Ambassadors Discussion, Sunday January 20, 2008

Last Sunday, January 20, Larry Smith led a great discussion about our “Communities of Faith”. These focused on our beliefs based on Biblical evidence versus personal preference. Of course much of our Biblical Evidence is subject to personal interpretation, so this is included as a factor. This discussion really challenged all of us to think seriously about what we believe and why. Of course, this also impacts what we teach and attempt to force on our brothers in Christ. I learned that we must all be very careful to discern what are Biblical Absolutes (non-negotiable), what is open to interpretation (Biblical Convictions), and what is purely based on our personal preferences. Larry provided the following illustration to show how these interact:

As you can see, we need to measure our beliefs (convictions) based on what the Bible says. In some cases the Bible is totally silent. One example may be our church worship style. In other cases, the Biblical interpretation is debatable. Often this is an area of concern which differentiates Denominational beliefs. An example is the practice of Baptism. Finally, the Bible often says something is so, so it is non-negotiable. An example is the virgin birth of Christ.


Larry stated that the size of each of these areas go from a large number of Preferences, smaller number of Biblical Convictions and the smallest number of Non-Negotiables.


For discussion purposes, Larry listed a large number of beliefs for us to discuss. We didn’t discuss most of these in detail but I will list them here for your personal thought and study. Look these over and determine where each of these would fit in the illustration above. Are they based on preferences, Biblical conviction, or Non-negotiable. See if there is scripture to back up your answer. The answers may surprise you.


Which category and how do we respond?

• Congregational form of church government


• Divorce for any reason other than adultery


• Divorce and remarriage


• Baptism by immersion


• Abortion to save the life of the mother


• Creation in 6 literal, 24-hour days


• The pre-tribulational return of Christ


• Working, eating in restaurants, or shopping on Sunday


• Attending a sports event on Sunday


• Watching a sports event on TV on Sunday


• KJV only


• Contemporary Bible versions


• Drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation


• Playing the Lotto for a dollar a week


• Buying a raffle ticket for your school


• Putting money in the stock market


• Ushers, men serving communion, and preachers should wear a coat and tie


• Para-church organizations


• Missionaries supported by churches and individuals rather than hired by a convention


• Congregational singing by reading the words on the screen


• Congregational singing by reading the words from the hymnal

Larry was kind to us and listed the following as Biblical Absolutes that are Non-Negotiable. You can readily see why these are so important and also readily find scripture that supports these beliefs.

1. The inspiration, by God, of the Scriptures which were without error in the original autographs.


2. One God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.


3. The deity of Christ.


4. The sinless virgin birth of Christ.


5. The miracles of Christ as literal, supernatural events.


6. The substitutionary atonement of Christ for salvation.


7. The death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Christ.


8. The personal, visible, return of Christ.


9. The sinfulness of all mankind. (Christ, God in the flesh, the only exception)


10. The existence of created spiritual beings, such as angels and demons.


11. The creation of man in God’s image.


12. The Body of Christ composed of those born again by the Spirit of God