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A Safe Haven for Doctrinal & Moral Differences? Romans 14

Explore the background and interpretation of Romans 14, discussing the right to tolerate contradictory teachings and practices on moral and doctrinal questions. Can we truly differ over sin?

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A Safe Haven for Doctrinal & Moral Differences? Romans 14

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  1. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 • BACKGROUND A. Ed Harrell, Christianity Magazine, 17 articles on “The Bounds of Christian Unity” 1. “Neither can one argue that the passage simply proves that we can disagree about indifferent matters. Common sense tells me that without the need of revelation.” (CM Art 3, April 89, p. 6) 2. “The issue addressed in Romans 14” includes “matters of considerable moral and doctrinal import” (CM Art. 4, May 89 p. 6)

  2. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 • BACKGROUND A. Ed Harrell, Christianity Magazine… c. “Romans 14” discusses the right to “tolerate contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions.” (CM Art. 16, May 90, p. 6) d. Christians and local churches “make judgments about the clarity of New Testament instruction. Our assessment about the clarity of a passage becomes the basis for all our decisions about the bounds of Christian unity.” (CM Art 7, Aug 89, p. 6 and Art 16, May 90, p. 6)

  3. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 • BACKGROUND B. Ed Harrell CHANGED His Views! “I believe in a literal and narrow interpretation of the Bible as the Word of God. My aim is the exact restoration of the ancient order…the Bible should be, can be, and is literally understandable and… it should lead men to the same conclusions. Any man who believes that he can find literal truth in the Scriptures must also believe that those who do not find the same truth are wrong. What follows is that such people are sinful. The next logical conclusion is that they will go to hell.” (Edwin Harrell, Discipline And The Church Universal, p34-35 via TM Nov 21 1974 p. 4).

  4. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 • BACKGROUND C. WHY Change? 1. Responding to ”personal attacks on Hailey”. 2. “My personal defense of Homer Hailey as a man who has earned the respect and esteem of the Christians of our time. Or, more accurately, it is my explanation of why Hailey has won wide esteem among Christians in spite of his views on the subject of divorce and remarriage.” (“Homer Hailey: False Teacher?” CM Nov 88 p. 6) This was the article BEFORE the 16 on Romans 14! (Matt. 10:37-39; Col. 3:25; Jas. 2:1, 9; Jude 16).

  5. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 • THE TEXT OF ROMANS 14 A. “Weak in faith” (14:1)? 1. He is “in the faith” & “received” (14:1; 15:7). 2. Neither is to despise the other (14:3, 10). (To hold in contempt, despise, least esteem, set at nought - Strong) 3. Neither is to judge the other (14:3, 4, 10, 13). (To distinguish, decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish… damn, determine, call in question, sentence to, think - Strong) IS THIS SAYING WE CAN DIFFER OVER SIN?

  6. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 • THE TEXT OF ROMANS 14 B. “Doubtful Disputations” (14:1 KJV)? (WEB) not for disputes over opinions. (WNT) not for the purpose of deciding mere matters of opinion. (ASV) not for decision of scruples. (NKJV) not to disputes over doubtful things. (RSV) not for disputes over opinions. (NAS) judgment on his opinions. (Vine p. 322) “Denotes, primarily, an inward reasoning, an opinion…”

  7. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 • THE TEXT OF ROMANS 14 C. “Meats” and “days” (14:2-3, 5-6). 1. Can eat or not… BOTH received (14:3b). 2. Can esteem a day or not… BOTH can be fully assured (14:5b). 3. God makes BOTH stand (14:4). 4. Meat specifically described as “clean” (14:14, 20). 5. Meat spoken of as “good” (14:16). 6. Eating or not does not in itself affect one’s righteousness… (14:17). Where Do Diff. Doctrines & Morals Fit (Ro.16:17ff)?

  8. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 III. WHAT FITS IN ROMANS 14? A. Murder? Robbery? Homosexuality? Adultery? Fornication (1 Tim. 1:8-11)? 1. Receive one who murders as one who does not (14:3b)? 2. Can be fully assured whether robber or not (14:5b)? 3. Shall God make the homosexual stand just like the straight (14:4)? 4. Is adultery EVER categorized as “clean” (14:14, 20)? 5. Is fornication “good” (14:16)? 6. Do these affect one’s righteousness (14:17)?

  9. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 III. WHAT FITS IN ROMANS 14? B. If you can fit ONE SIN into Romans 14… why not any others? 1. Denominations use it for all manner is doctrinal error (Unity in Diversity). 2. Brethren use it for girly magazines, Homer Hailey issue (MDR), Days of Creation issue, etc. 3. If these, then why not everything? Baptism, work, worship, organization of the church…? Give Satan an inch, he will take a mile (1 Cor. 5:6)!

  10. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 III. WHAT FITS IN ROMANS 14? C. What About Circumcision (Acts 15:1, 5)? 1. When taught as Truth (Acts 15:1, 5): a. No small dissension (Acts 15:2, 7). b. Would “burden” the disciples (15:10). c. Would “trouble them” (15:19). d. Would “subvert souls” (15:24). e. Would “burden” the disciples (15:10) f. Refused to circumcise Titus (Gal.2:3). g. Those that promote were called “false brethren” (Gal.2:4). h. Did not give them any place for the TRUTH’s sake (Gal. 2:5).

  11. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 III. WHAT FITS IN ROMANS 14? C. What About Circumcision (Acts 15:1, 5)? 2. Why was Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3)? a. Circumcision is not sinful in itself (Gal. 6:15; 1 Cor. 7:19). b. It becomes sinful when made into a religious principle (Ax 15:1, Gal. 2:3). c. Those that teach it are false teachers and are anathema (Gal. 1:6-9). d. Those that receive their doctrine are: - Removed from grace (Gal. 1:6-7). - In bondage (Gal. 2:4). - Severed from Christ (Gal. 5:2-4).

  12. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 III. WHAT FITS IN ROMANS 14? D. What About… ? 1. Carnal Warfare (Rom. 13:1-4; Acts 16:27, 36; Acts 10:1, 11:14; Lk. 3:4-5, 8, 14; 16:16). 2. The Veil (1 Cor. 11:15). 3. Lord’s Supper Sunday PM (1 Cor. 11:20, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:24-25, 29-30; v. 33). E. There may be some things we are not yet clear on… BUT WHY? 1. Did God fail to reveal them clearly (as Ed Harrell says) (2 Tim. 3:16-17)? 2. Or have we just not studied diligently & honestly enough (2 Pet. 3:16-18)?

  13. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 IV. SUMMARY OF ROMANS 14 A. Recognize that revealed truth is the standard (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn 9-11; 2 Pet. 3:16ff; 2 Tim. 1:13) B. Within the boundaries of God’s Word some things are left to our personal opinion. Romans 14 teaches us how to receive our faithful brethren whose personal conscience differs from ours in an area of liberty. C. Romans 14 does NOT teach us how to tolerate sin in teaching or practice.

  14. A Safe Haven For Doctrinal & Moral Differences? ROMANS 14 CONCLUSION: Can We Fellowship Sin? 1. Brethren are using Rom. 14 to allow fellowship with those who teach or practice sin! 2. Some have publicly admitted their goal is to preserve earthly relationships (Respect of Persons)! 3. How much sin will it take to wake us up? Where Will YOU Stand? With men or with God?

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