Divisions and Denominations

QUESTION: “If there’s only one God and only one Bible, then why are there so many different churches or denominations?”

Excellent question! Certainly that’s not the way God intended for it to be, nor is it the way things were in the first century between 33 A.D. when Christ established His church (Matt. 16:18-19) on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-47), and the writing of Revelation by John, somewhere near the end of the 1st century. During that time the Scripture shows us but one church in existence. The church was the body of Christ, and there was only one (Eph. 1:22-23, 4:4-6). During that time all the ‘churches’ (that is to say, local congregations of the same, one, exclusive, New Testament church over which Jesus was Head – Eph. 1:22-23) all taught the same things (1 Cor. 4:17, 7:17, 11:16, 16:1). They were expressly, exclusively, and unequivocally committed to the apostles’ doctrine only (Acts 2:42), as the apostles alone delivered by divine authority the very commandments of God (1 Cor. 14:33-38; 1 Thess. 2:13, 4:1-8; 2 Tim. 1:13).

Divisions (or denominations) were thoroughly condemned (1 Cor. 1:10-13), while unity was achieved only by simply standing together as one on the absolute truth of God’s Word just as Jesus had prayed for (John 17:6-23; Phil. 1:27-2:2). For 200 years or so thereafter there was but the one church Jesus built as seen in Scripture. Emperor Constantine later (313-337) began departures from the Scripture that led to the foundation of the Catholic Church being laid, and it wasn’t until 1517 that the first major protestant denominations began to be built by mere mortal men (Matt. 15:7-9), which did not resemble the church of Christ as seen in Scripture (Rom. 16:16), its having been established some 1484 years earlier. Most people are stunned to learn that in fact, none of the modern-day Protestant denominations (i.e. divisions) are more than 500 years old, being founded and established by mere, mortal men instead of Christ and His hand-picked, divinely-inspired apostles.

Bottom Line? There is one and only one God, one faith, one Lord, one baptism, and one body/church, according to God Himself in His holy word – period (Eph. 4:4-6). Want to learn more about the Lord’s one N.T. church as established and experienced in Scripture; the same one the apostles worked and worshipped both with and in respectively?  Come and see and check us out. Ask for a study. Ask questions. We’re easy to find, both in the phone book, and, unlike the denominations, also in The Book (Acts 2, Rom. 16:16).

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Humility

What does it mean to be humble?

Well, the Bible states that we are to be clothed with humility (1 Pet. 5:5). We are to humble ourselves under God (1 Pet. 5:6). Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:4) Thus, we are to serve “the Lord with all humility of mind . . . ” (Acts 20:19)

In the Bible, we read of examples we can follow of those who were humble. In regards to Christ, it is recorded that He, “being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:8) King Hezekiah, “humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.” (2 Chron. 32:26) From the pen of God we see, “how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.” (1 Ki. 21:29)

Now, we can show humility in different ways. First, it can be shown by serving one another. Paul wrote, “. . . be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thess. 5:13) The Hebrew writer said, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Heb. 6:10) Therefore, “let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (Heb. 10:24)

Second, humility is shown by preferring one another. Being, “kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” (Rom. 12:10). Timothy was told to, “. . . observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” (1 Tim. 5:21) “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. . . ” (Matt. 7:12)

Third, in showing humility, you must love all people. Paul said to, “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” (Eph. 5:2) Thus, “Let brotherly love continue.” (Heb. 13:1)

Fourth, we show humility by working for others. We are commanded to be, “perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” (Eph. 4:12) “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:12) Therefore, “whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (Jam. 1:25)

Fifth, we demonstrate humility by edifying and encouraging others. Many times Christians forget that we are suppose to be, “the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph. 4:16) “not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” (Col. 2:19) So, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Rom. 14:19)

Living in humility is shown to be difficult when everyone goes their own way, does their own thing and forgets that they are connected to the body. Paul showed this confusion when the saints of Corinth even came together when he said, “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Cor. 14:26) Thus, if something in the worship causes another to stumble and be unstable in his faith, how can that leader be humbly edifying others?

