Noteworthy News

(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Presbyterians Mull Salvation of Non-Christians

BY DAVID BRIGGS
RELIGION NEWS SERVICE (from The Salt Lake Tribune, April 18, 1998)

Save a little more space in heaven.

While God still holds all the cards, a proposed Presbyterian catechism says Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and others might be destined for the life of eternal peace and happiness many Christians used to envision only for themselves.

“How God will deal with those who do not know or follow Christ, but who follow another tradition, we cannot finally say,'' says the proposed Study Catechism for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “We can say, however, that God is gracious and merciful.''

The proposed Presbyterian catechism is a particularly striking example of a growing trend of openness among many mainstream churches toward people of other faiths.

The 14-page catechism -- along with a five-page First Catechism for younger churchgoers -- will be presented in June to the church's General Assembly, its highest decision-making body.
If approved, they will be sent to the denomination's 11,000 churches as study documents. Eventually, if they prove a hit in the pews, the catechisms could become part of the church's authoritative Book of Confessions.

During a season when Christians celebrate their belief in the resurrection of Christ and continue reflecting on how that event gives them hope of eternal life, the new catechism asks some tough questions that are in the back of many believers' minds:
-- Will all human beings be saved?
-- How will God deal with the followers of other religions? (Edited for length, jrp)

We are not entirely surprised at this turn of events, knowing man’s tendency to avoid the definitive nature of truth. Nevertheless, Jesus said, “Except you believe that I am he, you shall die in your sins” (Jno. 8:24). One cannot believe Jesus and believe this proposed Presbyterian catechism. But, no doubt, it will be “a hit in the pews.”

Not to be outdone, some of our brethren are now teaching that we may accept “different interpretations” of the revealed gospel of Christ (the faith once for all delivered, Jude 3) and all be acceptable to God. This is not the sort of unity among believers for which Jesus prayers or which will be approved by God (Jno. 17:20-21; Eph. 4:1-6). This doctrine is also becoming a “hit in the pews” - but that does not mean God is pleased with it (Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23; 1 Pet. 4:11). Do not condemn the Presbyterians and then accept “personal interpretation” over “thus saith the Lord” for what you believe and practice as a Christian!

-joe-

Assignments: Sunday - April 26, 1998

Announcements: Gary Bass

Opening Prayer: Gary Bass / Jess Bass

Closing Prayer: Shane Bass / Rusty McGrew

Song Leader: Rusty McGrew / Morris Bass

Scripture Reading: Philip Price / Ray Hollister

Lord’s Supper: Rick Holt / Jason Holt / Wesley Holt

Bldg. Cleanup (May 2): Golightly & Wilkins

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

Visit our Web Site on the Internet: http://members.tripod.com/~northsidecofc/index.html

Volume II, No. 11 April 26, 1998

Biblical Principles of Unity (Part 15):

Efforts to Defend Unity in Doctrinal Diversity

by: Joe R. Price

This series of articles is an effort, from God’s word, to answer a teaching which has gained popularity in the body of Christ, namely, that we must come to “the definite and unequivocal conclusion that we must show grace (“agree to disagree”) toward one another in at least certain areas of doctrinal disagreement.” This is unity in doctrinal diversity and encourages its adherents to have ongoing fellowship with doctrinal error. Support for this doctrine requires at least a threefold assessment on one’s part before extending ongoing fellowship in spite of doctrinal disagreement: Qualification #1: Is it a collective or an individual matter?, Qualification #2: Is there clarity in the New Testament’s teaching on the subject in question?, and Qualification #3: Is the person with whom you disagree living by faith? We have dealt with the first two of these attempts to justify unity in diversity in previous articles (The Spirit’s Sword, Volume II, Numbers 6-10). Now, we will turn our attention to Qualification #3.

Qualification #3: Determine Whether One Is Living by Faith

We should first remember that none of these three “qualifications” in the New Testament as a reason for establishing and maintaining unity in doctrinal diversity. Since we must “speak as the oracles of God,” we must resolve not to go beyond God’s revealed word on this matter (1 Pet. 4:11; Col. 3:17).

A common appeal to help defend unity in doctrinal diversity calls upon us to judge the life of another person. See this to be the case from one who supports this approach to unity:

Finally, I must make a determination as to whether or not the other person (with whom I disagree) is living by faith. Does he hold his position out of rebellion and self will? Did he come to his position based on Bible study or on convenience? Does he care what the Bible teaches on it? Does his position have merit so that a reasonable person could come to that position? How does he deal with other issues? Do I find myself disagreeing with him on many other things? Do we have similar attitudes toward the inerrancy of the scriptures, subjection to God, Bible authority, etc.? Does his life show he submits to God in everything that he conscientiously believes?

(continued on page 2)

Living by Faith

This type of unity makes our subjective decision of another person’s faith the basis of fellowship and unity! If I determine you are living by faith (whether in fact the Bible says so or not), then I can have fellowship with you. If I determine you are insincere (which forces me to judge another person’s heart, cf. 1 Cor. 2:11), then I may withhold my fellowship. This Bible teaching, terminology, or treatment of unity in Christ!

Since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” how can a person “live by faith” if his life is not in harmony with the word of God (Rom. 10:17)? It is impossible. He may think he is “living by faith,” he may believe he is “living by faith,” he may appear to be “living by faith,” he may sincerely believe he is “living by faith,” but because he is not “obeying the will of the Father, he is in fact not “living by faith” (Matt. 7:21-23; cf. Acts 23:1; 2 Cor. 5:7; 13:5).

One ought to answer the above question with, “by observing his life.” (Matt. 7:20). By observing one’s life, and comparing it to the objective standard of revealed truth, we can know whether he is right with Christ’s marriage law or in violation of it (cf. Jno. 7:24; Cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Jno. 4:1-6).

