Unity

Lord’s Supper: What Does It Mean To Eat Unworthily?

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

There is an aspect of the Lord’s Supper that I think needs some clarification. The part I am referring to is the idea of partaking of the Lord’s Supper “unworthily.” What exactly did Paul have in mind when he said, “whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord?” (1 Cor. 11:27). I have had people come to me with deep concern about whether they should partake of the Lord’s Supper on certain occasions, fearing that they would be partaking “unworthily,” because they had a struggle with some sin in their life. This is a legitimate concern. Who wants to engage in a holy ceremony in an unholy way, be “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord,” and “drink damnation upon himself!?” I think I can see at least a part of the reason why the average church goer feels this way…

Typically, the pastor stands before his congregation (I’m coming at this from a Baptist background, where the Lord’s Supper occurs once a month or so and fills up the good part of a whole service) and rightly encourages his parishioners to “examine” themselves to make sure their life is order before God and that they are “worthy” to partake. The pastor soberly recommends this, in obedience to the Scriptures, indicating that there may be or probably is at least someone in the room who will fail to do partake in a worthy manner. At the very least it indicates that everyone present may be tempted to eat unworthily, otherwise there’s no need for the admonition. The room is most likely filled with average people: not violent gang bangers or hardened criminals. There isn’t usually a catalog of what kinds of sins or behaviors would serve as a checklist as to whether someone is “worthy” or not. 

Then you put on top of this the consideration: “Well, actually, who is even worthy to eat with Jesus anyways!?” I know me, and I know that I am not worthy to sit at the table of Jesus. If anything I’d be the slave who washes the feet of the people who come to dine with Jesus. I’m reminded of Abigail when David sent to marry her, she “bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” If she felt this way about David, how much more she we feel unworthy to eat at his table like we’re an equal with him! 

So, put all of that together, and it’s understandable that you have people in the church who struggle with some kind of sin – short temper, lust, gossip, laziness, etc. – just like everyone in the church does, who fears that they might be bringing damnation upon themselves for eating the cracker and drinking the juice. 

Now, I’d like to offer what I think is the right perspective. 

First, the fact that someone is being sensitive to the Spirit and concerned that they might be displeasing the Lord is a MAJOR indication that they ARE worthy to dine with Jesus. What does the Lord require of us? “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). “A broken and a contrite God will not despise” (Psalm 51). If you are coming to the table with humility and a repentant heart – regardless of what your besetting sin is – then you are coming in a worthy manner. The truly unworthy person who is not going to stress themselves out over whether they are following the Scriptures to a “t” or not. They will brashly take what they can get from God and the church. 

Secondly, on what basis are we relying to be worthy? Are we considering whether we have been “good enough” or not throughout the week? Do you feel like you’ll only be worthy if you overcome that pestering, besetting sin? Remember the Gospel!!! Our only worthiness to have any accessibility to God only comes through Christ – Christ alone! Not Christ and my goodness. We are welcomed into God’s favorable presence because of Christ. We are received as God’s children because we are born again by the Spirit of God. We are washed of our sins because of Christ. The only thing that makes us worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper is Christ! In every way our access to Christ is conditional only by repentance and faith, but as long as we have that posture then we are worthy!!!

Thirdly, the context reveals to us specifically the “unworthy” behavior Paul had in mind. Verses 18 & 19 Paul chides the Corinthians for tolerating “divisions” and “heresies,” which both refer not to doctrinal impurity, but behavioral deficiency. One of the chief purposes of the Lord’s Supper is to highlight the unity that we have in Christ! We are “one body and one bread.” The broken body of Christ is the spiritual gluten (the Corinthians must have been a gluten free assembly – sorry, I had to) that holds very different people together in love. BUT, instead, the Corinthians decided to use this observance as a wonderful opportunity to display their selfishness and pride.

One faction in the church would get the scoop on when and where the “love feast” would occur. They would show up to the party early, eat all the food and get drunk on the wine before everyone else showed up. This is even more egregious when you think that their society didn’t have a welfare system like we do, there was a much more sharp contrast between the poor and higher social classes. This communal meal was probably a highlight for many people – a true feast – and for others who were poor it may actually have been the only meal that they would have eaten that day. Paul then enters into the narrative of when the Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper: the sweet, serene setting where the Lord washed his disciples feet and then sat surrounded by his disciples. This was the night before his passion. He would be “broken” for them and shed his blood for them. Every time in the future they would gather to remember their Lord they would remember that night. They would recall with vivid memory the day following as well – his love, his blood, his cries, his agony, for them, for them all. 

