“Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 NASB If you want to see one of the most striking examples of where we should draw the line for unity in the Church, look no further. This is a verse that doesn't seem like much at first reading and every time I have heard it preached on it was used as a proof verse of why Christians should not drink. But it is so much more than that. At first glance it seems like a local problem that Paul was addressing. It seemed like people were purchasing meat in the markets that was used in a sacrifice to a god. Since this animal was already slaughtered and they didn't have modern refrigeration they most likely bought it at a discounted price (I make this assumption because why would a Christian buy this meat over a none controversial meat? Unless they were dinning with their pagan neighbors, which also could have been possible) The people who ate this meat saw it as an act of worship to their deity. Since many Christians did not adhere to this polytheistic view they saw this as what it was, just a hunk of meat. Whatever god this was sacrificed to would get no pleasure of these Christians eating it because the God that it was sacrificed to does not exist. As Paul states, "there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." He goes on to say that some grew up eating this as an act of worship and it is hard to see it as anything else. So we should not do anything to offend them and make them stumble. It is a beautiful lesson. He says even though we know we have the right understanding on this issue do not let your knowledge lead you into a spirit of arrogance. No matter what you know to be true come at the situation, not of doctrinal purity but of love and understanding. Essentially he says you being right is of no value to them. Paul says he knows he can eat anything but for their sake he won't. He will still teach them the truth and help lead them into a better understanding of the truth but he will do it with a gentle and understanding spirit. So this is Paul addressing the local problem. But if you look through the Bible you will see what he is addressing is a much bigger issue. The first time this is brought up is in Acts. People were going around and telling all of the gentile converts that they had to be circumcised and follow the law to be saved (Acts 15:1) so Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem and met with the Apostles and elders to clear up this matter. After a long debate they came to this agreement and wrote a letter. “and they sent this letter by them, "The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell."” Acts 15:23-29 NASB So all the apostles and elders of the Church got together and decided that they didn't have to be circumcised and follow the law but that they should still avoid meat sacrificed to idols. To put it all in a timeline, this Jerusalem council happened 2 to 7 years before Paul wrote 1st Corinthians. So seeing this in context, who exactly is Paul calling weak? Writing this it shows two opposing views of doctrine. Paul is standing in opposition to the Other Apostles and Elders. (On a side note, this is why I do not set my beliefs of any church council. The very first recorded Church council was left divided. They were a lot less sure about what they believed than many are today. at least they were humble enough to admit that they could only do what SEEMED good to them and the Holy Spirit, which is later taught against by Paul.) So the First Church Council was summoned to answer the question, "what is required to be saved?" (Acts 15:1) and as I pointed out, Paul disagreed with their conclusion. Now this is a core doctrine that divides many believers, Churches, and denominations today. Almost any church would be ok with this a starting point and a good reason to divide over. So is that what Paul did? Did he split from the other apostles and begin his own church? Did he go and write up a very detailed doctrinal statement to clarify what he believed and made it necessary for anyone who wanted to join his church to sign the statement of faith and say they agree? No. He did keep preaching the truth but he being a Pharisee of Pharisees, a great teacher of the law, did not let his knowledge puff up. But he let his love for the church bring everyone closer together. He addresses the issue again of eating these "unclean" foods in a later letter to Romans. “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." Again he says, "REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE." And again, "PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM." Again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE." Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:1-15:13 NASB So let us be very careful by what we let divide us. Let us humbly serve our Lord together. And we will stand because He will make us stand. Grace and Peace.
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