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We
Can Be Undenominational By
John Waddey Edited It
is generally conceded that the denominationalism that divides Christendom is
neither healthy nor wholesome. For a century, the major denominations have been
trying to figure out how to overcome their divided state. Their efforts have
been called the Ecumenical Movement. Most people with even a smattering of Bible
knowledge freely confess that in her original state, the Lord's church was an
undivided body of people, worshiping and serving God. From
the earliest days, those pleading for the restoration of the ancient faith and
practice of the church have decried the denominationalism that was the order of
their day. Only in the last 30 or so years have some liberal preachers and
professors decided that denominationalism is a good thing and that we ought to
embrace it and take our place among the more than 1,200 denominational bodies.
We must admit that it takes a man with an inordinate degree of self-esteem to
embrace and promote that which Scripture so clearly condemns (See I Cor.1:10-13;
3:3-4). We
should be and we can be members of nothing more than the undenominational 1.
First
we must realize and accept the fact that the church founded by Christ and
planted by the Apostles was undenominational, non-denominational. The very idea
of a divided body is unscriptural and contrary to plain biblical teaching. 2.
We
must also remember that a major part of our ongoing goal is to “keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
While we cannot make men give up their parties and denominations, we can teach
them and show them God's will in the matter. We can show them by our practice
how to be undenominational Christians (I Cor. 11:1). 3.
We
need to keep in mind the constituent elements of denominationalism; secondarily,
of course, to the divine platform for unity (Eph. 4:4-6). *
Every denomination was founded by a human being or a group of them. Christ found
his undenominational church (Matt. 16:18). *
Denominations are governed by men. Christ is head over all things to his church
(Eph. 1:22). *
Denominations are regulated by creedal statements written by uninspired men.
Christ's church is governed by his word (John 12:47-48). *
Denominations wear humanly conceived names. Christ's church wears his name (Rom.
16:16). *
In denominations, men worship as they chose to do. In Christ's church we worship
as he has directed (Matt. 12:20). *
In denominations, terms of salvation and church membership are devised by men
and vary from body to body. Christ has provided these terms for his church. They
are plainly stated in his Testament (Mark 16:16). *
The very nature of denominationalism is divisive. The nature of true
Christianity is unity in Christ (John 17:20-23). 4.
Every
denomination competes with Christ's church. 5.
They
offer men pardon and hope of heaven on faulty premises. 6.
It
is their nature to separate believers into separate and competing groups. 7.
Although
all denominations teach some truth, they all teach many things contrary to
Christ's revealed will. 8.
Denominations
consume vast amounts of resources that have been given to God. They are used to
build and maintain separate places of worship and to employ workers to promote
their cause. 9.
Often
times denominational partisans are antagonistic enemies of Christ's true church.
10.
They
dilute and weaken the message and influence of Christians around the world.
Seekers are often left bewildered and confused by the conflicting messages of
different denominations. Mark
it well, the man who sees nothing wrong with denominationalism does not
understand Christ's message or his church. Likewise, the man among us who says
the Question
and Answer By
Jim Sasser QUESTION:
-- In order to be Scripturally baptized, must one use the formula, "In the
name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit"? ANSWER:
-- It is amazing how "traditions" get started, and then are
perpetuated down through generations. And this is one of them. The Bible does
not give any kind of a "spoken formula" for baptism. None. We read the
words of Jesus, as He told the apostles, "Baptizing them into the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). But He
never told them to SAY those words over the ones being baptized. He never told
the apostles, or us, to say anything at all over the one being baptized. But
somewhere, sometime, someone thought it a good idea to say what is now thought
of as "the formula" for baptism. But it is still not in the
Scriptures. It
is only tradition. (Is there anything wrong with telling a person that is being
baptized, by whose authority you are baptizing him? I think not. JWS). There
is no formula, spoken or not, for the baptism Christ commanded. When we baptize
one, in obedience to the Lord's command, we are then baptizing them "In the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Whether we say so, or
not. When
we baptize one in obedience to the Lord's command and promise, we are baptizing
them "in the name of Jesus" (Acts 2:38; 19:5), whether we say that, or
say anything at all. To do something "in the name of" simply means to
do it by that authority. No spoken "formula" is involved at all. (How
do we know what the early apostles said to the recipients of baptism on the Day
of Pentecost? We don't. So, did they tell the recipients that they were
baptizing them by the authority of Christ? Did they use the occasion to teach
others about the Who, Why, and What of baptism? It certainly would have been a
good opportunity to express why and by Who's authority such was being done. JWS). So,
why do we use a "formula" in baptizing? Primarily to inform the person
being baptized and the audience present at the time, the authority by which you
are baptizing the recipient of the baptism. But, again, the authority is found
in the Words of Jesus, not in our pronouncement of them. Notice the language in
Col. 3:17, "And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." When we
worship God, or pray, or sing, or give a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul, it
is done in the name of Jesus. Whether or not we say anything at all as we are
doing it. (We are told to be ready to give an answer to everyone that asketh, a
reason for what we believe and do. No, we do not necessarily have to say the
words: "I am baptizing you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit." But it behooves us to tell people why we do what we do and say
what we say. Yes, in Spiritual matters, whatsoever we do or say must be in
keeping by the authority of God, JWS). (It is not a matter of tradition, but it
is true what a person says when he is baptizing a person by the authority of the
Godhead. Give an account of what and why you are doing what you are doing, JWS).
(Adapted from a question and answer by Clem Thurman in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 60,
No. 16, April 22, 2011) &
Religious
Collectivities By
Bob Myhan The
word, "church," is used by most, if not all, modern versions of the
Bible to translate the Greek, "ecclesia," in certain contexts. The
word, "ecclesia," has no religious significance. Nor does it imply
organizational structure. In Acts 19:24-41, it is used both of a "lawful
assembly" and of a "disorderly gathering." The
word, "church," translates the Greek word, "ecclesia," when
the ecclesia under consideration is an ecclesia "of or pertaining to the
Lord" [kuriakos], whether it is "all saints everywhere" or
"saints in a given locality." There is no organizational framework
given in Scripture, through which "all saints everywhere" may function
collectively. However, saints in a given locality are authorized to organize and
function as a collective unit. This authority being specific, not generic, there
is no authority for individual Christians to function collectively via any other
organizational framework. Such is not “from heaven” but “from
men.” (See Matt. 21:23-27.) More
than thirty years ago, this writer heard Frank Jamerson explain that the
collective of Christian is church, just as surely as the collective of link is
chain. This is as true today as it was then. Yet many are saying that the
collective of Christian can be either
church or foundation. May they
open their eyes before it is too late. & |