Walking together - Unity or Disagreement

[Salty]

Mark 9:40 states: For he that is not against us is on our part.

Amos 3:3: Can two walk together, except they be agreed?


So, do these verses contradict each other?

Must we agree on every single doctrine to walk
together

At what point should we decide that a person is against us.
Is it possible for one person to believe you can walk with another in fellowship
but the other person believe that one doctrine is enough to divide you?

 

[Two Wings]

A timely query.

For the board's consideration, I offer:

when the disagreement gets personal, and there is no reconciliation despite multiple opportunities, then it's time to "dust the sandals"

because when a person is attacked, the point is no longer about doctrine/theology/ideas.

 

[Salty]

This thread is not so much about differences of those on this board

Rather it is about differences within our individual local church
and as well as fellowshipping with other churches in your local area,
both other Baptist churches and non-baptist (ie - AOG, Bible, methodist, ect)

 

[DaveXR650]

Rather it is about differences within our individual local church
and as well as fellowshipping with other churches in your local area,
both other Baptist churches and non-baptist (ie - AOG, Bible, methodist, ect)

Just my observation but here's what I have noticed
1. If you believe we should listen to the government during a pandemic you are not welcome in the anti government churches.
2. Any church that listens to the government during a pandemic will also be woke and pro LBGTQXYZPTYEGB and will not welcome someone who more conservative than Mitt Romney.
3. If you don't think the election was stolen you better not go to the anti government church.
4. If you do think the election was stolen you can't go the woke church.
5. If you listen to the government on the pandemic but aren't woke there are no churches for you no matter how many guns you own.
6. If you're a Calvinist, better keep it to yourself if you go to a non-Calvinist Baptist church.
7. If you're not a Calvinist you can go to a Calvinist church if you're OK with being constantly instructed.
8. If you go to the woke church they won't care if you are or are not a Calvinist because they long ago quit worrying about that stuff.

Other than that I think the church in America is in great shape.

 

[Two Wings]

Just my observation but here's what I have noticed

outstanding mix of truth and humor, Dave.

This presents validation for the notion the Last Days Church will explode in numbers ... and in very small "congregations." Homes.

I'll testify to part of what you wrote above ... but not from a "neeyah" perspective, but from recognizing the separation problem.

August last fall (and if I posted this before, please forgive me) ... I was one of 3 men asked to "substitute" for the Pastor's vacation which included Wed Night Men's Bible Study. I was the first sub and had recently committed to re-engaging (though the pastor and I had walked through fire at our previous FBC, so hold yer fire on "can't believe this guy gave the reigns to a newbie")

Delta was raging ... and I couldn't direct the conversation to remain on the topic of the study; 1 Cor. Every effort was met with more commentary about the deadly cv19 ... or the stupidity of people refusing to get the cv jab. There were two guys there who'd I'd known long enough they knew where I was on this virus/jab. The others didn't know me from Adams Allfox. One of these gentlemen was an Air Force Vet, quite senior to me, and used his experience as "proof" the vaxes are safe and effective.

I finally couldn't resist any longer and simply said "(Tom), none of those vaxes you and I took to be in mobility status of Uncle Sam's Aero Club is like this one. Not a single one."

That pretty much did it for me. I realized I wasn't going to be able to worship with these guys nor certainly facilitate any teaching ... because it got personal. I've struggled ever since Pops passed 5 years ago with being "a member" My wife has benefitted greatly so it's been easier to simply have scheduling conflicts with work --- which isn't a big stretch.

So I still love my pastor and support/encourage ... and even volley a correction every now and then ... our relationship isn't nearly as close as it was when we were being attacked by the enemy at the previous church. IDK ... between the adjustment to losing Dad, the learning in greater detail ... and DIFFERENT detail ... of what The Bible says about the End Times ... then this pestilence, society's response, and its effect on congregational unity ... well.

it is what it is. We are all each other's grace training aids and I try to remember that. But as the OP outlines ... there are differences which inhibit worship and that's the primary reason to gather. If we can't fulfill our primary, then ... well ...

House church. It's not what I'd have "dialed-up." But what I think is best isn't always.

thanks for the opportunity to review from this "Cross Timbers Texas" locale.

 

[JonC]

Mark 9:40 states: For he that is not against us is on our part.

Amos 3:3: Can two walk together, except they be agreed?


So, do these verses contradict each other?

Must we agree on every single doctrine to walk
together

At what point should we decide that a person is against us.
Is it possible for one person to believe you can walk with another in fellowship
but the other person believe that one doctrine is enough to divide you?

We do not have to agree on every single doctrine to walk yogether. We should be united in Christ - not our understanding. But there will always be doctrines which will divide Christians into sects.

It is possible that one may overlook a disagreement while the other will see it a bridge too far. Sometimes it depends on how people hold these doctrines. Sometimes Christians are too legalistic. Sometimes the doctrine is held as too important to budge.

We have to keep in mind there are things that are up to dispute. But we have to wisely balance this with the need to guard against false doctrine.

 

[37818]

Mark 9:40 states: For he that is not against us is on our part.

Amos 3:3: Can two walk together, except they be agreed?


So, do these verses contradict each other?

I do not think so. This question brings to mind two other passages.
1 Corinthians 1:10, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
And,
1 Corinthians 11:19, "For there must be also heresies |divisions| among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Disagreements over matters that are not matters of one's salvation. Secondary issues. But important to understand.

Somettimes and often too often some of these disagreements result in insults which amount to denying the other's salvation without directly saying so. False accusations about the other's point of view.

 

[Dave G]

So, do these verses contradict each other?

No.

There is one faith, one Gospel, one baptism, one Christ, etc ( Ephesians 4:4-5 ).
As I see it, those that do not agree together within the bounds of that one faith and its firmly upheld doctrines, ultimately cannot walk together.

 

[Dave G]

Must we agree on every single doctrine to walk
together

Not initially, but within the local assembly there must be patience with those who are babes in Christ who are still learning and understanding the Bible for themselves,
and there must be a set of doctrines that are firmly upheld with no compromise ( Titus 2:1-10 )...

Whether or not younger believers in the faith have come to fully comprehend them for themselves through the word.

At what point should we decide that a person is against us.

If those who profess to know Him continue trying to teach people error despite admonitions ( Titus 3:10-11 ) and if it can be determined that they are not willing to live godly lives and to treat their profession of Christ seriously ( 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:1-8 ).

Is it possible for one person to believe you can walk with another in fellowship
but the other person believe that one doctrine is enough to divide you?

Yes, but doctrinal truths are still truths, whether or not there is agreement.
Divides happen ( 1 Corinthians 11:19 ) and there is a reason for them...so that those who are approved by God may be made manifest among those who profess.

Also, it is never wrong for a Christian to separate from false doctrines and from those who are in error,
especially if those who are in perpetual error absolutely refuse correction from God's word.

It's one thing to disagree within the local assembly...
It's quite another to stay in that disagreement despite differing people both having years of study in God's word.