Mike has a useful discussion of the Greek words as used in the NT. I made a comment that his last paragraphs need repeating.

I made up my mind many years ago to never compromise on this. I believe the ῥήματα (rhēmata) of God, every one of them, every jot and tittle. When you take that stand you immediately find that certain things tolerated in the visible church can no longer be tolerated by you such as the diluted Gospel, the seeker-sensitive movement, the emergent church in all its forms, NAR, et cetera, and any effort to bring the world and its ways into the Church.

The words of God

Mikes, current post fit nicely with this year’s study of the Book of John. Giving some added insight. Dr. MLJ also has a good opening sermon in his series on John. Very useful in understanding why many don’t get it. Interestingly he begins the series with verse 5.

SERMON #1001

The Light Shines in the Darkness

A Sermon on Light and Darkness from John 1:5

Originally preached Oct. 14, 1962

BTW in one denomination the EPC, they have an Essentials of Faith Statement.

If you read it the short statement is bookended by basing Faith on the Bible and the Summary of Doctrine in The Westminster Confess. That is good.

The ending reads….

The Essentials are set forth in greater detail in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

In Essentials … Unity

In Non-Essentials … Liberty

In All Things … Charity

An example of Liberty is given elsewhere:

WOMEN IN ORDAINED OFFICE

The understanding of the role of women in the life of the church varies widely. For example, one Presbyterian denomination mandates that women be elected as pastors, ruling elders, and deacons. Another prohibits this. Yet equally sincere, Bible-believing Christians differ on this issue. In the EPC, the decision to elect women as pastors, ruling elders, and deacons is left to the discretion of the presbytery and congregation, respectively. We believe that under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, God’s people should be free to follow His leading

My concern here is the conflict between what Mike writes about (highlighted above) and the widespread application of Non-Essentials…..even though many of these Non-Essential are actually spoken of in the Bible.

I do agree that there are certain “Essentials” particularly in our personal faith, that allow a person to make a “Credible Profession of Faith”. But even these can vary in God’s Sovereign Sovereignty, from ye of little faith or faith as small as a Mustard Seed, to Great Faith….depending on the physical and mental abilities God has give each of us….and how much time and maturity in sound teaching and life we have had.

But I do see that much work and understanding need to be done to understand the Unity & Separation at the Bible does speak about quite widely in many forms. Unity is not a simple matter to be just accepted since it sounds good. There must actually be a true Unity to be United.

I look forward to eventually getting to Dr. MLJ’s sermons on Ephesians 4. Geneva Bible Version…

These three last Chapters contain precepts of manners. 1 He exhorteth them to mutual love. 7 Sundry gifts are therefore bestowed of God, 16 that the Church may be built up. 18 He calleth them from the vanity of infidels, 25 from lying, 29 and from filthy talk.

1 I therefore, being prisoner in the Lord, pray you that ye walk worthy of the vocation whereunto ye are called,
2 With all humbleness of mind, and meekness, with long suffering, supporting one another through love,
3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your vocation.
5 There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.
6 One God and Father of all, which is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended upon high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now, in that he ascended, what is it but that he had also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth?
10 He that descended, is even the same that ascended, far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 He therefore gave some to be Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors, and Teachers,
12 For the repairing of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edification of the body of Christ,
13 Till we all meet together (in the unity of faith and that acknowledging of the Son of God) unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the age the fullness of Christ,
14 That we henceforth be no more children, wavering and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the deceit of men, and with craftiness, whereby they lay in wait to deceive.
15 But let us follow the truth in love, and in all things, grow up into him, which is the head, that is, Christ.
16 By whom all the body being coupled and knit together by every joint, for the furniture thereof (according to the effectual power, which is in the measure of every part) receiveth increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in vanity of their mind.