Discrepancy in Church Practice

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by donfriesen1

Plz note what Paul does not do in Ro14.

-He does not here teach on holy days or on foods. His purpose in referencing them is only to use them as examples of the main thought he wishes to convey in Ro14; 15.1-7. He is using them to teach a principle.

Yes, he is still discussing the issues the early church was dealing within the Roman Judean culture. Sabbaths, and Animal sacrifices performed by Hellenized Judeans.

Originally Posted by donfriesen1

-What he could do, is to tell these NT saints that those scriptures are OT, that they don't apply to the Gentile or the NT. But he doesn't.

Paul is dealing with individuals who are strong mature brethren, and weak immature brethren. He is trying to stop the strong one from ramming doctrine down the thoughts of the weak ones. This is apparent from Paul's letters to the churches. Not history, but we can see through Paul's discussions this is what he is getting at.

Originally Posted by donfriesen1

-You should also notice another thing. He does not tell those who have differing opinions on these two topics, what it is they should be believing about them.

He doesn't have to, he does that in other letters. Paul already discussed with the Corinthians how he felt about meat offered to idols 1 Corinthians 10:19-22. Paul taught that you couldn't share the table of God with Demons. The act of sacrificing to these "gods" is actually an act of worship directed toward demons. Eating meat from these sacrifices, especially in the context of the idol's temple, creates a spiritual participation or "communion" with demons.
Therefore the brethren cannot partake in both the Lord's Supper and demonic feasts. Logically Paul had taught this in all his churches and therefore the Roman Judeans would've understood this all too well. Yet, Paul is trying to get the Strong Brothers to stop punching down on the weak brothers. I will note here that if you are saying you are a weak brother, and that the pastor and the elders of your church are strong brothers which should just hand the pulpit over to you? Then you are mistaken. No one is going to hand you the pulpit. From what I gathered from your shenanigans here, I wouldn't let you hold open the front door for MeMaw, and PePaw.