Can anyone help me? Romans Chapter 14 - a warning to be quiet about sin and false doctrine?

I had a lunch discussion with a “teacher” this past Sunday who is on the paid salary and a leader of a local church. When I expressed concern over open and blatant sin and disregard for even the most basic commands and teachings of Jesus to His disciples, this Christian teacher read Romans Chapter 14. He assured me that this was a warning and admonishment for us to accept all who claim belief even if their lifestyle is of continual sin and to be quiet about any disagreement even if it deals with unsound doctrine, false teaching and goes against the teachings of Jesus. He also assured that one can live a life in error and still be right with God.I have read the Bible through numerous times in many different versions and I know that this is not the case and that his interpretation of Romans 14 goes against the many New Testament Scriptures regarding false teaching/teachers and unsound doctrine. I was able to quote a few Scripture to help show this brother his error, such as - I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. Eph 5:11Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. Tim 4:2This is true. So rebuke them as sternly as necessary to make them strong in the faith. Titus 1:13These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:15Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. 1 Tim 5:20but he remained unshaken and encouraged me to just be quiet and submit to the pastors.I was wondering if anyone else out there has ever been presented with this interpretation of Romans 14 before, or if anyone has any advice or other Scriptures that might be useful in helping convince this man that he is twisting Scripture in order quiet rebuke of sin and to prevent holiness unto the Lord?Please help.Patrickwww.thesearchforbiblicaltruth.org

Hi Patrick, When I read Romans 14 I'm reminded of Matthew 15:2. Of the time when Jesus and His disciples did not wash their hands before they ate. The elders thought this was a disrespectful act. John 12 is also another good example of what I believe Romans 14 is talking about. When Mary anointed Jesus with oil, Judas automatically judged her actions as ungodly. I believe that Romans 14 isn't talking about sin, but is talking about how we judge someone based upon our image of God. It is our religious image of how we think a godly person should look, talk or behave. There are times when someone does something that just doesn't add up to OUR idea of how a godly person should act, but only God knows the heart's motive. The "teacher" you spoke to is in error! As you have pointed out from scipture, his argument just doesn't add up to the word of God. AMENIn HIM, Tina

Romans 14 (New International Version)Romans 14The Weak and the Strong 1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' "12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. 14As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. 19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

If Romans 14 means there is to be no discipline in the Church then Paul didn't follow his own teaching numerous times. The man in 1st and 2nd Corinthians comes to mind who was put out of the Church because of unrepentant sin and then, as many believe, later accepted back in after he repented.

I would say that it isn't up to you to make him change, no more than it is for you to convert a sinner. You have presented the case for truth. Pray and let God work. Here are some more verses:Romans 6:[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?[2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?1 Corinthians 5:[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.[3] ...concerning him that hath so done this deed,[4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,[5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.II Timothy 2:[19](b) Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.The name of Jesus, from Matthew 1, implies he will save us from our sins, not in our sins. That brother may just be making an excuse to cover his fear. I know I deal with fear on a daily basis, but I have overcome at times (ie: witnessing to strangers, challenging others concerning the Word, etc). He will have to answer just like we will at the Judgement.Your post shows you care about him. Just pray and like Proverbs 16:6 says, "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged," let your truth be coupled with mercy, and the rest is the Lord's.

you are correct that I love this brother and don't want him show up on the day of with blood of "others" on hands, but I am also greatly concerned for the "others" he has already decived and the "others" he may decieve in the future. I know personally some of these "others" of which I speak. I have written a letter to all the pastors at his church, but I have not heard back. Since this mans musical talent grenerates income for the church and the music studio they own, I don't expect any response.Any other suggestions? It really pains heart to see this type of deception and Scripture twisting.

but he remained unshaken and encouraged me to just be quiet and submit to the pastors.That in itself is not a good sign!-Eli