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Many people think or believe that there are many bodies (Churches), but the Bible clearly teaches that there is only one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5). When did God change His mind so that He no longer condemns religious division? And if He hasn't done so, why are there so many different denominations in the world today? The simple answer to this question is, "That the majority of the people want to serve God in their own way instead of the way God has instructed." Many people want to believe that each person can have their own religious beliefs and be right in the sight of God. The reason for this is so they can serve God the way they want to instead of the way God wants them to. The Bible clearly states that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Many people will say that there is nothing in a name, but the Bible says, "Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him (Christ), and given Him a name which is above every name." (Phil. 2:9) Jesus Christ said, "I will build My Church" (Matt. 16-18). Many people today are called Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Mormons, Presbyterians, Adventist, and many other names that are not authorized by the word of God. Why is it so hard for people to understand such simple scriptures as this, "Now I plead (beg) with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing and that there by no division among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Cor. 1:10) |
How hard is it to understand what this verse is saying? God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). Denominations are without God's authority, without heaven's blessing, weak in attitude, rebellious, prejudiced, and in destiny doomed. Christ is the head of the body, the Church (Col. 1:18). The family name comes from the head of the family, not the children in it. Can you find the name of the Church where you worship in the Bible? We can hear people say, "Oh how I love Jesus, yet these same people are ashamed, offended, and too proud to wear His name (Christ) and just simply be called Christian. These same people are willing to ware a name not authorized or found in the Bible. We can read in Romans 16:16, "The Churches of Christ salute you." The Bible does not say, "The churches of denominations salute you." God only accepts us when we build upon Christ's foundation, not some man or group. In Matt. 16:18, Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my Church." Is the Church that you are a member mentioned in the New Testament and can you find the name of it? Did you become a member of the Church as people did in the New Testament (Book of Acts). Do not base your hopes on the ideas and practices conceived in the mind of some man or religious group. Can you honestly say, "I know and love the truth." In order for one to truly know God, one must understand what the will of the Lord is. If you have a comment, a question, or would like a discussion about any Bible subject, please write Randall Phipps at Clintwood Church of Christ, P.O. Box 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228. Our email address is clintwoodchurchofchrist.com |