Summer Lecture Series July 8, 2003 Tom Roberts
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Transcript of Summer Lecture Series July 8, 2003 Tom Roberts
![Page 1: Summer Lecture Series July 8, 2003 Tom Roberts](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022062721/568135d2550346895d9d3b4d/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
SummSummer er LectuLecture re SeriesSeries
July 8, July 8, 20032003
Tom Tom RoberRobertsts
UNITY OF
THE SPIRIT
Unity-in-Diversity
or
South South Livingston Livingston church of church of ChristChrist
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UNITY OF THE SPIRIT- A DesireOf All Disciples
PsalmsPsalms
119:63119:63
“I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts.”
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
PsalmsPsalms
133:1133:1
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Longing For Fellowship - from the beginning of church
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul…”
“..love the brotherhood”
ActsActs
4:324:32
1 Pet1 Pet
2:172:17
HebHeb
12:2312:23
“..general assembly and church of the first born who are registered in heaven..”
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Purpose of this lesson needs to be stated
Emphasize our desire for unity Promote an understanding of
Unity of the Spirit Distinguish between it and
Unity-in-Diversity Open doors of communication and
encourage brotherly respect and sharing of spiritual ties
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We Have A “Common Salvation”
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation….”
JudeJude
33
This “common salvation” includes -
common Savior
a common hope of eternal life
a common respect for scripture
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This “common salvation” was made possible by the Spirit
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
RomRom
8:148:14
1 Cor1 Cor
12:1312:13
“ For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
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Thus - “Unity of the Spirit”
It is “of” or “from” the Spirit It is not brought into
existence by man It was divinely created in order
to weld “brothers” into a “brotherhood”
It also binds “brothers” to God in a spiritual kingdom
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“Unity of the Spirit” is controlled by God
As the sea: “When I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors; When I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther, And here your proud waves must stop’!”
Job 38:Job 38:
10-1110-11
Man cannot change parameters
To limit unity when God extends
To extend unity when God denies
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“Unity of the Spirit” is AnObjective Relationship
“To his own Master he stands or falls”
RomRom
14:414:4
God’s word describes limits of unity
Our subjective decisions do not change or alter God’s will
They may not coincide with God’s fellowship
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Man Cannot Extend Fellowship Unilaterally
No creed of man can extend unity beyond God’s stated will
No pronouncement of man can be more inclusive: “He is a child of God in prospect and my brother indeed.”
No exaggerated generosity will effectively broaden fellowship as “circles” are extended
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Man Cannot Limit God’sFellowship Unilaterally
No creedal barriers or walls No sectarian or party associations No “yellow tag of quarantine” No church overlord - as
Diotrephes - 3 Jn 9-10 True fellowship with God is particularly and exclusively the privilege of God
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Unity of the Spirit Reflects Godhead -“Oneness”
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” It is divine in its nature!
EphEph
4:4-64:4-6
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Unity-in-Diversity Reflects Sectarianism“Division”
Historical Identity of concept U-I-D undergirds denom platform By definition, there is no unity An oxymoron - “contradictory terms brought sharply together” Can “blessings & cursings” proceed from same mouth? - Jas 3:9 Can U-I-D be true unity?
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But We Are Told They Are The Same
Effective device of the Devil U-I-D is inclusive of error without
distinction from truth Error is “trivialized” and efforts to
oppose error are demonized Truth is forced into union with
error 2 Cor 6:14-16 What fellowship is light/darkness?
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Can They Be the Same?
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.” But, we are told….
IsaIsa
5:205:20
Unity-in-Diversity Is the same as
Unity of the Spirit
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True Peace (Unity) Comes By - -
“Preaching the whole counsel of God” - not by compromise! No peace where truth is left out! No peace were error exists! U-I-D is peace that world gives!
ActsActs
20:2720:27
JnoJno
14:2714:27“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”
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God Creates Unity of the Spirit -Man is to maintain it.
“I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
EphEph
4:1-34:1-3
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God Creates Unity of the Spirit -Man is to maintain it.
“I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
EphEph
4:1-34:1-3
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God Creates Unity of the Spirit -Man is to maintain it.
