Quote:
Originally Posted by Only by Grace
A quick question from the Baptist bleacher seat...from my perspective, I assemble at a "local" church in my community...one of say, 8-10 meeting places. The "local" assemblies meeting places happen to have "Baptist," "Church of Christ," "Community Church," "Foursquare Church," and a few other titles on their signs. However, I know that I could walk into any one of them on any given Sunday and break bread with these fellow believers. Likewise, if other believers show up to break bread in our fellowship, no one is withholding the bread. So, where does the assumption come that we (who attend a fellowship with a sign on the lawn) are divisive or are insisting that "we are the one genuine church" in the neighborhood. That really just isn't happening...at least not in my small community. So, could it be the group that is doing that kind of "insisting" is the one who is divisive?
Can you explain why (or if) (from the LC perspective or from any of your individual perspectives) this would be considered a wrong way for Christians to meet on a Lord's day, or to break bread with one another?
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The practical expression of the church should not be equated with one's proper way to meet. When I read Grace's experience, I sense the practical expression of the church. That is receiving one another not according to a particular denomination, but according to Christ. I share a similar experience to Grace. There is no Church in ____ where I live, but there are baptist, lutheran, presbyterian, community assemblies. I've met with several of them and as Grace expereinced, I too have experienced not one has withheld the table to visitors. To practically express the church, one needs to receive and not insist.
When I hear the arguement of "shaking hands across the fence", my question is where is there a fence in the Body of Christ. Fences simply don't exist, but in man's labeling of believers. It hinders receiving our fellow heirs.
It's not about where we worship God, but worship in spirit and truthfulness.
Terry