Statement #2: Pursuing Doctrinal Unity
- thereformingtravel3
- May 15
- 4 min read
“I am committed to the statement of faith and will work toward doctrinal unity with a humble and teachable spirit. Where there is disagreement or a lack of understanding in doctrinal convictions, I assume the responsibility to ask questions and engage in edifying discussion for clarity and mutual love.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-28; Heb 10:23-25)
Raleigh Road is not a “check your brain at the door” church. Meaning, it is not the desire for any pastor here to hear any congregant blindly state; “well my pastor told me as being the final and infallible word on any subject or mater. Further, it should not be expected for anyone in the church to assume anyone here has the market cornered on all knowledge and all truth. Not one of us is that infallible and perfect and not one single individual will ever arrive this side of heaven to a level of never needing growth nor a need for the possession of a continual teachable heart in the church. This is why statement three in our church covenant states:
“I shall work toward doctrinal unity with a humble and teachable spirit.”
Sadly, many in the church today are not known for being able to disagree well. One would expect the lost world around us being devoid of God’s Word, removed from the example of Christ and the gospel, and lacking the Holy Spirit to be characterized by unhealthy and often unloving action. But should God’s people (the church specifically) be known and characterized by such? Absolutely, NOT!
John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Love in the church can be defined and expressed in many ways. However, the Bible is clear that truth, whether spoken or received is always loving in relation to God, His Word, and the believer’s witness (1 Cor. 13: 3-7, Galatians 4:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 John 3:18). Meaning, the church should always “work toward doctrinal unity” within our community; however, the manner and motive of this working together matters greatly.
It has been stated regarding two individuals who may hold to two deferring and contradictory views, that one can be right and the other wrong, or that both could be wrong, but they cannot both be right. The question is, when we find ourselves in disagreement within the church, what should be seen and experienced in us? Should it be anger, pride, a lack of patience, and an unwillingness to listen as to better understand? Or should we expect aspects of the fruit of the Spirit to emerge?
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
When we experience doctrinal or even philosophical disagreement in the church our covenant establishes that we are all at “liberty” (possessing freedom) to show forth this fruit in our, “asking questions and engaging in edifying discussion”. Which is to say, a part of spiritual maturity in the church should be seen in our “working” toward doctrinal unity through our commitment to God’s word and our willingness to dialogue concerning this Word together.
Proverbs 12:1, 15 – “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 18:1-2 – “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
Proverbs 21:1 – “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.”
Church, we will not all agree at every point all the time. Some points of disagreement (specifically as it pertains to the gospel and God’s glory) may be so opposed between people that real separation (as in people leaving the church) may be needed. Nonetheless, a sign of Christian maturity is that we are a people dedicated and committed to, “working toward doctrinal unity with a humble and teachable spirit.” Which, if we are honest can only be done through some level of commitment to communication and dialogue within the church.
In Conclusion: RRBC, while we may as a church find pockets and segments of disagreement within our church’s life from time to time, in what manner and in what way will we respond? Will it be in silence or despondency, through assumption, in pride, in bitterness and in anger (all the rotting fruit of the flesh)? Or will such disagreement be seen and experienced from those desiring the truth, being motivated by love (for God and our brother/sister) and who are further seen working towards doctrinal unity with scripture and the Holy Spirit being our guide? For such as these are signs of the spiritually mature among us.
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