While having rules and statements of believe can be misused and abused, the lack of them can also be abused.
Consider a new convert. It can take YEARS to grasp what the Bible is saying about this or that, rightly dividing the Word, etc. Ideally, we don't reinvent the wheel every time we have a new convert, but we deliver to them the truths that have been hard-won through dedication and long study.
If it was easy, we'd just hand them a Bible and say, "Read this and come back on Sunday." But we know better than that.
For one thing, there are people who will "game the system," to protect their own vices. For example, "I don't see anything that says I can't have a beer or two."
Right. But the deeper truth is about separation from the world and not letting your good be evil spoken of.
When our beliefs are solidly founded on the Word, with references provided, people can look them up and know for themselves.
One of the reasons there are so many denominations is precisely because people fail to rightly divide the Word. They are Christians, and they are sincere, but they latch on to this or that "distinctive" and make it the core of their beliefs (e.g., Sabbath for the 7th Day Adventists).
Sometimes, when a church is challenged, they remove the person who challenged them. See our own beginnings.
But over time, we come to a settled doctrine--one that had MANY MINDS focused on the matter, and many godly people seeking to understand what God is saying to us. |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6032
4/20/21 7:08 am
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Should Your Church Be a Gatekeeper?
