1. Binding Where the Lord Has Not Bound “…endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bound of peace” (Eph. 4:3)

2. 2 Binding Authority of Apostolic Teaching (NT) Heaven’s authority, Mt. 16:19; 18:18Heaven’s authority, Mt. 16:19; 18:18 Plea for unity, 1 Cor. 1:10Plea for unity, 1 Cor. 1:10 Apostles’ words, 1 Cor. 14:37Apostles’ words, 1 Cor. 14:37 Godly lives & attitudes with truth as the basis of our unity, Eph. 4:1-6Godly lives & attitudes with truth as the basis of our unity, Eph. 4:1-6 Whatever we do must have the authority of Christ supporting & approving it, Col. 3:17Whatever we do must have the authority of Christ supporting & approving it, Col. 3:17

3. 3 Binding Authority is Not Determined By… Personal feelings, Prov. 16:25Personal feelings, Prov. 16:25 Popularity, Matt. 7:13Popularity, Matt. 7:13 Personal conscience, Rom. 14Personal conscience, Rom. 14

4. 4 Unity is Destroyed By: Going beyond what is written, 2 Jno. 9; Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Jno. 1:1-4Going beyond what is written, 2 Jno. 9; Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Jno. 1:1-4 Loosing where the Lord has boundLoosing where the Lord has bound Demanding conformity to human traditions, Mk. 7:1-13 (Acts 15:1, 5, 24; Gal. 2:4-5)Demanding conformity to human traditions, Mk. 7:1-13 (Acts 15:1, 5, 24; Gal. 2:4-5) Restricting liberties we have in ChristRestricting liberties we have in Christ Binding where the Lord has loosedBinding where the Lord has loosed

5. 5 Discern & Avoid Both Extremes Phil. 1:9-11 There are necessary things, Acts 15:28-29There are necessary things, Acts 15:28-29 There are liberties, Rom. 14:1-2 (Gal. 5:1)There are liberties, Rom. 14:1-2 (Gal. 5:1) Inability or unwillingness to discern the difference causes divisionInability or unwillingness to discern the difference causes division Biting and devouring, Gal. 5:13-15Biting and devouring, Gal. 5:13-15

6. 6 Discern & Avoid Both Extremes 2 Tim. 2:14-18 Do not strive about wrong things, 2:14, 23Do not strive about wrong things, 2:14, 23 Shun profane babblings of error, 2:16-18 (strive against error)Shun profane babblings of error, 2:16-18 (strive against error) How do we know the difference?How do we know the difference? Rightly divide the word of truth, 2:15Rightly divide the word of truth, 2:15 Diligent effort to be approvedDiligent effort to be approved

7. 7 Both Extremes are Rebuked 1 Tim. 1:3-7 Teach no other doctrine, 1:3Teach no other doctrine, 1:3 Don’t go beyond, which is loosing what the Lord has boundDon’t go beyond, which is loosing what the Lord has bound Nor give heed to fables & endless genealogies, 1:4Nor give heed to fables & endless genealogies, 1:4 Cause disputes by binding where the Lord has loosedCause disputes by binding where the Lord has loosed Godly edification is “in faith”, 1:4Godly edification is “in faith”, 1:4 The rest is “idle talk”, 1:7The rest is “idle talk”, 1:7

8. 8 Applying these Principles BOUND Plan of salvation (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. 1:16)Plan of salvation (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. 1:16) NOT BOUND Circumcision (Acts 15:1-5)Circumcision (Acts 15:1-5)

9. 9 Applying these Principles BOUND Reverence (Acts 10:35; 1 Pet. 2:17; Heb. 12:28)Reverence (Acts 10:35; 1 Pet. 2:17; Heb. 12:28) NOT BOUND Dress code for worship (Jas. 2:1-4)Dress code for worship (Jas. 2:1-4) Pronouns in prayer (Thee & Thou)Pronouns in prayer (Thee & Thou)

10. 10 Applying these Principles BOUND Respect & obey the Bible as God’s word (Psa. 119:97; Matt. 7: 21; Col. 3:17)Respect & obey the Bible as God’s word (Psa. 119:97; Matt. 7: 21; Col. 3:17) NOT BOUND Don’t write in the BibleDon’t write in the Bible Don’t destroy the printed pages / bookDon’t destroy the printed pages / book

11. 11 Applying these Principles BOUND Prayer (Lk. 11:1-4; 1 Ths. 5:17)Prayer (Lk. 11:1-4; 1 Ths. 5:17) NOT BOUND FormulaFormula Prayer languagePrayer language PosturePosture PlacePlace LengthLength

12. 12 Applying these Principles BOUND Assembled worship on 1 st day of week (Jno. 4:24; Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:19; 1 Cor. 16:2)Assembled worship on 1 st day of week (Jno. 4:24; Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:19; 1 Cor. 16:2) NOT BOUND Order of servicesOrder of services One containerOne container “Break” bread“Break” bread

13. 13 Applying these Principles BOUND Water baptism (Acts 10:47-48; 2:38)Water baptism (Acts 10:47-48; 2:38) NOT BOUND Running waterRunning water Both in waterBoth in water FormulaFormula Person who baptizesPerson who baptizes

14. 14 Applying these Principles BOUND Marriage: Joined by God (Matt. 19:4-6)Marriage: Joined by God (Matt. 19:4-6) NOT BOUND Religious ceremony to sanctify itReligious ceremony to sanctify it

15. 15 Applying these Principles BOUND Cause to put away & remarry: Fornication (Matt.19:9; 5:32)Cause to put away & remarry: Fornication (Matt.19:9; 5:32) NOT BOUND Who files divorce papers first (race)Who files divorce papers first (race) Cause must be stated on legal documentCause must be stated on legal document

16. 16 Binding Where the Lord has not Bound Diligently use God’s word to distinguish between binding truth & non-binding opinions, 2 Tim. 2:14-16Diligently use God’s word to distinguish between binding truth & non-binding opinions, 2 Tim. 2:14-16 When we do we reap spiritual blessings, Col. 1:9-12When we do we reap spiritual blessings, Col. 1:9-12

17. 17 Binding Where the Lord has not Bound To go beyond what is written is sin, 1 Cor. 4:6To go beyond what is written is sin, 1 Cor. 4:6 Binding opinions of conscience on others is just as sinful, Rom. 14:1, 4Binding opinions of conscience on others is just as sinful, Rom. 14:1, 4