Following is a doctrinal statement as might address thequestionnaires in use at faithful congregations. It is not the purpose of sucha statement, and certainly not my purpose for posting this one, to set forth a“Statement Of Faith.” If I were to set forth a “Statement Of Faith” I wouldsimply post the New Testament word for word and say this is my “Statement OfFaith” (Rom. 10:17). The purpose for this doctrinal statement, rather, is tosimply express my position on specific points of doctrine. Typically, thespecific points of doctrine under question are those that have been compromisedby “gainsayers” (Tit. 1:9). By addressing these “current issues” in thebrotherhood, faithful congregations can do their due diligence to “stop the mouths”of those who would contradict the pattern of sound words (Tit. 1:10). Anotherpurpose, and the primary reason for my posting this doctrinal statement, is forthose considering me for support to determine if we can have fellowship in thiswork (Phil. 1:17; 2 Cor. 8:4). If you do see that we have definite doctrinaldifferences I would certainly appreciate the opportunity to discuss such withyou. It is my prayer that any such differences could be worked out to the gloryof God and the upholding of his pure and undefiled Gospel. However, if suchdifferences cannot be worked out then you probably would not want to support meand I most likely would not accept support if it were offered.

I greatly appreciate your taking the time to read thisdoctrinal statement and your consideration of me for support in my service toChrist. I have tried to keep the answers brief yet clear. Please feel free tomake comments to this post for further clarification of any stated position. Ifyou do not believe an answer is biblical then I would greatly appreciate yoursharing with me why you believe it is not biblical. Above all, I want to standin the truth of God’s word! Again, please feel free to make comments to thispost as it will help me to clarify and/or expand on any answers you might feelneed to be discussed further.

The Fellowship Issue:

This may be redundant after the above statement, but I willstate more clearly and succinctly what the Bible teaches about fellowship as itpertains to current issues affecting the church.

The Bible teaches very clearly that it is an expression offellowship to offer and accept support from a congregation. In Philippians1:17, Paul told the Philippian brethren that their support of his work wasbearing fruit to their account. This is a very clear indication of their havingfellowship with Paul in his work by means of their support. In 2 Corinthians8:4, the support being sent to the Jerusalem congregation from the Macedonianbrethren is explicitly stated to be an expression of fellowship – “…and takeupon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”

If it is the case, and it clearly is, that the giving andreceiving of support is an expression of fellowship then it would be wrong forme to accept support from a congregation I knew to be in error concerning thedoctrine of Christ (1 Jn. 1:3; 2 Jn. 9-11; Eph. 5:11). It would, likewise, bewrong for me to continue taking support from a current supporter that I learnedto be in error. It would be my biblical obligation to follow the pattern ofTitus 3:10. After admonitions are made for correction and such admonition arerejected I would be biblically bound to refuse continuing support from thatcongregation and to mark them as being unfaithful to Christ.

To the question of how the fellowship issue pertains tospeaking at congregations and/or programs with known false teachers, there areseveral biblical admonitions that would effect such participation. Based on theadmonitions to rebuke false doctrine (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:14; Titus 1:13;2:15; Jude 3; et. al.) I could not, in good conscience, speak at a congregationand/or program where I knew false teachers were present and not rebuke theirfalse teaching. In other words, if the program director was agreeable toallowing me to speak on the errors taking place then I would, but if I wasexpected to be “tied to my assigned topic” then I could not accept such aninvitation, as I believe such an acceptance would be tantamount to anexpression of fellowship with error.

