Truth Magazine

By Clinton D. Hamilton

Sometimes a querist is concerned with an issue that has several aspects. Accordingly, a series of questions is expressed. Such is the case in this instance. Submitted below is the language of the querist in pinpointing the matters for consideration.

Questions:

“Please comment on 1 Corinthians 6:1, Acts 16:25 and Romans 13 as it pertains to the following situation:

Husband and wife are having marriage problems. They have spoken with brethren about the problem. The husband abuses the wife. She calls the police. She gets a restraining order to protect herself.

Question 1: Should she have gone through the Matthew 18:15-18 process?

Question 2: Was she violating 1 Corinthians 6:1 or was she appealing to Civil Government as Paul did in Acts 22:25?

Question 3: When would it be proper for two brethren to appeal to Civil Government as it is ordained of God in Romans 13?

Question 4: How do you determine whether a matter is for the Church to decide or the civil government to decide? If Civil law is broken (wife beating) is that a civil matter?

If a husband and wife cannot work out their differences, should 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 apply? If I understand this passage, it allows for divorce but not remarriage as fornication is not involved.”

Response:

In this response, the description of the situation by the querist should be kept in mind.

Question 1: If a brother sins against another brother, then the second brother is to speak to him between the two alone in order to seek to remediate the situation. If he does not hear in the sense of being responsive to correct the relationship then the second brother is to contact one or two more brethren to accompany him to discuss the issue with the sinning brother. Given the situation in which the sinning brother still does not yield to these exhortations, then the brother wronged is to present the matter to the church or assembly. Failing to effect a change by all these efforts, the sinner is to be as a gentile and the tax-collector. So is the teaching of Matthew 18:15-17.

A wife being abused by a husband who is a brother in the Lord should certainly seek to follow the Lord’s instruction in Matthew 18:15-17. Brethren, directed by the Lord, are certainly more qualified to point out the Lord’s way to each party. The principles and instruction of 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 demonstrate when this course of action is appropriate. It is entirely possible, however, that one may not respond to God’s plan for resolving the problem.

Civil government is authorized by God for this purpose: to punish the evil-doer and to praise them that do well (Rom. 13:3-4; 1 Pet. 2:13-15). Accordingly, Christians have the obligation to pay taxes in order that the civil ruler may attend to the work God ordained that he should do (Rom. 13:1-2,5-7). A Christian whose husband abuses her and refuses to hear the brethren in the matter of amending his ways would properly appeal to the civil government for punishment of the evil doer under civil law. She is to be protected or praised for her well doing. Therefore, civil government should fulfill its God-ordained role as set forth above.

A Christian calling on civil government in this instance is not in violation of Matthew 18 or 1 Corinthians 6 because she followed the proper course, as set forth in the preceding response, in seeking to bring about an amendment in the abusive husband’s conduct. Civil government’s ordained role is not antithetical to the kingdom of God. Its role, however, may be corrupted to put it in opposition to right and good.

Question 2: Paul’s appeal to his status as a Roman citizen in Acts 16:37 and 22:25 is not parallel to the situation described concerning which this question is directed. He was not abused by a brother. He did call on civil government to perform its God-ordained role. As a Roman citizen he had certain rights under Roman law, which law was consistent with the law of Christ. He appealed for the application of those rights to his situation.

If the abused spouse followed Matthew 18:15-17, prior to calling on civil government, she did not violate 1 Corinthians 6:1. She sought to effect a resolution through brethren rather than going before civil law. However, as a citizen she has certain rights that can only be enforced by the properly God-ordained agent. The abusive husband as described above refused to yield to brethren. The matter then passes to the realm of civil government.

