James 2:1-4 is not a model for the church

Those who insist on an open reception at the assembly like to point to James 2:1-4 as proof that the early church did not do any scrutiny at reception, as the brothers and sisters do today. Their conclusion is that such a practice would not be in conformity with the Scriptures. The passage in James says:

"My brothers, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' and you say to the poor man, 'You stand there,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" (James 2:1-4).

This is the classic example of reasoning from a false premise and interpretation of a passage of Scripture. James is not talking about the Christian assembly, but about a Jewish synagogue! The word "assembly" or "meeting" in verse 2, depending on the Bible version, should be correctly translated as "synagogue" (as it appears in the Almeida Revista e Atualizada and in English in J. N. Darby's version). These verses have nothing to do with the practice of the assembly. The passage is referring to a rich man and a poor man who visit the synagogue. There is no mention there that they were even believers! Certainly no one would defend the idea that unbelievers should be received at the Lord's table.

The subject James is talking about is the way we should treat people, regardless of whether they are saved or lost. The fact that he mentions believers attending the Jewish synagogue demonstrates that in those early days converts from Judaism had not yet separated from the Jewish system (Acts 21:20). Being Jewish Christians, they were not yet established in the complete light of Christianity as it would be revealed later through Paul's ministry. The epistle to the Hebrews had not yet been written, which teaches that Christians should separate from Judaism (Heb. 13:9-14). The truth is that up to that point none of the other New Testament epistles had yet been written.

Contrary to what some may claim, the early church was careful in receiving people into fellowship. This is seen in the way they dealt with Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:26-28). Apollos, in turn, needed a letter of recommendation when traveling to Achaia (Acts 18:27-28). This demonstrates that he would not have been received without a letter. Phoebe also needed a similar letter when traveling to Rome (Rom. 16:1-2). See 1 Timothy 5:22: "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily." Furthermore, Paul told Timothy to pursue righteousness "along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22). How could someone discern this in a person without spending time getting to know them? If the assembly is responsible for removing evil from its midst (1 Cor. 5), obviously it must be careful about what or whom it brings into its midst. Therefore there is a need for care in receiving people into fellowship.

IN SUMMARY: The truth was in the process of being rediscovered in the early days of the history of the "Brothers." At first J. N. Darby and those who gathered with him had, so to speak, one eye open to the truth. There was then a development in understanding and this can be seen in their writings. Later he would write to W. Kelly, who was compiling his texts, reminding him of the care he needed to take in that task. He wrote: "I understand that some notes require revision, but I do not object to their being published as notes if this is useful. Even my sermons contain things that I would not accept today. Some of the older publications would have needed one or two observations when I came to have more light on the subject, but it is better not to alter them."

One of the subjects on which they received "more light" was that of reception at the Lord's table. The problem that occurred in Bethesda was what led them to this. From then on they became more careful in receiving people into fellowship. Therefore, it is not valid to point to the practice adopted by the brothers and sisters in the early days as a model for the assembly today.