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Vol. 47, No.42 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE December
31, 2004
The
Bulletin Board
New Adult Bible Classes begin this
Sunday morning. Wayne Alexander
will lead a study of The Gospel of
Matthew, Monroe Hawley will direct a study of The Apostolic Church, and Bobby Valentine will continue
teaching the class on The Book of
Deuteronomy. If you aren’t involved
in one of our adult classes, join us Sunday.
New
Elder Proposed – Bruce Williams has been proposed to serve as elder for Southside. If you have input you would like to make on this nomination,
pass your observations on to one of the current elders – Wayne Alexander,
Al Gray, Monroe Hawley, or Rodney Windell – by this Sunday.
J. R.
Frost will bring the lesson Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Address Change – Will Carpenter, contact us
for details.
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Two years ago Last year Last week Goal
Bible classes 143 123 115 170
Morning
worship 232 202 *209 250
Evening
worship 75 40 45 80
Contribution
$2920.88 $4596.15 $3307.29 $4500.00
(*)
first service, 105; second service, 104
The Sick – Elfriede Wandsnider entered Froedtert Hospital
Tuesday, but is not expected to be there long.
Freedom
to Disagree
A basic
principle taught in Romans 14 & 15 is that of Christian liberty. That is the right of a Christian to
disagree with another believer without their relationship being affected. Paul illustrates the concept in
discussing different attitudes about eating meat and observing special
holidays. He reasons that those
with different convictions on these matters should respect the views of
others without putting them down. He concludes, “Therefore, let us stop
passing judgment on one another” (Romans 14:13).
Doctrinal
differences among Christians are inevitable. If we had to agree on every matter we would have to have a separate
church for each of us. True, there
are some basic things upon which agreement is necessary. John, for example, states that one who
denies that Jesus has come in the flesh is the antichrist (1 John
2:18-23). The nature and deity of
Christ are at the very heart of our faith.
However,
most doctrinal disagreements do not fall in this category. This is not to say that all differences
are merely matters of opinion like what color to paint the church building
or what hymn books to buy. The
issues Paul discusses are not opinions in that sense. In both instances there was a right and a
wrong. The vegetarians, he
indicates in Romans 14:2, were wrong, but their erroneous understanding of
the divine will was not a reason to impair Christian fellowship. Following
this principle, there is great latitude to disagree in Biblical interpretation
without our relationship in Christ being affected.
“But,”
someone inquires, “what if a person teaches false doctrine?” We must distinguish between teaching
error and believing error. In Paul’s
illustration, if the vegetarian had tried to push his views to the
disharmony of the spiritual body, he should have been disciplined, not
because of his personal views, but because he was factional. Paul writes, “Warn a divisive person once,
and then warn him a second time.
After that have nothing to do with him” (Titus 3:10). But no one has a right to demand that I
agree with him on a controversial issue as a condition of our fellowship in
Christ.
I hold
certain opinions on Biblical matters that might not accord with the views
of many of my fellow Christians. I
do not teach them, never have, and never will. If another asks what I believe on these matters I will
respond unless the inquiry is made to discredit me. But so far as I am concerned
there is no need to express myself because no good would be accomplished. I presume this is also true of most
preachers, elders, and teachers.
But according to the principle of Christian liberty taught in the
Scriptures, I must insist on my right to conscientiously hold these views,
even if others think they are wrong.
Christian liberty grants the right to disagree. __Monroe Hawley
Small Group Report – Hales Corners/Williams
The group
meeting at the Williams home is currently studying the book of James with
Danny Giombi leading our discussion.
The teens, led by Daryl Miller, meet separately in the basement. With the teens bringing their parents,
we usually have eight or more families represented.
Our
time together begins with lively conversation to catch up with each other. Next, we sing praise songs, share prayer
requests, and pray together. We
have several notebooks with prayer lists and the many answered prayers
encourage us. The children then move to the family room for their own Bible
class. Various parents and sometimes
even the older children themselves lead this class. The adults stay in the living room for
Bible study and discussion. Sharing
personal triumphs and challenges, we find encouragement and support from
God and each other.
We
meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. at 10230 W. Grange Avenue, Hales
Corners. We would love to have you
join us. __Bruce
Williams
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