By Making Proper

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c o n t i n u e d
Lesson 15 By Making Proper Necessary
Distinctions
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A ReviewThe Bible Can Be Understood Alike

• By Affirming that the Bible is the Word of God
• By Acknowledging It Can Be Understood Alike
• Understanding it at all IS TO UNDERSTAND IT
  ALIKE!
• By Distinguishing Between the Old the New
• By Accepting That the Bible Is All-Authoritative,
  All-Sufficient All-Delivered
• By Making Proper Necessary Distinctions
• Between the Merely Reported the Authorized
• Between Circumstance Condition
• Between the Temporary the Permanent

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A Key Verse Key Responsibility in Understanding
the Bible

• 2 Timothy 215
• Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
  workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
  dividing the word of truth. (KJV)
• Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,
  a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly
  dividing the word of truth. (NKJV)
• Give diligence to present thyself approved unto
  God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
  handling aright the word of truth. (ASV)
• Be diligent to present yourself approved to God
  as a workman who does not need to be ashamed,
  accurately handling the word of truth. (NASB)
• Do your best to present yourself to God as one
  approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed,
  rightly handling the word of truth. (ESV)

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Must Make Proper Necessary Distinctions Between

• Faith Opinion
• It is dangerous to treat the faith as an opinion,
  likewise it is dangerous to treat an opinion as
  the faith (Matt. 151-9 2125).
• It is dangerous to treat the revealed as if
  unrevealed, and likewise the unrevealed as if
  revealed.
• There is and must be a distinct difference
  between

FAITH
OPINION
Gods Revealed Will
Mans Thoughts
Must NOT Determine Fellowship
Must Judge (2 Thess. 314)
Must NOT Judge (Rom. 1413)
Must Preach (Gal. 123 1 Pet. 411)
Must NOT Preach (Rom. 1422)
Must Contend For (Jude 3)
Must NOT Contend For (Rom. 1422)
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Must Make Proper Necessary Distinctions Between

• Faith Opinion
• Failing to distinguish between faith (Gods say
  so) and opinion (mans think so) is the source of
  religious division
• Must never arrogantly treat our opinions as
  divine revelation or lower Gods Word to the
  level of human thoughts (cf. Isa. 558-9).

MATTER OF FAITH
MATTER OF OPINION
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Must Make Proper Necessary Distinctions Between

• Faith Opinion
• Example of differences of opinion
• Paul Barnabas regarding John Mark on 2nd
  Missionary Journey
• They did not disagree over a matter of faith
  (they were united)
• They disagreed over a matter of opinion (parted
  company)
• Still brothers Paul later wrote 1 Cor. 96 2
  Tim. 411
• Summary
• In matters of faith
• In matters of opinion
• In all things

UNITY LIBERTY LOVE
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Must Make Proper Necessary Distinctions Between

• Custom Law
• Law is binding, custom is not. There may be
  principles taught by customs without binding the
  custom.
• Circumcision
• Foot washing
• Fasting
• Head covering
• Must be careful not to bind customs.
• Must be careful concerning stumbling blocks.
• Some things in Gods Word may be permitted but
  not required.