Restoration Issues

Restoration Issues“Passing the Torch”

Restoration: What Is It?

Restoration requires three necessary things…

1. A prior condition, state, or relationship superior to the present state

2. A departure, falling away, or apostasy, from that superior condition or state

3. An effort to restore the former superior state

Restoration: What Is It?

• It is simply obeying God’s word for the first time, or returning to God’s word after leaving it (Jer. 6:16)

• It is not fixing something that is broken; or finding something that is lost; the church is not broken or lost (Dan. 2:44-45; Heb. 12:28)

• It is not restoring / reforming man-made doctrines and practices

• It is not following what a man teaches (“Campbellites”)

Restoration: Is There A Need?

• The Lord’s church was established in the 1st Century (Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:42,47; Rom. 16:16)

• The Lord’s church / Christianity in time was abandoned by some (not all) through apostasy (Acts 20:30; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; 1 Tim. 4:1ff; 2 Tim. 3:1ff); God’s word was abandoned (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; 2 John 9-11; Rev. 22:18-19)

• People need to come back to the Lord’s church / NT Christianity / God’s word

Restoration: Is It Possible?

• Is has been done in the past (2 Chron. 29-31, 34-35; Ezra 3:2; 6:18; 7:18; 8:3; 9:1-10:44; Neh. 8:1ff; 13:1ff)

• There is a NT “pattern,” it can be found, we are to hold it fast (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 11:1-2; 14:34; 16:1-2; Rom. 6:17; 16:17; 2 Thess. 1:15; 2 Tim. 1:13)

• We still have God’s word today (1 Pet. 1:25)

• The seed of God’s word can be planted today and produce the same NT Christian (Lk. 8:11)

Restoration: How?

• Love / know / understand/ search the truth (Prov. 23:23; Jn. 7:17; 8:32; Acts 17:11; Eph. 3:4; 5:17; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; 2 Tim. 2:15)

• Plant the seed of God’s word (Lk. 8:11; Jn. 3:5; Ac. 2:42,47)

• Follow the pattern (2 Tim. 1:13)

• Speak as God’s word (Jer. 8:20; 1 Pet. 4:11)

Restoration: Is There A Need?

• Continue in the gospel (Col.1:22-23; 2:6-8)

• Distinguish between the “old paths” and the bypaths (Isa. 2:2; 58:12; 59:8; Jer. 6:16-17; 18:15-17)

• Repent when erring Christians leave the faith (Gal. 6:1-2; Rev. 2-3)

Restoration AttitudesWorth Following Today

• “Call Bible things by Bible names”

• “Book, chapter, and verse for all we do”

• “Where the Bible speaks we speak, where the Bible is silent, we are silent”

• “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God”

Restoration AttitudesWorth Following Today

• “Unity through the restoration of the ancient order”

• In essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity”

Restoration Warnings!

• We must be loyal to Christ and His Word, not to a “restoration heritage” or “restoration movement”

• “Churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16) did not begin with the “restoration movement” of the 1800’s

• “Restoration leaders” or “restoration history” are not our authority today

Missionary Society

Instrumental Music

What is the issue?

• The issue is not: Do we like or use instruments of music? Is instrumental music found in the Bible? Is instrumental music itself sinful?

• The issue is: What kind of music is authorized by God (vocal, instrumental, or both)? What kind of music is authorized in the NT for the NT church? Is instrumental music in worship to God sinful?

Instrumental MusicBasics of Bible Authority Reviewed

• We must have generic authority (expedients allowed), or specific authority (expedients not allowed) for all we do in religion

• We must have 1) direct statement, 2) approved example, or 3) necessary inference

• We must not act when the Bible is silent (when there is no generic or specific authority)

Instrumental Music

Music in the worship of the NT church

• Mt. 16:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; 13:15; Jas. 5:13

• These are all the passages on music pertaining to worship in the NT church. Every example is that of singing. All admit that singing is right.

