*Lovingly climbing up on soapbox*
When the RPCNA and OPC were considering some options of uniting into one body I wondered if Union was beneficial. Union and Unity are two different things. Union implies being of the same substance or essence. Unity implies two different substances going and working together. Men and women marry and have a Union. Two brothers can not have this and walk in unity. Someone was in this merger was going to have to compromise and that did not seem to be a necessary evil if Unity was good.
The OPC is not EP and the RPCNA is. The OPC uses instruments and the RPCNA doesn't. Each opperate on different principles and understanding. To merge was going to violate the conscience of many. This was not a good thing.
Since they had a lot in common, to walk in close unity was sufficient In my humble opinion. Our true union is in Christ. But on this side of heaven we still differ and are complicated. I believe Romans 14 is very applicable to this.
In light of Romans 14 we need to Obey our Father and keep the bonds of Love even though we don't have a complete congregational Union. Brothers are two walk in Unity.
Quote:
(Rom 14:1) Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
(Rom 14:2) For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
(Rom 14:3) Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
(Rom 14:4) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
(Rom 14:5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
(Rom 14:6) He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
(Rom 14:7) For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
(Rom 14:8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
(Rom 14:9) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
(Rom 14:10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
(Rom 14:11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
(Rom 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
(Rom 14:13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
(Rom 14:14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
(Rom 14:15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
(Rom 14:16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
(Rom 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(Rom 14:18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
(Rom 14:19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(Rom 14:20) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
(Rom 14:21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
(Rom 14:22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
(Rom 14:23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Let me also add a qualifier here. I believe that judge in this context means to condemn. We need to be discerning.
I support the differences in denominations as long as they are orthodox. I have seen Baptists be schismatic. I have seen Presbyterians be schismatic. But we all need to understand we are obligated to act in accordance with Romans chapter 14. If we belong to the Head, Christ Jesus, we are required to express or faith by loving each other because we are sons and daughters of the King. We will be held accountable for how we receive each other and treat each other in light of His will. We are in Him and accountable to Him alone.
For Christ's Crown and Covenant...
*Loving climbing down off of soapbox*
[Edited on 10-17-2005 by puritancovenanter]
When the RPCNA and OPC were considering some options of uniting into one body I wondered if Union was beneficial. Union and Unity are two different things. Union implies being of the same substance or essence. Unity implies two different substances going and working together. Men and women marry and have a Union. Two brothers can not have this and walk in unity. Someone was in this merger was going to have to compromise and that did not seem to be a necessary evil if Unity was good.
The OPC is not EP and the RPCNA is. The OPC uses instruments and the RPCNA doesn't. Each opperate on different principles and understanding. To merge was going to violate the conscience of many. This was not a good thing.
Since they had a lot in common, to walk in close unity was sufficient In my humble opinion. Our true union is in Christ. But on this side of heaven we still differ and are complicated. I believe Romans 14 is very applicable to this.
In light of Romans 14 we need to Obey our Father and keep the bonds of Love even though we don't have a complete congregational Union. Brothers are two walk in Unity.
Quote:
(Rom 14:1) Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
(Rom 14:2) For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
(Rom 14:3) Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
(Rom 14:4) Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
(Rom 14:5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
(Rom 14:6) He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
(Rom 14:7) For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
(Rom 14:8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
(Rom 14:9) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
(Rom 14:10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
(Rom 14:11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
(Rom 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
(Rom 14:13) Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
(Rom 14:14) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
(Rom 14:15) But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
(Rom 14:16) Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
(Rom 14:17) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(Rom 14:18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
(Rom 14:19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(Rom 14:20) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
(Rom 14:21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
(Rom 14:22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
(Rom 14:23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Let me also add a qualifier here. I believe that judge in this context means to condemn. We need to be discerning.
I support the differences in denominations as long as they are orthodox. I have seen Baptists be schismatic. I have seen Presbyterians be schismatic. But we all need to understand we are obligated to act in accordance with Romans chapter 14. If we belong to the Head, Christ Jesus, we are required to express or faith by loving each other because we are sons and daughters of the King. We will be held accountable for how we receive each other and treat each other in light of His will. We are in Him and accountable to Him alone.
For Christ's Crown and Covenant...
*Loving climbing down off of soapbox*
[Edited on 10-17-2005 by puritancovenanter]
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