It is often good to revisit ideas and discussions, to refresh our thoughts and to see if any new insights or revelations have occurred which would change or alter the way we view that issue today.
With that in mind, let's revisit a blog I posted on June 14, 2014, titled "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity."
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With that in mind, let's revisit a blog I posted on June 14, 2014, titled "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In recent dialogues on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, two Forum Friends, one a Protestant and the other Roman Catholic, have been discussing the meaning of the world "catholic."
My Protestant Friend wrote, "Neither Ignatius nor any other person in the First Century A.D. employed the word 'catholic' as a title for the Church of Jesus Christ, or some inauthentic division thereof. He used the word simply as an adjective, meaning 'universal,' which is, of course, what Jesus intended His church to be."
And, my Roman Catholic Friend responds by starting a new discussion which he titled "For The Record." There he copy/pasted a long article from the web site "New Advent: Catholic Encyclopedia - Catholic." (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03449a.htm)
In the article excerpts below I found that, from the first paragraphs of the article in the URL link my Roman Catholic Friend has given, it confirms that the word "catholic" means only "universal."
After Constantine formed his Church of Rome, it eventually began to be called the Roman Catholic church. But, that is a misuse of the true meaning of the word "catholic." Jesus Christ founded one church on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD, the Christian church! It began with 120 members; then added 3000 more; then within a few days it grew to over 5000 members. Since then it has grown to billions of saved people, His church.
On the Day of Pentecost 33 AD and in the week following, the body of believers grew to over 5000 people. At that time they were called followers of the Way. At a later date, as the initial body of believers began to grow, antagonists in the city of Antioch coined a new derogatory word for the followers of the Way, spitefully calling them "Christians" - meaning "Christ followers" or "Little Christs." Yet, even though it was meant to be derogatory - we gladly wear that name as a Mantle of Honor.
On that Day of Pentecost, Jesus did not found the Roman Catholic church; He did not found the Baptist church; He did not found the Lutheran, nor the Methodist, nor any of the many non-denominational churches. He founded what soon became the Christian church, His body of believers.
And, in years after the Day of Pentecost 33 AD - man began to found his churches, i.e., Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, Church of England, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Baptist, Methodist, etc. Thus we have the numerous churches, denominations, and the claims of so many to be the "only" church. What did Jesus really say about His church?
German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century, Rupertus Meldenius, in a tract on Christian unity written circa 1627, wrote: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.“ If only we could all live by those wonderful words.
We all should be able to acknowledge that there are Essential Christian doctrines which define our salvation and which cannot be compromised.
And, there are many Non-Essential Christian doctrines and teachings which, while important to understand, interesting to discuss, and are helpful in making us more mature believers and witnesses - DO NOT define nor affect our salvation.
What are the Essential Christian Doctrines which cannot be compromised?
Another way of defining the Essential Christian Doctrines is found in the Five Solas which came out of the Protestant Reformation:
That is telling us: "We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in the Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone."
My Friends, instead of bickering over which church is His church. Instead of bickering over the numerous Non-Essential Doctrines such as Eschatology, Method and Timing of Baptism, Apostolic Succession, Liturgical Traditions, what is contained in the Communal Elements, etc. . . . What would happen if we ALL just concentrate on sharing His Gospel: That He came, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven so that YOU and I would have the opportunity to receive His free gift of eternal life?
What would happen if we ALL concentrate on sharing that Gospel with all those who do not yet believe in Him?
Can you just imagine what a difference that would make in our families, in our communities, in our nations, in all the world?
That is the Great Commission He gave to ALL believers: "Go, Make disciples, Baptize them, TEACH THEM. . . Be My witnesses in ALL the world" (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15).
How about it, my Friend, can YOU and I begin that transition, that new mode of dialogue about God and eternal life?
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
My Protestant Friend wrote, "Neither Ignatius nor any other person in the First Century A.D. employed the word 'catholic' as a title for the Church of Jesus Christ, or some inauthentic division thereof. He used the word simply as an adjective, meaning 'universal,' which is, of course, what Jesus intended His church to be."
And, my Roman Catholic Friend responds by starting a new discussion which he titled "For The Record." There he copy/pasted a long article from the web site "New Advent: Catholic Encyclopedia - Catholic." (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03449a.htm)
In the article excerpts below I found that, from the first paragraphs of the article in the URL link my Roman Catholic Friend has given, it confirms that the word "catholic" means only "universal."
The word Catholic (katholikos from katholou — throughout the whole, i.e., universal) occurs in the Greek classics, e.g., in Aristotle and Polybius, and was freely used by the earlier Christian writers in what we may call its primitive and non-ecclesiastical sense.
Thus we meet such phrases as the "the catholic resurrection" (Justin Martyr), "the catholic goodness of God" (Tertullian), "the four catholic winds" (Irenaeus), where we should now speak of "the general resurrection" - "the absolute or universal goodness of God" - "the four principal winds" - etc.
The word seems in this usage to be opposed to merikos (partial) or idios (particular), and one familiar example of this conception still survives in the ancient phrase "Catholic Epistles" as applied to those of St. Peter, St. Jude, etc., which were so called as being addressed not to particular local communities, but to the Church at large.
The combination "the Catholic Church" (he katholike ekklesia) is found for the first time in the letter of St. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, written about the year 110. The words run: "Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the people be, even as where Jesus may be, there is the universal [katholike] Church."