Instrumental Music

Four Different Kinds of Worship

• Vain worship (Mt. 15:9)

• Spirit and truth worship (Jn. 4:23-24)

• Ignorant worship (Acts 17:23)

• Will-worship (Col. 2:23)

Instrumental Music

Arguments from the Old Testament Answered

• “Instruments were used in Patriarchal times”

• “King David and others used instruments in worship; they were commanded by God to be used; they were blessed by God”

• “Messianic prophecies like Psa. 18:49 and Psa. 45:6-8 foretell the use of instruments in the church”

Instrumental MusicArguments from the New Testament Answered

• “The prodigal’s father used an instrument”

• “Instruments are mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1; 14:7-9; and 1 Thessalonians 4:16”

• “The Greek word psallo in Ephesians 5:19 means to pluck; to play an instrument”

• “Instruments are used in the book of Revelation”

Instrumental Music

Arguments from Human Reasoning Answered

• “We can use our God-given talent to play music”

• “Where does the Bible say not to?”

• “The instrument is just an aid to our singing”

• “We do many things and have many things today that are not found in the Bible”

Instrumental Music

Arguments from Human Reasoning Answered

• “We can use instruments at home”

• “All life is worship and that includes instruments”

• “I don’t see any harm in it”

• “It’s not a salvation issue”

Instrumental MusicQuestion: Why were instruments of music used among

some brethren in the mid-to-late 1800’s?

Answer: The same reason why the Missionary Society (1849) was used among some brethren. Brethren brought these practices into the church when they left denominationalism.

Solution: Leave behind all practices of religious error when you are converted, not just some (Acts 19:19)

Bible ClassesWhy No Bible Classes?

Examining the Arguments

• “Individual Bible classes are not commanded; nor is there a specific example of them in the NT church”

• “The local church in an undivided assembly using one teacher is the only example we have”

• “Bible classes form a separate organization other than the local church – a Sunday school”

Bible ClassesWhy No Bible Classes?

Examining the Arguments

• “We are to have one assembly; Bible classes divide the assembly”

• “Bible classes were formed after the period of the New Testament”

• “Bible classes have women teachers contrary to 1 Cor. 14:34-35 and 1 Tim. 2:11-12”

Bible ClassesBy What Authority?

Generic Authority• General statement

• By nature inclusive

• All expediencies / aids used to carry out the general statement are allowed

Specific Authority• Specific statement

• By nature exclusive

• No additions allowed

Bible ClassesBy What Authority?

Generic Authority• What is to be done is

generic - “Teach” (Mt. 28:20; 2 Tim. 2:2)

• All teaching arrangements and aids are authorized: time, place, material, teacher, student, etc.

Specific Authority• What is to be taught is

specified - “the gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9)

• No other subject is authorized

Bible ClassesPositive Authority Expressed

• Sometimes the entire church assembled for teaching; sometimes individuals assembled for teaching

• Sometimes teaching was public; sometimes teaching was private (Acts 5:42; 20:17,20; 28:30-31; Gal. 2:2)

Bible Classes• Those opposed to individual Bible classes bind where

God has not bound (Mt. 16:19; 18:18)

• Binding where God has not bound comes from human opinion, is wrong, and causes needless division in the Lord’s body (Mt. 15:2; Acts 15:5; Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-3)

Local PreachersWhy No Located Preacher?

Examining the Arguments

• “Preachers are supposed to preach the gospel to the lost, not teach doctrine to the saved”

• “Preachers do not have authority to stay and “pastor” the church, elders are to do that; preachers must not locate with elders”

• “All male members, not one preacher, must do the teaching in the local church through “mutual edification””

Preacher SupportWhy No Paid Preacher?

Examining the Arguments

• “It is wrong to pay preachers”

• “A preacher must not be hired to do another’s work”

Located PreacherPositive Authority Expressed

• A preacher may leave one local church and locate with another local church (Acts 11:22-26)

• A preacher may locate with one local church for awhile (Acts 11:26; 18:11; 20:31; 1 Tim. 1:3; Tit. 1:5)

• A preacher may locate where elders are appointed (Acts 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1; 2:19-20; 1 Tim. 1:3; 5:20)

• A preacher may locate and teach the saved (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus)

Located PreacherPositive Authority Expressed

• A preacher may preach the gospel…

– To the Lost (Mk. 16:15)

– To the Saved (Rom. 1:15-16)

• A preacher may teach doctrine …

– To the Lost (Rom. 6:17-18)

– To the Saved (1 Tim. 4:11,16; 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:2; 4:1-5; Tit. 2:1ff)

Preacher SupportPositive Authority Expressed

• A preacher may support himself through secular work (Acts 18:3), or through local church support

