Noteworthy News

(From news of the day)

WAS JESUS GOD?

The United Church of Canada (UCC) is in an uproar over comments of its top official, the Rev. Bill Phipps, who said in an October newspaper interview that he did not believe that Jesus was God, was bodily resurrected or was the only path to God. The church's general council unanimously supported Phipps, the UCC's moderator, and earlier this week called his comments “well within the spectrum of the United Church.” The liberal church, with more than 3 million members and adherents, was founded in 1925 by the union of Congregational, Methodist and most of Canada's Presbyterian churches. -- Religion News Service

Such a view of Jesus is not uncommon among the liberal denominations of the world. They have long since rejected the inerrancy of scripture and therefore the truth contained therein. Still, to see one claiming to be a follower of Jesus deny His deity and His exclusive saving power reminds us of the pervasive lack of respect for Christ within the churches of men (read Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-3, 14; 14:6; Acts 4:12).

But before we lambaste such unbelief we should ask ourselves a question: Do we fall into the sin of lipservice that Jesus is God while denying it by the way we live (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21)? Our faith in Jesus must compel us to surrender our hearts and lives to Him in all things. We are no better off than the one who denies the deity of Christ if we, by disobedient lives, deny our Master (cf. Matthew 7:22-23; Titus 1:15-16).

Or, what if we give Jesus and His will something less than first place in our lives? Jesus reproved and warned the church at Ephesus about leaving their “first love” (Rev. 2:4-5). It is entirely possible that we convince ourselves that we are following Jesus even though our will and wishes are placed before His (cf. Lk. 9:57-62).

Let us “examine (ourselves) as to whether (we) are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Cor. 13:5) -jrp

Assignments: Sunday, November 30, 1997

Announcements: Keith Alsobrook

Opening Prayer: Keith Alsobrook / Morris Bass

Closing Prayer: Terry Haith / Jess Bass

Song Leader: Dan Head / Rick Holt

Scripture: Philip Price / Jason Holt

Lord’s Supper: C. Fair / R. McGrew / R. Hollister

Bldg. Cleanup (Dec. 6): Head

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Vol. I, No. 42 November 30, 1997

Can We Agree To Disagree

Over The “Meat” Of The Word?

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to 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.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)

With these words the Holy Spirit calls Christians to the noble walk of the gospel: humility and meekness, longsuffering, love, and the earnest pursuit and maintenance of unity and peace.

The reality is, however, that we have not yet attained to the “measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). Some are still “children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting....” (Eph. 4:14). Christ and His gospel are not to be blamed for this, for He through it thoroughly equips the saints for service and strength (Eph. 4:11-13).

God knows there will always be different levels of maturity in His body. Nevertheless, He calls us all to press on unto maturity (Heb. 6:1-3). Thus, He provides the milk and the meat of the word for our spiritual growth (Heb. 5:12-14). God did not intend for differing levels of spiritual maturity, with the “milk and meat of the word” as its proof, to be a reason for having ongoing fellowship with sin. Even a new convert is to be rebuked and warned to repent of sin, not accepted in it (cf. Simon, Acts 8:18-24).

Truly, there are “milk and meat” topics in the New Testament. But where does the NT say that we must sustain unity and fellowship only over “milk” issues? Some brethren teach this to be the case. Some suggest that error on the “milk” of the word demands the severing of

(continued on page 2)

MEAT OF THE WORD.........

fellowship, while disagreement on “meat” is allowed. Of course, the NT does not give us a definitive list of milk and meat topics. But those who advocate this “milk-meat” approach to unity in spite of doctrinal and moral diversity will have to eventually provide us with one. (In fact, some have via their “core gospel” concept.)

Since this approach to unity is used regarding variations in teachings on marriage, divorce and remarriage (but by no means the only issue), let us make some practical applications here:

1. Will we categorize the subject of marriage as milk or meat? (Matt. 19:4-6) Careful...Eph. 5:22-33.

2. What about the subject of divorce and remarriage? (Matt. 19:9, 4)

3. Can we view the definition of adultery as a “meat” issue, and allow for unity in diversity on this subject?

4. Are lusts of the flesh matters of “milk” or “meat?” (Gal. 5:19; Rom. 7:2-3)

5. Is the subject of God’s covenant, and whether He has only had one covenant with His people, one of the fundamental truths of the Bible?

6. Is the NT teaching about the “new covenant” milk or meat?

In Hebrews 5:11-6:3 there is no indication that Christians are given the right to disagree on the meat of the word. In fact, given the context of Hebrews, “meat” includes such things as the priesthood of Christ and His work as High Priest (Heb. 5-10). Now, the fact that some may not understand these subjects (myself included) due to numerous factors (such as immaturity or the depth of the subject) does not argue for tolerating false teaching about these topics.