There is also a need to address the increasingly commonpractice of participation with denominations among congregations of the Lord’schurch, or so-called. How such an abomination can take place among those whoare called to defend the truth and uphold the undefiled Gospel (Gal. 1:6-9), isa complete mystery to this preacher! Denominationalism is a most pernicious andhateful device of the devil and we are to have no fellowship with suchungodliness (Eph. 5:11). I have, and continue to, adamantly apposedenominationalism in all its forms. In my presentation of the church I neverrefer to Christ’s glorious bride as “non-denominational” but as it is in truth,anti-denominational (1 Cor. 1:13). “Through thy precepts I getunderstanding; therefore I hate every false way,” (Ps. 119:104), and be notdeceived brethren – I hate denominationalism to its core. I think that prettywell expresses how I feel about having fellowship with denominations.

The Role Of Women:

It is strange to me that issues concerning the role of womenin the church continue to be such a problem but, nevertheless, I must giveanswer in defense of God’s truth.

There have been some of late that have taken a viewconcerning the use of women in personal evangelism that is in completecontradiction to the word of God. That being the permission of women to conductBible studies with men, where the woman is the teacher and the man is thestudent. Such an arrangement is explicitly forbidden in 1 Tim. 2:12f. Ratherthan going into a long discussion of this point I will refer you to the veryfine tract written by brother Ernest Burnette on this issue. It can be read infull by clicking here (requires Adobe Reader). Let me also refer the reader tothe books, three volumes, on this issue written by brother Marian Fox. I would encourage the reader to visit brother Fox's web site by clicking here.

Many times the accusation will be made that this means womencannot teach men under any circumstances, such an accusation is absolutelyfalse! Christian women have the same obligation as every Christ when it comesto giving an answer to those who question (1 Pet. 3:15) and to live in such away as to be a living lesson to any who observe (1 Pet. 3:1). But this is notthe same type of authoritative teaching taking place in 1 Tim. 2:12. Almost allhave seen the Jule Miller filmstrips, putting the issue simply – would it bepermissible to replace the man doing the teaching in the filmstrip with awoman? Of course, the answer is no. Therefore, I cannot accept support fromcongregations advocating the use of women in personal evangelism where theywould be the teacher and a man the student.

The main proponents of this error, to the best of myknowledge, have been the elders of the Duluth church of Christ in Duluth, GAand the Truth For The World mission work located at that same congregation.Their error has rent the church terribly in the North East of Georgia, with atleast three congregations in the area splitting over their error.

The Work Of The Holy Spirit:

The Bible is clear on the fact that the Holy Spirit operateson the mind, of believer and unbeliever alike, solely by means of the word ofGod. Please see my articles on this issue at the following links: “Born of Water and the Spirit,” “Q: Are People Still Baptized In The Holy Spirit.”

The Bible is likewise clear on the manner of indwelling. TheHoly Spirit dwells in the believer by means of the word of God (cf. Eph. 5:18,19 with Col. 3:16; et. al.).

Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage:

The biblical teaching on MDR is as clear as any doctrine ofChrist for which we must give account in the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). Inmy dealing with this issue in my work as a preacher I have always practicedsimplicity. The question is very simple, “why did you get divorced?” If theanswer is anything other than, “for reasons of fornication,” then theconclusion must be that the person answering thusly is not free to be remarried(Matt. 19:9). I find no doctrine concerning “mental divorce” or “waiting out”the departed spouse. I find only that there are those willing to considerthemselves as eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake (Matt. 19:12). If aperson finds themselves in the unfortunate position of being abandoned by aspouse for reasons other than fornication then they must make the choice ofwhose body they love more, their own or Christ’s (1 Cor. 6:20). It is sad, to saythe least, but the doctrine of Christ cannot be compromised because somethingis hard (Jn. 6:60).

These are some of the “pressing issues” in the brotherhoodat present. It may be that you would like for me to answer additional questionsor expound further on the answers given above. Again, please feel free to postyour questions and/or requests for further clarifications as comments to thispost. That way when I reply to those requests it will become a part of theoverall post and will help me to make this a more thorough and relevantdoctrinal statement to the current issues.

Thank you for taking the time to read this statement andconsider supporting the work I am doing in the kingdom.

In His Service,

Norm Fields

norm@preachernorm.net

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