Quote:
Originally Posted by kclee4jc
That's fine, but you then have no place in the ministry if you will not submit to an elder. Seemed that Timothy received instruction from his pastor on circumcision.
|
The instruction was for Timothy to minister to those who had not yet let the gospel free them from the bondage of enforced circumcision. Timothy was not to preach the necessity of circumcision to all new converts.
I've seen American preachers wearing traditional, native skirts in certain places in order to be more accepted in the community. It's interesting to me that these men would go against their "standards" in order to be more accepted by the less apostolically astute populace. It makes sense.
It seems that Paul asked Timothy to violate a clear apostolic stand (teaching circumcision leads to bondage) in order to reach people who had an inferior understanding of the liberty contained in the gospel message. (
Galatians 5:2) Paul also stated in another case that Titus was compelled by "false brethren" to be circumcised, a condition that would
lead to bondage.
So often it's the other way around. We try to force all
our traditions upon
others even though we know it will sour many on the gospel message before they ever get close enough to our Lord to taste the sweet.
Thoughts?