Christian Unity and Boundaries in Christian Fellowship, Part 7B

Just to keep this post at a visually reasonable length, I'm going to post the lists of verses - with some introductory comments - and then comment in a further post (posts?).

I get to mention a site I use frequently, http://www.biblestudytools.com/, which has many useful Bible study tools – and that is its name, Bible Study Tools. It's part of Crosswalk.com, and is free. Users have access to the equivalent of a library worth possibly several hundred dollars. First of all, it has more than 20 English Bible translations, as well as several other languages (including French, Spanish, Italian and German). The search function allows the user to search for any word or phrase in whatever translation is chosen, or for a particular verse or chapter. At least two English translations – the King Lames Version and the New American Standard Bible – also have a feature that allows the user to select and see the Hebrew or Greek words used in a verse, and the definitions of the words. Further, the user can also see every time a particular Hebrew or Greek word is used. If it isn't obvious, I've used the search function and lexicon features quite a bit in this series of posts. In this post I will be using the feature that allows one to see every place particular Greek words are used, specifically, baptizo, baptisma and baptismos (baptizo, baptisma and baptismos). Once I have those lists, I will reorganize the lists of verses according to: who is baptized (or what is washed); by whom; in what. This will let us see what baptisms are spoken of in the New Testament, and possibly understand the “one baptism” spoken of in Ephesians 4:5.

I am not a theologian or anything like that. What I want to do here is to let Scripture speak for itself. I've described how I will select relevant data and how I will sort it so that any reader who wants to may duplicate what I did, using the Bible Study Tools website or by using a resource such as Englishman's Greek Concordance in conjunction with a Strong's Concordance. I don't claim to have anything like complete knowledge of the Bible, or even of this subject. So I'm very ready to learn how I may be missing or misunderstanding what Scripture has to say and thereby improve my understanding of Scripture.

First, the lists for the three Geek words:

baptizo

Matthew 3:6; Matthew 3:11; Matthew 3:13-14; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:4-5; Mark 1:8-9; Mark 6:14; Mark 6:24; Mark 10:38-39; Mark 16:16; Luke 3:7; Luke 3:12; Luke 3:16; Luke 3:21; Luke 7:29-30; Luke 11:38; Luke 12:50; John 1:25-26; John 1:28; John 1:31; John 1:33; John 3:22-23; John 3:26; John 4:1-2; John 10:40; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12-13; Acts 8:16; Acts 8:36; Acts 8:38; Acts 9:18; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 11:16; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:33; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:3-5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 1:13-17; 1 Corinthians 10:2; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Corinthians 15:29; Galatians 3:27

baptisma

Matthew 3:7; Matthew 21:25; Mark 1:4; Mark 10:38-39; Mark 11:30; Luke 3:3; Luke 7:29; Luke 12:50; Luke 20:4; Acts 1:22; Acts 10:37; Acts 13:24; Acts 18:25; Acts 19:3-4; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21

baptismos

Mark 7:4; Hebrews 6:2; Hebrews 9:10

And now, the baptisms or washings to which each verse refers:

Jewish Ceremonial Washings: things are washed by observant Jews in water

Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38; Hebrews 9:10

John's Baptism: Penitents are baptized by John (or one of John's disciples) in water

Matthew 3:6, 7, 11 (first use), 13-14, 16; Matthew 21:25; Mark 1:4-5, 9; Mark 6:14, 24; Mark 11:30; Luke 3:3, 7, 12, 21; Luke 7:29-30; Luke 20:4; John 1:25-26, 28, 31; John 3:23; John 10:40; Acts 1:22; Acts 10:37; Acts 11:16 (first use); Acts 13:24; Acts 18:25; Acts 19:3-4

Baptism into the Body of Christ: Believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ

Romans 6:3 (?); 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27

Christian Water Baptism: Believers are baptized by other believers in water

Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 8:12-13, 16, 36, 38; Acts 9:18; Acts 10:47-48; Acts 16:15, 33; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3 (?), 4; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21

Baptism in the Spirit: Believers are baptized by Jesus baptized in the Holy Spirit