• A preacher may receive wages for his work of preaching (1 Cor. 9:1-14; 2 Cor. 11:7-9; Phil. 4:16-18)

Preacher Authority and Elder AuthorityPositive Authority Expressed

Preacher Authority• A preacher may

exercise authority when preaching and teaching (1 Tim. 4:11; Tit. 2:15)

Elder Authority• An eldership may

exercise authority when overseeing the local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3; Heb. 13:7,17)

Both the authority of preachers and elders may exist concurrently in one local church

The Work of the PreacherLet us all avoid two extremes…

• Forbidding a preacher to remain in one location, or be paid wages

• Allowing the preacher to locate and do all the work, become the “pastor” (“evangelistic oversight”) who runs the church, or who works for pay only

No-Located Preacher• Those opposed to located preachers bind where God

has not bound (Mt. 16:19; 18:18)

• Binding where God has not bound comes from human opinion, is wrong, and causes needless division in the Lord’s body (Mt. 15:2; Acts 15:5; Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-3)

The One Cup IssueWhy No Individual Cups?

Examining the Arguments

• “Jesus used one cup (Mt. 26:27; Mk. 14:23; Lk. 22:20) and Paul referred to one cup (1 Cor. 10:16,21; 11:25ff), so we should use one cup today”

• “God has given us a law as to the number of cups (containers) to be used; that is, one cup (container)”

• “There is no example of multiple cups (containers) being used for the Lord’s supper in the NT”

Individual CupsBy What Authority?

Generic Authority• General statement

• By nature inclusive

• All expediencies / aids used to carry out the general statement are allowed

Specific Authority• Specific statement

• By nature exclusive

• No additions allowed

Individual CupsBy What Authority?

Generic Authority• What is to be done is

generic – “divide it among yourselves” (Luke 22:17)

• All arrangements and aids are authorized: time, place, distribution, containers, etc.

Specific Authority• What to eat and drink

is specified – “bread… fruit of the vine” (Mt. 26:29; Mk.14:25)

• No other element is to be used (water, orange juice, cola, etc.)

If Multiple Containers Were Added After the First Century, Are They Authorized As Expedients?

Multiple containers for the bread & the fruit of the vine “expedite” obedience to the command to observe the Lord’s supper (Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26)

There are no specific examples of multiple cups in yhe N.T

Multiple cups are authorized by general authority through God’s commands to observe the L.S.

Actually, no one knows how the cup was divided among Jesus’ disciples (Luke 22:17)

The One Cup IssueUses of “Cup” in the New Testament

Passage (33 times in the NT) MeaningMt. 10:42; Mk. 7:4,8; 9:41 Literal container

Mt. 20:22-23; 26:39,42; Mk. 10:38-39; 14:36; Lk. 22:42; Jn. 18:11

Suffering

Mt. 23:25-26; Lk. 11:39 One’s life

Rev. 17:4; 18:6 Lewdness

Rev. 14:10; 16:19 Divine punishment

1 Cor. 10:21 Idolatry

Mt. 26:27; Mk. 14:23; Lk. 22:17,20; 1 Cor. 10:16,21; 11:25-28

Fruit of the vine(Metonymy)

The One Cup IssueExamples of Metonymy

The object…• Cup (Mt. 26:27)• Table (Psa. 23:5)• Egypt (Gen. 47:15)• Grave (Isa. 38:18)• Heaven (Mt. 21:25)• Heart (Psa. 26:2)• Basket (Deut. 28:5)• Well (Jn. 4:11-12)

Stands for the contents…• Fruit of the vine• Food• Inhabitants• Dead bodies• God• Thoughts, affections• Grain, bread• Water

The One Cup IssueThe Cup is Used By Metonymy For Its Contents

“The Cup” or “A Cup”• Drink it (Mt. 26:27)• This is my blood (Mt.

26:28)• Poured out ( “ “ )• Divide it (Lk. 22:17)• New Covenant in blood

(Lk. 22:20)• Communion of the blood

(1 Cor. 10:16)

Container? Contents?No YesNo Yes

No YesNo YesNo Yes

No Yes

Does the Cup (Container)Represent Anything?

