Introduction:

'Mr. Grove' is the head elder of a nationwide group that distinguishes themselves by having no name, but refers to themselves as 'The Assembly', and have become very exclusionary as a result. 'Mr. W' is the elder of a local branch of this group. The letter is the author's reply to a letter Mr. Grove wrote, after a certain meeting, defending his refusal to open up or quote from the Bible among brethren. Quotes and excerpts from Mr. Grove's letter are embedded within the letter below to give a better scope of the situation.

Mr. Grove,

Thank you for replying to my letter.

In the previous letter to you I voiced a concern; now, I am making a judgment by the authority of the Scriptures, which I am also subject to. "Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29

This case is based upon the body of evidence of the letter you sent to me. Your quotes from the letter are subject to the Word of God, the words of Jesus, and not to the traditions of your religious sect nor your personal opinions.

"And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times." Psalms 12:6

You stated, Mr. Grove, in your letter;

1."I understood that all of us present were reasonably knowledgeable of the scripture and were there because we understood that we had a spiritual obligation and privilege to try to settle a matter between brethren."

You stated here that you understood that everyone at the meeting was reasonably knowledgeable in the Scriptures, but yet when I asked you three times to back up your point from the Scriptures, you refused. In the December 1, 2001 letter I asked you, "What part of correction, rebuke, instruction or encouragement did I not fit into...in this four- hour meeting?" (Spoken out of 2 Timothy 3) Even in your 10 page, 4851 word letter you’ve written to me, there is no answer to my question.

You stated that you had a spiritual obligation and a privilege. What is more ‘spiritual’ than pulling from the Word of God? Nothing, unless we don’t have common ground in the Scriptures. You said ‘matter between brethren’; is Christ not the head of the brethren? What common ground do I have with the brethren, if not Christ’s words? None. I do not have fellowship with another brother if Christ is not the center of it.

" I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." 1 Corinthians 1:10

How can we be united in Christ’s name only and not His Words?

"13. Is Christ divided? " 1 Corinth. 1:13a

Paul, to his own brethren, states he wishes to know nothing of them other than Christ and Him crucified. What other relationship is there outside of Christ, that brothers can partake in or commune in? None, with exception of worldly relationships.

" When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5. so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

This power that Paul speaks of is the Word of God. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God..." Romans 1:16a

As in 2 Timothy 3:5, there are some who; "holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away."

These are the people who suppress the Word of God.

2. You stated: "I don’t make it a policy to take the time to review scriptures that apply to a situation when I understand that I am meeting with people who have a common knowledge and understanding of the scripture relevant to the subject at hand."

The apostle Paul did not have the same ‘policy’:

"Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not take pride in one man over against another." 1 Corinthians 4:6

"You mentioned that you did not have a policy to take the time to review the scriptures before meeting with people who have a common knowledge of the scriptures.

A believer in Christ, who has the spirit of God, would not be limited to just academic study beforehand, but would be driven by the Spirit of God towards the Word. Surely, as the Scripture says, " Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:2

" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1: 1&14

We, who are in Christ, know that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and hold His word with great reverence in holiness.

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar " Proverbs 30:5-6

"12. For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13. And there is no creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:12-13

In the whole meeting, you mean to tell me that you didn’t have, at the least, a hymn or verse to pull out of the Scriptures? I know that you’re at least 25 years in the Lord, and out of 25 years you have not learned to be ready in season and out of season? When you paraphrased one of Jesus’ paraphrases, you not only missed the context but added to the text. (See letter to Mr. W and Mr. G, December 1st) Again, if I was wrong, it should have been proven from the Scriptures.

"Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not take pride in one man over against another." 1 Corinthians 4:6

. You stated: "This was not the place to bring ‘biblical mediation’ (as you call it)-we didn’t even have specific issues of disagreement established....Again, this is not the place, in my judgment, to try to bring in ‘biblical mediation.’"

In your statement, you referred to this meeting as ‘not the place to bring in biblical mediation’, i.e. open up the Scriptures. Not only were you not equipped, but you were not doing a ‘good work’, because if we were meeting as brothers it would be a good work, and as 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 states: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17. so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Your statements on when and when not to use the words of Jesus are of the sectarian’s majority opinion, and are in the religious ‘handbook’ of most denominations, which you say you are not a part of, because you ‘have no name’. On one hand you say you ‘humbly bow to the Word of God’, and on the other you say it is unnecessary if everyone in the room happens to have a basic understanding of the Scriptures. When did we get into the position where we dare to think we can decide when the Word of God should be brought forth and when it should not be, and by what authority do we do this? Surely not by the Church (the body of Christ) whose head is Jesus of Nazareth, whose words we are so freely disregarding on the basis of "we teach from the Bible truths relevant to relationships and the Christian life."

As for just quoting Scriptures, this is fine, you are in good company; the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses do it all the time. But, as for whether the context is missed or the meaning of the Scripture is twisted, that’s the matter I’m addressing.

As for you not ‘recollecting’ refusing to open the Scriptures with me, you did three times, even when a Bible was provided for you.

You stated: "Part of the success of that meeting is due to the fact that Bob’s family has for at least twenty-five years sat under Mr.W’s ministry and mine."

You stated, in your own words, that you and Mr. W have been successful, and I believe you. Most men are successful in religious establishment when they remove the authority of Scriptures and apply the authority of man, i.e. the Catholic Church and her daughters. In the Nov 1 meeting you refused to open up the Bible, and now in the December 16^{th letter you have attempted to justify this action. This is not only dangerous to you and to your parishioners but would stumble those who are weaker in the faith.}

Mr. Grove, your tactics and Mr. W’s borderline those of cult; through mind-control and suppression of the Holy Word of God, you attempt to guilt people into doing what you want them to do. I witnessed this with me personally, with Mr. W twisting the truth and you, trying to clear Bob of any wrongdoing with human wisdom, and now justifying your suppression of the use of the Bible, which you claim to bow humbly before. In your own words it was not a meeting to be based upon ‘biblical mediation’.

...Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition." Matthew 15:6

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." Romans 16:17&18

"If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." 2 Thess. 3:14&15

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us." 2 Thessalonians 3:6

Due to the above Scriptures all I can do is note this and warn you, and will not communicate with you, Mr. Grove, from this point on, nor Mr. W, nor any other leaders of your denomination; I will be united with the Word of God, not with men who don’t support it. Your actions and words have proven that you do not hold to a ‘policy’ to open up the Word of God among what you call brethren; when requested to do so all you give is circular epistemology, which has nothing to do with the glory of Christ and His Word.

And, when asked WHY you suppress the truth of God, you reverted to mis-truths, bantering over individual, unsubstantiated statements and besmirching my character through dogmatic assumptions and fraudulent arguments.

"2. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up." 2 Peter 2:2-3a

"Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth-men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected." 2 Timothy 3:8

Titus 1:16 "They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

8. "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' " Mathew 15:8&9

Eph. 5:6&7 "Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them;"

Colossians 2:8 "Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:"

Sincerely, in the Love of Christ,

Steven

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