My Basic Plea

There are so many spiritual issues that could be chronicled and debated, from Calvinism to Premillennialism, from Catholicism to Pentecostalism, from the works of the church to the organization of the church, and so on.

But these are just symptoms of a greater problem.

I can talk to a Calvinist about the five tenets of Calvinism, and there are benefits in having that debate, but in the end, there is still a fundamental separation between myself and the ex-Calvinist (assuming that he was persuaded by the truth). I can talk to a Catholic about the errors of the papacy and the veneration of Mary, but again, when it's all said and done, we have only settled one or two issues when there are dozens, perhaps hundreds that divide us.

When I talk to people, I am certainly willing to discuss these issues, but if I can swing it, I always try to redirect the conversation to the fundamental problem that divides all of modern Christendom: seeing the difference between biblical Christianity and what Christianity has become after 1,800 years of gradual evolution and apostasy.

Think about it. I mean, really think about it. Does the divisiveness of modern Christianity compare to the Christianity we read about in the New Testament? In other words, when you read the New Testament, do you find Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Episcopals, Lutherans, Mormons, etc? Did Peter establish a First Baptist Church in Joppa and was Paul busy establishing Lutheran churches throughout Asia Minor? Do you find a multitude of different denominations in the Bible that were sanctioned by the Holy Spirit?

The answer is obvious to anyone who honestly assesses the first century world! There were no denominations. There was no complex, sectarian system resulting from hundreds of different doctrines and human creeds. Sure, there were problems among the first century churches; yes, there were some who taught different doctrines and at times we see a denominational mindset, but overall, we see unity...or at least the DEMAND of unity.

Let's consider the churches of the first century...

Peter the apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached the first gospel message in Acts 2. As a result of his efforts, three thousand individuals were baptized (Ac. 2:37-41). These Christians in Jerusalem were unified. Their means of unity? The "apostles' doctrine" (vs. 42)!

In Acts 8, Philip took the gospel to Samaria. The inspired text says that he "preached Christ" to the people of Samaria. As a result, people believed and were baptized (vs. 12-13). These new disciples formed the church in Samaria (Ac. 9:31).

The same thing is seen in Acts 11. Christians were scattered, "preaching the word" as they traveled abroad (vs. 19). In Antioch, the message was the same; they were "preaching the Lord Jesus" (vs. 20). As a result of their efforts, "a great number believed and turned to the Lord" (vs. 21). The new converts in Antioch formed the local church in Antioch (vs. 26).

This is what we find throughout the book of Acts. When the GOSPEL was preached in a given city or region, the individuals that OBEYED THE GOSPEL banded together, forming the CHURCH in that area. In Romans 16:16, Paul speaks of "churches of Christ." In writing to the Corinthian brethren, he referred to them as the "church of God" (1 Cor. 1:2). The terms "church of Christ" and "church of God" are not names of different denominations; rather, they both emphasize the fact that the local church is owned by Jesus Christ who is God (Ac. 20:28, it was God the SON who shed His blood for the church).

Regarding all of these first-century churches, it is very important to note that they were comparable to one another. In other words, they all had the same basic kind of worship and organization; they all had the same teachings! Don't believe me? See for yourself...

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:17, made the point that he taught the same things everywhere in every church. Later, he wrote to the Ephesians that there is "one faith." The word faith in this case refers to a system of beliefs; there is ONE system of beliefs, ONE standard of doctrine and practice, the New Testament!

Think about it, we have just ONE New Testament and yet there are over 1,200 different denominations in existence today! Something's not adding up. If I gave ten people the same recipe for chocolate cake, would they not all bake a chocolate cake? If I gave ten contractors the same blueprints for a house, would they not all build the same basic house? Likewise, if ten groups of people read and follow the same New Testament, the same thing should result each and every time. Without human traditions and manmade creeds...if we set all that aside and just followed the New Testament, there would be unity. Perfect unity, in fact.

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be NO divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment...Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10, 12-13). You see, if we all hold fast to the "one faith" we can be perfectly unified, but when we start elevating MEN above GOD, we soon become divided. I would suggest to you that the problem in Corinth is a microcosm of the problem of denominationalism today. People are more interested in their own particular brand of Christianity than they are in true, Biblical Christianity.

If we simply preach the WORD OF GOD and set aside everything else, we can be unified. Throw away the denominations. Toss out the creed-books. Mark out the denominational names such as Baptist and Catholic. Disband the synods and annual church conferences and other such unscriptural organizational entities. Just get back to the BIBLE. We're told in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." What must one do to be saved? How must the church worship? How should the church be organized? What should be taught concerning the return of Christ? If we all humble ourselves before God and commit to following HIS WORD ALONE, walls and barriers will be torn down and we will make ardent strides towards Christianity as God intended it to be (Jn. 17:20-21).

I'll talk more about this tomorrow, because there is much more to say!