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Category: Unity

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part VII)

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part VII)

This post is a continuation of an examination of John Coblentz’s writing, “Are Written Standards for the Church.?” Next John Coblentz takes a deeper look at Acts 15. In this chapter we find the early church facing the challenge of teachers who insist that the Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised to be saved. Paul and Barnabas had some strong disputations with these teachers, but apparently couldn’t get the issue resolved. An agreement was made to go to Jerusalem and…

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Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part VI)

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part VI)

In the next several posts I want to look at a pamphlet published in 1990 by Christian Light Publications. The author is John Coblentz. I have always highly respected John’s contributions to the Anabaptist community. The pamphlet is titled, “Are Written Standards for the Church?” Coblentz begins by noting that some new groups have formed (presumably speaking of the Anabaptist community) who have done away with written standards. He then asks these questions: “Is their position right? Do written standards…

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Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part V)

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part V)

An Examination of the Writings of the Anabaptist/Brethren Community on Church Standards and Discipline. The first publication I wish to excerpt from is an essay that was published in The Sword and Trumpet magazine and later printed as a pamphlet. This pamphlet, “The Mennonite Rationale for Church Discipline, was a reprint of articles in the January, February and March issues of 1969. The author is Merle Ruth. The pamphlet begins with some questions: “Is it legitimate for a Christian congregation…

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Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part IV)

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part IV)

I want to be honest with you about my perspective on the issues of church discipline, written standards and uniformity. I do not have definite answers to many questions that are raised. I have been wrestling with these questions for years. My desire is to respect history and tradition, but also to ultimately better understand more clearly God’s Word on the matter and to be able to make application in real life situations. On one end of the spectrum we…

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Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part III)

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice (Part III)

You have probably heard the saying, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity”. In theory this seems to make sense. In practice it becomes more complicated because Christians do not always agree on what is an essential and what is not. I think we do agree that the Bible teaches unity in the body of Christ. “Behold, how good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) “Endeavouring to keep the unity of…

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Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice. (Part II)

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity In Practice. (Part II)

The discussion of uniformity of practice among Christians, especially in the context of a congregation or brotherhood, most likely will cause a wide range of reactions among those who read this. Some may wonder what in the world is he talking about? Others, who either are members of a fellowship that practices uniformity of practice to some degree or in the past have been a part of such a fellowship may feel a negative reaction to a discussion on uniformity….

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Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity in Practice

Exploring the Issue of Group Uniformity in Practice

The discussion on uniformity of practice among the “plain people” is not a new topic. It was part of the discussion in the major three-way split of the Brethren that occurred in the early 1880’s. It is certainly an issue still being discussed today. It is clear in the New Testament that the Church is called to unity. The foundation for this unity is rooted in our love for God and our love for each other. The question we wrestle…

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