“I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
EphEph
4:1-34:1-3
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God Creates Unity of the Spirit -Man is to maintain it.
“I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
EphEph
4:1-34:1-3
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“Unity of the Spirit” is realized -
As a single ChristianActsActs
8:388:38
PhilPhil
1:11:1In a local congregation
HebHeb
12:2312:23 In the brotherhood
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As A Single Christian -
I have fellowship with God alone Through the message 1 Jn 1:3 As the Ethiopian Acts 8:26-39 This is unity of the Spirit We should “do good” - Gal 6:10 Grow in God’s grace 2 Pet 1:3-11 Teach others 2 Tim 2:2 Find other saints Acts 9:26
ActsActs
8:388:38
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In A Local Congregation -
Fellowship with brethren & God As a local member 1 Cor 12:14 Knit together Eph 4:11-16 This is also unity of the Spirit “Oneness” still the goal 1 Cor 1:10
Doctrinal unity Acts 2:42 “One heart and soul” Acts 4:32
PhilPhil
1:11:1
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In the Brotherhood -(still Unity of the Spirit)
Fellowship with all brethren & God Right Hand of Fellowship Gal 2:9 Active participation 2 Cor 9:13 Concurrent, not corporate action Some deny this aspect of fellowship
Would restrict to local church Evades resp for addressing sin among brotherhood members
HebHeb
12:2312:23
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It is needless to omit any aspect of the Spirit’s unity
Each relationship has own blessingAs individual relates to GodIntra-congregational strengthBrotherhood recognition of
soundness or apostasy “Them” or “us” 1 Jn 2:19 Reputation 1 Thes 1:6-7 Exchange of teaching Col 4:16 Testing the spirits 1 Jn 4:1
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Misconceptions have created a demand for unity-in-diversity
“Unity of Spirit” too restrictive “Impossible to have unity In
doctrinal matters” “Lack of clarity” to achieve unity “We must tolerate differences” in
matters of doctrine and morals Thus, a re-definition process has
turned Unity of the Spirit into Unity-in-Diversity!
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“Some of those who mistake conformity for unity appear to be startled when they first learn that we suggest there may be unity-in-diversity. Actually we go much further than that. We assert that if there is any unity at all it must be unity in diversity.” (Carl Ketcherside, The Twisted Scriptures, p. 71-72)
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“The implications of all this to unity and fellowship are weighty. It means that the gospel itself, not our doctrinal interpretations, is the basis of our being one in Christ and in fellowship with each other... (cont’d)
Gospel-Gospel-
DoctrineDoctrine
Dis-Dis-tinctiontinction
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ That is, when one believes in Jesus and obeys him in baptism, he is our brother and in the fellowship…this is oneness and this is unity…That fellowship is strengthened and made joyful by doctrine, but it is the gospel and not doctrine that determines fellowship... (cont’d)
Gospel-Gospel-
DoctrineDoctrine
Dis-Dis-tinctiontinction
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ In doctrinal matters there can be and will be diversity of opinion and interpretation. It was so with the apostles themselves. But this is good, for we stretch each other’s minds and help each other to grow in knowledge in our mutual search for truth…” (Leroy Garrett, Restoration Review,
Ch. 17, pp. 42-46).
Gospel-Gospel-
DoctrineDoctrine
Dis-Dis-tinctiontinction
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ In doctrinal matters there can be and will be diversity of opinion and interpretation. It was so with the apostles themselves. But this is good, for we stretch each other’s minds and help each other to grow in knowledge in our mutual search for truth…” (Leroy Garrett, Restoration Review,
Ch. 17, pp. 42-46).
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ In doctrinal matters there can be and will be diversity of opinion and interpretation. It was so with the apostles themselves. But this is good, for we stretch each other’s minds and help each other to grow in knowledge in our mutual search for truth…” (Leroy Garrett, Restoration Review,
Ch. 17, pp. 42-46).
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ In doctrinal matters there can be and will be diversity of opinion and interpretation. It was so with the apostles themselves. But this is good, for we stretch each other’s minds and help each other to grow in knowledge in our mutual search for truth…” (Leroy Garrett, Restoration Review,
Ch. 17, pp. 42-46).
