Respecting the Body of Christ

5 Biblical attitudes and actions that honour the Church

1. Humility- Reject an attitude of exclusiveness or superiority in your beliefs or spirituality.Bible verses: 1Cor. 3:3, 4, 8:2; 11, 22; 4:2, 7-10, 14, 15, 18, 21; 1Cor.8:2; Gal. 6:3; Romans 12:3. 1Ti.6:3-5;

2. Diversity- Respect our difference in Christian worship, denominational distinctives, personal convictions and spiritual experiences. Bible verses: 1 Corinthians 12:12-21; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

3. Moderation- Remain objective and balanced in our teachings, preaching, practises and measurement of spiritual growth. Bible verses: Philippians 4:5; Ephesians 5:18; Tit. 3:9-11; 1Ti. 6:20, 21; 2 Corinthians 3:6

4. Unity- Reinforce unity on the essentials of the Christian Faith, liberty on the non-essesstials and charity in all things. Bible verses: 1 Cor. 1:11-14, 17; 1Cor 11:16, 18, 19; Eph.4:4, 5; 1Co 9:18-23

5. Discretion- Refuse the urge to impose stereotypical and subjective beliefs and expressions of faith or worship upon everyone which might quench the spirit and offend people.Bible verses: Col. 2:16; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 8:9-13; 1 Corinthians 9:18; 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Corinthians 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:3. Romans 14.

How to respectfully deal with

controversial debatable teachings

1. We should not become dogmatic on questionable or debatable teachings within the Body of Christ

2. We should be respectful, tolerant and objective when teaching on controversial topics within the

Body of Christ

3. We should not focus on debatable, divisive, contentious and subjective teachings that are based on human

knowledge/understanding, convictions, expositions, rationalizations and experiences.

4. When respected Bible teachers disagree on a subject or topic we should not take a hard core position

that is offensive towards those that disagree with us within the Body of Christ

5. Avoid promoting stereotypical and subjective denominational distinctive that are based on fallible

human experiences

6. Understand that every church has a mixture of divine truth and human error or hearies that are usually

represented through our denominationalor theological distinctives and spiritual experiences.

7. There are 3 sides to a debatable issue, your view, my view and a neutral view. Agree to disagree

graciously because noone has a corner on the truth except for God himself!

8. Truth within the church is determined when the whole Body of Christ is in agreement on the doctrinal,

moral and spiritual essentials of the Christian Faith. Truth is authenticated through the unity or harmony of

the whole Church.

9. Teachings that sow discord and divisions within the church are motivated by Satan and not God

10. Personal or private interpretations and applications of the Bible always bring divisions and contention.

3 Marks of a Healthy & Respectful Church

1 Corinthians 1-4

1. It challenges denominational Christian understanding

2. It cultivates denominational Christian unity

3. It celebrates denominational Christian uniqueness

How to Scripturally deal with debatable or

questionable teachings within the church

  1. 1 Cor. 2:2 “for I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified”
  1. 1 Cor. 13:12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known”
  1. 1 Cor. 8:2 “If anyone thinks he knows something for sure, he really knows nothing”
  1. 1Cor. 4:5 ”Judge (form opinions or convictions) nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will reveal the hidden (obscure) things of darkness and will manifest the unknown counsels of mystery”.

5.1 Corinthians 9:18-23 “What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christwithout charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you”.

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  1. 1 Tim. 6: 3-5 “These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is gain”.
  1. 1Cor. 3:3,4,11,22; 4:2,7-10,14,15,18,21 “For you are yet carnal; for there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another I am of Apollos; are you not carnal? For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Therefore let no man glory (boast) in men (manmade denominations, fellowships or associations)… Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful (“Be found faithful’ in context is referring to being faithful in having open fellowship with all believers, Christian fellowships and groups). For who makes you to differ from another? (denomination or Christian group). Now you are full (satisfied with your denomination), now you are rich (sufficient in your denomination), you have reigned (operated your denominations) as kings (elitist) without us: for I think that God has set forth us the apostles last (sarcastic remark)… We (apostles) are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are strong (doctrinally correct): you are honourable, but we are despised. I write not to shame you… but to warn you. For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers (spiritual leaders). Now some are puffed up, though I would not come to you. What will you? Shall I come unto you with a rod or in love…”
  1. 1 Cor. 1:11-14,17 ”There are contentions among you…for everyone of you saith, I am of Paul; and I am of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of (even) Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you…lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name (own denomination). Preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should ne made of none effect”
  1. 1Cor 11:16,18,19 “If any man seem to be contentious we have no such custom, neither the churches of God (plural and universal church). When you come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you…for there must be also heresies among you that they which are approved may be made manifest among you…Do you despise the church of God?”
  1. Eph.4:4, 5” For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body…and have been all made to drink into one spirit. 1Cor. 12:13. There is one body, and one spirit even as you are called in one hope…One Lord, one faith, one baptism”.
  1. Tit. 3:9-11”But avoid foolish questions, and geneologies and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic…reject. Knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”
  1. 1Tim.1:3-6 ”That thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies which minister questions, rather than godly edifying…”
  1. 1Ti.1:6,7 “Some having swerved have turned aside unto vain janglings (debates) desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm…”
  1. 1Ti. 6:20,21 “Avoiding profane and vain babblings (preaching) and opposition of science falsely called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith”.

15. 1Cor.8:2; Gal. 6:3; Ro. 12:3. 1Ti.6:3-5. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to

wholesome words…he is proud knowing nothing, but doting about words, whereof cometh

strifes, envy, railings, evil surmisings; perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute

of truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself. Knowledge puffeth up…If

any man think that he know anything, he knows nothing.”

  1. 1Co 9:18-23 “Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you

learned; and avoid them. The gospel is made without charge if I abuse my power in the gospel,

therefore I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some”.

  1. 3 John 1:5; 8-11”We ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth. I wrote

to the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence (pre-eminence means to

distinguish above others) among them, receiveth us not. If I come, I will remember his

(Diotrephes) deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content

therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would, and

casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He

(Diotrephes) that doeth evil hath not seen God”.

18.Philippians 3:10-16”That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Pressing toward the Goal. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to haveapprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you disagree, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule,let us be of the same mind.”

19.1 Corinthians 8:10-13 “For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall”. ------

20.Romans 14 “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters…do not treat your brother with contempt because of your differences…Each person should be fully convinced in their own mind…why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat… and give account of ourselves to God… Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister…Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of your personal beliefs or convictions…it is wrong for a person to do anything that causes someone else to stumble”. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves”.

A healthy Faith vs. an unhealthy Faith