Matthew 3:11 (second use); Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16 (second use)

Other or Uncertain: The verse refers to something else or is not specific

Mark 10:38-39 (a metaphor for Jesus' sufferings); Luke 12:50 (similar to Mark 10); John 3:22, 26, 4:1-2 (Jesus' disciples baptized penitents); 1 Corinthians 1:13 (Paul arguing against loyalty to human teachers causing divisions among believers); 1 Corinthians 10:2 (baptism as a metaphor for an event in Jewish history); 1 Corinthians 15:29 baptism for the dead (I do not understand this); Ephesians 4:5; Hebrews 6:2

Christian Unity and Boundaries in Christian Fellowship, Part 7A

No, I didn't forget this series of posts. It won't go on forever, however much it might feel that way. Getting back to where I left off a couple of weeks ago, what is up with “washings” being referring to as an “elementary doctrine of Christ”?

What washings are elementary doctrines of the Christian faith? The washings the Law of Moses prescribed for restoring ceremonial cleanness? The gathering of the “apostles and elders” at Jerusalem, detailed in Acts chapter 15, distinguished between basic morality (murder, adultery, theft, etc. are wrong) and things ceremonial such as “cleanness”, washings and circumcision. This gathering happened well before the book of Hebrews was written, so the ceremonial washings of the Law are not part of Christian teaching at all, much less elementary Christian teaching.

Could this verse refer to foot washing, which Jesus did in John chapter 13, and commanded His followers to do? I think this possibility can also be eliminated, by looking at the Greek words used in John 13:14 and Hebrews 6:2.

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. (John 13:14)

and of instruction about washings,the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:2)

The verb “wash” used in John 13 is nipto (nipto), meaning to wash, to cleanse. The noun “washings” used in Hebrews 6 is baptismos (baptismos), meaning washing by dipping or immersing. The two Greek words are quite different and unrelated. Foot washing is something believers should do, since Jesus commanded it, but that isn't what Hebrews 6:2 calls an “elementary doctrine of Christ”.

Does that Greek word, “baptismos”, from Hebrews 6 look familiar? I won't speculate as to the reason, but for centuries the convention of English Bible translators has been to transliterate the Greek words for baptism and for baptize (baptizo) into English forms of the Greek words. To be consistent with that convention, baptismos (singular, baptisma, baptisma) would properly be rendered in Hebrews 6:2 as “baptisms”, which is what the translators of the King James Version did.

This is a place where this discussion might get a bit emotional. Technically, a blog is a soliloquy, but I mean “discussion” rhetorically rather than literally. At any rate, some one reading my conclusion in the previous paragraph might ask, “What about Ephesians 4:4-6?”

There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6, emphasis added)

That's a very good, and valid, question. For now – this post is getting longish – I'd like to ask readers to consider the possibility that verse 5 in this passage has been misunderstood. In my next post I plan to look at how baptizo and baptisma (baptize and baptism) are used in the New Testament and let those texts show whether Ephesians 4:5 has been misunderstood.

A Few Further Thoughts on Worship Styles and Content

I'm really good at saying 2/3 or 3/4 of what I should say. A question I'm learning to ask is, “What might spiritual growth look like?” Needless to say, the answer depends entirely on where a particular believer is, their starting point. Spiritual growth in worship could look very different for different persons. Maybe the range of personalities could be useful to suggest some possible paths of spiritual growth for different personalities.

The Christian who believes their preferred music style is all that God approves has one or more pretty basic spiritual problems. Their problem might be pride, believing they are part of some sort of spiritual elite that has a special understanding of God. Their problem might be that they are, in their minds, effectively, grafting their personal tastes onto Scripture. Or their problem might be ignorance – not knowing or recognizing what God has been and is doing in the Body of Christ outside of their particular circle of fellowship. There may be other factors, of course. What might spiritual growth look like for such a person? Recognizing that God is bigger than their particular personal tastes would be a good start. Recognizing the freedom the Bible gives believers in this area of spiritual life would be good. Learning about and learning to respect other fellow believers who are different would also be good. Though simply stated, those three measures are not trivial, and would go a very long way toward rooting out spiritual pride and informing ignorance! All three would broaden such a person's understanding of the Bible. And all three would expand such a person's vision of the Body of Christ in the world. Would such a person then be under the imperative to fellowship with believers who use styles of different music in their worship? Good question, but I won't go there yet.