Therefore, we ought to always ask ourselves, “O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Mic. 6:8) For, “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 on the earth.” (Col. 3:1-2) “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3)

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Ichabod

The spiritual picture of Israel during the time of Samson was so bleak. True enough, the mighty judge did so much to defeat the Philistines, but the immorality of his life brought shame on the nation God had treasured above all nations. There was, perhaps, hope that Eli, the new judge appointed by God, would bring greater spirituality to Israel, but such was far from what actually happened. In many ways it became worse.

The sons of the new judge, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests in charge of offering sacrifices at the tabernacle. God’s first description of them was, “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord” (1 Sam. 2:12). Ten verses later, we read that they were committing fornication with women at the entrance to this holy place.

It got even worse. When the Philistine army came against Israel and killed 4,000 Jews, the Ark of the Covenant was brought to the battle site as a “good luck charm” to see if it would help in the battle. It was Eli’s evil sons who brought this ark! The ark was captured; the sons of Eli were killed along with 30,000 in the army of Israel.

When the pregnant wife of Phinehas, one of Eli’s sons, heard of the death of her husband, the death of Eli (that’s another amazing story), the slaughter of 30,000 Israelites and the capture of the ark, she was so grieved that she delivered the child. The name she gave to that child, Ichabod, showed what grieved her most for Ichabod means “the glory has departed.” The enemies of God had taken those precious tablets and had taken the ark—the very place where atonement was made for God’s people. The glory of Israel was not found in her father-in-law or in her husband. It was in the ark!

So, what lesson is there for us in this story? Think about how the glory of God is found in the church. Paul said, “For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, I will be their God and they shall be my people’” (2 Cor. 6:16). We glorify Him when we let our lights shine (Matt. 5:16). He has sanctified the church, cleansed us and presented us as a glorious church (Eph. 5:26-27).

What will remove His presence from us? When sin enters the church and is ignored, we walk in darkness, and He no longer is there for He withdraws His fellowship (1 John 1:3, 6). His glory is in the church, but He cannot remain where ungodliness abounds!

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Powerless Elders

Authority to oversee the Church of Christ rests in the hands of each congregation’s elders (I Peter 5:1-3, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17).   This responsibility means Godly elders will never find themselves lacking something to do.  They face spiritual issues of varying impacts nearly every single day.  They are the chief stewards in charge of guiding God’s children on a heavenly walk.  Man does not present the elders with authority, God stands as the one who imparts authority to these qualified men.  Thus, the power of elders should go without contestation.  Unfortunately, many congregations claim to possess powerless elders.

Over the years the following phrase has made it to my ears from different elders in reference to the sinful behavior of their congregations: “There is nothing we can do”.  The topic at hand in each case was modesty, but the issue could be a number of different challenges.  The self proclaimed powerless elders recognized that a number of Christians exposed their bodies to an appalled assembly through immodest fashion.  In response, the elders rightly directed lessons which pointed out the sinfulness of the occurring behaviors.  However, the offending parties did not change the type of apparel with which they adorned themselves.  One elder stated, “After we have taught on the issue, they could show up naked and there is nothing more we can do.”  Christians ignoring elders doesn’t represent anything new.  Sadly, for millennia individuals identifying themselves as God’s people have disregarded messengers of God.  Some are blatantly ignoring the elders teaching, others don’t realize they are the target of the teaching.  The question that presents itself is this: “Are the powerless elders really powerless to act against sin in the Church?”

Before scripturally breaking this issue down, put yourself in the shoes of a recent mother and father witnessed at an assembly of the Church.  The preacher stood before the congregation and shared the Word of God; simultaneously, a very loud little girl was telling her parents she was not going to be quiet.  She was not going to sit down.  She wanted to do what she wanted to do.  This went on for quite some time.  The words “No” and “I am not going to” were pretty frequent.  What was the response from the parents?  They continued to quietly ask the girl to stop while she shouted them down.  Evidently there were powerless parents present.  What could they have done in response to such defiant disrespectful behavior?  Were they truly powerless?  Proverbs 13:24, 23:13, 29:15 suggest a good source of power – put a rod to that child’s backside.  As long as parents simply wag the tongue, try to appease, or plead with the child; the child will do what it wishes.  There is no difference between that child and her parents and sinful Christians with weak, fearful elders.

