Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Country Girl | 127230 | ||
I've read over your post and most of those who responded to you. I just wanted to explain my position. I've seen this kind of discussion before and thought it would bear repeating. Basically, as I see it (and I've been taught this) God now provides for three basic kinds of commands in our NT. They are 1) Direct command or imperative statements, 2) Commands by example and 3) Implied Commands. I'll try to provide examples of these three. Imperative Command: In Mark 16:15-18, Christ charges his disciples (future Apostles) with a specific misson which all christians must heed. Command by example: Expelling a brother in unrepentant sin as cited in 1 Cor 5. Implied/Inferred Command: Collection of the saints as cited in 1 Cor 16. Let me emphasize that God no longer extracts immediate punishment at least as far as we know like he did with Uzza and the Ark of the Covenant or with Nadab and Abiuh offering strange fire. So God is (probably not going to immediately punish) a person (a christian) for NOT going to worship assembly on Sundays. But that doesn't mean that God is NOT displeased with that person. We will most emphatically "reap what we sow." Hope this helps and blessings to you. Country Girl |
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2 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Ancient | 127248 | ||
Country Girl, Thank you for replying. I always appreciate your input, as it is ever mild and spoken with a certain humility. I recognize the three principles you are speaking of. The terms, as I was taught them, are Direct Command, Apostolic Example, and Necessary Inferrence. Personally, I don't know of any precedent for establishing commands after these three principles. The commandments of Christ were to believe in him and love one another. Direct command is going to fall within the bounds of brotherly love. Apostolic example is going to be understood by brothery love, and emulated in the specific example as well as other aspects of life if you understand the underlying motive of the example. Necessary inference, or implied command, is a matter of personal interpretation. Someone thinks they see an implied command, and suddenly it is one. I find that this particular method of determining the things we need to do is dangerous, and has the inherent capacity to put us back under the law. I find that the precedent is quite soundly established through scripture that commandments are both made and comprehended by brotherly love, and no other way. If a commandment recognized by a person falls outside the bounds of this parameter, it is a commandment of men, and not a commandment of Christ. If you have not already done so, please read posts: 127171, 127173, 127174. These explain my position on this matter in much greater detail. I do not believe church is a necessary thing for worshipping God, however much I advocate going to church. I do not see it as a commandment. If it is not commanded, then it is not a commandment, and though it may sound like a stubborn point of view, so long as it is not stated to be a commandment, I will not treat it as a commandment. It is a matter of liberty that we can choose to go or not. I have personally made the choice to go, but I recognize also that I am not to judge someone else regarding holy days or sabbaths. [Col 2:16] Until someone can produce a direct and absolute commandment that says we "must" go to church, I will hold to the position that it is not required. I'm sorry that we do not agree on this. I truly wish for the sake of harmony that I could agree with you, but I cannot wrap my mind or heart around the idea of a commandment that is not a commandment being taught as a commandment in order to be a potential stumbling block to another by being a commandment that will someday occasion and revive sin by means of the commandment and kill a person spiritually. This is how I feel about it, and it is not likely to change. Not because I'm stubborn or unreachable, but because I see this circumstance in a different way. Thanks again for your input Country Girl. It is always appreciated, though I do not agree with you on this particular topic. Ancient |
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3 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | DocTrinsograce | 127251 | ||
Further good stuff, Ancient! You and Country Girl have a lot of good things to contribute. I think we were posting simultaneously to Country Girl's post. (Please excuse my interjection.) Is it possible that church attendance -- or perhaps I should say more broadly involvement in a local assembly -- could fall under both the categories of "Apostolic Example" and "Necessary Inference?" Apostolic Example because they gave themselves so thoroughly to the instruction and equipping of the saints and none of them went off and became hermits. Necessary Inference because: (1) (As I posted to Country Girl) God has created this unity through Christ (Ephesians 2) and (2) For the exercising of the gifts to the edification of the saints (Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12) Or do I err in the application of the principles you are discussing? |
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4 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | Ancient | 127265 | ||
Hey doctrinsograce, You are applying the principles the way they are often taught, so no, you do not err in the application of the principles we are discussing. The problem I find with these three principles, is that we only need one principle, not three. All the law in fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. This is how you generate commands. This is why the Apostles did the things they did from which we derive example. This is the only implication that should be derived from any reasonable statement that is not clear. We don't imply command, but love, and try to understand it as such. Please take the time to read the three posts I mentioned in my last post to Country Girl. I spent a good deal of time on them in order to present it soundly for edification. Thanks for responding doctrinsograce. Ancient |
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5 | Superior Hope | Heb 11:40 | DocTrinsograce | 127289 | ||
Thank you again for your comments, Ancient. I've enjoyed reading your posts. I would say, then, that love compels us as members of the Universal and Invisible Body of Christ to take active part in the local assembly of believers. |
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