Question 3: When brethren follow 1 Corinthians 6:1ff and in the particular case (personal sin against one) as set forth in Matthew 18:15-17, and a civil issue is involved, i.e. violation of a specific law, brethren can appeal to civil government. Let us look at this situation: A Christian’s spouse commits adultery and every effort is made by the other spouse and brethren brought into the matter but with a failure of the sinner to repent, the innocent spouse seeks to put the offending spouse away. In this case, appeal would be made to civil government for a legal divorce. In this instance, a Christian could appeal to civil government. The remedy sought conforms to the law of God as articulated by Jesus.

In the case of a dispute over a contract issue between brethren, and there is no resolution between them and among other brethren, then the dispute could be submitted to civil government. Contract law is rather minutely detailed by most well developed societies.

If an issue has been resolved by brethren between and among themselves there may be needed a legal declaration on the matter. In this event, brethren could go to civil government for the needed declaration. Government operating as God decreed is not antithetical to righteousness.

Question 4: The nature of the issue must be clearly defined and Scripture dealing with it would have to be applied. The Scripture’s context, language, and corroborative passages, if any, would need to be assessed for applicability. If through persuasive appeals from the gospel made to the wrong doer are devoid of the desired end, and if a specific, civil right is involved to which the Christian is entitled by both God and civil law, then an appeal can be made to civil government.

Crucial to this determination are a correct analysis of the issue at concern and a correct understanding and application of Scripture to it. There are instances when a brother, through a correct application of 1 Corinthians 6, would take wrong and even be defrauded (1 Cor. 6:7). Some brethren might use civil government to seek to defraud another brother (1 Cor. 6:8). In this instance appeal to civil government is prohibited.

There is yet another question posed by the querist in his final paragraph. The question centers on 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 as applied to the situation described by the querist.

The instruction given in the passage is for a Christian who is a wife not to depart from her husband and likewise the same instruction is given to a husband not to depart from his wife. If one’s companion does depart, no adultery being present, then they are to remain unmarried. In the event a Christian is married to an unbeliever and the unbeliever departs, then the believer has no obligation or bondage to provide for the one who departed.

It is obvious from this passage that it is possible for a spouse to live apart, remaining unmarried, in irreconcilable conditions. The principle is clearly enunciated.

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 2, pp. 41-42
January 16, 1992

By Larry Ray Hafley

It has been suggested that before an issue or doctrine is sufficient to disrupt fellowship among brethren that three criteria must be considered. First, is the issue clear? Is it generally understood and acknowledged as truth? If so, it may be used to “draw a line of fellowship.” If not, then the issue should be left for each person to decipher without a break in fellowship. Second, are the advocates of the doctrine honest and sincere? If they are, they are to be received. Third, is the teaching serious enough to warrant a break in fellowship? Is it an important issue? If it is, fellowship becomes a problem. If it is a harmless or insignificant topic, fellowship should not be broken.

Before anyone “falls out” with me over this article, must they be sure that the issue is clear and easily understood? Must they determine whether or not I am sincere in answering the views stated above? Must they decide that this particular issue (subjective grounds for determining fellowship) is grave enough to cause their anxiety over it? It is strange that some may resent this article and reject me for it, but if one teaches error on the marriage question, error that may lead and leave some in a state of adultery, that person is accepted and defended while I am rejected and criticized for writing about it!

Clarity

Just who is to decide whether or not an issue is clearly taught in the Bible? If clarity is necessary to determine fellowship, what board, what panel, what group is to decide this for us? We have been accused of being “creed makers,” of setting human guidelines for fellowship, but this is creed making with a vengeance! Again, who will provide us with a list of items that are unclear and “murky,” and that cannot, therefore, be made a “test of fellowship”? Who will list specific doctrines that are clear enough to rupture fellowship?

Evidently, teaching about the second coming of Christ was “hard to be understood” (2 Pet. 3:16). It was “hard,” but it as not impossible. The Thessalonians were troubled over matters relating to “the day of Christ,” even though Paul had “told” them “these things” before (2 Thess. 2:5). The Corinthians had problems with the resurrection and things that would transpire “at his coming” (1 Cor. 15). Hence, doctrinal matters relative to the resurrection and the Lord’s coming again were not entirely clear to some.

