| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
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| 107.1 | Introduction | LEDDEV::CAMUSO | alphabits | Mon Apr 12 1993 08:58 | 52 |
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The definition of Legalism, as I was taught in discipleship, is
the belief that salvation is predicated upon obedience to the Law
and/or adherance to ordinaces, rites, and observances. It does
not matter if said predication is in addition to or instead of the
finished work of Jesus Christ, it is Legalist, it is wrong
(Ephesians 2:8-9).
It is not legalistic for a member of an assembly, with love and
without hypocracy, to exhort or separate from an unrepentant
brother or sister in violation of scriptural doctrine (2
Thessalonians 3:14-15, Galatians 6:1). Anyone with family knows
that unconditional love can be confrontational (Matthew 23:13-33).
However, if the assembly or any member thereof believes that
salvation is based on adherance to law, moral or otherwise, and/or
admonishes another member accordingly, the Rubicon of Legalism has
been crossed and that assembly or member is in error (Ephesians
2:8-9).
After we have accepted the precious gift of salvation, we need to
progress along the path of spiritual growth and holiness, aspiring
perfection (Matthew 5:48). We should, by all means, avoid
"majoring on the minors and minoring on the majors."
The majors are exposited by the overwhelming direction of
scripture. They can also be identified by those things that God
has been shown in scripture to hold of great importance, and/or in
the penalties meted to those who reject them.
These are, belief in salvation by grace through faith in the
finished work of Jesus Christ, continual worship of the one true
God to the exclusion of all others, unconditional love for
others, holiness, morality, modesty, humility, outreach,
discipleship, tithing, and separation from the things of the world
that would entice us away from these or otherwise compromise our
testimony.
The minors are revealed in scripture as ordinances and practices
that have no bearing on our testimony, and the Ceremonial Law,
which was fullfilled in Jesus Christ.
These are rites, rituals, observances of holydays, moons and
sabbaths, dietary proscriptions, animal sacrifice, and other
aspects of the Ceremonial Law.
In the notes to follow, I'll attempt to address, to the best of my
limited ability, passages that seem incongruent to the
preponderance of holiness and separation doctrine in the bible and
show that they are really invectives against "majoring on the
minors."
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| 107.2 | Mark 7:15 | LEDDEV::CAMUSO | alphabits | Mon Apr 12 1993 09:00 | 33 |
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If one has a flu and another is well, and they spend some time
together in close proximity, it is likely that the one who is
well will catch the other's flu, not that the one with the flu will
catch the other's wellness. This is one way to look at God's
reason for separation from the things of the world or that which
is unwholesome. As parents, you are dismayed when your children
make bad associations, and rightly so.
However Mark 7:15, taken out of context, seems to indicate that it
is never association with the world that corrupts us, but only
that we corrupt ourselves from within.
Mark 7:15
There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him
can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those
are they that defile the man.
If you read this verse in its context, Mark 7:1-23, you will see
that it is actually a rejection of the disproportionate emphasis
the Pharisees had come to place on their ritual washing, and, by
extension, meaningless ritual in general, and dietary law. Many
are the religions today that base salvation, at least in part, on
observance of ritual and/or dietary law.
In Mark 7:19, Jesus indicates that He is talking about dietary Law
when he makes the distinction between that which enters the belly
and that which enters the heart.
Mark 7:19
Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly,
and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
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| 107.3 | Separation from the World | LEDDEV::CAMUSO | alphabits | Mon Apr 12 1993 09:02 | 77 |
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Below are listed just a few of the verses that would have to be
discarded in order for Mark 7:15 to mean that we are safe from
corruption by the things of the world.
For a more historical perspecitve, read in 1 Kings 21 the effects
of the evil influence Jezebel had on Ahab. In 1 Kings 22, read
how Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life in a misadventure
with the corrupt Ahab in Ramoth Gilead.
These two stories and the verses below represent a tiny fraction
of the scripture admonishing us to select our associations and
enviroments with the study and wisdom of scripturual guidance and
prayer.
Psalms 101:2
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt
thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect
heart.
Psalms 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work
of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.
Psalms 101:4
A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a
wicked [person].
Proverbs 9:6
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of
understanding.
Proverbs 22:24
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man
thou shalt not go:
2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness?
Psalms 26:4-5
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with
dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers;
and will not sit with the wicked.
Psalms 119:113
SAMECH. I hate [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I love.
Proverbs 6:24
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the
tongue of a strange woman.
Romans 12:9
[Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is
evil; cleave to that which is good.
Galatians 4:9
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of
God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements,
whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Psalms 101:6
Mine eyes [shall be] upon the faithful of the land, that they
may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall
serve me.
Psalms 119:115
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the
commandments of my God.
1 Kings 11:4
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives
turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not
perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David
his father.
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| 107.4 | Legalism at Colossus | LEDDEV::CAMUSO | alphabits | Mon Apr 12 1993 09:04 | 53 |
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It has been suggested that Colossians 2:16-23 presents a
definition of Legalism. Indeed, the practices disparaged in this
passage are evident in Legalistic churches, but a church is not
Legalist unless it bases salvation on these practices. From the
language in this passage, however, I believe that such was the
case, at least in part, in the church at Colossus.
Examination of this passage, in the context of the book in which
it appears, shows that it is an invective against dietary
prohibitions, specious ritual, and the worship of angels. These
errors still persist today and are the basis of many cults.
Colossians 2:16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in
respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath
days;
Colossians 2:18
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility
and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which
he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.
Verses 20-22 specifically address dietary proscriptions, to wit:
Colossians 2:20-2:22
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the
world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to
ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are
to perish with the using;) after the commands and doctrines
of men?
However, in verse 2:23, Paul indicates that Hebrew dietary law can
be used as a tool for spiritual growth.
