# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1924_S18
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

18 Proceedings of the twenty-ninth convention

brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith: I am of Paul; and another: I am of Apollos; and another: I am of Cephas; and another: I am of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" From Rom. 14:15 it appears that there was discord also in the congregation at Rome, which could not be allowed to pass. "But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died." Acts 21:20-30 shows that discord had arisen in the congregation at Jerusalem because differences of opinion prevailed concerning the obligation of the Mosaic law for Christians. In the Gospels we often hear how Jesus disputed with the false Jewish teachers of that time and condemned them. Finally we also have the prophecies of Christ and of the Apostles, in which it is foretold that through some in the Church offense and discord would be stirred up and false doctrine and division would arise. Matt. 24:24: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Acts 20:29, 30: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

Such quarreling and strife were not always of the same kind. First, there was sometimes among some people a lack of clarity about certain things, e.g. about the eating of meat offered to idols or about the obligation of the Mosaic law in the New Testament. These differences of opinion were settled by the Christians through mutual instruction from God's Word. Obedience to God's Word preserved them from division. Then there were differences of opinion about how one should act in certain cases where God has given no definite command. In such cases deliberation, mutual instruction and patience, joined with loving self-denial according to God's commandment, have prevented separation. Then there also occurred real sins in life and conduct. When these were rebuked according to Matt. 18 and repentance was made for them, as for example in the case reported to us in Gal. 2:11-15, unity was restored. But when false teachers spread doctrines contrary to Scripture and, after receiving warning, persisted in such disobedience, separation and division followed. Such false teachers were excluded from the fellowship. Titus 3:10: "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject." Paul gives plain direction that such false teachers are not to be tolerated in outward fellowship if their disobedience has revealed them as real seducers. Titus 1:10: "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision."

From this we learn how one is to act in obedience to Christ, our Master, when differences arise or division threatens. In matters which Christ, our Lord, has not decided, one should confer with the brethren and reach an agreement, even if one must sacrifice one's own opinion for it. In many cases it is also possible to let each one keep his own opinion without discord arising from it, as for example in the case,