1 COR. 1:10

1. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY - IN - DIVERSITY 1 COR. 1:10 [By Ron Halbrook]

2. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Introduction: 1. God’s people united in one Savior, one gospel, one church 1 Cor. 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.

3. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Introduction: 1. God’s people united in one Savior, one gospel, one church 2. Denominations: doctrinal unity-in-diversity 3. Some brethren influenced— apply this theory to doctrinal controversy among us

4. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Introduction: 3. Applied by David Mathews: • False doctrine on divorce-remarriage • Institutional liberalism • Other factions among brethren • Evolution • Denominations • World religions • Everyone including atheists! • “Missionary Trip to Yellowstone”—ridicule, contempt for gospel of Christ

5. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Missionary Trip to Yellowstone (June 16-27, 2005) Announcing my upcoming missionary trip to Yellowstone National Park (June 16 - 27). The goal of the upcoming Missionary Trip is to commune with God immersed in the beauty of His most extraordinary creative works. God spent several billion years creating the North American continent and fashioned a volcanic wonderland over the last two million years in Wyoming.

6. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY During the course of my missionary trip I plan to spend absolutely no (zero) time arguing with anybody about her religious affiliations or doctrinal convictions. If I happen to meet any Christians in Utah, Idaho or Wyoming, I will bless them as they go to worship God in their cathedrals and churches. If I happen to encounter any synagogues or mosques, I will pray to God with the Jews and Muslims. I will devote an especially large amount of time (approximately two minutes) marvelling at the religious devotion of the Mormons and their endurance of persecution from New York to Missouri as Christians drove them from the East to Utah, God’s country.

7. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY I don’t plan to worship at any churches of Christ during this missionary trip. The Christians at the churches of Christ are too uptight, eager to find fault with each other and everyone else, and an unhappy bunch of people. I beg for God’s mercy upon the church of Christ as I enjoy the fellowship of the Muslims and Buddhists. I pray for God to save the members of the churches of Christ as I worship with the Catholics and the Hindus.

8. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY After spending a week communing with God, the mountains, nature and every religious person that I meet, I will return to Florida and devote a great deal of attention to the beach. Seems like there are a bunch of sinners on the beach. Someone must teach the beachgoing sinners. Don’t seek anyone else for the job. I volunteer to preach to the bikinis.

9. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Though I would love to serve as a missionary to the Philippines, God demands that I spend my time enjoying the beauty of nature and the fellowship of every human. God demands that I love the Muslims, love the Jews, love the atheists, and argue with no one. Anyhow, if God called for me to serve as a missionary to some distant country, I will only preach to the Swiss in Switzerland. Don’t you know that Switzerland ranks among the most beautiful nations of the world, and it is peaceful, and its citizens are especially skilled at creating the best chocolate in the world?

10. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Yes, I will serve as a missionary to Switzerland and no other nation. If the Filipinos love the gospel and want to participate in this great missionary endeavor they should send their contributions to me. I accept donations of all shapes and sizes in all currencies. Please send me to Switzerland. God will love you for it. And so will I ...

11. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Now if there is anyone in this world who claims to possess the Truth, all I can say to you: May God have pity on your soul. Now if there is anyone in this world whose religion leads them to perpetual arguments, I can only say to you: May God have mercy on your soul. Now if there is any preacher of consequence who chooses to become a missionary to the Philippines when there are not enough missionaries to Switzerland, I rebuke you: Are you some sort of fool? Doesn’t Switzerland deserve a missionary?

12. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Okay, okay ... Ron Halbrook can have the Philippines, and I will take Switzerland. Thank God for Ron Halbrook!

13. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Introduction: 1. God’s people united in one Savior, one gospel, one church 2. Denominations: doctrinal unity-in-diversity 3. Some brethren influenced— apply this theory to doctrinal controversy among us 4. Must understand this error & avoid it • Know its history & consequences • Know Bible teaches unity in the truth

14. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY I. Doctrinal Unity-in-Diversity: Trail of Error A. Origin in Denominational Error Not Bible B. Impact Churches of Christ 1960’s-70’s • Carl Ketcherside & Leroy Garrett— from one extreme to the other • Influence on Edward Fudge— spread among conservative churches— now at Bering Dr. church, Houston, TX • Grace-unity battle of 1970’s

15. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY I. Doctrinal Unity-in-Diversity: Trail of Error C. Renewed by Ed Harrell in Christianity Mag. • “Homer Hailey: False Teacher?” C.M. Nov. ‘88 • Series 16 articles “The Bounds of Christian Unity” C.M. Feb. ’89 - May ’90 • Often misused Rom. 14 in violation of vs. 20 • Tolerate “contradictory teachings & practices on important moral & doctrinal questions” (May ’90) • Other editors silent, no protest in C.M. • Influenced many, especially young men like Mathews, but not approve all of them

16. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY I. Doctrinal Unity-in-Diversity: Trail of Error D. Spread in Philippines by Wallace Little, Jim Puterbaugh, & Others • Filipinos now teach & practice it— receive, work with institutional liberals & factions such as one cup, no Bible class, no located preacher

17. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY I. Doctrinal Unity-in-Diversity: Trail of Error E. Doctrinal Unity-in-Diversity Undermines Fundamental Principles of Truth • Bible as definite pattern of truth • Authority of Scripture • Divine inspiration of Bible

18. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity A. Jn. 17:17-21 Jesus Prayed for Unity Based on His Word of Truth

19. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY Jn. 17:17-21 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

20. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity B. Corinthians Called Back to Unity in Christ & His Word When Falling into Diversity • 1 Cor. 1:10 Speak same thing

21. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY 1 Cor. 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.

22. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity B. Corinthians Called Back to Unity in Christ & His Word When Falling into Diversity • 1 Cor. 1:10 Speak same thing • 1 Cor. 14:37 Things written commanded by the Lord

23. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY 1 Cor. 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

24. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity B. Corinthians Called Back to Unity in Christ & His Word When Falling into Diversity • 1 Cor. 1:10 Speak same thing • 1 Cor. 14:37 Things written commanded by the Lord • 1 Cor. 4:6 Not elevate men above truth

25. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY 1 Cor. 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

26. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity B. Corinthians Called Back to Unity in Christ & His Word When Falling into Diversity • 1 Cor. 1:10 Speak same thing • 1 Cor. 14:37 Things written commanded by the Lord • 1 Cor. 4:6 Not elevate men above truth • 1 Cor. 4:17 Teaching uniform not diversified

27. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY 1 Cor. 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

28. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity C. Unity in Christ Means Unity in the Pattern of Truth He Gave • Jn. 14:6 One Savior, source of all truth Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

29. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity C. Unity in Christ Means Unity in the Pattern of Truth He Gave • 2 Tim. 1:13 Form, pattern of teaching given by Christ Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

30. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity C. Unity in Christ Means Unity in the Pattern of Truth He Gave • 1 Tim. 1:3 No other doctrine, no doctrinal unity-in-diversity As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine

31. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity D. New Testament Teaching a Divine Pattern for the Church of Christ • 1 Tim. 3:14-15 Paul’s letter has same authority as his personal presence

32. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY 1 Tim. 3:14-15 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

33. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity D. New Testament Teaching a Divine Pattern for the Church of Christ • 1 Tim. 3:14-15 Paul’s letter has same authority as his personal presence • Terms of admission • Identity • Work • Worship • Organization • Discipline

34. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity D. New Testament Teaching a Divine Pattern for the Church of Christ • Pattern destroyed by doctrinal unity-in-diversity • Without the divine pattern, doomed to endless doctrinal diversity

35. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity E. Original Doctrine of Christ: Basis of Unity with God & His People • 2 Jn. 9 Abide in doctrine of Christ: unity with God Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

36. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY II. Unity in Christ & His Word, Not in Doctrinal Diversity E. Original Doctrine of Christ: Basis of Unity with God & His People • 2 Jn. 10-11 Abide in doctrine of Christ: unity with the saints 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

37. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY III. Different in Some Ways, But Not in Doctrine A. Gal. 3:26-29 One Gospel— Diverse Sex, Race, Economics, Etc. B. Rom. 12:4-8 Diverse Talents, Gifts C. Eph. 4:1-6 Differ in Personality, Judgment— United in Doctrine D. Rom. 14 Differ in Personal Scruple Not Violating Doctrine of Christ

38. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY III. Different in Some Ways, But Not in Doctrine E. Acts 15:36-41 Strong Judgment Difference, Work Separately—Teach Same Doctrine F. Differ in Levels of Growth & Application of Some Details of Truth • Phil. 1:9-11 Grow in discernment • 2 Pet. 1:5 Grow in knowledge • 2 Pet. 2:1 Not diverse doctrines G. 1 Cor. 6:12; 9:4-6 Differ in matters of expediency within lawful realm

39. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY IV. Fight the Good Fight: No Retreat, No Surrender A. Phil. 1:17, 27 Defend the Gospel Against Doctrinal Unity-in-Diversity 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

40. Ultimate DOCTRINAL UNITY-IN-DIVERSITY IV. Fight the Good Fight: No Retreat, No Surrender B. 1 Tim. 6:12 Rally to Battle Cry of Soldiers of the Cross of Christ Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.