|
The following article was submitted by a person who attends our
gatherings and is a good overview for the basis of our fellowship
with other believers.
The author of the article is unknown.
"In essentials, Unity; in non-essentials, Liberty;
in all things, Love."
-
Although we individually, or
as a group, may believe and cherish certain doctrines, the
basis of our fellowship is life in the Christ of
the Scriptures rather than light on the teaching of
the Scriptures. Those who have part with Christ have part
with us. Because our communion is one of life and love more
than one of doctrine and opinion, we seek to show that the
oneness in the life of God through Jesus Christ is a
stronger bond than that of being one of us - whether
organizationally or otherwise.
-
Because our fellowship is based on our
common life in Christ, we do not reject anyone because of
the organization or denomination with which he may be
affiliated; nor would we hold him responsible for the
conduct within that system, any more than we would a child
for the conduct in the home of which he is merely a part.
-
We do not feel it desirable to withdraw from
fellowship with any Christians except at the point where
they may require us to do what our consciences will not
permit, or restrain us from doing what our consciences
require. Even then, we maintain our fellowship with them in
any matter where we are not called upon to so compromise.
This ensures that (insofar as we understand the Scripture)
we do not separate ourselves from them any further than they
separate themselves from Christ.
-
We do not consider an act of fellowship to
be indicative of total agreement; indeed, we sometimes find
it a needed expression of love to submit to others in
matters where we do not fully agree, rather than to prevent
some greater good from being brought about. Our choice would
be to bear with their wrong rather than separate ourselves
from their good.
-
We believe it more scriptural to reflect a
heart of love ready to find a covering for faults, than to
constantly look for that with which we may disagree. We will
then be known more by what we witness for than by
what we witness against.
-
We feel it biblical never to pressure people
to act in uniformity further than they feel
in uniformity; we use our fellowship in the Spirit as an
opportunity to discuss our differences and find this to be
the most effective way of leading others - or being led by
them - into the light of the Word.
-
While enjoying such a wide
range of Christian fellowship, we would not force this
liberty upon those who would feel otherwise minded. In such
circumstances, we enjoy fellowship as far as they
will permit, then pray that the Lord would lead them further
into this true liberty of the common life in Christ.
Therefore, we
strive to promote faith in God, unity of the Spirit among
believers, love and understanding among all people. We pursue
righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the
Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22). We seek to walk worthy
of the calling with which we were called, with all lowliness and
humility, and with longsuffering, bearing with one another in
love, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace (Eph. 4:1-3).
|
The
problem with all Creeds is that they contain some truth
and some error. If a Creed teaches more than the Bible
on any given subject, it teaches too much. If it teaches
less than the Bible teaches, it teaches too little. If
it contains what the Bible teaches, WHY THE CREED?
|
|
