Welcome to South Livingston Open Study Series: FELLOWSHIP Next Week: The Present Controversy Are current differences over fellowship just misunderstandings? What examples can be seen of attempts to broaden fellowship beyond biblical bounds?

Remembering the Bible Definition of Fellowship

What Is Fellowship? 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Yoked - implies a common work Fellowship - denotes “share” in action Communion - normal word for fellowship Concord - implies harmony of thought Portion - having a part together with others Agreement - a union of purpose Hence, agreement in principle leading to joint or common action in spiritual work

Reviewing Points Under Discussion Issue arose regarding the right of brethren to have fellowship with one teaching error regarding divorce and remarriage Some defend ongoing fellowship with one teaching doctrinal error or practicing sin Some question our ability to understand the Bible alike Scripture affirms must know & obey truth Legitimate fellowship is “in truth”

Tonight’s Class: Receive the Weak (Romans 14) Are doctrinal differences & sinful practices included in Romans 14? Are all differences equal in nature? Must we tolerate sin & error among us? Are we to divide over every difference?

Study of Context: Romans 14

Broader Context of Bible Ephesians 5:11 –Have no fellowship with works of darkness 2 John 9-11 –No fellowship with one going beyond doctrine of Christ in action, teaching or support 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-18 –Reprove teachers of error who lead astray Jude 3-4 –Contend for “the faith” when others oppose

Broader Context of Romans Gospel declared to produce “obedience of faith among all the nations” (1:1-7) Gospel revealed righteousness of God & brings all to salvation by faith (1:16-17) No toleration for continued sin (6:1-23) No “provision for the flesh” (13:11-14) Must mark those causing divisions & offenses contrary to doctrine (16:17-19)

Basic Divisions of Romans 14 Introduction of Problem (Rom. 14:1-2) –one brother is weak in faith believing he cannot eat meat –one brother is strong properly believing that he may eat meat –command is given to receive one another –forbidden from disputes over the matter

Romans 14:1-2 1 But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples. 2 One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.

Introducing the Problem One brother was “weak in faith” –conscience forbade him from eating meat –probably one from Jewish background –not just kind of meat, but Gentile surrounding One brother had “faith to eat all things” –understood old regulations not now binding Instructed to “receive” one another –not for “passing judgment on his opinions” –phrase not referring to matters lacking clarity

Translations of Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations (KJV). Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions (NASV). As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions (RSV). Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions (NRSV). Welcome a man whose faith is weak, but not with the idea of arguing over his scruples (PHILLIPS).

Basic Divisions of Romans 14 Introduction of Problem (Rom. 14:1-2) Instruction to the Weak (Rom. 14:3-12) –herb-eater told God receives meat-eater –problem with scruple of conscience, not law –weak of conscience not to condemn strong –God received meat-eater in his practice –regardless of the herb-eaters own thoughts about issue, God declared His acceptance of meat-eater as His servant

Romans 14: Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks...

Romans 14:3-12 (continued) 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Reasons for Weak to Receive Strong God received him while eating meat (3) Was servant of God in the action (4) God to make him stand in judgment (4f) Matter depended on full assurance of one’s own mind (5) Strong engaged in his practice “unto the Lord” & with thanksgiving to God (6) No man has right to reject his brother in such matters which God has allowed (6f) Standard for judgment is God’s prerogative

Basic Divisions of Romans 14 Introduction of Problem (Rom. 14:1-2) Instruction to the Weak (Rom. 14:3-12) Instruction to Strong (Rom. 14: :2) –reaffirms fact that practice is inherently good –not to put stumbling-block before the weak –souls of brethren more important than liberty –strong must seek after matters which edify –private conscience always allowed before God –strong must help bear the burdens of weak

