Question 82

Are they also to be admitted to this supper, who, by confession and life, declare themselves infidels and ungodly?

No; for by this, the covenant of God would be profaned, and his wrath kindled against the whole congregation;^a therefore it is the duty of the Christian church, according to the appointment of Christ and his apostles, to exclude such persons, by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, till they show amendment of life.^b

1. a. 1 Corinthians 10:21; 11:30–31; Isaiah 1:11, 13; Jeremiah 7:21; Psalm 50:16, 22

   1 Corinthians 10:21

   ^10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

   ^10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

   1 Corinthians 11:30–31

   ^11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. ^11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

   ^11:30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. ^11:31 Now if we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment.

   Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 1:13

   ^1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. ^1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

   ^1:11 "What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?" says the LORD. "I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. ^1:13 Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me-your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations. I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.

   Jeremiah 7:21

   ^7:21 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.

   ^7:21 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves!

   Psalm 50:16; Psalm 50:22

   ^50:16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? ^50:22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

   ^50:16 To the wicked, however, God says, "What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips? ^50:22 Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Matthew 18:17–18

   Matthew 18:17–18

   ^18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. ^18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

   ^18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. ^18:18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible