Jesus Work Ministry             Spiritual growth & Christian living resources. Spiritual warfare & Deliverance ministry

Jesus Work Home |Christian Living and Growth |Audio Sermons |Spiritual Warfare |Deliverance Ministry |Prayer and Fasting |Prayer Guide |Breaking Curses |Breaking Strongholds |Forums, Guest Books |Free Online Books |Bibles |Store |News |More

    

[Ch1 Scripture True Word of God] [Ch2 Interpreting Scripture] [Ch3 God Trinity Unity] [ch4-idols-God-Christ-saints] [Ch5 Worship of God] [Ch6 God's Providence] [Ch7 Creation] [Ch8 Cause of Sin] [Ch9 Free Will] [Ch10 Predestination] [Ch11 Jesus Christ] [Ch12 Law of God] [Ch13 Gospel &Promises] [Ch14 Repentance] [Ch15-Justification] [Ch16 Faith and Good Works] [Ch17 Global Church] [Ch18 Church Ministers] [Ch19 Church Ministers] [Ch20 Baptism] [Ch21 Holy Communion] [Ch22 Religious Meetings] [Ch23 Prayers-etc] [Ch24 Holy Days Fasting] [Ch25 Catechizing] [Ch26 The Dead] [Ch27 Ceremonies] [Ch28 Church Possessions] [Ch29 Celibacy, Marriage] [Ch30 Magistrate] [Helvetic Confession Summary] [Back to Homepage]

JESUS WORK MINISTRY
KEY PAGES:

 Jesus Work Free Email Login

Audio Sermons and all Audio Format Content in Brackets()
1. Christian Fundamentals
   (1. Audio Sermons & Content)

2. General Christian Principles
   (2. Audio Sermons & Content)

3. Prayer, Fasting & Holy Spirit
   (3. Audio Sermons & Content)

4. Spiritual warfare, Deliverance
   (4. Audio Sermons & Content)

5. Christian Evangelism Ministry
   (5. Audio Sermons & Content)

6. Body of Christ Discipleship
   (6. Audio Sermons & Content)

7. Family, Marriage, Singleness
   (7. Audio Sermons & Content)

8. True Financial Freedom
   (8. Audio Sermons & Content)

9. Bible Study -OT & NT
   (9. Audio Sermons & Content)

Christian Living & Growth
  
Christian Audio Sermons MP3

 Bibles online: Christian Maps
 
World & Christian News
 
Bargains on Mega Store
 
Forums, Blogs, Guest Books
 
Free stuff and other offers
 
About Jesus Work Ministry
 
Support Jesus Work Ministry

JESUS WORK MINISTRY


CHAPTER 27: Of Rites, Ceremonies and Things Indifferent

CEREMONIES AND RITES. Unto the ancient people were given at one time certain ceremonies, as a kind of instruction for those who were kept under the law, as under a schoolmaster or tutor. But when Christ, the Deliverer, came and the law was abolished, we who believe are no more under the law (Rom. 6:14), and the ceremonies have disappeared; hence the apostles did not want to retain or to restore them in Christ's Church to such a degree that they openly testified that they did not wish to impose any burden upon the Church. Therefore, we would seem to be bringing in and restoring Judaism if we were to increase ceremonies and rites in Christ's Church according to the custom in the ancient Church. Hence, we by no means approve of the opinion of those who think that the Church of Christ must be held in check by many different rites, as if by some kind of training. For if the apostles did not want to impose upon Christian people ceremonies or rites which were appointed by God, who, I pray, in his right mind would obtrude upon them the inventions devised by man? The more the mass of rites is increased in the Church, the more is detracted not only from Christian liberty, but also from Christ, and from faith in him, as long as the people seek those things in ceremonies which they should seek in the only Son of God, Jesus Christ, through faith. Wherefore a few moderate and simple rites, that are not contrary to the Word of God, are sufficient for the godly.

DIVERSITY OF RITES. If different rites are found in churches, no one should think that for this reason the churches disagree. Socrates says: "It would be impossible to put together in writing all the rites of churches throughout cities and countries. No religion observes the same rites, even though it embraces the same doctrine concerning them. For those who are of the same faith disagree among themselves about rites" (Hist. ecclesiast. V.22, 30, 62). This much says Socrates. And we, today, having in our churches different rites in the celebration of the Lord's Supper and in some other things, nevertheless do not disagree in doctrine and faith; nor is the unity and fellowship of our churches thereby rent asunder. For the churches have always used their liberty in such rites, as being things indifferent. We also do the same thing today.

THINGS INDIFFERENT. But at the same time we admonish me to be on guard lest they reckon among things indifferent what are in fact not indifferent, as some are wont to regard the mass and the use of images in places of worship as things indifferent. "Indifferent," wrote Jerome to Augustine, "is that which is neither good nor bad, so that, whether you do it or not, you are neither just nor unjust." Therefore, when things indifferent are wrested to the confession of faith, they cease to be free; as Paul shows that it is lawful for a man to eat flesh if someone does not remind him that it was offered to idols; for then it is unlawful, because he who eats it seems to approve idolatry by eating it (I Cor. 8:9 ff.; 10:25 ff.).

 

[About Jesus Work] [Contact Jesus Work] [Statement of Faith] [Prayer of Salvation] [Christian living] [Audio Sermons] [Deliverance Ministry] [News] [Store]
© 2004- Jesus Work Ministry - JesusWorkMinistry.com [Privacy Policy] [Ministry Mission] [Support Jesus Work] [Website Administration Center]
 (Freely copy and share for spiritual growth, non-commercial and for evangelism use, acknowledging authors. Contact Jesus Work Ministry for any other use)


Jesus Work Ministry: Non-profit Christian resource ministry for effective spiritual growth and Christian living. Spiritual growth and Christian living resources include topics (articles, books, MP3 audio sermons) on Christian doctrine, basic Christian principles, prayer, fasting, Christian spiritual warfare, Christian deliverance and healing, evangelism ministry, body of Christ discipleship (Christian discipleship), charity ministry, Bible study, prophecy, Christian marriage, Christian singleness, Christian dating, biblical financial prosperity (biblical financial freedom), etc. Major resource center on spiritual warfare, Christian deliverance and healing ministry. Plus free Christian audio sermons - MP3, available for free download from partner Christian websites and our website.

[Ch1 Scripture True Word of God] [Ch2 Interpreting Scripture] [Ch3 God Trinity Unity] [ch4-idols-God-Christ-saints] [Ch5 Worship of God] [Ch6 God's Providence] [Ch7 Creation] [Ch8 Cause of Sin] [Ch9 Free Will] [Ch10 Predestination] [Ch11 Jesus Christ] [Ch12 Law of God] [Ch13 Gospel &Promises] [Ch14 Repentance] [Ch15-Justification] [Ch16 Faith and Good Works] [Ch17 Global Church] [Ch18 Church Ministers] [Ch19 Church Ministers] [Ch20 Baptism] [Ch21 Holy Communion] [Ch22 Religious Meetings] [Ch23 Prayers-etc] [Ch24 Holy Days Fasting] [Ch25 Catechizing] [Ch26 The Dead] [Ch27 Ceremonies] [Ch28 Church Possessions] [Ch29 Celibacy, Marriage] [Ch30 Magistrate] [Helvetic Confession Summary] [Back to Homepage]

Search our Websites 

 

JESUS WORK MINISTRY
Contact us on non-Christian ad

Click here to share this website for Jesus Work

   Bookmark this Website

Subscribe to our insightful free Christian newsletter