Romans 14: Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumbling- block in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling. 14 I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. 19 So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. 20 Overthrow not for meat’s sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. 22 The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. 23 But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Responsibilities of Strong Not to despise the weak brother (3) Not to put a stumbling block in way (13) Love weak brother over liberties (15) Keep focus on kingdom, not physical (17) Seek for peace & edification of others (19) Don’t destroy God’s work for liberty (20f) Exercise liberty between self & God (21) Do not allow liberty to condemn self (21)

Nature of Strong Brother’s Action God received him in the action (4) Done with full assurance of mind (5) Done unto the Lord (6) Done giving God thanks (6) “Nothing is unclean of itself” (14) Action was “good” (16) Serving Christ while engaged in it (18) “All things indeed are clean” (20) Called “strong” together with Paul (15:1)

Could Same Be Said Of One In Sin? Let’s try it out and see...

Likewise Receive Homosexual? God receives homosexual in the action? Commit sodomy in full assurance of mind? Commit sodomy unto the Lord? Give thanks to God for sodomy? “No homosexuality is unclean of itself”? Homosexuality is “good”? Serving Christ while committing sodomy? “Sodomite relations indeed are clean”? Homosexual “strong” together with Paul?

Likewise Receive Adulterer? God receives adulterer in the action? Commit adultery in full assurance of mind? Commit adultery unto the Lord? Give thanks to God for adultery? “No adultery is unclean of itself”? Adultery is “good”? Serving Christ while committing adultery? “Adulteries indeed are clean”? Adulterer “strong” together with Paul?

Likewise Receive Social Drinker? God receives alcohol drinker in the action? Drinking beer in full assurance of mind? A shot of whiskey unto the Lord? Give thanks to God for liquor? “No moderate drinking is unclean of itself”? Drinking vodka is “good”? Serving Christ while drinking a martini? “Social drinks indeed are clean”? Social drinker “strong” together with Paul?

If One Does Not Fit... Neither Do The Others! No Sinful Action In Romans 14

Nature of Action to be Received God receives the action (4) Done with full assurance of mind (5) Done unto the Lord (6) Done giving God thanks (6) Limited to that not “unclean of itself” (14) Action must be inherently “good” (16) Can serve Christ while engaged in it (18) Among “all things indeed are clean” (20) If still “strong” together with Paul (15:1)

Could Teacher Of Error Fit Text? Let’s try it out and see...

Like Receiving Justifier of Abortion? God receives teacher in justifying abortion? Can justify abortion in full assurance of mind? Can teach propriety of abortion unto the Lord? May give thanks to God for abortion rights? “No abortion promotion is unclean of itself”? Justifying abortion is “good”? Serve Christ as preach tolerance of abortion? “Errors to tolerate abortion indeed are clean”? Abortion advocate strong together with Paul?

Like Receiving Justifier of Adultery? God receives teacher in justifying adultery? Free to preach error in full assurance of mind? May teach false theories unto the Lord? Can give thanks to God for error on D&R? “No error on D&R is unclean of itself”? Redefining adultery is “good”? Serve Christ as preach one covenant doctrine? “Errors to free guilty party indeed are clean”? False teacher “strong” together with Paul?

If One Does Not Fit... Neither Does The Other! No Teaching Of Error In Romans 14

Same Principle in 1 Corinthians

Same Principles from 1 Corinthians 8:4 - One knows no idol is anything 8:7 - Another views meat as worship to idol 8:8 - Not better or worse by either practice 8:9f - Liberty must not be a stumbling-block 9:1f - Example given of apostolic liberty 10:1f - Danger of idolatry’s influence in sin 10:23 - Act may be lawful, but not edify 10:24f - Our liberty may be limited by one weakened to sin due to his wrong views

Comments from Brethren in Past

R. L. Whiteside (A New Commentary on Paul's Letter to the Saints at Rome) Said subject of chapter was "a matter of opinion or indifference” (pp ) or “matter of indifference or of personal rights” (p. 274) “But it seems to me that this injunction against judging must be confined to such matters as Paul was discussing” (p. 271)

Moses Lard Commentary on Paul's Letter to Romans, 1875 “These thoughts are his own private opinions respecting things about which there is no command. He, therefore, has the right to hold them without interference from others. The things which his thoughts respect are in themselves indifferent; and therefore the thoughts which relate to them are indifferent” (p. 413).

