Examining oneself at the Lord's Table

EXAMINING ONESELF BEFORE TAKING PART IN THE LORD'S TABLE

What is the essence of 1 Corinthians 11:28 about examining ones self before taking part in the Lord‘s Table?

It is confusing to some believers, who mean it as a very stringent condition imposed by Apostle Paul, on believers and feel as if he has imposed restrictions that can not be overcome before taking part in the Lord’s Table. Firstly, it is to be understood that the Lord’s Table is for remembering the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, who commanded it to be done till he comes again. Apostles observed it on the first day of the week. Though there is no specific word as it should be done every day of the first day of the week, the worship is void without bowing down to Lord Jesus Christ and remembering his death. It becomes, therefore, an obligation on the part of believers to observe Lord’s Table every first day of the week. Before we take part in the Lord’s Table it is mandatory that we should examine ourselves as detailed in 1 Corinthians 11:28. Some believers confuse this verse and impose severe conditions on believers before taking part in the Lord’s Table. The essence of examining is not to make it a complicated one, nor is to make a hard phenomenon to observe.

The answer is simple and it should not be made a hard phenomenon. There are three things a believer should make sure before taking part in the Lord’s Table. Firstly, he should humble himself and make sure that he is saved and his sins are forgiven by Lord Jesus Christ. Secondly, he should reflect upon his own sins and condemnation of his day-to-day life, and make sure that there is no malignity in his heart yet, before taking part in the Lord’s Table; and if there is any such thing which prevents him to take part in the Lord's Table he can ask forgiveness from God and make sure his heart is clean. Thirdly, he should examine his conscience to make sure whether or not he is prepared to take part in the Lord’s Table with a pure and righteous heart.

The examining of heart by the believer at the Lord's Table should not prohibit him taking part from the Lord's Table, if he can not personally go the person and ask apology, if he has offended him/her in some way, some time. There are certain unstated things and men should not impose severe restrictions on those unstated things. It is not stated that the offender should leave the place of worship and go to the place of the person, whom he offended and come back and take part in the Lord's Table. Most of the times it may not be possible to get hold of the person, whom the believer has offended, and in such circumstances, the believer could ask forgiveness from God spelling out the offences he caused.  Offering gifts should not be confused with examining before taking part in the Lord’s Table. The Lord's Table is observed in order that we may remember the death of Jesus Christ and it if such examination of heart is not done before taking part in the Lord’s Table the part-taker becomes a subject for condemnation. This should not be confused and mixed up with offering gifts.

“Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift”. Matthew 5:24

Some consider the above verse and relate it to partaking in the Lord's Table after examining oneself, which is not right.

 

God bless
Leslie John