Jesus instituted only two elements (Matt. 26:26-29)

Paul gave instructions for only two elements (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

The bread represents Christ’s body & the fruit of the vine represents Christ’s blood of the New Covenant which was shed for the remission of sins

Nothing in the text suggests a cup (a container), a third element, represents anything

No Individual Cups• Those opposed to individual cups for the Lord’s

supper bind where God has not bound (Mt. 16:19; 18:18)

• Binding where God has not bound comes from human opinion, is wrong, and causes needless division in the Lord’s body (Mt. 15:2; Acts 15:5; Gal. 2:4-5; 1 Tim. 4:1-3)

Premillennialism• Interest in a so-called “thousand year reign of Christ”

on the earth was popular among some denominations in the mid-1800’s (William Miller and Ellen G. White of the Seventh-Day Adventists; Charles T. Russell of the Jehovah’s Witnesses)

• Some brethren were later influenced in the early 1900’s by this kind of millennialism (R.H. Boll; H.L. Olmstead; Charles Neal; etc.)

PremillennialismMillennial theories resulted from Bible students giving

literal interpretations to some of the statements in the book of Revelation (20:2-7)

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Premillennialism• Postmillennialism: the 2nd Coming will follow the

millennium

• Premillennialism: the 2nd Coming will precede the millennium

• Amillennialism: the millennium is symbolic, not literal (Rev. 20:2-7)

1) In heaven, not on earth

2) Concerning dead saints, not living saints & living wicked

Theory of Premillennialism

JesusFailed

ToEstablish

HisEarthly

Kingdom

EarthlyKingdom

PostponedChurch

Substituted

7 YearTribulationMt. 24:21

SaintsSecretly

“Raptured”1 Thess. 4:17

WickedRemain

1st R

esu

rrec

tio

n &

C

om

ing

2nd Resurrection& ComingSaints JudgedKingdom Established

1000 Yr. Reign of Christon Earth in Jerusalem

with Living SaintsRev. 20:2-7

Saints inHeaven

Wickedin Hell

Battle of ArmageddonRev. 16:16

3rd R

esu

rrec

tion

& C

om

ing

CrossNot

Planned

Judg

men

t D

ay

The Bible vs. PremillennialismBibleTruth

PremillennialTheory

JesusFailed

JesusFailed

NotPsa. 2:6Jn. 17:4

EarthlyKingdom

PostponedChurch

Substituted

SpiritualKingdom

EstablishedChurchPlanned

Mt. 16:18-19Eph. 3:10-11

7 YearTribulationof Mt. 24

SaintsSecretly

“Raptured”

Mt. 24:34Fulfilled

in A.D. 70No Rapture

of SaintsOnly

1 Thess. 4:17

WickedRemain

1st R

esu

rrec

tio

n &

C

om

ing

Armageddon2nd Resurrection& ComingSaints JudgedKingdom Established

1000 Yr. Reign of Christon Earth in Jerusalem

with Living Saints

Saints inHeaven

Wickedin Hell

ArmageddonPast (Rev. 16:16)Kingdom AlreadyEst. (Col. 1:13)

Christ Reigns in Heaven Nowwith Dead Saints

Ac. 2:36; Rev. 3:7,21; 20:4,6

3rd R

esu

rrec

tio

n&

Co

min

g(W

icke

d)

1 Resurrection, 1 Judgment Day, 2nd ComingJn. 5:28-29; Acts 24;15; Heb. 9:27-28

CrossNot

Planned

CrossPlannedAc. 2:23

Unity Movements• What does “ecumenical” mean?

– encouraging universal Christian unity

– Interdenominational unity

• The issue is: What plan do we follow to achieve universal Christian unity, God’s plan or man’s plan?

– God’s plan: unite on the NT pattern

– Man’s plan: unite on what is believed by men to be “essential”

Unity Movements• Unity is not based upon…

– Focusing on what we have in common (“fundamentals” or “core doctrines”) and ignoring what we do not have in common

– Focusing on what is “right” and ignoring sin, error, and division

Unity Movements• Unity is based upon…

– Reading the Bible pattern (Jn. 17:17-21; Eph. 4:4-6)

– Having the same mind toward this pattern (1 Cor. 1:10; 4:6; Eph. 4:1-3)

– Being content to remain within this patter (2 Jn. 9-11)

– Knowing that leaving this pattern leads to division (1 Jn. 2:19; 4:6)

