| Denominations?
We conclude that
under the heading of "The Church" that Jesus in Matthew 16:18
was without a doubt referring to His "Church." Which is
comprised of those true born again believers, called out, elect of God that had a
heart-felt confession and conversion by being born again by our Lord Jesus Christ. Where
do we get so many denominations? We know the Church was without them from the very
beginning, and was only comprised of those that had the born again saving call of Jesus
Christ.
We
see believers being called "Christians" first in Acts 11:26.
Let's remember this title with great substance. As the years progressed through the early
apostolic years the title Christians was still in use. As we move into the late 4th
and on into the 6th century councils with the appointing of bishops comes to a
full head and manifestation of the catholic church or roman catholic church. Up until the
time of Wycliff, Huss, Luther, and Tindale the roman catholic church had things their way.
When
they broke out and began to resist the RCC's terror things began to change. Now, as things
progressed and doctrines began to settle denominations began to split from fractions over
doctrines. This is truly sad when we use words like "they believe this" or
"their doctrines are different from ours" or "we don't believe like
them." Is Christ divided? Separation from those that do not hold the pure doctrine of
God is right and Biblical. We are called the body 1 Corinthians 10:17.
"For
we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one
bread."
So
that we being many true believers spread over all the globe are one body because we
partake of the one true bread—Christ. This is the same Christ reviled in the
Scriptures only. So we believe that denominations give the appearance of and cause
divisions. Which causes even further fractions of monumental proportions. Those
individuals can not see that the true body of Christ cannot be divided.
It's one thing to separate because of heresy, compromise, disobedience, or a wrong and
misguided teaching. Moreover, denominations cannot cause clarifications in doctrines
because true doctrine exposes false brethren.
They
only cause further divisions within an already unsure and unstable structure. We must be "faithful
to Him who called us" and glorify Christ our Lord. If any good does come out
of denominations (which I seriously doubt) the glory can only go to the Lord Jesus and no
other. Let us, Brethren, seek to set forth right doctrine from the holy Scriptures. For if
not God says, "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
(Hosea 4:6) Let's conclude from the pin of brother John.
"But
if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
Amen?
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