The speaker opened by saying that Romans is the foundational truth of the new testament books, and that Romans is the first new testament epistle found in the Bible. He also made another statement about when we get to the new testament and find grace and the love of God, that separation is not extinct there. For him to make these references to the new testament is odd, because, generally, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ do not believe that ‘the church, the body of Christ’ has anything to do with the new testament. They believe it is strictly for Israel (Jer 31:31).
The speaker’s text was:
Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
This speaker (as the one before him) also made ‘the religious system’ be the problem .... and focused on explaining about "carnal," "erring brethren within a local assembly" as those who should be marked and visibly identified for "departing from following Paul and the grace of God." He also taught that "things of the world" were also a source of attack. ‘Mid-Acts-ers’ consider anyone who does not agree with them to be teaching false doctrine.
Several weeks ago I preached a message on Separation, which is posted both audio and text (available to download) on my website.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
