|
|
|
|
"In His law he meditates day and night" Psalm 1:2
More Search Options
 Print This Article
“Doctrinal Positional Paper.”
Volume 13, Number 11
Wayne Burger |
October 19, 2008 |
Meditating on the Word
"In His law he meditates day and night" Psalm 1:2
"Meditating on the Word," edited by Wayne Burger, is a work of the Columbine church of Christ, 7453 S. Zephyr Ct., Littleton, Colorado, 80128. E-mail: burgpreach@prolynx.com -- Suggested topics are welcomed.
Vol. 13 No. 11 October 19, 2008
Below is an article that Bear Valley Bible Institute calls its “Doctrinal Positional Paper.” Each faculty member has to sign this paper showing that he agrees with the statements that answers each of the following questions. This is not a “creed book,” but rather a means of showing that all of us agree that this is what the Bible teaches on each of these subjects. This is posted on our website and will be given to anyone who asks for a copy. I think that this is a good policy so that anyone, and especially future students, can know what is taught. Also, because every faculty member has to agree with these answers, it assures the public and students that the students are not going to be taught contradictory views on these vital subjects. (We realize that because of the conservative views expressed, some prospective students will choose to go elsewhere.) I thought that you would find this interesting if you didn’t know that Bear Valley has such a statement. Not only that, but the information below will give you good biblical answers to several crucial Biblical questions.
Wayne Burger
Biblical Questions Answered by the
Bear Valley Bible Institute Faculty
1. What is taught concerning the inspiration of the Scriptures?
The Bear Valley faculty believes in and teaches the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures. It is our conviction that the entire Bible is God breathed (2 Tim. 3:16) and that the very words recorded are exactly what God wanted expressed (1 Cor. 2:13; Eph. 3:3-4; 1 Cor. 14:37). Equally, since the entire Bible is inspired, we also believe that it is our responsibility to obey it. We do not dismiss New Testament teachings by using such modern “hermeneutical” methods that regard the New Testament commands as applicable only to the churches to which they were written. We believe the New Testament is the complete revelation from God to man, and only in the New Testament do we have everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3; cf. Gal. 1:8,9; Rev. 22:18,19).
2. What is taught concerning the distinct nature of the church?
The church is that which was built by Christ (Matt. 16:16-18), was purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28), and that which He will save (Eph. 5:23-25). The New Testament teaches that the church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:23; Col. 1:18), and that Christ is the head of that body (Eph 1:22). Therefore all authority belongs to Christ. It is the church’s responsibility to obey the commands of Christ and to be a pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Since the church is the body of Christ, He naturally has only one body. We do not make a monstrosity out of Christ (one head with many bodies). Ephesians 4:4 teaches that there is only one body-and that one body is the church. Therefore, every church which is a man-made organization does not belong to Christ. And, if they do not belong to Christ, they will not be saved (Eph. 5:23-27). Therefore we teach that only those churches which pattern themselves after the church built by Christ and established by the apostles in the New Testament is the true church.
3. What is taught concerning unity and fellowship? What is taught concerning there being
Christians in all denominations?
As John instructed in 1 John 1:3-7, we can only have fellowship with those who have fellowship with God. Those who have fellowship with God are those who are “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7). Thus, it is impossible for us to have unity with, or to offer fellowship to those who do not “obey His commandments” (1 Jn. 2:4). We believe the New Testament teachings are clear enough that we can distinguish those who are in the light from those who are in darkness (Eph. 5:8-17). We equally will not fellowship those who do not abide by the teachings of Christ (2 John 9).