Unity Movements• False unity leads to …

– A belief that true unity and “restoration” based upon the NT pattern cannot be achieved (Jn. 8:32; 17:17-21; 1 Cor. 1:10)

– A move away from militant contending for the faith (less debate) toward tolerance of all religions

– A man-made, subjective list of what is a “fundamental,” “essential,” and “core doctrine”; a man-made “gospel-doctrine” distinction

Unity Movements• False unity leads to …

– A focus on what local churches decide and practice rather on what the NT teaches for all churches (1 Cor. 4:17; Acts 15:1 – 16:4)

– A branding as “legalists” and “troublemakers” those who seek unity upon the truth of the NT (see Acts 16:20; 17:6; 24:5; 28:22)

– A “unity-in-diversity” (which in reality is a unity in perversity)

Unity MovementsIs There A So-Called “Gospel-Doctrine” Distinction?

Gospel (“essentials”)? Doctrine (“non-essentials”)?

Unity MovementsIs There A So-Called “Gospel-Doctrine” Distinction?

• Who qualifies these men to make such a list?

• What do these men use other than there own “ipse-dixit” to arrive at such a list?

• Why does the list of what is “essential” fluctuate through the years and eventually get smaller all the time?

InstitutionalismWhat Are the Key Issues?

• What is the work of the local church, and who is to be doing that work?

– What? Evangelism, edification, and benevolence to needy saints alone? Or, these three works and some other works (social, recreational, political, health care, etc.)?

– Who? The local church alone? Or, the local church and some other organization (human institution)?

InstitutionalismWhy Such Human Institutions

in the 1940’s – 1960’s?

• The unauthorized nature of the Missionary Society (1849) was not fully rejected

• The religious denominations at the time had them

• Bigger projects could be done in bigger ways

• The issue was thought to be just one of means, methods, or manner of work

• Thinking the local church can do what the individual can do

InstitutionalismWhy Such Human Institutions

in the 1940’s – 1960’s?

• A misunderstanding of the work of the local church

• A misunderstanding of the all-sufficiency of the local church

What is the New Testament Pattern?

The Who?

• Local Church Evangelism

• Local Church Benevolence

• Local Church Edification

The What?

• Evangelism (Acts 13:1ff; Phil. 4:16)

• Benevolence (Acts 2:43ff; 4:32ff; 11:27-30)

• Edification (Acts 2:42; 11:26; Eph. 4:13-16

What is the New Testament Pattern?

The What?

• Evangelism

• Benevolence

• Edification

Some Specifics

• Evangelists sent from each church; support sent directly to each evangelist

• Benevolence of needy saints only; funds sent directly to the needy

• Edification using the gospel only

The New Testament Pattern Changed

The What and Who

• Local Church Evangelism

• Local Church Benevolence

• Local Church Edification

Changes in What and Who

• missionary society; preachers sent

• general benevolence to all; orphan home; hosp.

• secular subjects in a college; ball team; gym; fellowship hall; camps; etc.

New Testament Pattern

Local Church

Work of EvangelismWork of BenevolenceWork of Edification

Local Church

HumanInstitution

HumanInstitution

New Testament Pattern Changed(Institutions Added )

SEvangelism

Benevolence

Edification

New Testament Pattern

Local Church

Work of EvangelismWork of BenevolenceWork of Edification

Local Church

HumanInstitution

New Testament Pattern Changed(Other “Good Works” Added )

S

EvangelismBenevolenceEdificationSecular educationRecreationFellowship hallEtc. etc.

Sponsoring Church Arrangement

Examining the Arguments

• “One church sent money to another church for benevolence, so why not for evangelism”

• “There is no pattern of church cooperation for evangelism”

• “The sponsoring church arrangement is an expedient to carry out the work of the church”

Sponsoring Church Arrangement

Examining the Arguments

• “The men of 2 Corinthians 8:18 are acting just like a sponsoring church does today”

• “Acts 11:27-30 is an example of a sponsoring church”

• “Paul received money from a sponsoring church as per 2 Cor. 11:8; Phil. 4:15; and Acts 18:5”

Sponsoring Church Arrangement

Examining the Arguments

• “1 Corinthians 3:9 is an example of a sponsoring church”

• “Local autonomy is not violated when that church voluntarily gives its control over to the another church”

