Puritan Sailor
Puritan Board Doctor
Rev. 2
Since schism seems to be the hot topic of the day I thought I would start a more exegetically based discussion with one of the biblical examples that Thomas Boston uses in his sermon "The Evil and Danger of Schism." Here's a link to the sermon if you wish to read it.
http://www.naphtali.com/schism.htm
On to the discussion question.
If leaving the corrupt church and forming another congregation was a viable option for faithful Christians, then why didn't Jesus instruct the faithful of Thyatira to leave and seperate from these wicked and immoral false teachers in the church? It seems that Jesus instructed the saints to stick it out and be faithful and let God handle the wicked guys in His own time. In fact, I don't think any of the saints in these commands to the seven churches are told to seperate. I realize there are other issues tied into this but I thought I would try and turn the Board's discussion to reflect on some Scriptures rather than later historical practice. Any thoughts?
18 "œAnd to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
"˜These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 "œI know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 "œNow to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations"”
27 "˜ He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter´s vessels'-
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 "œHe who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."´
Since schism seems to be the hot topic of the day I thought I would start a more exegetically based discussion with one of the biblical examples that Thomas Boston uses in his sermon "The Evil and Danger of Schism." Here's a link to the sermon if you wish to read it.
http://www.naphtali.com/schism.htm
On to the discussion question.
If leaving the corrupt church and forming another congregation was a viable option for faithful Christians, then why didn't Jesus instruct the faithful of Thyatira to leave and seperate from these wicked and immoral false teachers in the church? It seems that Jesus instructed the saints to stick it out and be faithful and let God handle the wicked guys in His own time. In fact, I don't think any of the saints in these commands to the seven churches are told to seperate. I realize there are other issues tied into this but I thought I would try and turn the Board's discussion to reflect on some Scriptures rather than later historical practice. Any thoughts?