ALL took it again together since we are all supposed to “commune” together as you have mentioned? Or am I overthinking this? Just a random thought/question. Thank you!!!!
I have a number of friends who will not partake in a separate room, and some who think that if the LS is to be served again on Sunday evening then everyone in attendance should partake again with them. I don't have too strong of an opinion on that particular issue, but I can definitely appreciate where they're coming from.
If you have access to a Heil PR30 mic, try that. It can reside offscreen, 1-2 ft away, and still allow very good low end pickup of a full male voice. I have been doing sound for 40 years, and discovered these mics even make very good choir mics. Blessings, brother.
Thank you for taking the time to talk about this and share your thoughts. You have done your research and it is much appreciated! This is one of those topics where I was kind of like "I really don't know" either way, but I feel like I understand it a lot better now, so thank you!
The only thing I would add, not in a critical way but just a comment, when Paul is giving instructions about examining and discerning, a lot of people have interpreted that to mean examine "yourself", but in the context it seems to me that he is saying examine the bread and the cup, and discern / distinguish / make a distinction - in your mind - that this is not just any bread or juice, this represents the body (and blood) of Christ.
So in agreement with what you were saying, for someone who is not a Christian, they might not be discerning or distinguishing this - as God wants them to, and also they might be unable to because they don't understand what it represents. but for those of us who believe and understand what Jesus did for us and were baptized in his name, and into his death, we understand what this represents and -hopefully- we are distinguishing it in our own minds when we are participating and not just passing it along.
I guess overall maybe we have not placed as much importance on this as we need to. Thanks again!
Interpreting "Discern the body" and "Examine yourself" is a tough needle to thread, but I lean toward what you say about understanding the value and importance of the bread and fruit of the vine.
Thank you for the follow up! Towards the very beginning of the video, I was thinking, “The church needs to be purified.” Open communion is definitely just one of many impurities that waters down the body of Christ. Thank you so much for examining the Bible and church culture honestly and being humble enough to speak out when the church can do better.
Thank you for your hard work and efforts on this and for making us aware! Where I attend, communion is offered on Sun Evenings for those who were unable to partake of it during the AM service. They go off to our library and take it while the rest of us sing a closing song and are dismissed. Scripturally, wouldn’t it be better if we ALL took it again together since we are all supposed to “commune” together as you have mentioned? Or am I overthinking this? Just a random thought/question. Thank you!!!!
I have a number of friends who will not partake in a separate room, and some who think that if the LS is to be served again on Sunday evening then everyone in attendance should partake again with them. I don't have too strong of an opinion on that particular issue, but I can definitely appreciate where they're coming from.
If you have access to a Heil PR30 mic, try that. It can reside offscreen, 1-2 ft away, and still allow very good low end pickup of a full male voice. I have been doing sound for 40 years, and discovered these mics even make very good choir mics. Blessings, brother.
Thanks!
What is your view on Christians from different denominations that have different doctrines partaking in the same communion table?