What about a person who understands that the music style used at their church isn't all that God approves of, but has simply grown really “comfortable” where they are? I won't paint with too broad a brush, but at least some such persons have gotten into a spiritual rut and are not growing spiritually in the area of worship. That distinction – is one growing or is one in stasis – is a key issue in knowing whether it might be spiritually helpful for such a person to seek fellowship with believers who use different styles of music in their worship. And the same could be true for the kind of person mentioned in the previous paragraph. If they are in one, getting out of their rut could be one area of spiritual growth. The need isn't for change or constant novelty for its own sake, but spiritual growth, under God's guidance.

What about a person who is comfortable with and able to worship in a variety of styles and forms? For such believers seeking spiritual growth in worship, spiritual growth might not be in the direction of breadth so much as for greater depth. Worship expresses praise for God's greatness. Worship expresses awe at what God has done – in creation and in the believer's life. Worship expresses appreciation for God's character. So one possible area of spiritual growth, then, might be a sort of spiritual adventure or quest to learn more about the grandeur, beauty and intricacy of creation – God's work. Another might be to meditate on all that God has done in one's personal life – salvation, general provision, guidance throughout the course of one's life, specific instances of provision or guidance, ways in which God used past troubles as preparation for ministry to others experiencing similar challenges. And a believer seeking greater depth in their worship could also delve into what God has revealed of His character. Scripture has many direct statements concerning God's character: “God is love”; “For God so loved”; “A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright”. Scripture also illustrates God's character by showing how God worked in the lives of various persons.

I have to emphasize that spiritual growth is very individual – God isn't seeking cookie-cutter robots. God will lead apparently similar believers on dissimilar paths. In addition to spiritual growth being individual, spiritual growth also in intended to happen in a corporate (church congregation) context – growing and helping others grow.. So the areas of spiritual growth I suggested above are possibilities, not prescriptions.

Personally, I am comfortable worshiping in quite a few styles and forms, but I can see a problem I have with spiritual pride. I remember where I have been – in worship, not physical location – and I see the changes I've gone through as spiritual growth. And so they have been, for me. So when I see others doing things I was 20 or 30 years ago, I can fall into the temptation of thinking of those things as signs of immaturity. In my silly pride I have failed to recognize that God deals with individual believers as individuals. Maybe God has worked with that other person with a different order of priorities. Maybe God has taken that other person on a totally different path in worship. Maybe there are more maybes than those my limited mind can conceive! So, for me, one area of spiritual growth is to respect other believers as God's work-in-progress – just as much as I am – and to respect the work God is doing and path on which God has them.

Some Thoughts (just a few) on Worship Styles and Content

Recently a friend read aloud to the worship team at her church part of an article about worship styles and content. The first part of the article (which is what I heard) went to some length to point out that the New Testament doesn't say a lot about what the early church did in their worship services. Below are several of the verses to which the author alluded.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, ESV)

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. ... But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:26, 40, ESV)

(A)ddressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (Ephesians 5:19, ESV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Beyond a few sketchy basic details – teaching, singing, communion, common meals, usage of various spiritual gifts to encourage each other and to meet needs – that's about it. Pretty sparse! No mention of liturgies, detailed rituals or ceremonies, orders of services, song lists or mention of holidays observed. Just general citations – not even lists – of things the early church did. My conclusion – an opinion I've long held – is that of the author of the article that was read to that worship team. God didn't fail to give details, He chose not to so that the church would not become bound to any particular culture or obsoleted by future social developments.