Shall we conclude, therefore, that doctrine concerning the second coming of Christ cannot affect fellowship with brethren? If clarity is the key, then events surrounding the Lord’s return cannot cause us to mark and avoid them that teach falsely about it. However, Paul did that very thing regarding Hymanaeus and Philetus, “who concerning the truth have erred, saying the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some” (2 Tim. 2:16-18). Peter, after saying that such questions were difficult to understand, immediately warned that those who were unlearned and unstable would wrest or twist such things, “as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your stedfastness” (2 Pet. 3:16,17). Hence, despite the apparent lack of clarity of understanding, they were held responsible and accountable and were in danger of destruction.

We dare not accept “the error of the wicked,” even though the teaching may be “hard to be understood.” There is difficulty regarding the sovereignty of God and the free will of man, but one dare not extend “the right hand of fellowship” to a Primitive Baptist on account of it. There is a lack of clarity on nearly everything to some people. Men debate and discuss topics as diverse as Shiloh and psallo, but the judgment that decrees a lack of clarity on them and advocates fellowship as a result of that lack is false.

Honesty

Assuredly, teachers of the truth must be honest (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). Who shall determine which men are honest and which are dishonest? Oral Roberts, the noted “faith healer,” is regarded by some as an honest, sincere man. Suppose he is. Shall we “fellowship” him because he is honest? On the other hand, “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife . . . not sincerely . . . in pretence” (Phil. 1:15,16,18). With Paul, we may rejoice “that Christ is preached,” but shall we have fellowship with the works of the flesh and the men that are motivated by them?

Just how honest and sincere were Hymanaeus and Philetus? If we assume and presume their personal integrity, does that free us to ignore Paul’s command to shun their “profane and vain babblings” (2 Tim. 2:16-19)? No matter how conscientious, prayerful, pious and devout these men were, the consequences of their doctrine overthrew “the faith of some.” The issue was not, “Are Hymanaeus and Philetus men of unimpeachable character?” “Concerning the truth,” Paul said, they “have erred,” and no amount of respect, regret, love or brotherly kindness could change that harsh reality.

Despite the fact that the resurrection is fraught with difficulty and despite the fact that Hymanaeus and Philetus may have been men of staunch faith, sterling quality and stirring ability, their teaching was to be shunned (cf. Rom. 16:17). “Cry aloud, and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sin” (Isa. 58:1). “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Be not deceived. One’s zeal, honesty and earnestness can neither save him nor them that hear him when he errs “from the truth” (Jas. 5:19,20; Matt. 7:21-23; 1 Tim. 1:3; 4:6,16).

Gravity

Some say that before we split and splinter over an issue or doctrine that we must determine its relative importance or gravity. Fine, but who shall decide which teachings are major and which are minor? Who is it that will list doctrines that are too frivolous to fracture fellowship and those that are so serious that they sunder it? Before someone signs up to provide us such a definitive delineation of doctrine, let him hear this, “but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge” (Jas. 4:11).

(1) To some folks, the communion of the body and blood of the Lord is the important thing, so they will not be bothered with arguing over whether or not it is to be limited to the first day of the week. How do they decide this? Well, eating the Lord’s supper is important, but when you eat it is not! (2) To some people, singing and making melody in your heart is the main thing, but whether or not a piano, guitar or organ accompanies it is of no consequence. How do they decide this? Simple! Singing is important, but playing is not! (3) Many believe that baptism is vital, essential, and necessary to please God, but how it is done, whether by sprinkling, pouring or immersion, is inconsequential. How do they decide this? That is easy! Baptism is important, but how you go about it is not! (4) Relieving the needy is important, but whether the church chooses to do the work itself or send a donation to a benevolent society is not worth “fussing over.” How do they decide this? No problem! Doing the work is the thing that really matters. “How” we go about it is none of your business!

