Essential Matters

There are many issues in the church on which people have differing views. Such topics as serving in the military, capital punishment, divorce, baptism, instrumental music, elders, orphan homes, fellowship halls, the Holy Spirit, the millennium, author of Hebrews, the date of Revelation demonstrate the wide range of items on which Christians (or those who profess to be Christians) disagree. In fact, it's unlikely that any two people in this assembly hold the same views on every single one of these topics. How do we deal with these issues when it comes to fellowship?

Along these lines, a popular motto within the church is "In matters of faith, unity, in matters of opinion, liberty, and in all things love." I prefer the slightly more accurate "In essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things love." So the question becomes, what is essential and what is not?

I started really pondering this question after teaching the book of Revelation. My view and approach to the book is different than many, perhaps most, others. In fact, my view completely changed as I prepared for the class, and so I began to wonder if those who taught another view would be considered false teachers? Is one's view on an entire book of the Bible a matter of opinion? After all, it is a matter of "doctrine" (something taught). Should this be made a test of fellowship? Why or why not? What sorts of things can we misunderstand and still be heaven-bound? On what can we agree to disagree?

Nobody knows everything (cf. 1 Cor. 10:12), nor do any two people agree on everything. But Jesus desired unity (Jn. 17; 1 Cor. 1:10), so where do we draw the line? If we lean too far left, we would be in agreement (to disagree) on every issue, and if too far right, we would stand alone. Timothy was told neither to lay hands on anyone hastily nor partake in another's sins (1 Tim. 5:22). We don't want to fall off the balance beam (Matt. 7:13-14)!

Note: This is not a new problem by any means. We see that in the NT (circumcision, eating meat, observing days), and we've seen that throughout history.

The purpose of this lesson is not to pinpoint a precise answer for each individual issue, but rather to bring forth some items that may help us take a balanced approach when dealing with those who disagree on whether something is optional or essential.

1. Weighty Matters

   1. Some things are more important than others (Matt. 23:23)
      1. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:3, first importance NASB)
      2. The Lordship of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:36; 1 Jn. 2:22)
      3. Forgiveness of sins through Christ alone (Matt. 26:28; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 4:12; Rom. 5)
   2. We need to emphasize what the Bible emphasizes (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15).
   3. Things that affect how we approach God and treat our fellow man are weighty
      1. Obviously, the topics of murder, drunkenness, and adultery outweigh fellowship halls and the millennium.
   4. As far as Christian living goes, love, mercy, and purety are very weighty (Jas. 1:27)
      1. Jesus condemned for eating with "sinners" (Matt. 9:13)
      2. Mercy not sacrifice
         1. Jews became very nit picky (e.g., what is work on the Sabbath?)
         2. Disciples condemned for "working", Jesus for healing on Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-14).
         3. Jesus did not say the Sabbath was not important (cf. Num. 15:32-36), just that some things were more important.
      3. The purpose of the law is to facilitate love (Matt. 22:37-40; Rom. 13:10)
         1. Love is the weightiest matter of all (Jn. 13:35). Are we known for our love?
         2. Love trumps knowledge (1 Cor. 13)
   5. Because love and mercy are so important, before we withdraw ourselves from someone, we should consider their motives.
      1. Ignoring truth vs. ignorance (Num. 15:22-30; Lev. 5:17)
      2. Differing views vs. causing division (Rom. 16:17-18; Tit. 3:8-11)
      3. Contending (Jude 3) vs. being contentious (Tit. 3:9)
      4. Fighting the good fight (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7) vs. fighting any fight (Jas. 4:2)
      5. Your faith (Rom. 14:22) vs. the faith (Jude 3)

2. Simple Matters

   1. The weighty matters are simple
      1. Yoke is easy (Matt. 11:30)
      2. Commandments not burdensome (1 Jn. 5:3)
   2. The weighty matters are clear (while others are debatable, Rom. 14:1)
      1. Clarity is relative at some point, what is clear to one may not be to another.
      2. Clear that Christ is Lord, and He is the way to have forgiveness of sins (Acts 4:12; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14) and get to heaven (Jn. 14:6).
      3. Clear we need to repent (Acts 17:30)
      4. Clear that baptism is for forgiveness of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21)
      5. "Works of the flesh" are evidently sinful, while fruit of Spirit is clearly not (Gal. 5:19-23)
      6. Love, mercy, taking care of fellow man, being pure (Jas. 1:27)
   3. Example, civil government authorized by God to inflict capital punishment is clear (Rom. 13:1-7), but what crimes are deserving of the death is less clear (murder, rape, theft?, speeding?).
   4. Example, qualifications of elders are clear (1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1), but what do we do if an elders adult child becomes unfaithful? Or his wife dies? Or children die?
   5. Example, eating meat is authorized (1 Tim. 4:4; Acts 10:15), but need to stay away from things offered to idols (Acts 15:20, 29). Those in Romans 14 divided over what should be done if you don't know if meat was offered to an idol. Some inferred eating any meat was sinful (Rom. 14:2; real answer was just not to ask 1 Cor. 10:25-27). Though the discussion was based on clear commandments, these nitty gritty details derived from those commandments were called "doubtful things."