Now, imagine people trying to use this memorial as an opportunity for the flesh. I can see any one of the apostles busting into that assembly with fire in their eyes, “Do you have any idea what you are doing!!! I was there when he washed my feet! When he suffered on that cross! He died for us! And you have the nerve to shame your brethren, steal all the food, get drunk on the wine, and arrogantly divide into factions amongst one another!!! And instead of being remorseful you glory in your sins and double down in your pride! The Lord is going to bring judgment on you for taking his name in vain!” This is what I see going on here in Corinth, and how I imagine Paul speaking to them. 

So, what does it mean to eat and drink “unworthily?” I think we have a strong case to argue that an unworthy participant is someone who is proud in their sins, who has no humility or repentance over their sins; someone who doesn’t have a desire for unity and has no problem being at odds with others in the church and who will use others in the church for their own gain. If that’s you, then yes, do not assume that Jesus wants to eat a meal with you, because he doesn’t. He wants you to put down your gift at the altar and go be reconciled with your brother first. God will not be mocked – mess with his church and you’ll pay. 

However, if you are a Christian struggling with your sin, and even being often overcome with it to one degree or another, but you hate your sin and confess it to God, let these promises wash over you, my dear brother or sister, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7,9). As soon as you confess your sins you are instantaneously and fully forgiven by your loving, heavenly Father. He says, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve already forgiven you. Come and dine.” The blood of Jesus is your worthiness to come to his table. 
Now, all of that being said, when you do approach the Table, you should examine yourself. It is a wonderful moment – probably the best moment – for God’s people to do some introspection, and allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Every Christian should leave the Lord’s Supper with joy in their hearts because they were all encouraged specifically to “do business” with their God. There is a need to reason with Christians to realize how devastating sin is and there are times to highlight the urgency of repenting of it. But I have sensed the need to give my brothers and sisters relief on this particular issue. If you’re a church leader, maybe consider covering this with your congregation at some point. God bless you in your walk with God and may your next experience at the Lord’s Supper be extra special!!!

Misunderstanding Replacement Theology

/ Lee A. Robinson / 2 Comments

There are many voices out there right now speaking against “Replacement Theology.” I have noticed many misunderstandings and errors in these talks and thought it would be helpful to clarify a few of the major ones. My main concern in posting this is to urge for understanding, which will hopefully lead to more unity in the Body of Christ. Make sure you know exactly what INDIVIDUALS believe by asking THEM, instead of assuming what they believe based on a broad category someone else lumped them into.  

  1. Most proponents of “Replacement Theology” do not think that the Church has replaced Israel. They don’t think that God disinherited Israel, took away the promises pertaining to them and gave them to the Church. Rather, they think that God indeed fulfilled his promises to Israel in Jesus the Jewish Messiah and in the remnant believers of the congregation (assembly/church) of Israel. Joseph, Mary, Peter, John, Paul were all Jews. They were also the charter members of the New Testament Church. The faithful of ethnic, political Israel became the Church, the true, eternal spiritual Israel. The promises of God flowed like a single river from Abraham to Jesus, but when Jesus came the river burst out into many branches and spread around the world. There is only one river of God’s promises. There is only one People of God, not two. There is only one Olive Tree, not two. There is only one Congregation (Church), not two. There is only one New Covenant, not two. Therefore, “Replacement Theologians” prefer titles like “Fulfillment Theology” or “Expansion Theology,” which emphasize God truly keeping his promises to Israel and to a cohesion between Israel and the Church, rather than a severe division between the two.     
  1. Barely any “Replacement Theologians” are anti-semitic. You probably wouldn’t get that impression from most of these talks against “Replacement Theology.”  There are extremes in every theological camp, so yes anti-semitism does exist out there amongst them. However, among those who gladly claim to be Bible-Believing, Evangelical, Born Again Christians, I haven’t heard any anti-Jewishness, rather only love for Jews and gratitude for the special place they hold in Redemptive history. It is granted that those who hold to what is called “Replacement Theology” typically do not support Jews or the state of Israel unconditionally. They would say that if a Jew is being evil or the nation of Israel is engaging in unjust activities it should be called out and not supported. Basically, we should treat Jews and the nation of Israel with the same level of respect and accountability that we would to any other people or nation. This is contrasted to a Dispensationalists approach, which tends to favorably support Jews and the nation of Israel regardless of their actions. The motto tends to lean more in the direction of “I Stand With Israel…No Matter What.” Whereas most “Replacement Theologians” would think something more like, “I Stand With Israel…So Long As They Stand On The Side Of God.”  
  1. Most “Replacement Theologians” are staunch supporters of Biblical Inerrancy and the Literal approach to Bible Interpretation. It is a misrepresentation to say that “Replacement Theologians” interpret the Bible allegorically and Dispensationalists literally. Both do both, it’s just a matter of degree. Dispensationalists do not think Jesus is literally a wooden door, but take that as symbolic language. “Replacement Theologians” take the apostles literally when they say things like, “a Jew is not one outwardly in the flesh but inwardly in the spirit (Rom. 2)” meaning: being truly Jewish is not an ethnic reality, but a spiritual reality; or “If you belong to Christ then you are a child of Abraham and heir of the promise (Gal. 3)” or “they are not all Israel, which are of Israel (Rom. 9)” etc. Just because someone has a different understanding than yourself of certain passages doesn’t mean they are Bible deniers, unless you believe that all of your interpretations are infallible. 

