The differences among us that divide us denominationally are precisely what make us a strong united front in one GospelI don't get how in the world that makes the slightest sense. So the witness we present to the world is of a fractured Christianity divided into competing denominations, each fighting and feuding with one another over secondary doctrines, and that is what makes us a "strong united front in one Gospel"? Denominational differences led to the martyring of Anabaptists in the Reformation. They have led to innumerable schisms in the church. These differences that divide us denominationally are the greatest barrier to Christian fellowship and community, perhaps even the greatest drag up the proclamation of the Gospel, and as such they rise to the level of sinful disunity in the Body of Christ.
We will never be a strong, united witness for the Gospel when we describe the group we gather with as "our church" to the exclusion of all other groups. Agreeing to get together on a neutral site or at the occasional theology conference is not a unity that is going to proclaim a united front. Differences in doctrine are worth having discussions about, even disagreements about, but they cannot supplant the Gospel and lead to division in the Body. Division is something we should repent of and weep over, not celebrate with false praise.
8 comments:
I've heard the same statement - almost word for word - and I'm just as flabbergasted (is that a word?).
-Alan
Ecumenicism is not a good thing. The things are called minor differences are indeed big differences I for one being an Anabaptist and a King James Bible believer see some serious issues at hand. Not all so called Bibles contain the same Jesus Christ for one.
Most people cannot even tell you where in the bible the Gospel is found! They will tell you it's Matthew, Mark, Luke & John or that it's “The Good News” but the truth is the Gospel is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
In John Chapter 14 Jesus said “ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)” Yet the Catholic Church whom is responsible for the Martyring my Anabaptist forefathers believe in worshiping Mary and the Saints believing they have some kind of extra grace and saving power with God. And what about purgatory where is that in the scriptures? The Lutherans are not much different than the Catholics the only real difference is they do not have all the statues around but if you sit in their services you will take notice that they believe much the same. Also the qualifications to be a pastor the bible teaches that they are to be the husband of one wife. And Calvinists believe your saved or not saved or should I say hand picked by God before you are born. Another heresy that came out of modern bible translations.
Joh 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
A Quick note: Anabaptist's were never part of the Catholic church therefore never part of the reformation. Our roots can be traced back to Christ. http://bryanstation.com/trail_of_blood.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Trail_of_Blood.jpg Anabaptists were called many different names throughout history but we are the same in doctrine.
The main reason the Anabaptist suffered so much persecution by the Catholic church was due to infant baptism. Where in the bible do you ever hear of a baby being baptized? Not to mention sprinkling the word baptize means to submerge. Jesus was baptized this way by John.
http://jesus-is-lord.co.za/anti1.htm (the anti christ slide show)
Then you have the Church of Christ and the like who started out trying to be Baptists and even joined two different Baptist associations only to be kicked out. Alexander Campbell taught the heresy of water baptism as being essential for salvation yet all the verses they use to back up their silly doctrine contain no water! Did they never read their bibles or study them enough to know that water baptism is not the only mode of baptism in the scriptures. A few examples of Baptism are water, with fire, holy Ghost that's just to name a few. Its not salvation plus works its salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9) Seriously if we could get to heaven any other way than through the Lord Jesus Christ then I ask you why did he have to die? And if water baptism was essential for salvation why didn't Jesus baptize anyone? The bible clearly states Joh 4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) His disciples did the baptizing. If water had any power Jesus would have baptized everyone! But the baptism that is essential for salvation is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost which after you repent God himself baptizes you and only he alone can do this and its his work the finished work on the cross that saves us.
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Also we have women pastors it's hard for them to be the husband of one wife (1Tim 3:2, Tit 1:6) unless your going to give sodomy a pass. Now I know that a lot of people say that was just the sin of hospitality but do you really believe that? And we have Sodomites in the pulpit the Catholic church again comes to mind! God said that a pastor needs to be Married and have Children in subjection yet the Catholics do not follow this simple command! Now we have many denominations allowing Sodomites to become the pastors of their churches which goes against the word of God.
Then there are the Charismatic tongue speakers that if you carefully write down what they do and how they do it and compare it with scripture you see that it also does not line up with the word of God and is Satanic to its core! They take the Book of Acts and twist it to fit their doctrines. BTW the book of Acts was written to the Jews. The bible says 1Co 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (KJV) Read 1 Corinthians 14. Not all tongues are bad but they must be done properly or as the scriptures say “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Then you have the crowd that believes that God hand picks who is to be saved and whom goes to hell.
Now really are they serious? These people also tend to believe you can lose your salvation. It is also important to note that “they” cannot lose theirs but you can lose yours. Lets look at a couple verses. Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Notice “once for all” not once for chosen. It is choice to accept or reject the Lord Jesus Christ. If you accept you become the elect if not ye are of your father the devil. (John 8:44) BTW read the context of (John 8)
Notice what Peter says here in verse two.
ELECT ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD THE FATHER
1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (KJV)
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NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN PLUCK THEM OUT OF MY HAND
Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one. (KJV)
SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(KJV)
When you receive Jesus Christ as Saviour You do not belong to yourself anymore ownership has changed you do not own yourself you have no more rights to yourself any longer you become Gods property! With that being said do you think God would allow you to lose something of his?
THEREFORE GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY, AND IN YOUR SPIRIT, WHICH ARE GOD'S
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (KJV)
In closing with these important differences it only goes to show we do not all have the same Jesus.
Lu 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.(KJV).
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. (KJV)
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)
Re 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (KJV)
Mt 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (KJV)
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I hope this gets your blog approval.
I will keep praying for you Arthur I see you have a love and zeal for the Lord but I pray that you will have your eyes opened all the way.
NOTE: All scriptures taken from the King James Bible and used by permission of the Author.
Mt 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Mr 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Lu 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
(KJV)
Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
(KJV)
Lu 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Isa 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Joh 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
De 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
De 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Pr 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Re 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Ps 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
2Sa 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
Ps 119:140 ¶ Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
I could just keep going on all day. About Gods promise to keep his word.
Ps 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Jack <----- Knows the difference between Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit.
Jack,
I am not in the habit of publishing enormous data dumps in the form of comments. Having said that I am also not in the habit of censoring comments unless they are spam or inappropriate, especially not from people I went to school with. While I think that your comments are misguided, I am going to go ahead and post them although I am pretty sure I don’t have the time, patience or inclination to respond to all of the points you raise. In the future your comments are welcome provided they are more brief and to the point.
AKJV1611only,
Sorry, but I don't think that anyone will read your post after the 1st 2 paragraphs.
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