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“The good news is that God "is able to make [the person] stand" who is wrong in his doctrinal conclusions but who is trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. That is the only hope any of us has, since not one of us has figured out the truth on every subject and none of us ever will on this earth. Any religious system which speaks otherwise is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ and ought to be rejected. (Edward Fudge, “Gracemail” http://www.edwardfudge.com/home.html)
RomansRomans
1414
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“The good news is that God "is able to make [the person] stand" who is wrong in his doctrinal conclusions but who is trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. That is the only hope any of us has, since not one of us has figured out the truth on every subject and none of us ever will on this earth. Any religious system which speaks otherwise is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ and ought to be rejected. (Edward Fudge, “Gracemail” http://www.edwardfudge.com/home.html)
RomansRomans
1414
Compare Paul: Eph 3:4; Jesus: Jn 8:32
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ The present frontier is the frontier of a grace-based fellowship with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. A truth began to dawn on us in the 1960’s and 70’s and increasingly through the 1980’s. That truth is that God’s grace extends not only to our moral imperfections but also to our doctrinal short-comings” (Gary Person, Image Magazine, Sept/Oct, 1993, p. 32)
GraceGrace
CoversCovers
ActiveActive
SinsSins
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ The present frontier is the frontier of a grace-based fellowship with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. A truth began to dawn on us in the 1960’s and 70’s and increasingly through the 1980’s. That truth is that God’s grace extends not only to our moral imperfections but also to our doctrinal short-comings” (Gary Person, Image Magazine, Sept/Oct, 1993, p. 32)
GraceGrace
CoversCovers
ActiveActive
SinsSins
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ The present frontier is the frontier of a grace-based fellowship with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. A truth began to dawn on us in the 1960’s and 70’s and increasingly through the 1980’s. That truth is that God’s grace extends not only to our moral imperfections but also to our doctrinal short-comings” (Gary Person, Image Magazine, Sept/Oct, 1993, p. 32)
GraceGrace
CoversCovers
ActiveActive
SinsSins
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ There should be room in the Christian fellowship for those who believe that Christ is the son of God, but who differ on eschatological theories such as premillennialism, ecclesiological matters such as congregational organization, on soteriological matters such as whether baptism if ‘for’ or ‘because of’ remission of sins” (Carrol Osburn, The Peaceable Kingdom,
1993, pp 90-91)
““What What Diff-Diff-erence erence
Does ItDoes It
Make?”Make?”
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ There should be room in the Christian fellowship for those who believe that Christ is the son of God, but who differ on eschatological theories such as premillennialism, ecclesiological matters such as congregational organization, on soteriological matters such as whether baptism if ‘for’ or ‘because of’ remission of sins” (Carrol Osburn, The Peaceable Kingdom,
1993, pp 90-91)
““What What Diff-Diff-erence erence
Does ItDoes It
Make?”Make?”
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ There should be room in the Christian fellowship for those who believe that Christ is the son of God, but who differ on eschatological theories such as premillennialism, ecclesiological matters such as congregational organization, on soteriological matters such as whether baptism if ‘for’ or ‘because of’ remission of sins” (Carrol Osburn, The Peaceable Kingdom,
1993, pp 90-91)
““What What Diff-Diff-erence erence
Does ItDoes It
Make?”Make?”
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“ There should be room in the Christian fellowship for those who believe that Christ is the son of God, but who differ on eschatological theories such as premillennialism, ecclesiological matters such as congregational organization, on soteriological matters such as whether baptism if ‘for’ or ‘because of’ remission of sins” (Carrol Osburn, The Peaceable Kingdom,
1993, pp 90-91)
““What What Diff-Diff-erence erence
Does ItDoes It
Make?”Make?”
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But Please Notice --
If fellowship includes those who are baptized “because of” remission of sins, why not extend fellowship to all those who are in the denominational world who hold any view of baptism? In fact, Unity-in-Diversity has in view all those who accept the deity of Jesus regardless of baptism or not. This is an accurate picture of unity-in-
diversity and must be remembered!
