Red Oak Community Mennonite Church

Doctrinal Guidelines

June 1995 (Rev. 1/1997, 1/2000, 1/2004)

Introduction

*“We are reminded by church history that many churches began by the desire of men of God to restore doctrine and fellowship of the apostles. And yet we mark in alarm how most of the churches have tended to gradually drift away from the apostolic standards and settle back into the nite of history, similar trends are continually apparent among various Mennonite churches. If we only compare ourselves among ourselves (see II Cor. 10:12), and not by the standards of Scripture (see Isa. 8:10, if we only admonish in vague and general terms and do not lift up a standard in our churches by a clearly defined confession of faith, then we too will drift away from our moorings and be wrecked on the rocks of worldliness.The current of the world flows downhill, and always pushes against a high and holy standard. For these reasons, the Anabaptist forefathers met to adopt confessions of faith.”

*Quoted from the introduction to Mennonite confessions at the 3^rd Biblical Discipleship and Fellowship Ministerial Meeting in Hartville, Ohio; March, 1964.

Scriptures for consideration:

Deut. 4:2

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Prov. 30: 5-6

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

II Thess. 2:15

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle.

1) Confession of Faith

As a congregation we recognize the Mennonite Confession of Faith (1963) as our statement of faith. (Copies are available from the leadership)

The scriptural principle for having Confessions of Faith and Congregational Guidelines is to ensure unity of the brotherhood in doctrine, spirit, mind, judgment, and speech.

Scriptures for consideration:

I Cor. 1:10

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ps. 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

2) Divine Order of Headship

We affirm the Divine order of headship as found in I Cor. 11.

The husband is to be in complete submission to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (I Cor. 11:3), and is to love his wife as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it. (Eph. 5:25)

We believe the Bible teaches that Christian women should be faithful in wearing the veiling (I Cor. 11:1-16) and refrain from cutting the hair (I Cor. 11: 6,15; I Peter 3:3)as a symbol of the woman’s created role in God’s order. We encourage a covering of sufficient size to cover the long hair. The relationship of men and women is further clarified in Article 14 of the Confession of Faith.

The scriptural principles under girding the New Testament symbols are: They are God-ordained, and they are creation-based unique roles for men and women. (see Genesis 2:18-25)

Scriptures for consideration:

I Tim. 2:11-12

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Gal. 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.


3) Present Understanding of Modesty

Brethren and sisters should seek to maintain Gospel standards of simplicity, modesty, neatness, and cleanliness in the choice of clothing, and to refrain from the wearing of jewelry.

Our present understanding of modesty would include avoidance of loud colors, tight-fitting patterns and transparent materials. Skirts should reach below the knees while standing and sitting. Culottes in dress-style patterns are allowed. (Note should be made that as with all dress guidelines, ‘gray’ areas are to be expected and avoided.) Sleeves should be of reasonable length and low necklines should be avoided. God desires attractive and beautiful manhood and womanhood through Holy Spirit-led reverent and chaste behavior and the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit. (Scriptures follow item 5)

4) Because of our understanding of scriptural principles we discourage the wearing of the necktie. (Scriptures follow item 5)

5) Brethren and sisters should refrain from unbecoming fads and hair styles, to avoid identity with the revolutionary and worldly segments of our society at the expense of the way of the cross.

The scriptural principle for non-adornment in the dress is self-denial and nonconformity to the world and its trends.

Scriptures for consideration:

I Tim. 2:9 In like manner also that woman adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

I Pet. 3:3-4

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning or plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Rom. 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.


6) Social Life of Youth

We discourage steady dating before age 18. We discourage any dating before age 17. We believe early experiences in dating should be in groups and late hours should be avoided.

The scriptural principle is Godly parental protection of children and an effort to shun worldly patterns in romance.

Scriptures for consideration:

Rom. 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to the this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

I Tim. 4:12

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

7) Recreation

Worthy forms of recreation can contribute to the wholeness of the Christian life. All members should exercise Spirit-directed caution in the use of all media and amusements. Whenever the use of any media or amusement promotes an ungodly worldview or a desensitization to sin, such use must be avoided. The use of tobacco, beverage alcohol, and drugs (illegal drugs or the overuse of legal ones) cannot be sanctioned.

The scriptural principle: We have been bought with a price, therefore we are not our own. Let us therefore glorify God in ALL THINGS.

Scriptures for consideration:

I Cor. 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.


II Cor. 6:14

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?

Col. 3:1-3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

8) Marriage

Marriage between one man and one woman is an institution of God, dissoluble only by death; on the part of the Christian it should be “only in the Lord”; and consistency requires that the marriage relation be entered into only by those of like precious faith. (I Cor. 7:39; Amos 3:3; Rom. 7:2,3) Marriage is entered into by way of an outward ceremony that signifies a covenant relationship. The binding together of husband and wife for life is a type of the union of Christ and the church. (Eph. 5:22, 23). Divorce and remarriage were permitted in the Old Testament because of the hardness of their hearts, but Jesus reestablished the creation standard of the permanence of marriage. (Mark 10:3-12) We find in Matthew 19:9 and in I Cor. 7:11, 14, 15 two possible exceptions, but no exception for remarriage while the former companion is living. Remarriage while the former companion is living is adultery. (Mark 10:11, 12; Rom. 7:2,3)