Before we decide that certain aspects of God’s will are not significant enough to warrant our concern, perhaps we should note a few of God’s ways and thoughts (Isa. 55:8,9). Since his ways are not our ways, and since “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death,” and since “it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23), it behooves us to consider that “which the Holy Spirit teacheth.”

First, if you had a garden and had a gardener to tend it, how important would it be if the gardener merely ate of the one and only fruit that you had forbidden him to eat? If he tended it as he was supposed to do, how “big of a deal” would it be if he just ate of one tree? It is not like he painted obscenities about you or chopped down several prize trees. Would you really fire a gardener who ate the fruit of one tree? See Genesis 3.

Second, Nadab and Abihu were not burning incense unto a heathen diety (Lev. 10:1,2). They did not neglect to burn incense. They did not curse God and complain about having to burn incense. So far as we know, their “heart was in the right place.” So what if they “offered strange (foreign) fire . . . which he commanded them not”? After all, fire is fire. Whether you obtain it from the coals of the altar or from a farmer’s match, it is still fire, and you are doing what God said do; namely, burn incense. How much “gravity” should we attach to the source of the first we use to do what God said do? See Leviticus 10: 1,2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-14.

Third, we know all about the ark of the covenant. It was not to be touched; it was to be carried by the Levites in a certain way (Deut. 10:8; Exod. 25:14; Num. 4:15; 1 Chron. 15:2). When Uzzah touched it, God “smote him. . . And David was displeased” (1 Chron. 13: 10,11). Note these extentuating circumstances. (A) It was not a matter of transporting the ark. God had not said that it could not be moved. So, they were doing a thing which God allowed. They were just moving it in a way that God had not authorized (Num. 25:14,15; 1 Chron. 13:7). “I mean, what’s the big deal? It could be moved, and they were moving it. It doesn’t matter how you do it.” Oh, really (1 Chron. 15:13)? (b) When Uzzah touched the ark, he thought he was doing a “good work.” The ark was about to fall because the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah tried to steady it. It is not like he was sneaking around at night and saying to himself, “I know the ark is not to be touched, but I think I will just touch it with the tip of my finger and see what it feels like.” No, Uzzah’s intentions were good, and he was, no doubt, a very honest and devout man, but “he died before God.” (C) Suppose Uzzah had refused to hold the ark when it shook and suppose it had fallen and been scratched and dented. In other words, the end justifies the means. Imagine how Uzzah may have been reproached by his brethren if he had let the ark fall when he could have prevented it! “Uzzah, what’s wrong with you? Surely, the Lord would not have condemned you for trying to save the ark? Sometimes you have to let some things take precedence over other things that are not so important.”

Fourth, a “man of God” prophesied as God had directed him to do (1 Kgs. 13). The prophet was not to eat or drink, neither was he to return the same way he came. However, because he believed a lie, he ate and drank. Because he “was disobedient unto the word of the Lord,” he was killed by a lion. Now, who would argue that eating and drinking or the route you take is as important as preaching the truth? The prophet showed great courage to go into enemy territory and deliver an unpopular, negative, condemnatory message. He did his duty and manifested great faith and a willingness to sacrifice his life, if need be, to preach the truth. Who among us would say that he should die because he did eat and drink? After all, he believed a lie. He thought he was doing the right thing. How important are those things? See 1 Kings 13.

Fifth, even such a matter as eating meat, which I have the right to eat, may result in my sinning against my brother, wounding his weak conscience and in sinning “against Christ” (1 Cor. 8). On a scale of 1 to 10, what is the gravity level of eating meat as compared to idolatry itself? Perhaps from my view, there is no comparison, but my opinion as to the relative seriousness of each issue does not mean that I may dismiss either with impunity (cf. Matt. 23:23).

Conclusion

There are subtle, subjective grounds for determining fellowship that will, if followed to their logical conclusions, lead men into compromise at best and error at worst. As the case of Barnabas shows, one who is “carried away,” however innocently, stands “condemned” (Gal. 2:11-14). Hence, my fellowship with error does affect my position and condition before God (Col. 2:8).

