What is doctrine vs. a personal element of belief? 
[first see Menu Items 31 & 64]

–What is a personal element of belief? 
–How does it differ from doctrine? 
–Do we or can we have a personal element of belief within one of our doctrines? 
–How do we deal with differing personal elements of belief

This is a subject that has probably been neglected from the pulpit over the years.  We often don't realize how the differences in these two elements impact the church, the congregation and even our fellowship within the Body of Christ.

What is a personal element of belief? 
Personal Elements of Belief [PEB] are any spiritual belief a firstfruit has which are not specific to any established ICG doctrine or teaching from the Word of God.

How does it differ from doctrine? 
The thirty-three doctrines of the ICG are the bedrock and foundation to our church and essential to the Salvation Process.  These doctrines are the Word of God, by definition.  They are readily proved.  There is no argument or contention regarding them.

Personal Elements of Belief number into the thousands. Most, but not necessarily all, are based on Godly principles and sound theology despite the fact they differ.  Part of the reason for this is the simple fact that PEB cannot be legislated.  It is very possible for any two members to hold opposing belief systems and not be in conflict with the Word of God.  An extreme example that makes the point is the member who feels it inappropriate for him to eat tuna fish sandwiches on Tuesday afternoons.  Another member may only eat tuna fish on Tuesday afternoons.  Clearly the word of God is moot on the point but we live by the scripture  ...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. –Rom 14:23. 

Each PEB is the property and responsibility of the member holding to it.

Do we or can we have a personal element of belief within one of our doctrines? 
Yes we do.  Yes we can.  We have a doctrine that speaks to the command that we keep the Sabbath and keep it holy.  Within that doctrine we could list all kinds of specific beliefs regarding how one might keep the Sabbath; what they would allow and not allow.

Example One:  One members watches cable news on the Sabbath.  Another feels turning on the television on the Sabbath is wrong.
Example Two:  One member eats in restaurants on the Sabbath.  Another feels this inappropriate.
Example Three: One member stops to buy flowers for the podium on the way to services.  Another would never do this.

We could easily produce similar examples for Tithing, The Relationship of the Christian with Fellow Man and Fellowship with the Brethren.

How do we deal with differing personal elements of belief
The most obvious pitfall of anyone holding a PEB is that they feel they are absolutely correct in their belief and theology and have a desire to...

A) Have a doctrine created concerning the belief.
B) Have all those around them, including fellow brethren, to hold the same belief system. 

If the church cannot legislate faith, how can the individual member?  It is important for each firstfruit Christian to insure his or her PEB do not become stumbling blocks to the brethren and that they do nothing to cause strive, debate or even discord in the congregation.  In fellowship, focus on those things that bind us together as the congregation of the Church of God.
 

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