| Poster | Thread |
sermonindex
Moderator
Joined: 2002/12/11
Posts: 39795
Canada
Online! | | Debating On Non-essentials | | I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. - 1 Corinthians 1:10
Having a healthy discussion on a topic, doctrine or important issue can be good, yet in the end if it results in debates, hurt feelings and objections we have to consider if it is good to be done at all. It seemed much more important to the early believers to be united together then to figure out all different types of doctrines together. There was a simplicity that has been reflected in what is called the Apostles Creed or other statements of faith throughout the ages. The naming of that creed is because it was believed to convey basic truths that the Apostles themselves would agree with and was a continuation of the faith once delivered to the saints as we read of in the book of Jude (Jude 1:3). Does that mean we cannot discuss things in the Church? By no means. The Church has discussed many issues which were debated at times, but those issues were important usually towards the fundamental believes. The first 5 Church councils centred on the doctrine of the Divinity and manhood of Jesus Christ. As is stated in Scriptures that if we do not believe Jesus came in the flesh then we are not of His Spirit (1 John 4:2).
So we should discuss different truths and Scriptures in the Church. But if the subject discussion becomes heated and there is quarrelling it would be better to agree with your brother publicly in what you can and and hold to what you believe privately. This calls for great maturity and wisdom in speaking in humility. It is better to agree with a brother that you are Christians and not divide over non-essentials. Let us go forward with meekness towards each other and having in mind the larger picture of the entire body of Christ. This is the way of love and meekness to agree with sister and brothers and not divide, backbite or speak against because we simply do not understand their view. Lord, help keep us small and allow us to gain a greater perspective of your universal Church and how you see it. Amen.
_________________
SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
|
|
 2015/4/15 23:44 | Profile |
ccchhhrrriiisss
Member
Joined: 2003/11/23
Posts: 4779
| | Re: Debating On Non-essentials | | A very good and timely encouragement, Greg!
_________________
Christopher
|
|
| 2015/4/16 0:39 | Profile |
JHerndon
Member
Joined: 2010/8/1
Posts: 92
Bonifay,Fl
| | Re: Debating On Non-essentials | | Well said! In the essentials unity, non essentials liberty, but in all things charity!
_________________
Joshua Herndon
|
|
| 2015/4/16 8:45 | Profile |
AbideinHim
Member
Joined: 2006/11/26
Posts: 5185
Louisiana
| | Re: Debating On Non-essentials | | I don't even believe that as believers we
should be debating on doctrine. We all
should be seeking the truth, and allowing
the Holy Spirit to teach us. It is the
holding to our own opinions that causes
strife and discord in the Body.
Every time Christians break fellowship
over a disagreement the enemy has
achieved his purpose. It is much better
for a Christian to take the high road
and drop the discussion even though he
might be right rather than risk a break
in fellowship. That doesn't mean that we
allow error to be spread that would cause
those that are weak in the faith to stumble.
_________________
Mike
|
|
| 2015/4/16 13:00 | Profile |
TMK
Member
Joined: 2012/2/8
Posts: 6650
NC, USA
| | Re: | | "That doesn't mean that we
allow error to be spread that would cause
those that are weak in the faith to stumble."
I guess that begs the question as to when it is ok not to drop the discussion; i.e. which doctrinal points are worth going to the mat over.
No one can agree on what the "essentials" are. That itself, ironically, would trigger a HUGE debate.
_________________
Todd
|
|
| 2015/4/16 14:22 | Profile |
MrBillPro
Member
Joined: 2005/2/24
Posts: 3422
Texas
| | Re: | | Here is some food for thought. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 3:11
_________________
Bill
|
|
| 2015/4/16 14:48 | Profile |
AbideinHim
Member
Joined: 2006/11/26
Posts: 5185
Louisiana
| | Re: | | "And the servant of the Lord must not strive
; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach,
patient. (2 Timothy 2:24)
The word strive in this verse means to war,
quarrel, dispute, or fight.
I Jude 1:3, the Word of God exhorts us to
"earnestly contend for the faith that was
once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3)
The word contend in this verse means to
struggle. There are false teachings that
bring error that could possibly cause a
brother to fall away from the faith. In the
early church there were some that were
turning the grace of God into
lasciviousness. Any teaching that perverts
the grace of God should be withstood.
However, there are many disagreements
within the church that are more a matter
of preference or opinion, and very often
both parties have some light on the subject
and we should not have a falling out and
get in strife on the non essentials of the
faith.
_________________
Mike
|
|
| 2015/4/16 15:49 | Profile |
wayneman
Member
Joined: 2009/1/24
Posts: 453
Michigan
| | Re: | | I once posted "Christians Do Not Quarrel About Doctrine" by Jacob Boehme. The mods eventually had to lock the thread because people started fighting about what Boehme really meant.
_________________
Wayne Kraus
|
|
| 2015/4/16 17:40 | Profile |
dolfan
Member
Joined: 2011/8/23
Posts: 1727
Tennessee, but my home's in Alabama
| | Re: | | I have been in court all day. This is WAY better. 😊
_________________
Tim
|
|
| 2015/4/16 18:03 | Profile |
TMK
Member
Joined: 2012/2/8
Posts: 6650
NC, USA
| | Re: | | I agree Tim.
I like to talk Bible, and doctrine, etc. because I find it interesting, and of course edifying. Generally I don't get to do that out in the real world, except on occasion. Most Christians just don't give a hoot, sad to say. So a forum like this is a good place to discuss various theological things.
I agree it shouldn't turn into nastiness like I have seen in the past, but lately things have been fairly tame around here.
_________________
Todd
|
|
| 2015/4/16 18:11 | Profile |
