Endeavoring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit

Lesson 3 – “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” Why are such actions required? • The need for unity of mind and purpose within the Ecclesia. Romans 15:6

Lesson 3 – “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” “Peace & Unity” “Men talk of peace and unity. There can be no peace where there is no essential unity. Where there is unity there will be peace. To bring about unity is therefore to bring about peace. The peace of an Ecclesia is promoted by the excision of those disturbers who introduce false teaching. This is one purpose served by their expulsion…If we cannot have a large number in unity and peace, we may at least have peace among those, the few, who are in unity, by a separation from those with whom they are not in unity and with whom they are not at peace.” Berton Little, 1917

Lesson 3 – “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” Continued on next slide False: We cannot “fellowship” false doctrine without being in agreement with it, and therefore believing it. Answer: That is NOT true. The scriptures declare we can fellowship without believing it. One illustration will suffice. In the chapter referred to (1 Cor. 10:18) we have seen that Paul tells his brethren that those who eat of the sacrifices offered to idols are “partakers” (original: fellowshippers) of the alter, and therefore fellowship ALL represented thereby – which in this case were “demons” or idols…The Corinthian believers knew with Paul that an “idol is nothing in the world”. Therefore it is clear from Paul’s counsel to them that they could “fellowship” false doctrine without believing in it themselves.

Lesson 3 – “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” Why are such actions required? • The need for unity of mind and purpose within the Ecclesia. Romans 15:6 • So that error does not influence others – “a little leaven” 1st Cor. 15:33; Heb. 12:15 • As a lesson for those in error as well as an example that others “may fear.” • As not to be counted ourselves as a “partaker” of the “evil deeds.” 2nd John 10,11

Lesson 3 – “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” Bro. Roberts, The Christadelphian, February-March, 1892 False: We cannot fellowship the evil deeds of another without being in agreement with them and doing the same things. Answer: We have just shown we can. But further: John in his second epistle calls false teaching concerning Christ an “evil deed.” And he says if we bid the man with this false doctrine God speed, “we become partakers (original: fellowshippers) of his evil deeds. It is clear he is not referring to show who believed or were doing the same things, for he says it is the bidding him God speed that creates the participation.

Lesson 3 – “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit” "Is a brother walking disorderly in associating in fellowship with Methodists? We would say 'yes.' Upon the very same principle we say that a brother is walking disorderly who fellowships those who deny the scriptural doctrine of resurrection, and teach and believe another; and who, deny THE judgment; and either teach another or no judgment at all. The one who fellowships such, fellowships with heretics, thereby walks disorderly, and becomes unfit for fellowship with those who desire to hold the truth in its purity." Bro. Thomas Williams, The Advocate Vol. 2, 1886, Pg. 64 "'He that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.' This applies to all without distinction, and erects a barrier to fellowship with even some who hold the truth; for though they may hold the doctrine of Christ themselves, yet, if they keep up a 'God-speed' connection with those who do not, by John's rule they make themselves partakers with them, and, therefore, cut themselves off from those who stand for the doctrine of Christ." Bro. Robert Roberts, Seasons of Comfort Vol. 1, Pg. 127, 'Love and Doctrine'

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered Questions and Objections Answered Why do we need a Statement of Faith as a basis of fellowship? Isn’t the Bible enough? “Ecclesial Autonomy” Those with “undefiled” garments Parable of the Wheat & Tares – Matt. 13

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered Modern day revival of the Truth Recognition that Bible Truth did not match the beliefs of mainstream Christianity, whether it be Catholicism or Protestant. A Statement developed to summarize our beliefs in contrast to other religious beliefs that exist. A guide for the maintaining of sound scriptural teaching under the “Christadelphian” name. Used to make sure that there is a clear basis of agreement or commonality – fellowship.