Looking at worship from another, personal, direction, my experience with worship in Christian churches is pretty varied. I was raised in a Lutheran church which had been using the same liturgy for services for at least 40 years, and, with minor revisions (maybe) before translation into English, possibly for several centuries. The hymnal used also had no hymns written after 1900. In no particular chronological order, I've also been in churches that used: “Gospel” hymns of the late 19 and 20 Centuries; brief praise choruses; somewhat longer songs from sources such as Calvary Chapel, Vineyard Fellowships and Integrity Music; rock-style, even longer (similar in length to traditional hymns), songs from sources such as Hillsong United. These latter churches used fairly simple orders of service (some informal, not written).

What is the point I'm vaguely trying to make? Well, two or three, one mildly controversial, the other two possibly more so. First, drawing from Scripture and personal experience, God has given us freedom as to the manner in which we address our praise and worship to Him. Thus all the forms and music styles described above are as valid as the hearts of those worshiping. If those forms and music styles enable and are means for believers to praise and worship God, that's all that matters. Believers' hearts are the bottom line!

Second – this is a place it might get a little messy – worship is corporate. In other words, when it's more than between just one person and God, a church needs to work with and within the spiritual maturities and personalities and tastes of the congregation's various members. Worship is personal, and the boundaries of personal maturity and taste are not sharp. Where does immature prejudice end and genuine distraction begin? Now multiply that question by the number of people in the congregation! I wish there were simple formulaic answers, but every congregation's leadership needs to learn where its members are at, what will work for the entire congregation, and encourage growth in its members. Simple, right?

Third, related to (and complicating?) the latter but more hypothetical, God intends for believers to grow spiritually. Even the apostle Paul stated that he knew he had room for spiritual growth, so there's no shame in admitting a need for greater personal spiritual maturity (as if those around us don't already know it!). Spiritual growth isn't just one aspect of life, but covers the full scope of one's life, including worship. I do not believe that God intended for church worship of the 20th and 21st Centuries to remain what it was – in content and in music – in the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries! This would limit the spiritual growth both of believers generally and of persons God uses to lead His people in worship. It is, then, appropriate for a congregation's spiritual leadership – in its teaching and in what is done – to challenge and encourage congregation members to grow, including in the content and how they worship. I would go so far as to say that it is the duty of church leaders to so challenge and encourage spiritual growth, generally and in worship of God. That is no trivial thing! Growth takes people beyond where they are comfortable, and can be more than a bit scary on a personal level. And growth is what God desires of His children.

Back from our Oregonian Safari

We are back from our Oregonian Safari, and today I go back to work. Thanks Diane & Mark and Marjorie & Brad!!!

I'm working on a post or maybe a couple of posts about something that came up during our trip, but it isn't complete. Yeah, I talk a lot! Anyway, one thing to add to my previous post, concerning food and weight control/loss. I enjoy coffee beverages, for the flavor, not just the Vitamin C (aka caffeine). Straight up coffee basically doesn't have calories. But the milk and flavoring syrups do, and a 20 oz. latte with flavor syrup and whipped cream can be north of 400 calories. That's the equivalent of a small meal! I've come to the "brilliant conclusion" - I occasionally have a slightly less tenuous grasp of the obvious - that it is very easy to drink an extra "meal" without realizing it. Sigh ... one more thing to manage. But that's kind of the point ... does food control me? Or does God control me?

Random Thoughts From Deepest Wettest Oregon

Woke up this morning to rain - the first in three days. We are staying with friends about half an hour east of Portland. When I walked out to the kitchen and looked out the window of the back door I found myself staring at a doe who was staring at me. I stayed still for a minute of her watching me to see if I was a danger and then she went back to her breakfast from our friends' landscaping.

I'm down about 30 pounds from what I was back in February, including the effects of going off a diuretic I was taking for blood pressure control. I've had to be careful, but by being choosy - no fries, no soda, moderate-sized items, no fatty sauces, minimal cheese (I don't like the American cheese fast food places use, anyway) - and getting some exercise, I think I'll do OK. Hopefully, when we get back I'll be under 280 lbs. for the first time in I hate to guess how long.

