Chapter 14:1-23
It Chapter is a GREAT! Example of the rule that allows for all the different denominations of Christianity.
In essence Paul is telling those who are stronger in the faith not to judge those weaker. He gives examples about food. For some they thought it as a sin to eat meat, for others, they knew it was ok to eat meat. So for those one who could eat meat it was not ok to impose their belief of eating meat on to one who thought it to be a sin. why? Because for the one who thought it a sin to eat meat, for them it was.
We have so much freedom in Christ (because we have been made free from the law) we have the freedom to bind ourselves by how we want to worship God.
Paul also gives another example of those who observe certain days as being holy (Sabbath verse the first day of the week, or Saturday verse Sunday) or any other day Eg Christmas or Easter verses new moon or Passover. we are bound by our own convictions and are free to worship however we want so long as we do not become a stumbling block to the weaker brother. Remember our only guidline here is to keep from Evil, and to do what we do out of Love.
If we follow this command out to it's logical conclusion then it is not hard to see why like minded believers would gravitate towards each other creating churches/congregations that follow whatever dietary, or holy-day observances they might collectively have. Which again using modern terms is the reason we are all justified in our Jesus Christ centered Denominations and their beliefs. Now fast forward 2000 years and those 'stumbling blocks' come far more complex as our lives become more complex hence the reason for so many more expressions of Christianity. Which again we are free to do because we have been given the freedom to worship any way we want.
It Chapter is a GREAT! Example of the rule that allows for all the different denominations of Christianity.
In essence Paul is telling those who are stronger in the faith not to judge those weaker. He gives examples about food. For some they thought it as a sin to eat meat, for others, they knew it was ok to eat meat. So for those one who could eat meat it was not ok to impose their belief of eating meat on to one who thought it to be a sin. why? Because for the one who thought it a sin to eat meat, for them it was.
We have so much freedom in Christ (because we have been made free from the law) we have the freedom to bind ourselves by how we want to worship God.
Paul also gives another example of those who observe certain days as being holy (Sabbath verse the first day of the week, or Saturday verse Sunday) or any other day Eg Christmas or Easter verses new moon or Passover. we are bound by our own convictions and are free to worship however we want so long as we do not become a stumbling block to the weaker brother. Remember our only guidline here is to keep from Evil, and to do what we do out of Love.
If we follow this command out to it's logical conclusion then it is not hard to see why like minded believers would gravitate towards each other creating churches/congregations that follow whatever dietary, or holy-day observances they might collectively have. Which again using modern terms is the reason we are all justified in our Jesus Christ centered Denominations and their beliefs. Now fast forward 2000 years and those 'stumbling blocks' come far more complex as our lives become more complex hence the reason for so many more expressions of Christianity. Which again we are free to do because we have been given the freedom to worship any way we want.