David Lipscomb A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles: Romans “The character of these questions is given in the following verses. They are questions concerning which God has given no teaching and which have no bearing on the character of man” (p. 243).

Bryan Vinson, Sr. Paul's Letter to the Saints at Rome "Now, if it was a matter of faith and authorized duty, instead of opinion and therefore a matter of indifference, such a qualification would not be proper" (p. 261).

A.W. Dicus A Brief Commentary on Paul's Letter to the Church at Rome "In this chapter he (Paul) deals with things or matters that are indifferent within themselves" (p. 99).

Recent Broadening of Romans 14

Ed Harrell in Christianity Magazine April 1989 (p. 6) “Issue in Romans 14 is precisely the establishment of the right of brethren to differ in matters of ‘faith.’” Also appeals to “common sense” without “need of revelation May 1989 (p. 6) “It is obvious that Christians sometimes disagree about scriptural instruction, even in matters of considerable moral and doctrinal import…. That behavior, uniformly practiced throughout Christianity is, I believe, the issue addressed in Romans 14.”

Ed Harrell in Christianity Magazine May 1990 (p. 6) “Within certain limits, God grants to Christians the right to a private conscience in matters of ‘faith.’ I believe that right is discussed in Romans 14. However, whether or not one accepts my exegesis of that passage, honest minds must acknowledge the reality of a past and present Christian world that tolerates contradictory teaching and practice on important moral and doctrinal questions.” “The Bounds of Christian Unity” (17 articles) No correction or reproof stated by any editor

Bob Owen in Temple Terrace, FL “I'm talking tonight about fellowshipping. And I'm doing it in a context of a series of discussions on the marriage question.” “So let me suggest in the Scripture there are some cases discussed in detail where brethren had some differences of conviction. They differed in their belief. They differed in their practice. And yet they not only could continue to fellowship, but they were taught by Paul, the Lord through Paul, that they should continue to fellowship.” Appealed to 1 Corinthians 8-10 and Romans 14

Bob Owen in Temple Terrace, FL And many brethren today have come along and have said, "These passages can not be applied to any matter where the Scripture teaches on it." The only thing that they, that this, these passages can be used to answer, are matters of indifference. Those are our terms. And I have heard this preached. I can show it to you in print and you can too. You know it. They say it's only on matters of indifference. Now, I'm going to return momentarily to the marriage question. Wrong passage! Principles of Romans 14 not given to answer issues regarding divorce & remarriage

Action Considered in Romans 14 God received him in the action (4) Done with full assurance of mind (5) Done unto the Lord (6) Done giving God thanks (6) “Nothing is unclean of itself” (14) Action was “good” (16) Serving Christ while engaged in it (18) “All things indeed are clean” (20) Called “strong” together with Paul (15:1)

Lynn Trapp - Sentry Magazine (30 June 1986) I need to add some additional remarks. I want my instrumental brethren to understand that I still recognize them as brothers in Christ, and in spite of what I consider their sinful practice, I believe God, not I, will be their judge. While I ask them to put aside their unauthorized practice for the sake of unity, I do not insist that they accept my conclusions unless they deem those to be scriptural. (There are preachers who insist that unity can be achieved only when those using the instrument accept the sinfulness of the instrument and repent of it. Those require perfect knowledge as a requisite for scriptural unity...

Lynn Trapp - Sentry Magazine (continued) That is contrary to Romans 14:1 which says we are to "accept" the weak brother [and I presume that most non-instrumental preachers consider the instrumental brethren to be "weak"] without "passing judgement on his opinions." The word for opinion in Romans 14 is a word which refers to "wrong thinking" and thus would include matters which are deemed to be unscriptural.)