We took my daughter back to her Youth With A Mission base in Salem yesterday, where she is on staff. She didn't have to be back till today, but when we got there it was less than 10 minutes before some one asked her if she could join in something in about half an hour. While we were moving her stuff into her quarters, it was interesting to see/hear her "talking shop" with a couple other staff ladies. Being a missionary truly is her adult calling/"career" and those ladies spoke with her as a peer. If she reads this, her first thought might be, "Well, of course they did." But for me it's one thing to know all this, but it's something more to see it.

Christian Unity and Boundaries in Christian Fellowship, Part 6

Well, this next post isn't quite coming together as I'd hoped it would. Usually, I've found that means that I'm trying to bite off too big a chunk to chew over in a single blog post. And in the background, in the real life that keeps calling to me, important stuff is going to be happening that may mean a week-and-a-half break from my blog. My wife, family and friends are very much the higher priority. So I'm going to post what I've written so far of the next in this series of posts, leaving off with hints of what I'll be returning to in a couple of weeks. I may find time to post to my blog during that time, but I don't think I'll post on this topic, as I anticipate that the next couple of posts will require a bit of Bible research and fairly careful writing.

Much of my previous 5 posts about the essentials of the Christian faith have been organized around and about Fundamentalism and the core teachings of historic Fundamentalism. Am I, then, a Fundamentalist? If it isn't obvious from previous posts, I agree that Fundamentalism's key teachings are at the core of the Christian faith. And I am in agreement concerning those teachings. But there are finer points – from my point of view, of course – of teaching and practice in which I differ from most Fundamentalists, and which would make me a less than excellent fit in a Fundamentalist church. But they are my brothers and sisters in Christ, and most would recognize me as such as well.

My previous two posts covered the items in the two lists of Fundamentalism's fundamentals. As I said previously, those lists were one of two reference points around which I'd be organizing this series of blog posts. The point has come where I will begin to use that other reference point, Hebrews 6:1-2.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (ESV)

Most of the teachings listed in this passage have already been touched on: repentance; faith in God; the resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. But what's this about “washings” and “the laying on of hands”? What is referred to as “washings”? And who thinks of “the laying on of hands” as a basic Christian teaching? If at all?

Some have tried to take these verses to refer to things of the old covenant, which Christian believers should leave behind. It may be that these two items are what leads them to that view. But that isn't the meaning of the text. The ESV, quoted above, and the NAS, "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity …", faithfully capture the meaning of the Greek text of Hebrews. These things are basic Christian teachings - “doctrine of Christ”, “teaching about the Christ”. These are teachings, not to be left behind, as if abandoned, but to be left as a builder “leaves” the foundation to build the rest of the house.

So, I'm leaving off at this point, letting my readers, if any, to think about what “washings” and “the laying on of hands” might mean. I can't resist it … I'll drop a couple of hints. Find out what the Greek word is that the ESV and NAS translate as “washings”. And use a concordance or online search site to find New Testament references to people laying on hands in Christian ministry.

Christian Unity and Boundaries in Christian Fellowship, Part 5

Both summaries of Fundamentalism's Fundamentals – from Wikipedia and from Answers.com, posted in Part 3 – focus on the person and work of Jesus. Keep in mind that these are but other people's summaries of what has recently been re-published as 4 large books! I'm not questioning the summaries' correctness, just pointing out their brevity in comparison to the original.

So what do the lists of Fundamentals say about Jesus?

• Prior to being born as a human, Jesus was God.

• Jesus' conception and birth were miraculous (Mary was a virgin).

• During His ministry, Jesus did miraculous things.

• Jesus' death atoned for sin.

• Jesus was resurrected, bodily, from the dead.

• Jesus will return again.

How do these square with Scripture passages – quoted in parts 2 and 3 – that identify essential and foundational teachings? The following, I think, speak to this question:

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, ESV)

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2, ESV)

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4, ESV)

While not as specific and focused as the Fundamentals listed above, these passages agree that the man, Jesus, was unique. What truthful, sane, human being could make the claim Jesus did? Why would “another Jesus” matter, unless Jesus were unique? That Jesus was born of Mary when she was yet a virgin is attested to by the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. That Jesus is God is variously stated and shown throughout the four Gospels and in other New testament books. Both what Jesus said and the passage from Hebrews speak to salvation from sin coming uniquely through what Jesus did (another passage about this shortly).

