Scripture Reading: Acts 15:22-29

Binding Where the Lord Has Not Bound

Intro.

1. Matt. 16:19; 18:18 – The binding authority of apostolic teaching (NT) is essential to our unity in Christ – 1 Cor. 1:10; 14:37; Eph. 4:3-6; Col. 3:17.

2. Unity is achieved & guarded when we respect divine authority & properly apply it to our lives (Lk. 6:46).

I. UNITY IS DESTROYED BY:

A. Going Beyond what is Written – 2 Jno. 9; Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Jno. 1:1-4.

1. Loosing where the Lord has bound.

2. Fellowship with God is preserved by not going beyond truth.

B. Demanding Conformity to the Traditions of Men (restricting the liberties we have in Christ).

1. Ex. Circumcise Gentiles to be saved – Acts 15:1, 5, 24; Gal. 2:4-5.

2. Binding where the Lord has loosed.

3. Traditions are often received & held above / as if they were the commands of God! – Mk. 7:1-13

II. WE MUST DISCERN AND AVOID BOTH EXTREMES – Phil. 1:9-11.

A. There are Necessary Things – Acts 15:28-29.

B. There are Liberties (not bound by an obligation) – Rom. 14:1-2 (Gal. 5:1).

C. The Inability or Unwillingness to Discern the Difference Causes Division in the Body of Christ.

1. Gal. 5:13-15 – Biting & devouring.

2. 2 Tim. 2:14-18 – Striving over wrong things ruins hearers; Shun error or ungodliness increases & souls are lost!

3. Binding authority is not determined by: Personal conscience (Rom. 14); Feelings (Prov. 16:25); Popularity (Matt. 7:13); etc.

D. Respect for & the Proper Application of Bible Authority will keep us Standing on the Solid Ground of Truth – Col. 3:17.

-1 Tim. 1:3-7 (see both extremes being rebuked):

1. Teach no other doctrine (don’t go beyond doctrine of Christ).

2. …fables & endless genealogies…idle talk (“which cause disputes”)

III. APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES.

BOUND

NOT BOUND

Plan of salvation

(Mk 16:15-16; Rom 1:16)

Circumcision

(Acts 15:1-5)

Reverence

(Ac 10:35; 1 Pe 2:17; He 12:28)

Dress code for worship (Jas 2:1-4)

Pronouns in prayer (thee/thou)

Respect & obey God’s Word

(Psa 119:97; Matt 7:21; Col 3:17)

Don’t write in the Bible

Don’t destroy the book

Prayer

(Lk 11:1-4; 1 Ths 5:17)

Formula; Prayer language (thee/thou); Posture; Place

Worship on 1^st day of week

(Jno 4:24; Ac 20:7; Eph 5:19)

Order of services; One container

"Break" bread

Water Baptism

(Acts 10:47-48)

Running water; Both in the water

Formula; Person baptizing

Marriage: Joined by God

(Matt. 19:4-6)

Religious ceremony to sanctify it

One cause to put away & remarry: Fornication (Matt. 19:9)

Who files divorce papers first (race)

Cause must be stated on legal document

Conclusion

1. We must diligently use God’s word to distinguish between binding truth & non-binding opinions – 2 Tim. 2:15.

2. When we can do so we will reap the spiritual blessings described in Col. 1:9-12.

3. To go beyond what is written is sin & we must not do so (1 Cor. 4:6).

4. Binding opinions of conscience on others is just as wrong (Rom. 14:1, 4).