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What do you men by “liberal?”. No one wants to be labeled a “liberal.”. What do you men by “liberal?”. No one wants to be labeled a “liberal.” One who acts without authority from God is “liberal.” (Col 3:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17). What do you men by “liberal?”.
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What do you men by “liberal?” • No one wants to be labeled a “liberal.”
What do you men by “liberal?” • No one wants to be labeled a “liberal.” • One who acts without authority from God is “liberal.” (Col 3:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17)
What do you men by “liberal?” • (Colossians 3:17 NKJV) “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
What do you men by “liberal?” • (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, {17} that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
What do you men by “liberal?” • There is a spirit that turns away from God’s word (1 Cor 4:6; 2 Jn 9)
What do you men by “liberal?” • (1 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV) “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”
What do you men by “liberal?” • (2 John 1:9 NKJV) “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”
What do you men by “liberal?” • I want to open hearts
What do you men by “liberal?” • I want to open hearts • Will you be tested?
The Sinfulness of Division • I became committed to open study when I left denominationalism.
The Sinfulness of Division • I became committed to open study when I left denominationalism. • These passages must be in the heart of every Christian. (Jn 17:20-23; 1 Cor 1:10)
The Sinfulness of Division • (John 17:20-21 NKJV) “”I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; {21} “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
The Sinfulness of Division • (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV) “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
The Sinfulness of Division • I became committed to open study when I left denominationalism. • These passages must be in the heart of every Christian. (Jn 17:20-23; 1 Cor 1:10) • My brother soon joined me in leaving the Baptist church.
Reasons I Did Not Leave • Personal Preference
Reasons I Did Not Leave • Personal Preference • Friendliness and Associations
Reasons I Did Not Leave • Personal Preference • Friendliness and Associations • Moral Purity
Reasons I Did Not Leave • Personal Preference • Friendliness and Associations • Moral Purity • Zeal
Reasons I Did Not Leave • Personal Preference • Friendliness and Associations • Moral Purity • Zeal • Activities
Reasons I Did Not Leave • Personal Preference • Friendliness and Associations • Moral Purity • Zeal • Activities • Personal Offence
Reasons I Did Not Leave • Personal Preference • Friendliness and Associations • Moral Purity • Zeal • Activities • Personal Offence • Personal Opportunities
What Are the Issues? • I was strongly motivated to justify my brethren. I tried for nearly two years to prove them right.
What Are the Issues? • I was strongly motivated to justify my brethren. I tried for nearly two years to prove them right. • I knew that God would not lead me wrong. (Jude 3)
What Are the Issues? • (Jude 1:3 NKJV) “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
What Are the Issues? • Many had no idea why division existed!
What Are the Issues? • Many had no idea why division existed! • Others rashly misrepresented others
What Are the Issues? • Many had no idea why division existed! • Others rashly misrepresented others • Some tried to limit questions to a single emotional issue
What Are the Issues? • Many had no idea why division existed! • Others rashly misrepresented others • Some tried to limit questions to a single emotional issue • Labels without any meaning were commonly used --- “anti” – “liberal”
What Are the Issues? • Consider the division in 1900 that resulted in the Christian church denomination.
Human Doctrines Authority: “no pattern” Traditions important men. . Why I Left Liberalism
Human Doctrines Authority: “no pattern” Traditions Important men. Bible Doctrine Authority: The Bible alone is sufficient. (2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Thess 5:21) Why I Left Liberalism
Human Doctrines Authority: “no pattern” Traditions important men. Local churches No difference in the church and individual. Bible Doctrine Authority: The Bible alone (2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Thess 5:21) Why I Left Liberalism
Human Doctrines Authority: “no pattern” Traditions important men. Local churches No difference in the church and individual. Bible Doctrine Authority: The Bible alone (2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Thess 5:21) Local ChurchesThere is a difference! (Mt 18:15-17; 1 Tim 5:16) Why I Left Liberalism
Why I Left Liberalism • (Matthew 18:15-17 NKJV) “”Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. {16} “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
Why I Left Liberalism • {17} “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
Human Doctrines Organization: Orphan Homes, Colleges, Sponsoring Church…. Local churches Bible Doctrine Why I Left Liberalism
Human Doctrines Organization: Orphan Homes, Colleges, Sponsoring Church…. Local churches Bible Doctrine Organization: Elders, Deacons, and Members (1 Pet 5:1,2; Acts 20:28; 14:23; 2 Cor 8:12-13) Why I Left Liberalism
Why I Left Liberalism • (Acts 14:23 NKJV) “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Why I Left Liberalism • (Acts 20:28 NKJV) “”Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Why I Left Liberalism • (Philippians 1:1 NKJV) “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” Why I Left Liberalism
Why I Left Liberalism • (1 Peter 5:1-2 NKJV) “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: {2} Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;”
Why I Left Liberalism • (2 Corinthians 8:12-14 NKJV) “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. {13} For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;
Why I Left Liberalism • {14} but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack; that there may be equality.”
Human Doctrines Organization: Orphan Homes, Colleges, Sponsoring Church…. Local churches Worship: Choirs, entertainment special days. Bible Doctrine Organization: Elders, Deacons, and Members (1 Pet 5:1,2; Acts 20:28; 14:23; 2 Cor 8:12-13) Why I Left Liberalism
Human Doctrines Organization: Orphan Homes, Colleges, Sponsoring Church…. Local churches Worship: Choirs, entertainment special days. Bible Doctrine Organization: Elders, Deacons, and Members (1 Pet 5:1,2; Acts 20:28; 14:23; 2 Cor 8:12-13) Worship: God’s Plan: (Gal 4:10-11; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Jn 4:23-24) Why I Left Liberalism
Why I Left Liberalism • (1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NKJV) “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: {2} On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”
Why I Left Liberalism • (Galatians 4:10-11 NKJV) “You observe days and months and seasons and years. {11} I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.”