J. R. Graves Lives Again...

[Ed Pettibone]

[Gene Scarborough]

Yes you DO----and sometimes most distracting and un-necessary ones!

[Ed Pettibone]

[Gene Scarborough]

So what is happening to a good topic as we insult one another, buddy

[Mrs Haruo]

Come on, Gene, play nice or you don't get any cookies after church.

[Gene Scarborough]

I promise to do better

I will share my cookies with Ed and trust he will do the same with me

[Tom Butler]

Interesting discussion, hampered a bit because the participants can't seem to agree on terms.

Here are mine:
Closed---members only
Close---Baptists only
Open--All Professing Christians

We can discuss and debate the extent of the Lord's table all we want, but as long as we have disagreement over whether The Lord's Supper is a Christian ordinance or a Church ordinance, we won't resolve the other question. Where you start determines where you come out.

Also, another roadblock is the definition of what a church is. If one subscribes to the Universal Church concept, there'll be no agreement with those who see only local congregations in the New Testament.

Still other roadblocks to consensus are whether a believer must be baptized to take the Lord's Supper; and, if yes, what constitutes valid baptism?

Me? I'm a local church only, closed communion kinda guy.

[Haruo]

Good terminological summary, Tom.

[RonH]

Around these parts the definition is more like:
Closed - believers of the local church only
Close - believers of like faith and practice
Open - any believer

We practice "close" communion here.

[Gene Scarborough]

Maybe we will be surprised in heaven one day when the non-Baptists actually enjoy the beauty of heaven.

They will just be sure a sign in over our section of the place saying: "Quiet, they think they are the only ones here!"