Just as there are different forms (and cases of extremes) of every theology there are different forms of what is called “Replacement Theology.” Ask individuals what they believe. Then make sure to place the identity of Israel in it’s proper place of importance in the grand scheme of things. 

I hope this article was helpful to you. Please feel free to interact in the comments. Thank you for reading, Lee

Denominational Superciliousness

/ Lee A. Robinson / 9 Comments

Or, Is it possible they could be godly too?

A couple questions to start with…

Question #1 may seem like a weird question, but do you believe that there are genuine, Born-Again Christians who identify with a different denomination than your own? I said it might sound like a weird question, but the reality is, that some Christians truly do think that the only real believers are the ones in their own tradition – or even that the only true believers are to be found in their own local congregation! Some believe this wholeheartedly and will come right out and say it. Others may not actually verbalize it, but in their heart and mind, the salvation of another is at least highly suspect, if they do not identify with their particular denomination. I hope you do not fit into this category.    

Now that you have taken a deep breath, and feel content that you do not fall into the first category we just mentioned, here’s the second question: Do you believe that there are godly, Born-Again Christians (or churches) who identify with a different denomination than your own? In other words, Do you think it is possible, for believers (or churches) different from your own, who are just as holy, wise, humble and mature; just as zealous for the Gospel; just as surrendered to Christ; just as important to the kingdom of God; and just as beloved and precious to the Father? Or, even another to put it: Is it a possibility that the most Christ-like, Spirit-filled person in the world, identifies with a denomination different than your own??? 

I hope there are some people who read this who are immediately convicted, and long for their hearts and minds to be changed about how they view and treat God’s precious people. I know believers personally, who immediately doubt the genuine character of another brother, sister or church on the simple hearing of their affiliation with a different denomination. This doubting, or we could say ‘judging,’ is not on the basis of examined fruit from another’s life (or, life of a church), but upon the mere mention of denominational affiliation. “My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:10)

Who is on the Lord’s side? 

One day the disciples of Jesus encountered a man who was casting out devils in the name of Jesus. John reported to Jesus (and it seems from the context in a sort of proud spirit), “We forbade him, because he followeth not with us.” (Luke 9:49) Apparently the loving disciple John came to the presumptuous conclusion that the only worthy ministers of Christ were to be found in his group. Did Jesus praise him for sticking up for “the team?” No, Jesus rebuked him, “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us, is for us.” (Luke 9:50) Mark’s account adds Jesus saying, “There is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:39-41) Jesus here makes a blanket statement that we should really give heed to: “He that is not against us, is for us.” This means that if someone from another denomination is a Christian, then you are on the same team. The prerequisite for the team is not having every jot and tittle lined up with your own. Those who make the cut for the team, according to Jesus, are those who “belong to Christ.” If you want to be right with God, and do right by yourself, then you need to begin thinking of other believers in these terms. 

Jesus has one team, one family, one bride, one house, one vineyard, etc. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) There is only one Holy Spirit who washes and regenerates sinners who trust in Christ, regardless of which denomination they are a part of. There is only one Jesus who saves them all. There is only Father in heaven whom all Born-Again believers pray to. There is only one Heaven that all Christians look forward to, and no, there will not be separate divisions of Heaven for the various Christian communities. Those other believers in your area from other churches are your family members, and they will be for all eternity. 

A main point I am trying to make is, that there are believers different than yourself, who are not merely sneaking into Christ by the skin of their teeth, but are rather first-string, special forces, champions in the faith. In every Bible-Believing denomination there are people you will find that are weak in the faith, and strong in the faith. In each tradition you will find people strongly committed to the authority of the Bible and some not; you will find zealous, passionate witnesses and you’ll find believers doing very little for Christ; you will find mature, holy, strong character and you will find carnality and worldliness; you will find strong, loving biblical home life as well as weak, hurting dysfunctional family life. You will find vibrant, Spirit-filled churches, and you will find dead and dying churches. 