““What What Diff-Diff-erence erence
Does ItDoes It
Make?”Make?”
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“But,” some say, “Those are radicals, not us.”
“What is the basis for one’s hope before God? Is it not that we sustain a right relationship with God through Christ?… In other words - if one is right about Christ, then that one can be wrong about some doctrinal instruction without being lost, can he not?” (Arnold Hardin, The Persuader, XI:16)
BrethrenBrethren
Closer Closer
To To
HomeHome
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“But,” some say, “Those are radicals, not us.”
“What is the basis for one’s hope before God? Is it not that we sustain a right relationship with God through Christ?… In other words - if one is right about Christ, then that one can be wrong about some doctrinal instruction without being lost, can he not?” (Arnold Hardin, The Persuader, XI:16)
BrethrenBrethren
Closer Closer
To To
HomeHome
What doctrine can we be wrong about? Worship? Work? Organization? Jesus?
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“But,” some say, “Those are radicals, not us.”
“On what basis do we establish the bounds of Christian unity? Are individual fellowship and congregational unity based on total agreement? Historical reality denies that unanimity existed in New Testament congregations or that it exists today. Is there, then, a scriptural basis for maintaining unity when brethren disagree? If so, what are the limits of the concept of unity-in-diversity?” (Ed Harrell, “The Bounds of Christian Unity, Christianity Magazine, March 1989, 6)
BrethrenBrethren
Closer Closer
To To
HomeHome
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“But,” some say, “Those are radicals, not us.”
“On what basis do we establish the bounds of Christian unity? Are individual fellowship and congregational unity based on total agreement? Historical reality denies that unanimity existed in New Testament congregations or that it exists today. Is there, then, a scriptural basis for maintaining unity when brethren disagree? If so, what are the limits of the concept of unity-in-diversity?” (Ed Harrell, “The Bounds of Christian Unity, Christianity Magazine, March 1989, 6)
BrethrenBrethren
Closer Closer
To To
HomeHome
Compare Acts 4:32; 1 Cor 1:10; 4:17
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“But,” some say, “Those are radicals, not us.”
“On what basis do we establish the bounds of Christian unity? Are individual fellowship and congregational unity based on total agreement? Historical reality denies that unanimity existed in New Testament congregations or that it exists today. Is there, then, a scriptural basis for maintaining unity when brethren disagree? If so, what are the limits of the concept of unity-in-diversity?” (Ed Harrell, “The Bounds of Christian Unity, Christianity Magazine, March 1989, 6)
BrethrenBrethren
Closer Closer
To To
HomeHome
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What Are The Limits of Unity-in-Diversity?
Most advocates recognize danger of this position!
Most will attempt to place some limits on unity-in-diversity
Must accept deity of Jesus Will not allow moral turpitude Must not be factious, dogmatic Must be honest Must allow for lack of clarity
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But - Once The Gate is Open -
THERE IS NO STOPPING PLACE!
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But - Once The Gate is Open -
THERE IS NO STOPPING PLACE!
One DoctrineAnother Doctrine
Another Doctrine
Another Doctrine
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But - Once The Gate is Open -
THERE IS NO STOPPING PLACE!
Divorce
ErrorFalse TeachersNon-Literal Gen 1-2
Non-Literal SerpentHell Is Not Eternal
What Is Next?
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Unity-in-Diversity Demands Toleration
“Within certain limits, God grants to Christians the right to a private conscience in matters of ‘faith.’ I believe that right is discussed in Romans 14. However, whether or not one accepts my exegesis of that passage, honest minds must acknowledge the reality of a past and present Christian world that...
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Unity-in-Diversity Demands Toleration
“…tolerates contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions.” (Ed Harrell, “The Bounds of Christian Unity,” May 1990, 134)
Hailey and Adulterous Marriages
Fellowship with False Teachers
Error on Gen 1, 2, 3
Error on Eternal Punishment….
Where Does It Stop?
