Would You Deny Communion?

October 4, 2007 - 9:19pm by Thomas

It was in the news today that an archbishop said he would deny communion to Rudy Guiliani.  I am not nuanced in the specifics of Roman Catholic doctrines concerning the priestly blessing and administration of the Eucharist, so I will delve into somethng more general.  Pretend for a minute you are an archbishop, elder, deacon, priest, presbyter, cardinal, any position you hold in church authority: what would someone have to do or be associated with for you to refuse communion to him or her?

Think about it, then try to test if it is actually biblical or not.  Most reasons can be argued from scripture, but indirectly.  How many of you actually thought of people who have anger or who have hurt their brother?  Jesus and Paul iterate that rule, but I don't think it is the first thing that pops into most of our minds.  What other reasons can be argued?

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Comments

Submitted by Trish (not verified) on October 5, 2007 - 12:21pm.

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Emphasis added).
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (NIV)
How many of us can get past verse 14? I see a list of things that separate us from a relationship with God are specifically stated in verses 15, 19-21. Only through Christ/Holy Spirit/God can we have the Fruit of the Spirit listed in verses 22-23. I am VERY THANKFUL Jesus asks me to confess my sins as I am convicted by His Spirit, but I continue to have revelations because Christ is patient with me and leads me to His truth and fruit of the Spirit. God does a work in me every time I take communion with a humble heart. I pray the same for Rudy Guiliani. I wonder did the archbishop first speak with Guiliani and try to win him over with the truth? Is the archbishop attempting to shine a light on the hypocrisy of Guiliani’s view on abortion (murder) being a choice? Maybe we need more people bold enough to state the truth, and let the Holy Spirit convict us.

Saved by His grace,

Trish

Submitted by Peter Kirk (not verified) on October 5, 2007 - 8:37pm.

Surely the conditions for this should be the same as for treating someone "as a Gentile and a tax collector" in Matthew 18:17 and delivering someone to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5: in other words, a persistent sinner who has been formally judged by the church. But 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 implies that the same man should later be forgiven, excommunication should be only temporary.