Definition of Conscience Continued. No Two People Have Exactly the Same Conscience. No One s Conscience Perfectly Matches God s Will

Transcription

1 Church & Conscience: Lesson 2 Illustrations & Headings taken from: Naselli, Andrew David; Crowley, J. D.. Conscience: What It Is, How to Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ (pp ). Crossway. Kindle Edition. Definition of Conscience Continued No Two People Have Exactly the Same Conscience No One s Conscience Perfectly Matches God s Will 1

2 You Can Damage Your Conscience The Two Great Principles of Conscience Principle 2: Obey It! Principle 1: God Is the Only Lord of Conscience Defining Conscience from the NT A Note on Conscience in the OT A Good Technique for Bible Study New Testament Occurrences Acts 23:1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day. Acts 24:16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Romans 2:15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them Romans 9:1 I am speaking the truth in Christ I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit Romans 13:5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 1 Corinthians 8:7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. 1 Corinthians 8:10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 2

3 1 Corinthians 8:12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:25, 27 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 1 Corinthians 10:28-29 But if someone says to you, This has been offered in sacrifice, then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 2 Corinthians 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith 1 Timothy 3:9 [Deacons] must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 1 Timothy 4:2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared 2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 3

4 Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. Hebrews 9:9b According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 10:2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 1 Peter 2:19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 1 Peter 3:16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ Conclusions from NT References What Can the Conscience Be? Positively Negatively 4

5 What Can the Conscience Do? Formal Definition Implications from this definition Next Week 5