Renee, your quote from Acts was an instruction to the new Gentile believers and their churches. They were coming out of terrible customs, and needed some "shock treatment" as well as some basic guidelines. Read what Paul by the Holy Ghost says to these same Gentiles later:
Quote:
|
1 Corinthians 10:27-31 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
|
As always, we should never take any passage of the Scriptures and isolate it away from the rest, for the Book is one and speaks as one. Yes, there are passages that must be understood in context and not necessarily applied literally. How would we handle the following? Should it be read as a principle of personal responsibility and cleanliness, or must we carry a "pooper-scooper" on our belts (or weapon to be exact)?
Quote:
|
Deuteronomy 23:13 And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:
|
Now, Chette, with respect to borrowing/loaning in Matthew not applying to us. It appears to me that the early church in Jerusalem understood Jesus' words to apply to them:
Quote:
|
Acts 4:32-34 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
|
I think that those who try to make Matthew 5-7 apply only to some future period of time and not for today are really missing God's blessings. This is the greatest problem with Dispensationalism for me. Great portions of Scripture that should be the way of life for us today are claimed to be reserved for some other time.
How does one tell what verses are to be taken literally rather than by principle? Simple - Talk to the One Whose Words they are. (See Romans 14)
P.S. Chette, anytime you are in Gainesville, you are welcome to stay at my house as long as you wish. As for the money, remember that the Scriptures say, "But whoso
hath this world's good,..." I don't hath any money, so I'm off the hook on that one. (That is, of course, if I John counts today.
)