If God “tolerates contradictory teachings and practices on important moral and doctrinal questions,” as some have affirmed, does this toleration include instruments of music in worship, Thursday night communion, sprinkling for baptism, institutionalism, sponsoring church arrangements, church sponsored recreation, and those unscripturally divorced and remarried? If so, we had better cease opposition to such things, lest we be found to bind where God has not bound. Are we to weigh and evaluate each subject by its clarity, by the honesty of its proponents and by the gravity of its consequences? If so, who is sufficient to determine such things? How do we know they are qualified? Who shall appoint them? If the premises are accepted, these queries demand an answer.

If subjective grounds for fellowship are followed, several things are inevitable. (1) Doctrinal and moral evil of every kind will be unopposed, unchecked, unrestrained. As a result, men will live and die in sin and go to the judgment to face God. (2) The pattern for the work, worship and organization of the church of the Lord will perish from the hearts of men. (3) Every man will become a law unto himself. (4) Human creeds and confessions and centers of human authority, which are demanded by the philosophy we are reviewing, will abound yet more and more. (5) Sects, divisions, and parties built around men will be multiplied. History, both sacred and secular, testifies to the truth of these consequences (Col. 2; Jas. 3).

What alternative do we have? Be obedient to God’s law, not a judge of it (Jas. 1:25; 2:12; 4:11,12). If you know God, if you love God, you will keep his commandments and not seek to avoid them (1 Jn. 2:3-5). The man that hears God is the man that hears the apostolic word. In this manner, in this way, we know the teacher of truth and the teacher of error (1 Jn. 4:1,6). Take heed unto yourself and unto the doctrine; hold fast the form of sound words (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 1:13). Repudiate that which is contrary to sound doctrine, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 6:3-5). “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:17). “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). “Be thou faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10).

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 1, pp. 33-35
January 2, 1992

By Bobby Witherington

There are many vital questions concerning which various members of the church are in strong disagreement. In fact, some would even take issue with the first sentence of this article which mentions “members of the church. ” You see, they would have us believe that “church” is wrongly translated, that Jesus therefore did not build, establish, or purchase “the church.” Consequently, armed with money supplied by various members of the church, some are seeking to destroy and to deny the rightful existence of the very hand that has fed them for most of their adult lives!

Others, however, are much more tolerant and “loving”(?). They do not oppose the rightful existence of “the church,” but they have imbibed the ecumenical spirit. They appear ready to extend “the right hand of fellowship” to virtually any morally upright person who has been baptized for the remission of sins – regardless of what that person believes and teaches on a broad range of issues, such as: the work of the church, instrumental music in worship, premillennialism, marriage, divorce, and remarriage, etc. And some are even more ecumenical than this -claiming to be in fellowship with all (regardless of denominational affiliation) “who love and trust Jesus as Savior” (paging Edward Fudge). In fact, Leroy Garrett says that churches of Christ, in order “to be saved,” must have their “own Vatican II,” patterned after the spirit of Catholicism’s ecumenical council of 1965 when “it went on record as acknowledging all other Christians as true brothers and sisters in Christ” (Restoration Review, May 1991). Apparently, according to brother Garrett, we, too, in the same way and for the same reasons, must reach out to those in the Denominations around us, regarding them as “Christians as our equals,” and that we should do this “beginning right now.” Moreover, this is something which churches of Christ “must do” in order “to be saved!”

Yes, the winds of change (and of compromise) are blowing. In some quarters these “winds” have assumed the destructive force of a major hurricane. Of course, the force of these “winds” varies from place to place, and from group to group. But regardless of the varying intensity of these “winds,” it seems that brethren who love the truth, and who cannot conscientiously bid “God speed” to those who abide “not in the doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9-11) increasingly are being criticized, ostracized, and vilified. Meanwhile their broad-minded, tolerant, compromising counterparts are idolized, immortalized and canonized.