What about Jesus' bodily resurrection and second coming? Well, the passage from Hebrews alludes to both, but at this point I need to introduce yet another passage that points to essential Christian beliefs, 1 Corinthians Chapter 15. Does this series of blog posts seem to be getting a bit shaggy? Well, it's “my” blog, of which I am in nominal marginal control, and yes, sometimes my memory is more than a bit shaggy. I'm not going to post the entire 15th Chapter of 1 Corinthians – it's one of the longer chapters in the New Testament. While the entire chapter is well worth reading, but I'm only going to quote several relevant passages.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8, ESV)

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:12-14, ESV)

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:16-20, ESV)

In these passages, Paul states quite emphatically, “as of first importance,” that Jesus rose from the dead and why this fact is important. Much of the rest of the chapter speaks of Jesus' return and what will happen with believers when He does.

Jesus, Who He is, everything He did, everything He will yet do is at the very core of the Christian faith. If Jesus was just a nice inspirational man, if Jesus' death was just another of many individual personal tragedies of injustice, if Jesus' remains are yet in the grave, if everything Jesus did was complete some 2000 years ago, THERE IS NO CHRISTIAN FAITH. It's a pathetic hoax! Christian believers are ridiculous dupes. As Paul said in verse 32 of this chapter, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die”!

But Jesus is God Who became man. Jesus' death gives believers forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus sealed our salvation with His resurrection and guaranteed our resurrection to eternal life at His return! This core of the Christian faith is the basis for Christian fellowship: it transcends denominations; it transcends economic differences; it transcends nationality and race. With “another Jesus” – the inspirational but tragic “Jesus”, the trickster “Jesus”, the figment of imagination “Jesus” – there is no basis for fellowship.

Christian Unity and Boundaries in Christian Fellowship, Part 4

Just to clarify … I don't think anyone would suggest that the lists of Fundamentalism's fundamentals, in Part 2, are in some way authoritative, nor encyclopedic of Christian teaching. The lists are, however, historically interesting and a reasonable reference point for thought. Another such reference point I will be using will be the passage quoted in Part 2 from Hebrews 6.

Common to both lists is the unique inspiration and authority of Scripture. This, of course, derives from what Scripture says of itself (2 Timothy 3:16-17), primarily, and secondarily from church history. Without Scripture – all of Scripture, not just what suits my fancy (which then would make me the source of authority) – Christianity could be whatever each and every person chooses to say it is (“I think Christianity is a ham-on-rye sandwich. Prove me wrong!”). If Christianity is anything and everything anybody and everybody says it is, it is reduced to meaningless nothingness. Scripture, then is the measuring device, the level, the plumb line – the standard for and source of Christian teaching. Scripture, and acceptance thereof, is a boundary defining what is and isn't Christian teaching.

What does this mean in practical terms for Christian fellowship? Well, as I posted previously, I have neither the authority nor the knowledge to say whether or not a person is truly a Christian believer. So, in principle, it is possible for some one to be unaware of or not accept the full authority of the Bible and yet be a Christian believer. That said, realistically, a person who rejects the full authority of the Bible and approaches it like a buffet table – picking what they like while leaving the rest – is unlikely to “like”, to accept, the message that they are a sinner and in need of a Savior. And such a person is also likely to find unpalatable much that the Bible (including the teachings of Jesus) identify as morally right or wrong. So the basis for fellowship with such persons is will, at best, be tenuous (thus, automatic rejection would be wrong), and very possibly non-existent. A person unaware of the authority of Scripture and says they are a Christian believer will, in a fellowship or service situation, soon be faced with choices about the authority of Scripture. Scripture challenges every person by providing an honest view of what that person is. And the bases for Christian fellowship will come out of those choices – whether acceptance, rejection or compromise.