Thanks so much for your questions. I'm glad you are thinking about
all of this and working your way through it. When it comes to errors one might have and
still keep fellowship with God and His people, the basic point would be this: Any error
which does not cause the person to disobey God would not be a fatal error. One could have
many mistaken views which wouldn't lead to them doing something wrong in worship or
service to God. For example if one believed there was nothing wrong with using an
instrument in worship to God, yet never used one, it would do nothing to hinder their
salvation. Also, as with the church in Corinth, many of their errors were fatal if they
held on to them. But God was patient with them in giving them opportunity to change the
things wrong in their lives. If they refused to turn around on the things Paul wrote to
them to change, it would lead to their being lost. God was patient with the early church
on leaving the Old Testament law and the observance of the Sabbath Day. But there came a
time when the patience ran out. One of the clear statements of the fundamentals which must
be kept is in Ephesians 4:1-6 when Paul laid out the seven ones of unity.
One of the best books on this whole theme would be The Gospel Plan
of Salvation by T.W.Brents. It has been reprinted by the Gospel Advocate and is a
tremendous work. IN the New Testament read Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and
Colossians as a beginning point. Then I, II and III John. These were written later and
dealt with different problems. I do hope you will continue to write and I trust I will be
able to help.
Sincerely,
Leon Barnes