When I hear elders say they have no power, I wonder if they read the same inspired scriptures others read.  Do they not recall Paul’s words to the Corinthians in I Corinthians 5 including: “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”? Woah! There Kemo Sabe!  You don’t just go charging into a crowd with guns a blazin’!  This is absolutely true.  This jump is to the ultimate exercise of power which elders can utilize to illustrate there is no such thing as powerless elders.  Elders can proceed with authority in many directions.  Beforehand they have a responsibility to approach the individual directly in regard to the sinfulness of immodesty in hopes of correcting the behavior (I Thessalonians 5:11-14, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-2).  If they chose to do so they could literally post a dress code for the congregation.  This puts the expectation before the congregation posted and in writing (with pictures if necessary) so there is no excuse.  Elders, solutions to all problems exist and the Bible contains all the answer you need (2 Peter 1:2-4).

A congregation understanding they have authorized, powerful, loving elders who are not afraid to use the rod will have a high degree of conformity.  They will hear the voice of the Shepherd and they will follow.  If they do not conform, the elders have the authority of God to discipline.  Therefore, elders remember “Quit ye like men, be strong”, “If God is for us, who is against us?” Standing before God there are no powerless elders.

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Attitude

The Right Kind of Attitude

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

Boy do we ever think a lot of ourselves! For most of us the universe revolves around our own little puny existence. That’s right…we are selfish, self-centered, egotistical, snobbish, arrogant, and hypocritical. And that fact that most Christians, young and old, think and act like this certainly brings reproach upon the church of Jesus and the name of Christ. But the truth is we are not any different today than man has been for most of his earthly existence.

God knew that we would be and act like this but not because He made us this way but because of sin. Yes, this kind of attitude is sinful! Did you here that? I don’t get my way and I get mad, pout, and seek revenge (I’ll show them) and I am sinning! I don’t like what someone else has done, or not done, and so I run to others and gossip or talk badly about them and I am sinning! When confronted with my actions I get defensive and angry and either lie about it or try to put the blame upon others and I am sinning.

In Romans 12 Paul writes to tell us how we are suppose to live a acceptable Christian life and how to treat each other:

  1. Live Our Lives As a Sacrifice to God and Others (v. 1-2). This means I need to die to myself. That’s right… it’s not about me! This isn’t how the world lives but it is what is expected of me as a child of God. I am expected to be different (1 Peter 2:9). I am to live a life that exemplifies Christ and brings glory to God (Matthew 5:14-16).
  2. We Ain’t All That (v. 3-8). We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. We have a real hard time with this in our society today! In Philippians 2:13 we are instructed, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Caring more about the other person and less about ourselves is the way the Christian is suppose to act.
  3. Don’t Be a Hypocrite (v. 9-13). The love that we have for God and others should be real. Hypocrisy has done more to keep folks from Christ than almost any other sin. We need to be real! Consider also that Paul ties this all in here with the idea of good versus evil and I begin to realize how much God hates it when we are hypocritical in our love toward each other. That means we should truly love each other and not just pretend to while being selfish. We are to give preference to each other, devoted to true brotherly love, fervent in spirit, serving, rejoicing, persevering, devoted, contributing, and hospitable.
  4. React Properly (v. 14-21). I tell folks all the time (and myself even more often) “Don’t let the actions of others dictate how you act. Act like a Christian no matter what.” We are to bless those who persecute us, not curse them. We are to rejoice and weep with those who are happy and sad. We are not to be stuck-up or arrogant, but humble. We are not to be self-righteous and we are to strive to live peaceably with everyone. We are never to seek revenge or be nasty to others, especially not our own spiritual family. But we are always to be kind, loving, and gracious. Never allowing ourselves to be overcome by the evil of others but overcoming the evil with good.

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34). We all need to follow this godly instruction if we hope to go to heaven. Our children are often guilty of these kinds of behaviors and maybe they have learned them from us. Instead of seeking to justify their behavior maybe we should use these as teachable moments and set an example ourselves of how to properly respond to bad things (real or imagined) that others do to us.

For the faithful Christian none of what may happen to us (good or bad) should cause us to act in an un-Christ-like manner. This past week a dear friend reminded me that “This too shall pass or I will.” And he is right. We make a bigger deal out of small things than need be that in the great scheme of things will not matter. What matters most is living a faithful, obedient, and acceptable life in the sight of God and being with Him in heaven when this life is over. I love you!

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