New Testament Pattern

Local Church

Work of EvangelismWork of BenevolenceWork of Edification

Local Church

SponsoringChurch

New Testament Pattern Changed(Sponsoring Church Added )

SEvangelism

Benevolence

Edification

Sponsoring Church Arrangement

• It is not of faith; it lacks NT authority

• It destroys local church independence and makes them dependent

• It violates local church autonomy and violates the limitations placed upon elders

• It goes against the wisdom of God

Sponsoring Church Arrangement

• It replaces NT cooperation (concurrent) with man-made cooperation

• It represents a centralized power and control not found in the NT

• It assumes a responsibility not found in the NT

• It is a nonsensical cooperative arrangement that has churches swapping dollars

The Work of the Local ChurchWhat is the Church’s Mission?

• Prophesied (Isa. 2:1-4)

• Presented (Mt. 1:21; Lk. 2:49; 19:10)

• Purposed (Eph. 3:10-11; 5:27; 1 Tim. 3:15)

The Work of the Local Church

This…

• Edification (Ac. 11:26)

• Benevolence (Ac. 11:29)

• Evangelism (Acts 13:1ff)

Not This…• Social reform• Recreation• Secular business• Secular education• Politics• Medicine

The Work of the Local Church

This…

• Evangelism

• Benevolence

• Edification

Not, Church of Christ…• Camps• Gymnasiums, playgrounds• Ball teams• Clinics• Fellowship halls• Family life centers• Family programs• Universities

The Work of the ChurchWhy Change It?

Answering the Arguments

• “It’s a good work”

• “It is evangelistic; it brings people to Christ”

• “The church can do what the Christian can do, because the church is made up of Christians”

The Work of the ChurchWhy Change It?

• Discontent with the current work

• Lack of faith in the current work

• Want to be like the denominations

• Side-tracked from the true mission

• Worldly-minded members

The Work of the ChurchWhy Change It?

What happens when we change the work of the local church?

• We do that which is unauthorized and sinful

• We burden the church and waste the Lord’s money

• We lose our focus: we cause the lost to remain lost in sin

• We fail (Mt. 15:13)

Marriage, Divorce, & RemarriageWhat Does the New Testament Teach?

• Matthew 5:31-32

• Matthew 19:3-12

• Mark 10:2-12

• Luke 16:18

• Romans 7:2-3

• 1 Corinthians 7:10-11,39

Marriage, Divorce, & RemarriageA Wide Spectrum of Views

One Man One Woman

For LifeOne Cause

For Remarr.DeathOne

Exception Fornication

Death Only Cause For

Remarriage No

Exception

No Marriage At All (1 Tim. 4:3)*

*This view is not taught by brethren, but by Catholics

Binding (Restricting) Where God Has Not Bound

BibleTruth

Marriage, Divorce, & RemarriageA Wide Spectrum of Views

One Man One Woman

For LifeOne Cause

For Remarr.DeathOne

Exception Fornication

Two Exceptions: Fornication

and Desertion

By An Unbeliever

(1 Cor. 7:15)

Two Parties May

Remarry After

Fornication: Innocent

and Guilty

Loosing (Permitting) Where God Has Not Loosed

BibleTruth

Divorce and Remarriage

Before Baptism

Because…1. Not Under the Law of C.2. Adultery

Washed Away

Divorce And Remarriage

For Any CauseAndAll

Divorcees May

Remarry

Divorce and Remarriage (Separation)

For Any Cause But

No Remarriage

Passing The TorchWhat Have We Learned?

• Brethren must pass on to the next generation the truths contained in the NT (Bible authority, church work, worship, organization, unity, etc.) (2 Tim. 2:2)

• Brethren often bring into the church what they find among the denominations (1 Sam. 8:5,19-20)

• Brethren must not loose (permit) where God has not loosed, nor bind (forbid) where God has not bound (Mt. 16:19)

Passing The TorchWhat Have We Learned?

• Brethren who desire unity with others must do so within the boundaries of Bible unity (Eph. 4:3)

• Brethren must pass on the Bible pattern for the work and worship of the church (2 Tim. 1:13)

• Brethren who do God’s work must also do it in God’s way (Col. 3:17)

Passing The TorchWhat Have We Learned?

• Brethren who do not learn from the errors of their own history will repeat them (1 Cor. 10:6-12)

• Brethren must restore the NT church, not form a man-made church (Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:47)