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Yet Unity-in-Diversity Has Its Defenders
“Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, ‘Why do your disciples transgress the traditions of the elders?’” Mt 15:1-2 Some say it is not our “tradition” to split over divorce question“How Shall We Treat Brethren With Whom We Disagree?” by Earl Kimbrough distributed by Bob Owen at Temple Terrace, Sept 1993
Trad
ition of th
e elders
Trad
ition of th
e elders
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Yet Unity-in-Diversity Has Its Defenders
“Some of you disagree on divorce questions and you fellowship one another - so why can’t you fellowship others?” None of us fellowships error! All of us accept one man, one woman,
for life, with one exception Areas of judgment permit differences:
who gets to court house first, what is stated in the decree, etc.
But If some were inconsistent….
Incon
sistency
Incon
sistency
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If Some Brethren AreInconsistent...
If someone could prove me inconsistent in my fellowship practice… does that change God’s truth? Does that authorize others to fellowship advocates of adulterous marriages - such as Olan Hicks, Harold Dowdy, Jerry & Don Bassett, W L Wharton, etc Could I fellowship “contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions?”
Incon
sistency
Incon
sistency
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Yet Unity-in-Diversity Has Its Defenders
“It would be less than honest to argue that scriptural local churches always exist without imperfections and, indeed, without some diversity of belief. At least two chapters written by the apostle Paul, Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10 speak in detail of the proper approach to disagreement.” (Ed Harrell, “The Parameters of Fellowship,” Christianity Magazine, March/April, 1997, 20).
“Every church practices unity-in-diversity”
““ You
Practice W
hat W
e Practice”
You
Practice W
hat W
e Practice”
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Every Local Church MayHave Error In It
Contention: Every local church has error - we fellowship error in every church - Romans 14 authorizes that and you practice what we practice!It is true that every growing church may have brethren of different maturity
Babes in Christ Ignorant and untaught Deliberate teachers of error Rebels and heretics
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But Romans 14 Does Not Authorize Fellowship With Sin!
Context of Romans 14 - Matters that are “Clean” - v 14 “Good” - v 16 “Pure” - v 20 Nothing inherently sinful But matters of “authorized liberty”
1 Cor 8:9 - “this liberty of yours” 1 Cor 10:23 - “all things lawful”
It is wrong to apply Rom 14 to sinful practices and fellowship sin!
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But Romans 14 Does Not Authorize Fellowship With Sin!
Romans 14:1-15:7 Cannot reverse its context!
How, then, can Rom 14:1-15:7 authorize “contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions?”
Rom 13:12-14 Condemns moral sins
Rom 16:17-18 Condemns doctrinal sins
Rom 14:1-15:7
Allows fellowship with sin?
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But this is exactly what some are teaching!
“Now the fellow who thought it could be a sin to eat those meats had to look at the other fellow and think he was sinning. Had to. In Rome, the fellow who thought it was a sin to eat any kind of meat would have thought you sinned if you ate a piece of meat. And yet Paul taught them that they should accept one another” Bob Owen, “We Differ, Can We Fellowship?” Concord, NC, Feb 19, 1995)
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But this is exactly what some are teaching!
“Now the fellow who thought it could be a sin to eat those meats had to look at the other fellow and think he was sinning. Had to. In Rome, the fellow who thought it was a sin to eat any kind of meat would have thought you sinned if you ate a piece of meat. And yet Paul taught them that they should accept one another” Bob Owen, “We Differ, Can We Fellowship?” Concord, NC, Feb 19, 1995)
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How, then, do you handle sin in the local church?
