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Featured Should we partner with unbeleivers in Ministry Work??!

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Havensdad, Sep 21, 2013.

  1. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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  2. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I have never believed the "enemy of my enemy is my friend." When we were growing up, the USSR and Red China were bitter enemies of each other. I do not think that made either a friend of ours.

    The ultimate answer may be in the specific circumstances. For example, would it be wrong to partner with a Catholic Church to help work towards less abortions, and more right to life? Is it wrong to work with them to achieve that specific goal? I do not think that means we are adopting their theology. The partnership would end there. As a side note, I do believe there are saved Catholics despite their church. However, working with them does not mean we are going to make the Pope head of our local churches.

    Or, would it be any different than partnering with the Church of Christ to defeat an issue coming up in the next election to change your county from dry to wet, or to allow casinos move into your local community? That does not mean we are going to change our theology to believing we must be baptized to be saved.

    The reason I mentioned specific circumstances is my outlook on working with Mormons would be very different, as it is not a Christian organization, but a cult. That to me is wrong.

    Haven, I guess the bottom line is everyone of us draw the line at a different point. To me, anything that makes our communities more Christ-like without compromising our beliefs about Scripture is acceptable.
     
  3. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    Primary separation is an important theological position that has long been upheld by evangelicals. It think it continues to be important.
     
  4. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    I think you got it about right. Another area of cooperation might be disaster assistance. The concept of primary or secondary separation cannot be found in the Bible.
     
  5. Herald

    Herald New Member

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    The key word in the OP is "partner". What fellowship does light have with darkness (2 Cor. 6:14)?

    We should not partner with unbelievers in Christian ministry, although we can participate in those things that benefit the common good. I had some involvement in the Hurricane Sandy relief effort. The other individuals involved with the specific area I participated in where not all Christians. IMHO that does not equal partnering in Christian ministry.
     
  6. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    If every endeavor must have proclamation of the gospel as its goal, then you we should never partner with unbelievers. But Matthew 25;31-46 says nothing about proclamation of the gospel. This is our first calling but not our only calling.
     
  7. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    Matthew 25:31-46 says absolutely nothing about our ministry work out "in the world." Its about how people treated Christians in the church....its about how Christ will punish people for not treating His church well.

    Mat 25:40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

    Our ministry responsibility (singular) is to proclaim the gospel.


    Mat_28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

    2Ti_4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
     
  8. SolaSaint

    SolaSaint Well-Known Member

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    WHo is the guy in the video, I've seen somewhere before?
     
  9. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    Me. :)

    Don't know where you might have seen me...
     
  10. Zenas

    Zenas Active Member

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    Oh! I see you want to interpret that narrowly. How very convenient! If your next door neighbor's house burns down you are absolved from helping him unless he is Christian. Does he have to belong to your congregation or will any Christian be worthy of help?
     
  11. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    I serve with a group called "Advocates for the Homeless and People in Need", a multi-faith organization partnered with the Red Cross and other organizations.

    Of course the emphasis is helping the homeless but the best part of the ministry involves the ability to openly witness to those who work along side of us who may - or may not be Christian... they're a captive audience, bound by a common desire to serve.

    Rob
     
  12. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Only "Saved Christians" can apply. Point is how does he know who is saved? DoctrinesOfGrace claimed to be a Jew & I was a RC. So we get ignored by this characters definition.....only Matthew 28:19-20 states in the King James Version (KJV)

    19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

    20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
     
    #12 Earth Wind and Fire, Sep 21, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 21, 2013
  13. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    Um, its called context. You interpret it according to the actual text. You don''t just get to add stuff, to make you feel good and to justify yoour activities. When Jesus says He saves those who "trust in Him" do you "interpret" that widely, too, to include every single individual?

    We should do good for people. We should help people. There are other texts you can point to...however, these are individual responsibilities as people, not ministry responsibilities.

    Apparently, you would rather ignore scripture, for the sake of appearing "nice" to the world, than ignore a clear command by scripture, NOT to partner with unbelievers....
     
  14. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    You don't know who is saved, so you give special care to ANY who claim the name of Christ, according to a biblical knowledge of the faith. Duh.

    Right. We teach the nations. We instruct and evangelize....:tonofbricks:

    Please get your own thread, and quit derailing mine.
     
  15. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    Does it not in the least bother you, that the scriptures tell us not to do this?

    I am not attacking you. I am trying to flush out your scriptural position.
     
  16. SolaSaint

    SolaSaint Well-Known Member

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    Seriously, this is you in the video?
     
  17. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    Yessir. Why, are you going to make fun of my bald head or something? :)
     
  18. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    So youd arbitrarily blow some people off in favor of others? Really, sounds quite IFB to me. So tell me.....How do you know who is saved & who isnt & isnt it your responsibility to go out to all nations?

    What, your not in obedience to your Lord?

    Please take a long walk off a short pier.
     
  19. Havensdad

    Havensdad New Member

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    "Blow off some people in favor of others"? Of course. It is ridiculous for anyone to do otherwise. A father that does not care for his children first, is "worse than a tax collector". A person that feeds others, and neglects his own brother and sister, would be the worst of all people.

    There are brothers and sisters around the world right now who are starving to death. What kind of horrible miscreant would let his family die, to feed strangers??

    As to the other: You are mixing two completely different scriptures. I go, with other believers, to teach and preach TO non-believers....you are not "partnering" with them.


    Of course. We teach and preach to the nations. We feed and care for our brothers and sisters. Two completely different verses.


    Real mature. :)
     
  20. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Good news from Leviticus …

    When a man has lost his hair and is bald, he is clean.

    Leviticus 13:40, NIV

    (Still reading "lark news")
     
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