In self-justification for their compromising spirit, many now say that “everyone practices unity in diversity.” “Unity in diversity” is a loaded phrase. If one disagrees with its connotation he is likely to receive a lesson on Romans 14. Admittedly, in this chapter Paul mentioned various items concerning which some then disagreed. However, notwithstanding their differences, they were told to “receive” one another (v. 1); they were admonished not to “set at naught” their brethren (v. 10), nor to “judge one another any more” (v. 13). Furthermore, they were urged to “follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (v. 19). Hence, in view of the fact that this chapter mentions a diversity of beliefs which different ones held, but which were not to interfere with their being “like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus” (Rom. 15:5), then, Presto! we must all practice “unity in diversity.”

It is not that we are opposed to the brand of “unity in diversity” which is taught in Romans 14. However, what is often overlooked is that Romans 14 deals with matters which do not inherently affect one’s relationship with God. For example, the fact that one person can conscientiously eat meat does not make that individual more acceptable to God than another whose conscience will not allow him to thus eat. In matters of indifference, but concerning which we disagree, what really counts is our attitude – our attitude toward truth and toward one another. There are some areas of disagreement wherein every man must “be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5), and which should not become issues which alienate and separate.

In view of the fact that Romans 14 is more thoroughly discussed elsewhere in this issue, I will only make one more observation about this chapter. The observation is this: There are some matters which belong outside the realm of Romans 14 – matters about which the Bible is very explicit, which pertain to both the preaching and practice of error, and which (if pursued) will damn one’s immortal soul to an eternal hell! Fornication and adultery belong in this category (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:2-6; etc.). Generally speaking, brethren (and many denominationalists), historically speaking, have recognized this fundamental fact. However, as ancient Israel in Canaan was gradually, and environmentally conditioned to accept the idolatry and immorality of the Canaanites, many of our brethren are being similarly conditioned to accept the ways of the world. This is especially true in such matters as divorce, fornication, and adultery. By its very nature, this is an emotionally charged issue. Almost every congregation is affected in some way. Few families have escaped unscathed by the tragedy of divorce. All of us have friends who have been affected. People we love, people we have tried to convert, are living in adultery! The temptation to play the part of a lawyer (“looking for a loophole”) is enormous!

Consequently (and not surprisingly) various able men have made numerous ingenious arguments which are designed to justify people who are living in sin. At present, these arguments often pertain to marriage and divorce. But if present immoral trends continue, we will ultimately be amazed to hear similar ingenious arguments designed to justify abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, gambling, and bigamy! Some preachers will preach almost anything – that is, anything except repentance and what it entails!

This article is not intended to analyze the various positions espoused, and arguments made – arguments which are designed to justify a person being married to his second, third (ad. inf.) wife, though his first wife is yet alive, and from whom he was divorced for some cause other than fornication (cf. Matt. 19:9). Some teach that the guilty fornicator has the same right to remarriage as the innocent spouse. Others say the alien is not amenable to God’s law, thereby justifying any number of divorces and subsequent remarriages prior to baptism. A few have redefined “adultery” to make it a non-sexual act! The point is, many theories are being advanced; the arguments differ, but invariably the conclusion is the same – regardless of the cause, a divorced person can remarry with God’s approval!

Fortunately, many preachers still oppose these modern theories of convenience. If they are queried concerning what the Bible actually teaches, they give correct answers. However, some of these same brethren, when questioned about others who teach error, are not so forthright. They will brand their doctrine as false, while arguing that the teachers of false doctrine are not to be branded as false teachers! Especially if the teacher has a good attitude, and agrees with us on the work of the church! Frequently, under pressure, brethren who try to justify their fellowship of these false teachers will exclaim “but everyone practices unity in diversity.” Hence, in essence, they are saying that a preacher who justifies adulterous marriages is to be regarded in the same light as one who justifies the eating of pork!