Listen carefully - Matters of authorized liberty are described in Romans 14 Matters of sin and error (whether babes, ignorant or rebels are handled in
Eph 4:11-16 1 Thes 5:14 2 Thes 3:5-6 Jude 22-23, similar passages
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Unity-in-Diversity
“contradictory teachings and practices on importantmoral and doctrinal questions”
The PracticeOpen-ended, never-ending fellowship; toleration
Things ConsideredInherently sinful practices; things commanded or
things forbidden
How To React“Receive one another” (Rom 14:1)
ResultSin Continues; leaven influences all 1 Cor 5:6-7
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
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Unity of the Spirit
“contradictory teachings and practices on importantmoral and doctrinal questions”
The PracticeNo fellowship (Eph 5:11; 2 Jn 9-11;
Rom 13:12-14; 16:17-18)Things Considered
Inherently sinful practices; things commanded orthings forbidden
How To ReactWith love and patience, bring to maturity,
repentance, knowledge or withdrawal – Eph 4, etcResult
Sin is purged; knowledge increased, church purifiedUNITY Of The Spirit
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Unity of the Spirit
Matters of Authorized Liberty, Personal Conscience, orIndifference To God
The PracticeOpen Ended, never-ending fellowship
Romans 14:1-15:7Things Considered
Practices that are “Clean,” “Good,” “Pure”How To React
Receive one another; do not judge; be fully convincedin own mind; do not violate conscience; do not bind
where God has not bound; respect brethrenResult
Personal conscience respected; peace continuesUNITY Of The Spirit
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
Thematic for Christianity Magazine No dissension allowed Encouraged to use few scriptures False teachers used constantly Editor Ed Harrell used 17 articles to
defend Homer Hailey No other editor resisted or opposed Legacy of CM is its Unity-in-Diversity
approach to error
Accen
tuate P
ositive -Elim
inate N
egativeA
ccentu
ate Positive -E
limin
ate Negative
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
Under banner of unity - vilification Personal attacks on characters Destroy by slander and prejudice Open discussion appeals rejected Note: This has been one-sided and will
continue that way There is willingness to meet & discuss
the issues with respect & kindness We will not answer in kind….
Dem
onize T
hose W
ho O
pp
oseD
emon
ize Th
ose Wh
o Op
pose
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“A pack of snarling curs, suspicious and paranoid, biting, snarling and snapping in all directions…” “…a paranoid frenzy of biting and devouring one another..” “..slander in the name of the gospel…” “journalistic and pulpit jingoism..” (Paul Earnhart, “Watch Them Dogs,” CM, July 1995; With All Boldness, Dec 1996).
Dem
onize T
hose W
ho O
pp
oseD
emon
ize Th
ose Wh
o Op
pose
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“Extremists who have their own cause to promote..” “..reckless and irresponsible…” (Editor’s Report, CM, Nov 1992).
“Unrighteous and dishonorable…” “…sectarianism,” “jingoists” (Harry Pickup, Jr., University Heights, Lexington, KY, July 14, 1998; Forest Hills, Tampa, FL, Dec 1998, Q&A Session, audio tape)
Most common appellative: “watchdog”
Dem
onize T
hose W
ho O
pp
oseD
emon
ize Th
ose Wh
o Op
pose
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Historical Defense of Unity-in-Diversity
“Scavengers” “looking for carrion,” “perennial gossips and fault-finders (often ‘nit-pickers’), “vultures” “unreasonable scrupulosity,” “witch hunters” and “brotherhood inquisitors” (James Adams, With All Boldness, July 1996, 5; ibid., August, 1994, 1-2).
Such language has never been retracted Serves as impediment to fellowship Such language violates unity of Spirit Regardless, we want doors to be open
Dem
onize T
hose W
ho O
pp
oseD
emon
ize Th
ose Wh
o Op
pose
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If “We” are doing it all wrong (too unloving & unkind)
Who is going to deal with the problem of unity-in-diversity?
It is a growing problem and must either be met or it will engulf brotherhood
Clearly, only Jesus was perfect teacher If “we” have made mistakes, please step
forward and deal with it better If “we” all died today, divorce, U-I-D,
soft preaching, compromise, etc will still be here.
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Conclusion
What are you going to do about it? If I, and my brethren, have done it all wrong, will you take up the challenge and do it right? Where is your voice speaking out against the evils of divorce and those who advocate it? Where is your voice crying out against unity-in-diversity? Where is your voice speaking out against fellowship with “contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions”? If you do, you may find yourself vilified as we have been. To be sure, there is room in the kingdom of God for different voices, different styles, who, at different times, deal with sin and Satan. If it is a matter of judgment as to how and how much sin is opposed, why is your judgment better than ours? But if your judgment is better, we will not strive about methods and details. You will gladly be received as you as your voice to those already in the battle.
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