So, what is the common denominator? Why are there strong and weak representatives from each tradition? It is clear that the difference is not the fine points that make the groups distinct. Godliness is not the result of loyalty to denominational distinctives, but rather loyalty to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Spiritual strength is produced from obedience to the Spirit of God and the Word of God. I hope you realize that Spirit and the Word of God is not only in the possession of your church, or kind of church.

Another thing to consider: If it is true that there are mature believers in other denominations (and there are), then that must mean that the grace of God is abundant in places where you might not feel personally comfortable. Does that make you happy or angry? Do you want the grace of God reserved for you and your own, or lavished all over? Do you have sins of your own and weaknesses? Is your church perfect, with bright clear vision in every area of doctrine and practice- or is it possible that it may have some weaknesses or blind spots? If Jesus is in their midst, why would you be ashamed to be associated with them? 

Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Repent. If you have looked down on, written off, or been partial in your judgments towards other believers and churches purely on the basis of names, that is sinful (Read 1 Corinthians). If you think that your kind are automatically the greatest in the kingdom simply because they are in your group, there is some pride that needs to be exposed and put to death. I know that with some people this mindset is in large part a result of ignorance – they have never been exposed to the ministries of other believers, or have never met a godly person from another tradition. But sins of ignorance are still sins, and as soon as you are aware of them, you should humbly repent of them. 

Receive them. Romans 15:7 says, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” How has Christ received you, since you have placed your faith in him? Has he received you part way? Like a step-brother or something? No. Absolutely not! He has received you fully! So, receive your brother as Christ also received you!  This instruction in Romans 14 & 15 is the conclusion of Paul’s discussion about Christian Liberty. Paul lays out the fact that it is to be expected that there will be differences of opinions (in minor issues) among believers. These differences are not supposed to divide the believers. Those who desire to be mature in Christ will follow the instructions, “Let not him that eateth despise (have a low opinion of, reject, disdain) him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge (prefer, separate, pass an unfavorable judgment on) him that eateth: for God hath received him.” (Romans 14:3) There are believers different from you. Don’t despise them; don’t think little of them or write them off; don’t automatically have low opinions of them; don’t judge them – don’t consign them the Hell, or to being perpetually second class citizen-saints just because of some differences of opinion.

Remind yourself that there are some crazy characters in your own circle- Immature, carnal brothers. Are they that way because of your mutual convictions? No. It is because of a lack of obedience to Christ and his Word, not a lack of obedience or adherence to your particular denominational emphasizes.

Be open to meeting believers from other stripes. Come to admire their godliness, zeal, and faithfulness to Christ. What accounts for this? It is not the particular fine points of their denomination, but rather the result of a humble submission to Christ, the Spirit of God and the Word of God. You don’t have to approve of everything they teach and practice to be their friends, or even to work together at certain levels. Unity is possible without uniformity.

Check your fears. Who do you fear more – God or Man? Are you afraid of what people in your group might think about you if you befriended Chrisitians from other persuasions? If Jesus has received them, then why would you stand back from them? If Jesus came to your town, do you think he would visit churches other than your own? Do you think he would be friends and laugh with those other Christians down the road? You say – “I think Jesus would visit those churches, but I also think he would be carrying a whip!” So he wouldn’t have any reproofs or warnings for your church if he visited there? It seems to me, that there are some of us, who would rather keep our distance from Jesus if it meant being close enough to other Christians and possibly being associated with them. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)

Think carefully about what is your actual standard of orthodoxy. What do I mean by this? Ask yourself what are the doctrinal and lifestyle guidelines by which someone could potentially be classified in your mind as a “good brother,” or “sound, or mature in the faith.” Actually write them down. Then ask yourself this all important question: “Are these standards the same as God’s?” Do I know for sure, that this particular standard comes from Scripture or is it derived from my own opinion; is it from the doctrinal standing of my local church; is it from non-spoken standards of my circle of believers? An example of what I mean would be this – If a church has a different form of church government than yours, what category do you place them into in your mind? Can they still potentially be on the starting team for Jesus? If not, then where does it say in Scripture that you should demote a believer based on their form of church government? Soon I would like to post another article expanding on this topic. 

Yeah, BUT…

There are many, many objections I can hear coming from people who read this. This article has a specific purpose and is not meant to cover the entire field of discussion as it relates to how believers from various persuasions should interact with each other. Doctrine is important – there are cardinal beliefs that other “Christians” do nothold that should cause us to separate fellowship from them. There are also lifestyle issues, sin issues, that should cause us to rightly separate from other believers. Also, just because another denomination is “Christian” does not mean that they are actually Christian. I am not suggesting in the least bit that we should abandon all our convictions and just be all one church (ecumenicism). I hope to address some of these details in future writings. The point here is to strive for understanding and unity where God is striving for unity; for us to seek to know and understand other believers instead of just judging them from far away.  

Psalms 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”