Bill Gray Note: In the paragraphs above, the writer acknowledges that the word "catholic" means universal. Yet then he states that the "Catholic Epistles" - meaning the New Testament epistles, are addressed to the church at large, i.e., the worldwide church. But please notice that he capitalizes the word "Church" - which I take to be an inference that he is speaking of the worldwide "Roman Catholic Church."
Why do I draw that conclusion? In past discussions I have written "Roman Catholic church" - and have been chastised for not capitalizing the "C" in church. To me the "church" is a common name (boy versus Bill, girl versus Mary) and not capitalized, i.e., Roman Catholic church, Baptist church, Lutheran church, etc. So when the writer takes the high road and writes "the Church at large" - I must assume he has fallen back to interpreting "catholic" as being, not universal, but meaning the Roman Catholic Church.
After Constantine formed his Church of Rome, it eventually began to be called the Roman Catholic church. But, that is a misuse of the true meaning of the word "catholic." Jesus Christ founded one church on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD, the Christian church! It began with 120 members; then added 3000 more; then within a few days it grew to over 5000 members. Since then it has grown to billions of saved people, His church.
On the Day of Pentecost 33 AD and in the week following, the body of believers grew to over 5000 people. At that time they were called followers of the Way. At a later date, as the initial body of believers began to grow, antagonists in the city of Antioch coined a new derogatory word for the followers of the Way, spitefully calling them "Christians" - meaning "Christ followers" or "Little Christs." Yet, even though it was meant to be derogatory - we gladly wear that name as a Mantle of Honor.
On that Day of Pentecost, Jesus did not found the Roman Catholic church; He did not found the Baptist church; He did not found the Lutheran, nor the Methodist, nor any of the many non-denominational churches. He founded what soon became the Christian church, His body of believers.
And, in years after the Day of Pentecost 33 AD - man began to found his churches, i.e., Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, Church of England, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Baptist, Methodist, etc. Thus we have the numerous churches, denominations, and the claims of so many to be the "only" church. What did Jesus really say about His church?
Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
This verse describes how Christ built one Church. Matthew 16:18: “…I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus is speaking here in very vivid and bold language. He is emphatically stating that the church He built would never disappear. In fact, Jesus promised to build His Church - singular!
Jesus does NOT say, “I will build my churches.” One has to wonder what Jesus would say about the mess of confusion and often infighting that is seen today, not only within different denominations but also within the individual churches. Many Christ-followers do not seem to agree on anything. (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/5-most-overlooked-bible-verses/)
German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century, Rupertus Meldenius, in a tract on Christian unity written circa 1627, wrote: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.“ If only we could all live by those wonderful words.
We all should be able to acknowledge that there are Essential Christian doctrines which define our salvation and which cannot be compromised.
And, there are many Non-Essential Christian doctrines and teachings which, while important to understand, interesting to discuss, and are helpful in making us more mature believers and witnesses - DO NOT define nor affect our salvation.
What are the Essential Christian Doctrines which cannot be compromised?
1. The Deity of Jesus Christ: Preexisting deity, God incarnate - fully man; yet, fully God. (John 1:1, 1:14, 4:25, 8:58)
2. The Trinity: God eternally existing; one God manifested (revealed) in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, 1:26, John 1:1, Luke 3:21-22)
3. The Bible: Is the Holy Spirit inspired Written Word of God and is the sole authority for Christian faith, salvation, and to guide our Christian lives. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21)
4. Salvation by Grace: By grace we are saved, through faith in Jesus Christ - plus nothing else. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 51:6, Galatians 2:16, John 3:16, 6:47, 10:27-28, Romans 6:23, 10:9, 10:13, Hebrews 9:15)
5. The Resurrection of Christ: He rose from the dead, that we may also be resurrected into eternal life. (1 Peter 1:3, John 11:25-26, Acts 10:39-43)
6. The Gospel: The birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and imminent return of Jesus Christ according to Scripture. (Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:20-25, Acts 2:24, 2:32, Romans 8:33-34, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Matthew 24:36)
7. Heaven and Hell: Both are real places and are the only two eternal destinations available to all mankind. (Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 9:24, Psalm 139:7-8, Matthew 10:28, Mark 9:47, Luke 16:19-31)
Another way of defining the Essential Christian Doctrines is found in the Five Solas which came out of the Protestant Reformation:
Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone (2 Timothy 3:14-17) ~ The Bible alone is our highest authority.
Solus Christus - Christ Alone (1 Timothy 2:5) ~ Jesus Christ alone is our Lord and Savior.
Sola Gratia - Grace Alone (Ephesians 2:4-5, 2:8-9) ~ We are saved by the grace of God alone.
Sola Fide - Faith Alone (Galatians 3:11) ~ We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Soli Deo Gloria - To The Glory Of God Alone (1 Corinthians 10:31) ~ We live for the glory of God alone.
That is telling us: "We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in the Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone."
My Friends, instead of bickering over which church is His church. Instead of bickering over the numerous Non-Essential Doctrines such as Eschatology, Method and Timing of Baptism, Apostolic Succession, Liturgical Traditions, what is contained in the Communal Elements, etc. . . . What would happen if we ALL just concentrate on sharing His Gospel: That He came, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven so that YOU and I would have the opportunity to receive His free gift of eternal life?
What would happen if we ALL concentrate on sharing that Gospel with all those who do not yet believe in Him?
Can you just imagine what a difference that would make in our families, in our communities, in our nations, in all the world?
That is the Great Commission He gave to ALL believers: "Go, Make disciples, Baptize them, TEACH THEM. . . Be My witnesses in ALL the world" (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15).
How about it, my Friend, can YOU and I begin that transition, that new mode of dialogue about God and eternal life?
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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