Hello Errol. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:20-34, lays out the problem evident in that Church. As was the practise in the early Church, they enjoyed fellowship with one another & very likely over a meal. And during that meal, a brother would then speak up, laying aside a special moment to bring to mind the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, using the emblems that formed part of that meal.
What was happening in this Church, was that when they came together, many of them came with the intent of gorging themselves with food. So two problems were occurring here: when others came to receive their food there was little or nothing left for them, showing their thoughtlessness. These same people also showed little regard for the reason of coming together; not just for Christian fellowship but to consider the worth of their salvation through the partaking of the emblems. This meant that there should be no frivolous talk & jesting but a sombre air pervading, as this time involved contemplation, giving of thanks & praise for 'so great salvation'. Yet, this mattered little to some - food was the great attraction.
Today, we may not have a similar scenario to that of the early Church, as we receive only a morsel of bread & drink from the cup, in memory of Jesus' Death. But it remains that some would come & partake not giving due consideration for that occasion. The Lord dealt heavily & speedily with those erring ones & one can only wonder whether a similar judgement isn't also meted out today. Some today believe that these verses show that unbelievers shouldn't partake at the Lord's Table. Yet, I see that it is the Church that is spoken of, where the unsaved wouldn't normally gather. So to be 'worthy', one would need to come to the Table with their hearts & minds properly focussed on the worth of the special occasion, & not flippantly, careless in sin, or distracted by anything else. The call is for introspection (examine oneself), so that we will not be examined by the Lord.
What was happening in this Church, was that when they came together, many of them came with the intent of gorging themselves with food. So two problems were occurring here: when others came to receive their food there was little or nothing left for them, showing their thoughtlessness. These same people also showed little regard for the reason of coming together; not just for Christian fellowship but to consider the worth of their salvation through the partaking of the emblems. This meant that there should be no frivolous talk & jesting but a sombre air pervading, as this time involved contemplation, giving of thanks & praise for 'so great salvation'. Yet, this mattered little to some - food was the great attraction.
Today, we may not have a similar scenario to that of the early Church, as we receive only a morsel of bread & drink from the cup, in memory of Jesus' Death. But it remains that some would come & partake not giving due consideration for that occasion. The Lord dealt heavily & speedily with those erring ones & one can only wonder whether a similar judgement isn't also meted out today. Some today believe that these verses show that unbelievers shouldn't partake at the Lord's Table. Yet, I see that it is the Church that is spoken of, where the unsaved wouldn't normally gather. So to be 'worthy', one would need to come to the Table with their hearts & minds properly focussed on the worth of the special occasion, & not flippantly, careless in sin, or distracted by anything else. The call is for introspection (examine oneself), so that we will not be examined by the Lord.
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