But what should we do about those who practice the errors others are preaching? For example, those who practice the errors others preach with regards to marriage, divorce, and remarriage are living in adultery! (cf. Matt. 19:9; Lk. 16:18; Col. 3:5-7) These people, if they are brethren, are to be withdrawn from (1 Cor. 5:5-10). So long as they remain in their sin they are out of fellowship with God (1 Jn. 1:6,7), and therefore out of fellowship with those who are in fellowship with God (Eph. 5:11). My question is this: if Scripture compels us to withdraw from those who practice the errors which others preach, then how in the name of common sense can we regard the preacher of these errors as anything less than a false teacher? You may call it “an implement used for digging in the ground, ditching, cutting turf, etc., an instrument heavier than a shovel and having a flatter blade,” but where I came from a spade is a spade! By the same token, you may call him “a friend,” “a beloved brother,” “a learned man,” “kind,” “a person of great intellect,” etc., but when all glowing epithets are used up, a false teacher is still a false teacher!

Yes, we must love one another. Yes, we must love those who are caught in the web of sin. Our hearts must agonize for those who have learned by bitter experience that “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:15). And, yes, we must love those preachers who are preaching error. No good purpose is served when we impugn motives, misrepresent, and verbally lash out at those with whom we disagree. However, love does not ignore sin, nor does love seek to justify those preachers whose preaching tends to justify those sins which will cause souls to be lost. We must learn to regard immortal souls of greater value than temporal friendships. And in our attempt to practice unity in diversity, let us make sure that the unity practiced does not involve the condonance of divers sins and divers errors which tend to put one in a state of perversity before God!

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 1, pp. 21-22
January 2, 1992

By Larry Ray Hafley

There is much division in the church. Why is this? And what can be done about it? Some persons may, perchance, question our wisdom in writing an editorial in which these difficult issues are brought out and set forth plainly. They may think it better to suppress, as far as can be, the knowledge of these things. But I do not sympathize with any such timid policy. Ministers of the gospel must count it their duty to look difficulties and objections squarely in the face. The truth is to be held in love, and it is to be presented in love. We must not be merely negative or critical, nor must our only concern be to win an argument. We must always contend for the truth in the right spirit. That spirit is, that in all that we do, his honor and glory is paramount.

Among our people, there are two extreme positions. The first is that some draw the bounds of fellowship too narrow while others leave them too broad. Both of these positions are wrong. We must let the Bible set the limits of fellowship. This is not always easy to do, but we must simply strive diligently. There are some in the religious world who believe there are no restrictions at all placed upon church fellowship. But what saith the Scriptures? “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 Jn. 9-11).

This passage makes it plain that there are limitations on love and limitations upon fellowship. We simply cannot invite heretics into our churches. We simply cannot fellowship with those who would deny the Deity of Christ or those who would deny his humanity. We cannot fellowship with persons who would deny his atoning work on the cross and his resurrection. All doctrine and all Bible verses are important and essential in one sense of the word. I do not believe anything in the Bible is unimportant. What I do believe, however, is that there are some things that are non-essential as far as fellowship is concerned. There are surely some things that we may disagree upon and yet have fellowship with one another. The question is: Where do we draw the line?

All of our people agree that we cannot fellowship with those who deny the doctrine of Christ. There can be no fellowship with those who deny the reality of heaven and hell. There can be no fellowship with those who do not practice a Bible morality and a Bible discipline. It is at this latter point where most of our trouble rests. It can hardly be denied that ideally the churches of Christ should be one. However, no less clear is the fact that the basic cause of division within the churches, namely sin, is operating as powerfully today as it was in the past and that beyond all reasonable doubt it will continue to operate as powerfully in time to come. This is an exceedingly hard fact which must be faced with utmost realism. Fully aware that we will not reach the goal of sinless perfection in this life, we must yet press on with all our might toward that very mark.

