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True Greatness  /  What Would Alexander Campbell Say to the Church Today?  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 6
Campbell claims that by the “independent Baptist” standard, even Paul might not have been able to break bread with Corinth, Rome, Galatia, or even the Twelve on the night Jesus was betrayed; what picture of God’s patience with imperfect churches is implied here, and how does that confront modern instincts to withhold fellowship until a church is “up to standard”?
Another way to ask: Campbell says that by the “independent Baptist” rules, Paul might not have been able to share the Lord’s Supper with many early churches. What does that suggest about God’s patience with flawed churches, and how does it challenge our habit of cutting off fellowship until a church meets our standards?

Direct Answer The transcript implies that God’s people have always been imperfect, yet real fellowship still existed; expecting “full perfection” before communion is unrealistic and not how the New Testament operates. It confronts the instinct to demand a flawless “model church” before sharing spiritual life together.

Support from Transcript:

  • Campbell questions whether the critic’s definition of full communion could even apply to the New Testament churches: Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, Galatia.
  • He says those congregations “were not exhibiting the model of Christ’s house” or “conformed…as respects doctrine, worship, and order.”
  • He goes further: even Jesus and the Twelve the night of betrayal would not meet that “full communion” standard.
  • Campbell concludes that if “full” means total perfection, “I do not know that such a communion ever was or ever will be exhibited upon earth.”
  • He calls the separatist approach “Pharisaic” and says he learned that on strict separation “there never could be a congregation…upon the earth.”
Discussion Follow-ups Do you treat fellowship as a reward for reaching a standard, or as a means God uses to strengthen and correct His imperfect people? Where do you draw the line between patience and compromise?

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