Thank you.
"If the two parties are not members of the church" then they wouldn't have a church or clergy to go to. Would they? I'm confused!!
Of the SAME Church. If one is a Catholic and one a Baptist...today, (since you say the Chruch is to settle the differences)...what is going to make one go to the others clergy?
You may not see a dilemma in knowing what a trespass is but scripture clearly says if a trespass occurs and one of the persons does not think they have trespassed then the ULTIMATE decision if it is a trespass is given to The Church; not individuals. Replace the word "trespass" with SIN and it makes more sense. The Church decides WHAT a sin is, not you.
Actually scripture says of trespasses between men, to first try and settle the matter between them.
I do not agree the Church decides what trespass is or decides what Sin is.
And that would apply to me, in this era.
And not considering the time-frame, or Jew or Gentile, or Christian; "the Church" has different meanings.
Similar to a civil court? A civil court puts you in jail or fines you if you have done wrong and don't agree with them.
The court is there to determine the evidence; and based on the evidence does what the law says. The result could be the case dismissed, a ruling to favor one or the other parties, and then a sentence; which might be community service, a fine, or jail or prison.
In Jewish Law, for years they had no Nation, thus the Clergy had "positive" laws ie Moses' Laws and "negative" laws, called curses, which we call penal laws, That was first appointed to Aaron. Moses taught the Laws;
And a violation of the Law, the Jews would go to the clergy, to see what the "curse" laws said was their sentence, if found to be guilty, based on Moses law, and evidence and testimony; just like in a Civil Case today;
Which Israel has; as well as they Religious Laws.
God puts you in hell if you have done wrong and don't agree with Him. Not so similar.;)
Actually, it doesn't really matter IF a man has done wrong, all men are born in sin; And the Lord provides Forgiveness; for anyone who trusts to believe in Him and His Word; And gives them eternal life; that a trip to hell, is not possible.
The Church is the pillar and foundation of Truth (*1 Timothy). Not you. Not me. No individual is. Your truth does not trump my truth.
The foundation and pillar IS Jesus, who IS the Truth and the Word of God.
It is given to EVERY man, who seeks and receives; the Lords Truth, the Lords Word.
Every man who becomes Saved and Born Again becomes the body of Christ Jesus' Church. "Such" men become "brothers" IN Christ. Jesus is the foundation, the corner stone, the Head of His Church, not built with mens hands.
My truth regarding Spiritual things; is based on ME learning the Word of God, and adopting the Lords Word unto myself.
I know what I read and learn and study and trust. I have no clue what you do. So, yes, we can be in disagreement.
If a person sins and he is told by three of his brothers he has sinned it is not up to the three to make the final decision of he is to be treated as a pagan or tax collector. It is not up to the individual to decide. Scripture says The Church is the final authority.
Can't even have a response to you on that.
No clue, who the person is, why it is a sin, who are his brothers, (Jews, relatives, spiritual brothers), or what kind of Church you are talking about.
Everyone IS not the same. Different things apply to different people.
Brothers are our fellow Christians.
Can be. Can also be your biological brother. Can also be two Jews. Can also be Jesus.
We are all to be ONE under ONE church with ONE authority.
All people are not. Jews, Chinese, East Indians, the Arabs, and what about people who call themselves Christians who just started going to a Christian Church...but are not saved and born again; are they your fellow Christian?
Not thousands of different churches with thousands of different authorities.
Sure there are.
Jesus started ONE church.
And? Has everyone JOINED His Church?
That is why we are told to take our differences to The Church and The Church is the pillar or Truth.
So how do you handle a difference with a Muslim?
We went from One Church with one doctrine and one authority to thousands of different churches, doctrines and autorities after the reformation.
That happened in Genesis. Abraham's own father was following after idols and Gentile customs.
Just saying, there are too many different people, believing different things, to simply ignore timelines, and consideration of what people believe.
God Bless,
Taken