Faith And Opinion
In the days of the restoration movement, there was a slogan which went like this: "In faith, unity; in opinion, liberty; in all things, charity". This is a good slogan if properly applied. However, today many brethren have little or no concern for unity or charity but are strong for liberty, regardless of their claims to the contrary. The fact that they emphasize liberty in their plea for unity and charity, proves this to be the case.
A Denominational Characteristic
This is a characteristic of modern denominationalism. The pretense of unity and charity among denominational bodies is disgusting to anyone who is capable of any discernment whatsoever. Denominationalists have agreed to disagree and claim that it makes no difference what anyone believes about anything as long as they are sincere in their belief and are tolerant (charitable) toward the belief (opinion) of everyone else. But let anyone raise a question about the belief of another on anything, and it brings a swift anathema from the rank and file.
This accounts for much of the prejudice existing among denominationalists toward members of the body of Christ. Members of the church in general insist that it does make a difference what one believes with reference to the terms of pardon for the alien sinner. This brings on the wrath of the denominationalists and the brethren are accused of being intolerable and uncharitable.
Attitude Among The Brethren
The lines above were written primarily to show the characteristic under consideration in its rankest form. But, even at that, it is not much ranker than it is among members of the church at present. Of course, it concerns other matters than the terms of pardon for the alien sinner. However, the characteristic is the same and the similarity of the attitude of denominationalists with that of many brethren is striking indeed.
In regard to the practice of certain things in and by the church which affect the organization, as well as other phases of the work of the church, the same attitude exists as among denominationalists. Many brethren are teaching "liberty" and crying "tolerance" and declaring that it makes no difference what one believes about these matters. Those who claim that it does make a difference what one believes about them, are quickly branded as "anti", "legalists", "law-makers", "church splitters", "hobby-riders", etc.
Certainly, we are interested in unity and are concerned with the fact that love must prevail in all things. Nor are we trying to deny anyone the liberty of opinion. But for us to have any semblance of unity, the proper distinction must be made between faith and opinion. There is a vast difference in matters of faith and matters of opinion. Matters of faith consist of divine wisdom. Matters of opinion consist of human wisdom.
Matters Of Faith
In matters of faith there is no room nor place for opinion. The source of faith makes opinion impossible. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". (Rom. 10:17.) There can be no faith in the absence of what God says. This being true, faith can consist only of what God says. If God says something about a certain thing, one cannot believe something different about the same thing without disbelieving God.
Matters Of Opinion
Matters of opinion in regard to spiritual things consist in human wisdom and cannot operate independently. That is, it operates only where God has allowed human wisdom to operate in regard to something that is already a matter of faith. A thing, to be expedient (matter of opinion), must first be lawful (matter of faith). See (I Cor. 10:23). While opinion must operate within the realm of faith (that which is lawful), opinion is not faith and faith is not opinion. Opinion may be compromised. Faith cannot be compromised. We may compromise human wisdom but we cannot compromise what God's word says.
Application
Let us make an application of the matter of faith and opinion to a Bible subject. The Lord's supper makes a good example. God has commanded its observance; stated its nature and purpose; revealed its elements; and specified the day upon which it is to be observed. All of these things are matters of faith. To believe differently about the necessity of its observance; about the nature and purpose of it; about the elements to be used in it; or about the day it is to be observed, would be to disbelieve what God said about it.
However, God has left some things about the observance of the Lord's supper to human wisdom. In this we have the liberty of opinion. The number and kind of containers for the elements; the hour of the day upon which it is to be observed; and the place in the order of the service in which it is to be observed, are all matters of opinion. My opinion, based upon circumstances and the use of human wisdom, may be that the hour to meet for the observance should be at 7:00 a.m. The opinion of another may be that the hour should be 10:45 a. m. Each has the liberty of opinion as to the hour. It may be my opinion that the Lord's supper should be observed before the sermon while it is the opinion of another that it should be observed after the sermon. It may be my opinion that one china container should be used for the fruit of the vine while it is another's opinion that individual glass containers should be used. But through charity we compromise our opinions and things are arranged for the good of all. Let it be understood that we have not tried to cover every detail involved in the observance of the Lord's supper because we merely used it as an example.
Let us now consider the matter of where opinion may not be used at all. Suppose the church meets to enjoy recreation. The form of recreation may be a matter of opinion. What is wrong with this? The thing that is wrong with it is that, God has not authorized the church to engage in recreation in the first place. Any opinion on the part of anyone in regard to the churches' engaging in, providing for, or having any relation to recreation is prohibited. To believe that it may be engaged in by the church is impossible because faith must come by hearing God's word and God has said nothing of recreation in the church.
CHARTS HERE SHOULD BE SIDE BY SIDE (faith/opinion)
Organization
Matters of faith:
1. No organization of the church universal (inter-congregational organization). One cannot believe in such organization because God has said nothing of it.
2. Organization confined to congregational unit. Elders in every church. (Acts 14:23.)
3. Oversight of elders confined to congregation wherein they are elders.
(I Pet. 5:2.)
4. Only organization to do the work of the congregation. No other organization mentioned by God to do the work of the church.
Matters of opinion:
1. Number of elders in a congregation as long as it is a plurality of scripturally qualified elders.
2. Methods to be used in doing the scriptural work of the congregation.
3. Amount of scriptural work to be undertaken.
4. Necessary materials and other incidentals to carrying on the work of the congregation
Evangelism
Matters of faith:
1. Support of preachers by the congregation. (I Cor. 9:14)
2. Sending of support (wages) to preachers in other fields (away from home congregation). (II Cor. 11:8)
3. Support sent direct to the preacher. (Phil. 4:18). The Lord has said nothing of one church sending funds to another church for the preaching of the gospel. Therefore, we cannot believe such to be right.
Matters of opinion:
1. Means of travel by preachers.
2. Means of sending support. (Messenger, mail, etc.)
3. Amount of support.
4. Number of preachers to be supported.
5. Locality of field where preaching is to be done.
Note: There may be other incidentals of which we have not thought, so do not consider this a complete list.
Benevolence
Matters of faith:
1. A congregation may help needy saints of their own congregation. (Acts 2:44,45; 4:34,35.)
2. A congregation may send funds to other congregations who have more needy saints than they themselves can care for. (Acts 11:29,30; I Cor. 16:1,2; II Cor. 8, 9.)
Note: This could include adequate shelter in which to meet to serve God if they were unable to provide such.
3. A congregation may support permanently widows indeed who meet scriptural qualifications.
(I Tim. 5:3,9,10.)
4. The church may NOT support other widows, as widows, though they be members of the church. (I Tim. 5:16.)
5. The church may NOT engage in general benevolence (feeding and clothing the destitute of the world). The Lord has made no provision for it; therefore, we cannot believe that the church may engage in it.
Matters Of Opinion:
1. Means to be used in care of needy saints. (Provide a place for their care; Pay others to care for them; Or give them the money and let them provide their own care.)
2. Means used in care of widows indeed. (same as No. 1 above).
3. Amount to be spent in such care.
4. Determining who is to be helped. (Whether in need or not.)
Conclusion Many brethren today are taking liberties in matters of faith almost or entirely without discrimination whatsoever. At the same time, they try to exonerate themselves by misrepresenting us in that they claim we make things which actually are matters of opinion, matters of faith. Yet, among these brethren, those who will actually test the truth of their claims before an audience; upon the polemic platform; on propositions which state the issues; are about as scarce as "hen's teeth".