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To: OLD REGGIE
[ Well, it was so until the RCC decided the 'ugh' peasants in the cheap seats were unworthy to share the wine with the hoi-poloi. ]

LoL... Its like watching the Three Stooges playing Church..

1,307 posted on 04/30/2008 9:55:20 AM PDT by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole....)
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To: hosepipe; OLD REGGIE; blue-duncan; Quix; Dr. Eckleburg; 1000 silverlings
Of a truth, the exclusionary doctrines of the Catholic Church vis-à-vis the Eucharist are not Scriptural.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. - I Corinthians 11:28-30

Of course many beliefs are exclusive - "our way or the highway" - and thus the moniker of "club" or "pen" that hosepipe often uses. And, IMHO, it is tragic when anyone fears authority claimed by men, particularly religious men.

Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you. - John 20:19

But Christ did not become enfleshed to start a religion. The religion was already there, Judaism. Therein He fulfilled the law and the prophets.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. - Matthew 5:17

Rather, Christ Jesus is gathering God's adopted children, to establish a family in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. – John 1:12-13

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. – Romans 8:14-17

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. - John 10:3-5

That is the panorama of Scripture, Genesis to Revelation, and His Name Alpha and Omega:

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.

For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.– Colossians 1:15-20

The church is His body:

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. - Ephesians 5:29-32

Obviously no mortal authority has the power to amputate parts of the body of Christ. So the exclusionary practices of so many assemblies are meaningless except when they cause submission by fear - whether like the disciples hunkering down in a closed room for fear of the Jews or the Jews who would not confess Christ out of fear.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue: - John 12:42

And still, I don't really have a problem with "clubs" or "pens" - as long as the sheep are loving God surpassingly above all else and therefore follow the Good Shepherd wherever He leads them - which may be "into" or "out of" one of those "clubs" or "pens."

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. - John 10:7-11

To God be the glory!

1,331 posted on 04/30/2008 11:00:06 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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