1. The Grace Unity Movement
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2. History of the Movement
In the late 1800’s various denominations where failing to fellowship one another based upon doctrinal issues.
All the denominations claimed to be God’s one true church.
Denominational division left Christ’s prayer for unity unfulfilled. (John 17:20-21)
The divisions were not limited to divisions between denominations, but resulted in factions within the denominations.
Many were alarmed by the sectarianism that existed in the denominational world.
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3. History of the Movement
A call for unity was made.
Instead of attempting to attain unity by teaching and practicing only those things authorized in Scripture Protestant leaders sought a broader basis for fellowship.
Fellowship hinged only upon core beliefs about Christ (“Gospel”), and not upon “doctrine”.
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4. History of the Movement
As a result denominations began to recognize that there are Christians in all denominations.
People in one denomination will transfer to another without having to be baptized again.
Denominational preachers would hold services in which preachers from all denominations were invited to participate.
Christmas services
Easter services
Thanksgiving services
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5. History of the Movement
This movement affected the churches of Christ.
Carl Ketcherside and Leroy Garrett
Once taught vehemently against:
Individual or church supported Bible colleges.
Located preachers
Excluded from fellowship any who did not accept their views.
Taught:
As long as one accepts the gospel of Christ he may be wrong about his doctrine, but he is in fellowship with God and should be accepted into fellowship by all of God’s children.
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6. History of the Movement
As long as one accepted fundamental fact about Jesus and water baptism for salvation he should be fellowshipped no matter what else he teaches.
It does not matter what he teaches in regards to:
Instrumental music
Institutionalism
The woman’s role in the church
The work of the church
Over the years what was viewed as “Gospel” diminished and what was viewed as “doctrine” increased.
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7. History of the Movement
In the institutional churches of Christ there is a division over fellowship.
Leaders in some churches are asserting that there are Christians in all denominations
Even though these individuals have not been scripturally baptized. These individuals stand acceptably before God
Even though there are violations of authority in using mechanical instruments of music in worship
Even though Churches are in unscriptural arrangements (denominationalism)
Even though these churches are unscriptural in their works
Even though these churches are unscriptural in the name they wear
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8. The Bible and Fellowship
The Bounds of Fellowship Can Be Too Board
2 John 9-11; 1 Cor. 5:1-11;
The Bounds of Fellowship Can Be Too Narrow
3 John 9-10;
Our Bounds of Fellowship Extend to Those We Believe to Be in Fellowship with God.
1 John 1:1-3; 1 John 1:7;
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9. THE GRACE UNITY MOVEMENT MISUNDERSTANDS THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF GRACE.
The New Testament Writers Taught Perverting God’s Grace Lead to Sin and Error. (Romans 6:1,2; Jude 4)
New Testament Teaching on Grace.
We are saved by grace. (Eph. 2:8-9)
The Gospel is the revelation of God’s grace. (Acts 20:24)
We avail ourselves to the grace of God through obedience. (Titus 2:11-13)
Adhering to the wrong doctrine can cause one to “fall from grace”. (Gal. 5:4)
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10. THE GRACE UNITY MOVEMENT MAKES A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE GOSPEL AND DOCTRINE.
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11. Gospel Doctrine Distinction
Gospel: The Christ event, 1 Cor 15:1-4
Acceptance assures salvation
Fellowship should be extended to all who accept the “core gospel”
Doctrine: Made to mean all other New Testament teachings
Do not affect salvation and do not determine fellowship
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12. Gospel/Doctrine Distinction
Does the Bible Make This Distinction?
The Gospel is preached to saints and sinners. (Romans 1:7, ; Mark 16:15-16)
Doctrine is preached to saints and sinners. (Romans 6:17- 18; Acts 2:42)
That which frees man from sin is sometimes called doctrine. (Romans 6:17-18;)
That which saves man is called “Gospel” (Romans 1:16-17)
That which leads us to maturity is sometimes called “Gospel”. (1 Tim. 1:10-11)
The early Christians matured in the apostles’ doctrine. (Acts 2:42)
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13. THE GRACE UNITY MOVEMENT TEACHES WHEN ONE DOES NOT ADHERE TO THE “DOCTRINE” OF CHRIST IT IS NOT A MATTER OF FELLOWSHIP.
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14. Doctrine Not a Matter of Fellowship?
Doctrine: (Grace Unity Definition)
Made to mean all other New Testament teachings.
Do not affect salvation and do not determine fellowship
Doctrine Does Matter. (2 John 9)
Argument: Doctrine of Christ refers to the doctrine about Christ.
Rebuttal: Note the context (vv. 4-8)
To disregard the teachings about Christ or to disregard the teachings of Christ will cost us our relationship with God.
If one accepts the teachings about Christ, then they will accept all the teachings of Christ.
A failure to regard Paul’s teachings did matter. (1 Cor. 5:1-11; 2 Thess. 3:6-15)
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15. Some Things Violate the Bounds of Christian Fellowship
One cannot fellowship those who are practicing immorality. (1 Cor. 5:1-11; 2 Thess. 3:6-14)
One cannot fellowship with those who are teaching and practicing false religion. (1 Cor. 15:33)
In Cor. 10:14-22; Paul forbid them to continue to fellowship those who worshipped idols.
In Romans 16:17-18; Paul told them to mark and remain aloof from those who taught divisive doctrines.
Paul warned the Philippians against the Judaizers. (Phil. 3:1-2)
Paul warned of those who taught a gospel contrary to the faith. (1 Tim. 6:3-5)
Paul warned against those who denied the resurrection. (1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18)
Peter and Jude warned against those who bring in damnable heresies. (2 Peter 2; Jude 1-25)
The Lord warned of Balaam like teachers (Rev. 2:14)
The Lord warned against Jezebel like teachers (Rev. 2:20)
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