4. What is taught concerning marri-age, divorce, and remarriage?
The faculty at Bear Valley are all convicted of the following truths concerning marriage, divorce and remarriage.
a. God’s original plan, from the beginning, was one man and one woman for life. (Matt. 19:3ff).
b. If one marries another, while the first mate lives, he/she is guilty of adultery (Rom. 7:1ff).
c. However, Jesus offers one exception to #b above: fornication. If one’s mate is sexually unfaithful, the innocent party has the right to divorce his/her mate and marry another (Matt. 19:9). We do not teach that the guilty party has the right to remarry. He (or she) forfeited that right when he/she was unfaithful.
d. The so-called “Pauline privilege” of 1 Cor. 7:15 is not an additional reason to divorce and re-marry. Paul is allowing one to leave his or her mate under an extreme circumstance, but does not provide an additional reason for remarriage. Earlier Paul had stated that if one left his or her mate it left but two options: (1) remain unmarried, or (2) be reconciled to his/her mate.
5. When considering the movement of those who are calling for “change in the church,” what position is taken by your school?
It is our position that the command, example, necessary inference hermeneutic is sound, and has served our movement faithfully. It has allowed us to arrive at clear Biblical teachings regarding a host of topics. Therefore, we do not believe that a “new approach” to the Bible is necessary; neither do we believe the church is in need of radical change. While we may believe the church needs to become more aggressive in evangelism and more vocal on the moral woes of our age, we do not advocate or support the changes suggested by many today.
6. What is taught about the nature of music used in worship, i.e. use of instruments, choirs, leader groups, etc.?
The New Testament teaches that in the worship assemblies there should be congregational singing. This singing should be with the instrument of the heart, without the use of mechanical instruments (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19). Therefore, only a cappella singing is taught at Bear Valley, and that all the congregation should engage in that singing. Having a choir replace the congregational singing is not authorized in the Scriptures. In addition, the New Testament teaches that men are to assume the leadership roles in the assembly (1 Tim. 2:8-15; I Cor. 14:34-35), therefore we do not believe it is appropriate to have women serve as group leaders in the congregational singing.
7. What is taught concerning the role of women in the church, i.e. during worship services, leadership positions of elders/ deacons, etc.?
It is not a part of God’s plan for women to assume leadership roles in the assemblies of His church. Based on the teachings of 1 Timothy 2:8-15 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, both men and women have divinely specified functions. Those functions include the men leading the worship and the women assuming a submissive position of silence. We do not believe these teachings indicate an inferior status for women. We are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). However, that “oneness” in Christ does not eliminate the various roles God has in mind for His church (or in the family). The man has been designated by God as the “head” of the wife (Eph. 5:23), and the men are to be the leaders of the church. The New Testament recognized no women as elders. The teachings (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1) are clearly speaking to male leadership, and the examples in the New Testament support this. The Bear Valley faculty also does not consider the teachings of 1 Timothy 3:11 to refer to deaconesses, or that Romans 16:1 is recognizing an office of “deaconess” in the early church.
8. What is taught concerning salvation by grace and man’s part in salvation?
The basis of man’s salvation is the blood of Christ, and God’s grace is manifested by what He did for our salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). Therefore, God determines to whom He extends His grace. He is not going to give His gift of grace to one who disregards His commands in the Gospel, or one who continues in sin (Rom. 6:1-2). God gives man His grace when he comes to God through faith and obedience. Therefore, the acts of obedience we do are not to merit or earn our salvation. Those are simply the loving acts done by those wanting to please God (John 14:15). Our works are done to demonstrate our faith (Jas. 2:14-26).
9 What is taught concerning the role of baptism in salvation and what is taught concerning denominational baptism?
The Scriptures teach that one receives forgiveness of sins when he is baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16). There is no other point in one’s initial obedience where he/she receives forgiveness. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that one be baptized (immersed) to be saved. Otherwise his/her sins will not be forgiven. While there are clearly other Biblical steps necessary (hear-Rom. 10:17; believe-Jn. 8:24; repent-Acts 2:38; confess-Rom. 10:9-10), it is when one emerges from the waters of baptism that he is united with Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal 3:27), and has received the benefits of His shed blood on the cross.
Print This Article
|
|
|
 |
