Becoming a Community of Disciples

Chapter 5: Spiritual Teachings – Personal Behavior

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and is expedient for the soul, 7 then we ought to receive it promptly and willingly as the will of God, fulfilling what is written: obeying one another in the love of Christ (Eph 4:2; 5:21). 8 But if we are ordered to do what is contrary to the commandments of God or what appears to dissolve or to adulterate it, it is time for us to say: We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29), 9 and to be mindful of the Lord who says: They do not follow the voice of a stranger, but flee from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers (John 10:5). 10 And we ought to be mindful of the Apostle, who, for our assurance, dared even not to spare the angels when he said: 11 Even if we ourselves or an angel from heaven should proclaim a gospel to you other than the one we have already announced to you, let him be anathema (Gal 1:8). 12 By which we are taught that even if someone is very dear to us, and even of exalted status and held up for admiration, 13 who hinders us from doing what the Lord has prescribed, or orders us to do what the Lord has forbidden to be done, such a one ought to be execrated 6 by all who love the Lord. Receiving Service (RBas §37) Q: With what humility ought one accept a service from the brothers? R: 1 As a slave from his lord, and such as the apostle Peter showed when the Lord served him (cf. John 13:6–9), in which we also learn the danger of those who do not accept services from the brothers.

6 Execrate – to detest or declare morally wrong.