Quote:
Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah
So then, according to your definition of a church, you cannot be a church unless excommunication is practical?
Am I understanding this correctly. A husband and wife, having a meeting in their home, cannot view this as the "church" because how could the husband excommunicate his wife?
I don't want to put words in your mouth, is this what you are saying?
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That's right, excommunication is a function of the church, not a family. Therefore a family cannot be a church. This ties in with the eldership, authority etc. A husband or wife cannot be the "elder" in their church if the church is just their family. Similarly, as someone was claiming them and a sister meeting together are a church. Can they excommunicate each other? Can one of them be an elder? No, so they are not a church.