Why then are some willing to fellowship those who teach error on divorce and remarriage? Should we be longsuffering with those who disagree with the revealed word of truth? Yes. Should we study together with open Bibles and open hearts? Yes. Should we tolerate false teaching by practicing ongoing fellowship with those who are not in harmony with revealed truth? Never. (Eph. 4:1-3; 5:3-11; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 1 Jno. 2:19; 4:1-6; 2 Jno. 9-11)

We must study together to arrive at unity and walk in truth (Eph. 4:3; 2 Tim. 2:24-26). This being God’s will for His people, it is entirely possible for us to obey (Eph. 4:13-16). But, it is not obeyed by endorsing, condoning or remaining silent about sin and the advocacy of false doctrine (Eph. 5:8-11; 2 Jno. 9-11). We cannot use “study” and “longsuffering” as a cloak for practicing ongoing fellowship with sin.

Hebrews 5:11-6:3 teaches that spiritual immaturity was why the brethren could not handle the meat of the word. Hence, the exhortation was given to press on to maturity. Mature Christians, due to using the word, can discern good and evil (Heb. 5:14).

Hebrews 5:11-6:3 does not give authority for sincere, studied, mature Christians to disagree over the word of God (rather than discerning good and evil and uniting upon the truth)! Such is not a proper use of the scriptures. The appeal to “milk and meat” fails to support the practice of ongoing fellowship with the teachers of error on mdr. -Joe Price

The Milk and Meat of the Word Notes

{Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:12-6:3}

1. Milk a staple of an Israelite's diet (Deut. 32:14). Meat also

occupied a regular, if some­what infre­quent place in Israel's diet.

2. Milk & meat provide necessities of life - Jno. 4:31-34; 6:27.

3. "Milk" & "meat" are used by Holy Spirit to de­scribe the

teachings of truth which will help us be healthy & productive

Christ­ians. Both have their place in our spiritual diet.

I. WHAT IS THE MILK & MEAT OF THE WORD? - 1 Cor. 3:1-2;

Heb. 5:11-6:3; 1 Pet. 2:1-3.

A. Milk Is: Especially for babes (1 Cor. 3:1-2), Provides basis

for growth (1 Pet. 2:2), First principles of Christ (Heb. 6:1),

Not exclusively eaten (Heb. 5:12-13).

B. Meat Is: For mature (1 Cor. 3:2-3, 2:15; Heb. 5:14), Expansion

of spir. growth (Heb. 6:1), More complex (Heb. 5:11), Vital (Heb. 5:12).

II. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MILK & MEAT :

A. Only Meat Is Controversial, Milk Is Not - Cf. Heb. 6:1-2.

(1st prin. cause controversy - Acts 4:1-3).

B. The Mature Never Need Milk - 2 Pet. 1:12; 1 Jno. 2:21.

C. Babes In Christ Only Need Milk - Heb. 5:12; 6:1, 3.

D. Milk Is For The Masses-Meat Is Only For Preachers/Elders-Heb. 5:12.

III. BALANCING OUR DIET .

A. Determining What Is Milk & When Needed: (1st principles, Moral

imperatives, Essentials for further growth. (1 Pet. 2:1-2; Heb. 6:1).

B. Determining What Is Meat & When Needed: More difficult, growth

enables its use, - Heb. 5:14.

BUILDING CHARACTER: MEEKNESS

{Scripture Reading: Numbers 12:1-8}

I. DEFINING MEEKNESS (prates).

A. Used To Describe A Soothing Quality, Gentleness Of Conduct,

Spiritual Poise & Strength - Zeph. 3:12; Num. 12:2-3; Gal. 5:23.

B. Meekness Toward God - 1 Pet. 3:3-4; 2 Cor. 12:7-9 (Moses -

Num. 12:1-3, 6-8).

C. Meekness Toward Man - Titus 3:2; Col. 3:18-4:1.

II. PURSUING MEEKNESS - 1 Tim. 6:11.

A. For One’s Own Sake - Matt. 5:5; cf. Psa. 37:11, 34.

B. When Dealing With The Erring - Gal. 6:1; cf. 1 Cor. 4:21.

C. When Trying To Teach The Gospel - 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

D. When We Receive The Word Of God - Jas. 1:21 (Isa. 61:1).

E. When We Answer Inquiries About Our Hope - 1 Pet. 3:15-16.

F. As We Seek The Lord - Zeph. 2:3 (Acts 17:27).

G. As We Develop Heavenly Wisdom - Jas. 3:13-18.