Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
1 Corinthians 1:11-13, "For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or where you baptized in the name of Paul?"
John 17:17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth," and in vv. 20-21, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the orld may believe that You sent Me."
Based on these three simple passages of scripture, how can we possibly justify denominationalism? And if it is not justified, can we justifiably participate in it? How should we react to these verses of scripture?
Denominationalism is unavoidable.
ReplyDeleteDenominationalism may be an unavoidable reality in the world today (it exists, and we can't put an end to it), but certainly we as individuals can and must reject it. We must make the determination, as individuals, to follow the New Testament pattern and be Christians only (Col. 3:17; Ac. 11:26). Then we must join with others who are like-minded as they did in the first century (Ac. 9:26). In doing this, we avoid denominationalism and embrace the simplicity and unity that God ordained in the NT.
ReplyDeleteAnd Jin-Roh, are you saying that these verses can't be acknowledged and followed by sincere people today?
In joining together with others who are "like-minded" (and likewise dissociating with those who are not!) and questing for a particular "simplicity" etc, you create a de facto denomination.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I do think those verse can be followed, but not if failure to recognize that there have been more than a few denominations created out of the quest to avoid denominationalism.
On one hand you seem to be saying that the verses cannot be followed, as denominationalism is inevitable, but then on the other hand, you acknowledge that the verses can be followed.
ReplyDeleteIf God sets forth a right way, does that right way become impossible to follow simply because people make thousands of their own "ways." No.
And I do recognize that many people, in an effort to avoid denominationalism, have created their own denominations. But certainly we can avoid it if we hold fast to God's word.
All I'm saying is that we need to get back to the simplicity and unity of the New Testament...to seek to fulfill the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-21...to reject what is manmade and to embrace what has been set forth by God.