Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. Romans 14:1
A young man who had been saved in some of the Gospel meetings held by a certain Assembly had taken some interest in spiritual things. But this young man, we will call him Andy, had difficulty grasping the principles of gathering to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He often asked questions that showed a lack of understanding, and often questioned the way activities of the Assembly were conducted. He was unable to make the distinction between God’s Assembly and some of the denominational organizations around us. But Andy eventually requested to be received into the fellowship. During the interview with the responsible brethren, he revealed that he knew little or nothing about the principles of separation essential to an Assembly. But the brethren were persuaded to accept him on the urging of one elder who said once Andy was in the Assembly, they could mold him to a better understanding. They were wrong. Andy’s continual questioning and criticizing of Assembly decisions and activities quickly became an embarrassment and a stumbling block for other young Christians. By the time he eventually left the Assembly in frustration and bitterness, Andy had convinced several others to go with him. It was an expensive way for that Assembly to learn the truth of today’s text.
The apostle when referring to those who are weak in the faith is not seeking to dispose of those who have a poor understanding of the Word of God. If that were the case, very few of us would have found our way into the Assembly at all. It takes years of observation, participation, and study to gain a full grasp of those precious truths related to God’s pattern for the gathering of His people. Our text is instructing the Assembly to receive those who do not as yet have a full knowledge of the Assembly. But this reception is not to be extended to those who criticize and question the principles of gathering, and who refuse to accept the instruction that is presented to them. There is plenty of room within the Assembly for a broad range of opinions on many matters, even matters related to teachings from the Word of God. But there are some boundaries of doctrine that must never be crossed, and those who question and seek to undermine those doctrines become dangerous when allowed the liberty that is included with Assembly reception.
One of the most dangerous angles taken by those who would question Assembly doctrine an authority is the attempts to cooperate and mingle with religious groups who hold to practices and doctrines that are contrary to the Word of God. Just because such groups preach the Gospel does not make them acceptable partners in Gospel work or in fellowship activities. We have see too many Christians led astray by their failure to understand the need for separation from those who function contrary to the Word of God.
Young Christians should be attracted to God’s Assembly because of what it stands for, not because of what they would like to make it become. -Jim MacIntosh