This false doctrine calls upon us to judge the motives of others. Consider Apollos and these qualifications:

(1) “Does he hold his position out of rebellion and self will?” Did Apollos exhibit rebellion and self-will when Aquila and Priscilla heard him preaching? No. But, they “explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26). If this doctrine is correct, they should have left him alone, not teach him!

(2) “Did he come to his position based on Bible study or on convenience?” Apollos was “mighty in the scriptures,” yet deficient in accurately preaching the way of God. No fellowship was extended until he was taught and he accepted God’s accurate way! (Acts 18:27-28)

(3) “Does he care what the Bible teaches on it?” Nobody would even suggest that Apollos did not care about what the scriptures taught. However, although he was “mighty in the scriptures,” his deficiency required correction before there could be unity with the brethren in Ephesus. (Acts 18:24-25)

(4) “Does his position have merit so that a reasonable person could come to that position?” No doubt, many reasonable Jews accepted the teaching Apollos was doing before his conversion. Although an eloquent man who masterfully reasoned with his audience, unity could not exist between him and the disciples at Ephesus until he learned and accepted the accurate way of God. (Acts 18:24).

(5) “How does he deal with other issues?” Apollos dealt powerfully and eloquently with topics from the Scriptures. But, Aquila and Priscilla did not unite with him in his deficient teaching. (Acts 18:24, 26)

(6) “Do I find myself disagreeing with him on many other things?” No doubt, Aquila and Priscilla could find many things with which they agreed with Apollos (“he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John”). But, unity did not exist between them. (Acts 18:25)

(7) “Do we have similar attitudes toward the inerrancy of the scriptures, subjection to God, Bible authority, etc.?” Aquila and Priscilla could answer “yes” to each of these items and more, but they could not have fellowship with Apollos upon this basis. (Acts 18:26-28)

(8) “Does his life show he submits to God in everything that he conscientiously believes?” The bold preaching of Apollos in the Ephesian synagogue shows his conscientious belief and effort to submit to God. (Acts 18:25) But, he was not in fellowship with Christ or His disciples until he learned and believed the more accurate way of God!

At every turn, the doctrine of unity in diversity which allows ongoing fellowship in spite of doctrinal disagreement is unsupported by the word of God. It must be rejected as a doctrine of man (Gal. 1:8-10).

(to be continued)

FIVE WAYS TO DISOBEY GOD Notes

(Scripture Reading: 1 Kgs. 13:11-22)

1. Bible warns against disobedience - Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 2:2-3.

2. Bible teaches of different ways in which God may be disobeyed.

3. To know these ways may help us avoid the pit­falls of apos­tasy.

I. BY DOING WHAT IS FORBIDDEN - Gen. 2:16; 3:6.

A. Sins Of "Commission" - Committing a specifically prohibited act..

B. Cf. - The Unnamed Prophet - 1 Kgs. 13:7-10; 11-112, 26.

-Lesson: Can know God's command & still become guilty of violating it!

II. BY REFUSING TO DO WHAT GOD HAS COMMANDED - Jas. 4:17; Lk. 7:30.

A. Sins Of "Omission" - Not doing what God has commanded (1 Sam. 15).

-Lesson: Can think we are obeying when, by not fully obeying, we are in disobedience.

III. BY ADDING TO THE WORD OF GOD - Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18.

A. Doing What Has No Law Is Sin - 1 Jno. 3:4.

B. Cf. Moses & The Rock - Num. 20:7-12; Psa. 106:32-33.

-Lesson: "Where is the scripture against it?" (Silence is not consent....restraint!)

IV. BY TAKING FROM THE WORD OF GOD - Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:19.

A. Some Speak Of "Non-Essential" Commands - cf. Mk. 7:6-13.

-Lesson: cf. Baptism, Lord’s Supper, Music in worship, mdr, fellowship.....

V. BY SUBSTITUTING FOR WHAT GOD HAS COMMAND­ED.

A. God Will Not Accept A Substitute For Obe­dience - 1 Sam. 15:22 (cf. Lev. 10:1-3).

-Lesson: "Accept No Substitute!" (Church, worship, values)

WHY SHOULD CHRIST LIVE IN ME? - Galatians 2

(Scripture Reading: Gal. 2:15-21)

1. CHRIST IN YOU (Relation; fellowship):

a. What is it? Col. 1:24-29: At the heart of God's plan -- Hope of glory!

b. What does it do? - Rom. 8:10: Body no lon­ger an instrument of sin (6:6-7).

c. How is it achieved? By faith (Eph. 3:17) / When baptized (Gal. 3:27).

2. Gal. 2:20 - Why should Christ live in me?

I. FAITH IN CHRIST GRANTS LIBERTY FROM SIN - 2:1-10.

A. Because The Law Of Moses Does Not Free From Sin - Gal. 2:1-5.

B. Because Christ Died For You - 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:14-15, 17-19; 1 Pet. 2:24.

C. Because His Gospel Is Sufficient To Save - Rom. 1:16; 6:3-4; Gal. 2:1-10.

II. FAITH IN CHRIST GRANTS LIBERTY FROM FOLLOW­ING MEN - 2:11-14.

A. When We Follow Men We Are Not Living By Faith - v. 11-13; Jer. 17:5; 10:23.

B. When We Yield To Hypocrisy We Are Not Living By Faith - v. 14; Matt. 15:7-9.

III. FAITH IN CHRIST GRANTS LIBERTY FROM THE WORKS OF THE LAW OF

MOSES - 2:15-19, 21.

A. No Justification From Sin Through The LOM - v. 16; Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:20-29.

B. We Live (Become Alive) Unto God Through Faith In Christ - v. 17-19, 21.