Those churches involved in division should be willing to bring the doctrinal issues out in the open. There needs to be more open debate on issues. The truth has nothing to hide. Only those who would desire to fellowship things that they ought not, and those who would declare non-fellowship where it should not be declared, have anything to fear.

To divide the churches on what, according to the word of God is an “indifferent” matter; that is to say, a practice which God has neither condemned nor commanded, is wrong. Riding a theological hobby is by no means an innocent past time.

Brethren, we must all surely know that there is too much division among us. I know personally that many of our people are disturbed about it, but they don’t know what to do about it. Ignorance is one of our biggest problems. Brethren, we dare not bury our heads in the sand in this regard. There are many of our preachers who do not use enough Scripture during a sermon to fill a thimble. The reason some of our brethren know so little is because they have been taught so little. Furthermore, some of the teaching that is done, is done in such a disorderly way that it is a wonder anybody learns anything at all from it.

Many of our preachers have failed to take the admonition of 1 Timothy 4:14-16. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” The answer to this problem is not to try to ordain only those preachers who have been to college, but for preachers to, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). A formal college education is not a Bible qualification to preach the gospel. I will stand opposed to any who try to make it such.

What a colossal task a preacher has: He must teach the word of God, not only to those who are within the church, but also to those who are without, in order that they may be brought in. He must teach the word, not only publicly in the pulpit, but also privately in the home (Acts 20:20). He must teach the word, not just in the abstract, but by way of practical application to concrete situations, and he must apply the Bible not merely to personal difficulties but also to community problems. He must preach the word both constructively and controversially. He must set forth the truth positively, to be sure, but also contrast it with error. He must declare “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). It goes without saying that he cannot possibly do all this without being a diligent student of the Scriptures.

Part of what ministers must teach churches is about the basis of fellowship. They must teach the people about Unity and Division. They must teach the people as to where we may differ and still fellowship. If the people aren’t taught, they will not know how to act.

There is a double standard employed among some of our people which is deplorable. For example: Here we have a certain church that some think is disorderly. Yet, they will allow certain “big” preachers to visit that church and preach for them. Then a ” smaller” preacher goes there, or one they don’t like, and they call him on the carpet for his visit. Brethren, how can this be justified? I know for a fact that some of these so-called “big” preachers never say anything about the problems interfering with fellowship while visiting a church like this.

The two times I went to Bethel church in Nashville, I stayed up late in the night talking to Vern Jackson, the preacher, about the Masonry that they had in the church and also about the adultery issue. Brother Jackson told me that he believed in taking Masons into the church and then to try to preach it out. I told him that this did not make good nonsense and that I doubted that he ever made a strong attempt to preach it out.

In spite of Jackson’s errors, I thought he was a good man, and had I been able to talk with him a good deal more, I might have been able to help him. But just as soon as brother Jackson died and the church got a man in that the brethren in the area would accept, some of them started going to Bethel. But nothing had changed as far as Masonry or the adultery was concerned. This is more politics than anything else, and it smells.

We have some division among us that is caused by nothing more than jealousy among preachers. Preachers who do not make an effort to tear down these kind of bars are not doing their duty. It takes courage to do it, and we must try. Study 1 Corinthians chapter three.

In closing, may I say to you that the only place I know of in this world where there is perfect peace is in the cemetery. No one is fighting there. But they are all dead. The only kind of tree that will split is a live tree. A dead tree will not split. The Bible says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psa. 133:1)!

Important Note to All Readers of This Article:

Though my name is under the title of the article above, I did not write it. It was written by Elder Eddie K. Garrett, a Primitive Baptist preacher. It appeared in his paper, The Hardshell Baptist, August, 1990. It has been slightly modified and adapted. I thought you might be interested to learn of some of the problems that Primitive Baptists are having in their churches over fellowship and false doctrine. Of course, any similarity to issues among brethren in churches of Christ is purely coincidental. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 2, pp. 39-40
January 16, 1992