Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrines which ye have learned, and avoid them. Romans 16:17
A group of younger believers approached the oversight of a particular Assembly, and asked for a meeting to discuss some matters that they believed to be important. The meeting did not go well. The group insisted on making some changes to incorporate some new programs and activities that they had discovered. They also wanted to change the name of the building in which the Assembly gathered to something that they felt was less offensive. In addition, they wanted the Assembly to be less restrictive in who was permitted to participate in the breaking of bread. As they discussed their demands, it became apparent that one particular young man was leading the move for changes. A couple of elderly Christians had warned the Assembly earlier about this man, about the ideas he held and about his habit of pushing his ideas on other young Christians as he met with them in their homes. Because the oversight had failed to act on the warning, this young man was able to lead a revolt that led to the breakup of the Assembly. Today’s text is a warning about such problems.
We know there are many sincere and faithful Christians among the denominations around us. But they practice activities and follow ideas that are contrary to the apostle’s doctrine. Some of these unscriptural practices and ideas can appeal to some Christians in the Assembly because they offer more excitement and more involvement and bigger numbers. But there is no relationship whatsoever between the truth of God and excitement, involvement, and numbers. Any move that compromises any of the word of God to achieve any purpose, no matter how noble, is wrong. Yes, we could probably attract larger numbers of people to Gospel meetings if we had special performers to sing and play, but that would be degrading the holy Gospel into unholy entertainment and people would come only to have their ears tickled with pretty sounds, not to have their souls convicted of their sins. Yes, we could have larger numbers breaking bread if we allowed anyone who wished to join, but in doing so we would open the Assembly to the teaching and spread of all manner of false teaching. No, adherence to the truth is God’s desire, and we depart from it at great peril.
Paul tells the Assembly in Rome to do two things concerning those who would cause divisions. They were to mark them, that is, they were to identify them publicly, letting everyone know who they were. Secondly, they were to avoid them. They were to give these troublemakers no opportunity to infiltrate the younger, less knowledgeable Christians in the Assembly with their dangerous and divisive ideas. They were to be given no platform from which to expound their doctrine and to challenge the truth taught by the Assembly oversight.
The Assembly is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) and must be protected and preserved from those who would infiltrate it with the error of divisions. -Jim MacIntosh