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered Our Statement of Faith Doctrines to be Believed and taught. Doctrines to be Rejected The Commandments of Christ

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered “Isn’t the Bible good enough?” “Unless there is a Statement of Faith what basis has an ecclesia to work upon? The mere statement that the Bible is our basis will not do, for all denominations claim that and Christadelphians have laid special emphasis upon the fact that it is “to the Law and the Testimony.” Among themselves in these days, they do not agree upon some of the vital truths that we have in the past considered necessary for fellowship and salvation.” “An Appreciative Letter”, The Christadelphian Advocate, January 1931, p. 17

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered “Isn’t the Bible good enough?” “There is one thing, however, of which a formal Statement may be, and is, the basis, it registers a united declaration, and it is a basis of co-operation and of collective work in advocacy of the truth. The prevalence of false interpretations of Scripture has rendered it desirable that groups of intelligent believers in the Gospel that saves should set forth the main points of doctrine that they agree to uphold.” The Christadelphian Advocate, Dec, 1930, p. 315

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered “Statements and Creeds” “If a man’s faith is worth having, it is worth publishing in a well-defined form; so that others may examine it, accept it or reject it; fellowship it or repudiate it…How absurd it would sound to hear a person say, “I have no creed,” which really means that he has no faith, nor hope – no well-defined understanding and belief of the plan of salvation. Such a person is not even a negation; he is a mere neutrality- as near nothing as he can well be.” continued

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered “Statements and Creeds” “Every faithful soldier of the truth will be willing to state his faith in unambiguous terms, and will have the courage to say, ‘That is what I sincerely believe to be the truth, and that is the basis upon which I can conscientiously fellowship others; and for me to pretend to fellowship where there is not a hearty belief in the truth thus defined, would be hypocrisy.’ This is certainly what the teachings of the New Testament demand, in its many imperative warnings to have no fellowship with ‘the unfruitful works of darkness.” continued

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered “Statements and Creeds” “… we were rebuked by a brother for coinciding with those who maintain ‘a doctrine of separatism’. What is the truth, but a system of ‘separatism?’ Its first and last work is to separate. It begins by separating the ‘good and honest hearts’ from a wicked and adulterous generation. It ends by separating the just from the unjust at the judgment seat of Christ. Men bent upon maintaining the purity of the truth will not be frightened nor taunted off from their foundation by ever so much babble about ‘casting out’ and ‘separatism.’ They will keep their faces Zion-ward; press on in the strait and narrow way, let the enemies of the truth spit, jeer and throw stones as they may.” The Christadelphian Advocate, October, 1891

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered Ecclesial Autonomy “The fact that the body is held responsible for the inconsistencies of its members illustrate a principle that runs through the entire scriptures, exhibited more particularly in the history of Israel. The lesson for us to learn from this is that we cannot be individually independent; we have obligations to each other that we must not ignore. In ecclesial matters and in all matters affecting the welfare of the Truth my business is yours and yours is mine. We are brought together in mutual compact under the same name – a name whose honor and reputation are made dependant on conduct. Here, brethren, we must fact the fact that great responsibilities devolve upon us, commensurate with the great privileges and high honor to which the Truth has brought us into relation.” The Christadelphian Advocate, March, 1886

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered Ecclesial Autonomy First references the destruction of a city (Duet. 13), if after diligent enquiry it was found that such a city was serving false gods (apostasy). “When, therefore, it is reported that any brother or ecclesia is following false doctrine, it is not only permitted, but it is obligatory on other brethren and ecclesias to “enquire and make search, and ask diligently” to see whether it be true and the thing certain. If it is, the responsibility of their position leaves no option but that of repudiating complicity with the evil.” J.J. Andrew, The Christadelphian, July 1886

Lesson 4– Questions and Objections Answered Parable of the Wheat & Tares – Matt. 13: 24 – 30 • “man which sowed good seed in the field” vs. 24 • An “enemy came and sowed tares also” • The servants ask if they can gather up the tares vs. 28 • The master answers, in order to avoid a process that will also harm the wheat, that “let both grow together until the harvest.” • It is falsely assumed that the field represents the ecclesia. • Answer given in vs. 38 – The “field” is the “world”.

Endeavoring to Keep the Unity of the Spirit