Colossians 2:23
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship,
and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor
to the satisfying of the flesh.
It is inconsistent to use this passage to justify involvement with
the things of the world and things that are shown to lead the
just astray, against which much of the rest of scripture speaks.
In fact, we only have to read the first few verses of the very
next chapter in this book to see yet another iteration of holiness
doctrine.
Colossians 3:1-3
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set
your affection on things above, not on things of the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
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| 107.5 | Scriptural Clarification | LEDDEV::CAMUSO | alphabits | Mon Apr 12 1993 09:10 | 79 |
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For those who believe Colossians 2:16-23 applies more generally,
mitigating the doctrines of holiness and separation, and inferring
that nobody can be moved in the Spirit to warn or reprove us, I
offer the following exegetical refutation. I particularly like
the poetic expression of separation doctrine in Titus 2:14.
Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world;
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works.
Titus 2:15
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all
authority. Let no man despise thee.
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that
man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a
brother.
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Leviticus 20:7
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I [am] the
LORD your God.
1 Peter 1:15-16
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all
manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Titus 2:6-7
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things
showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine
[shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:29,30
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it]
from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy
members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should
be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it
off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee
that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy
whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 6:22,23
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be
single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine
eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If
therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great
[is] that darkness!
Matthew 5:17,18
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say
unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
1 John 2:15-16
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not
in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world.
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| 107.6 | The Pharisees | LEDDEV::CAMUSO | alphabits | Mon Apr 12 1993 09:14 | 65 |
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Matthew 23 is a scathing denunciation of the Pharisees. Pharisee
means "separated", which is what much of the Bible preaches the
believer should be.
However, the Pharisees had grown to place more importance on
ceremony and tradition than the Law of God. They preached
meticulous adherance to the minutiae of the "Mishna", or second
law, which is composed of oral traditions said to have originated
with Moses, and the Ceremonial Law.
By the time Jesus had arrived, the Pharisees had come to esteem
the Mishna far above the sacred Scripture, far above the Word of
God itself.
It is popular today to label those who appeal to Christians for a
return to holiness and separation as modern day Pharisees.
For the most part, however, such appeals are based on very sound
Biblical principles clearly exposited in passages that are
corroborated by cross reference, not on any tradition, ceremony,
ritual, observance, or oral law. Advocacy for holiness and
separation is not Legalism, unless it predicates salvation upon
these principles.
In fact, Jesus makes an appeal for scriptural holiness in verses
23 and 26, where he indicates that the Law of God must be obeyed,
but from the inside out, not just to make appearances, and not
ritualistically.
Matthew 23:16 - 28
16 Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever
shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever
shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
17 [Ye] fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold,
or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing;
but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is
guilty.
19 [Ye] fools and blind: for whether [is] greater, the
gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by
it, and by all things thereon.
21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it,
and by him that dwelleth therein.
22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the
throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the
weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:
these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other
undone.
24 [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow
a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but
within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 [Thou] blind Pharisee, cleanse first that [which is]
within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be
clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear
beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's]
bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men,
but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
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| 107.7 | don't minimize the infectiousness of health | LGP30::FLEISCHER | without vision the people perish (381-0899 ZKO2-2/T63) | Mon Apr 12 1993 13:41 | 18 |
| re Note 107.2 by LEDDEV::CAMUSO:
> If one has a flu and another is well, and they spend some time
> together in close proximity, it is likely that the one who is
> well will catch the other's flu, not that the one with the flu will
> catch the other's wellness.
In a way, the sick can catch the "wellness".
In Matthew 25:36: "I was sick, and ye visited me."
The care, attention, and love of another can contribute to
the recovery of a person who is sick.
(I believe that this is true spiritually as well as
physically.)
Bob
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| 107.8 | | JULIET::MORALES_NA | Search Me Oh God | Mon Apr 12 1993 15:23 | 7 |
| Hi Bob,
In that while I agree that God does command us to go to a brother with
a fault, and healings were always instantaneous, God has warned us not
to abide or fellowship with darkness.
Nancy
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| 107.9 | | EVMS::GLEASON | Only Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. | Mon Apr 12 1993 15:26 | 39 |
| 107.10 | | JULIET::MORALES_NA | Search Me Oh God | Mon Apr 12 1993 15:45 | 4 |
| The previous reply has been set hidden and author has been contacted.
Nancy
Co-mod
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| 107.11 | Preparation | LEDDEV::CAMUSO | alphabits | Tue Apr 13 1993 09:56 | 35 |
| RE:<<< Note 107.7 by LGP30::FLEISCHER
-< don't minimize the infectiousness of health >-
True, and this is what outreach is all about. We are commanded to
bring the gospel to the world and minister to the spiritually dead
and wounded.
Consider, though, that the physicians who minister to the
physically ill, rarely contract the illnesses themselves. This is
because they are prepared and spend only the time required to
diagnose, nurture, and heal, where possible.
The doctrines of separation and outreach seem, at first, to be at
cross purposes. They are not. Separation means that we do not get
involved with or tolerate sin (Psalm 1:1), but to minister to the
spiritually ill (or dead, in the case of the unsaved) we must be
prepared (Psalm 1:2, Ephesians 6:13-20). We've all heard that we
must hate the sin, but love the sinner. This is not easy to do in
the flesh and without the armour of God.
We must also be careful not to preach the gospel to a group of
scoffers, for it does no good to drag the Word of God through the
mud. Typically what they'll do is ridicule us in front of other
non-believers, whose hearts otherwise might have been swayed, or in
front of young believers who may become discouraged. Better to
approach a scoffer one-on-one and attempt to engage him in
heart-to-heart conversation.
Tony
Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye
your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under
their feet, and turn again and rend you.
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