3. Collective Matters

   1. We can differ on some things that affect our private action (Rom. 14:22), but need to unite on things that pertain to our collective action.
      1. NT speaks of marking and avoiding those who cause division (Rom. 16:17-18; Tit. 3:8-11; 2 Thes. 3:6), not necessarily those who hold private view on a matter that is not affecting the congregation.
   2. It is important that every member believe we are doing something the right way, or in a right way (if multiple options).
   3. For example, if we support a work, such as a missionary or orphan home, all members need to be on board, since each contributing member would be supporting that work.
   4. For example, someone who is not convinced that instruments in worship is wrong, but worships without them as they study it out would be a different situation than one who is adamant about including them. One would be affecting collective action, the other would not.

4. Maturity Matters

   1. Are we saved by perfect doctrinal correctness?
      1. Do new converts have perfect understanding? No, which is why they need teaching (Matt. 28:19-20)
      2. Those on Pentecost couldn't have had perfect understanding before the truth was fully revealed, yet they were saved (Acts 2:47).
      3. Peter did not fully understand what he preached (Acts 2:39; cf. Acts 10).
   2. To say that the only truly penitent people are those who are aware of all sins and have conquered them, would mean the only truly penitent people are perfect!
      1. To be penitent is not to be perfect (1 Jn. 1:8), but to turn from sin as we recognize it (1 Jn. 1:7)
      2. We need to examine our lives (2 Cor. 13:5)
   3. The Christian life is an individual journey, so we need to consider and show mercy to those who aren't as far along as we are (not try to pull them up the path)
   4. The Christian life is a growth process, so we need to realize that some people don't reach the same height (2 Pet. 3:18).
      1. The more mature need to give the less mature time to grow (1 Thes. 5:14)
      2. The less mature need to respect the views of those who have done more study (2 Pet. 3:16).
      3. All need to realize that though growth is not as rapid in some as in others, it does need to occur (Heb. 5:12-14)
         1. Do we sometimes expect new-borns to eat meat?
      4. Perhaps the reason we have differences is to grow. Growth does not come without challenge. What would it be like if we all agreed on everything?

5. Ability Matters

   1. To whom much is given, much shall be required (Lk. 12:48)
      1. Parable of the sower (some hundredfold, sixty, thirty, Matt. 13:23)
      2. Parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
   2. We have different roles (Rom. 12:4; Eph. 4:11)
      1. Teachers will receive stricter judgment (Jas. 3:1)
      2. Elders must give an account (Heb. 13:17)
   3. We have different capacities for knowledge (Jas. 4:17)
      1. There is room for mistakes as long as we don't make it our aim to persist in those mistakes (cf. 2 Jn. 9).

6. Faith Matters

   1. Faith in God (Heb. 11:6)
   2. Faith in Christ (Jn. 3:16; 8:24)
   3. Willingness to follow Him wherever He leads (Pr. 3:5-6; 1 Tim. 1:5)
      1. A person with true faith will change when change is needed
      2. A person with true faith will bear with the weak (1 Thes. 5:14)
      3. A person with true faith will allow they might be wrong
      4. A person with true faith will allow God to judge on disputable matters (Rom. 14:4, 10)
      5. A person with true faith will act in the best interest of God and their fellow man, which the Bible defines as love (Matt. 22:37-40; 1 Cor. 13)
   4. Truth seekers will find all the truth they need (Jer. 29:13; Matt. 5:6)

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can disagree on certain issues without dividing. If a physical family can have differences and still remain a family, then certainly the household of faith can do even better (Gal. 6:10).

On what can Christians differ and still remain in fellowship? There is no single answer to this question, but I think what is essential depends largely on the relative importance of the issue (how much does the Bible emphasize it?), the clarity and simplicity of the issue, the number of people affected, the maturity, ability, and most importantly, faith of those involved. Read 1 Thes. 5:14.

In other words, to some extent there appears to be different essentials for different people, where the common factor is that we do the best we can with the knowledge we have (Phil. 3:16), which includes crediting others for doing the same. When we have this kind of faith, a faith that acts (Jas. 2:14ff.), we have fellowship with one another, the forgiveness of sins (1 Jn. 1:7), and a home in heaven for all eternity (Acts 26:18).

You don't have to know everything. You don't have to be perfect, for Christ has already done that for you (Heb. 4:15; 5:9). You just have to want to be what He wants you to be.