____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ June 2, 2002 ____________________________________________________ A Discussion of "Isms" Denominationalism by Stan Cox A quick perusal of the yellow pages reveals a plethora of churches to choose from: Advent, African Methodist, Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Baptist (ABA, Bible Fellowship, Independent, Independent-Fundamental, Missionary, Primitive, Reformed, Southern, Sovereign Grace), Catholic, Christian, Christian Science, Church of God, Mormon, Nazarene, Greek Orthodox, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, and Unitarian Universalist. And these are only a few. We live in a religiously pluralistic society. Today it is possible to find a church suited to every mindset and personal preference. Men seem to be pleased with this "buffet" approach to religion. This writer once attended a baccalaureate service where a Protestant preacher prayed to God in this fashion: "God, I thank You that there are so many churches that exist today, where each of us can find opportunities and churches that we are comfortable and pleased with, as we offer worship to You." The sentiment is often heard that upon salvation one should "attend the church of his choice." Others say you should find a "Bible believing church," though all the churches listed above would make such a claim. For centuries "Christendom" has been divided. It has been this way for so long, many have come to believe this is as it should be. But, what does the Bible say? Is it possible to reconcile the present multitude of churches with Jesus' prayer in John 17? "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in 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 world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:20-21). The quick answer is no! But, let's examine the phenomenon known as denominationalism. How It Got Here On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace church, in Wittenberg, Germany, and challenged the Catholic leadership to religious debate. The Catholic church had become a monstrosity of tradition and superstition (see article 3), and had thwarted the efforts of reformation from within the institution. Though Luther did not initially intend to break with Catholicism, his challenge to debate any or all of the 95 theses with Catholic representatives marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Others joined him in the movement, which gained such momentum as to blossom into what we see today. It is important to note that the desire of these men was to reform the Catholic church. It was not their purpose to restore the church to the pristine simplicity revealed in the New Testament. The sale of indulgences and other corruptions were too much to take for these reformers, and they felt compelled to change some aspects of church doctrine. Luther and others had an aversion to the Catholic's dependence upon works of merit, and formulated the doctrine that we are saved by "faith only." This doctrine is almost universally held among Protestant denominations today. The attempts of these reformers, though laudable, fell far short. Though they achieved some success in their reforms, they did not restore the doctrine, work and worship of the church as God established it in antiquity. As such, the churches they established are but pale imitations of the glorious institution for which Christ died. Please note how the present practice of denominationalism violates clear injunctions in scripture. The prayer of Jesus It is significant to note that the principal desire of our Lord, expressed in his prayer to the Father in John 17, was that future disciples would be unified rather than divided. This beautiful sentiment is expressed in verses 20 and 21, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in 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 world may believe that You sent Me." This desire is inclusive of all who name the name of Christ. In other words, 2000 years after His words, Jesus still desires of us that we might be one. This unity cannot be realized within the structure of denominationalism. So long as men are content to embrace divisive doctrines and practices, the world is hindered from believing. The creeds of men and multiplicity of churches indicate division and confusion rather than the unity for which Christ prayed. While some call for ecumenism, and have great "unity meetings," they then retreat to their distinctive styles of worship and conflicting teaching. Unity cannot be achieved by "agreeing to disagree," or by "disagreeing without being disagreeable." It can only come if we "all speak the same thing" (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10). "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3). The status quo of denominational affiliation is contrary to the beautiful sentiments expressed by our Lord in his prayer to His Father in Heaven. You Are Still Carnal Older individuals may remember when the "denominator" in a mathematical fraction was called the "divisor." The term "denominationalism" is defined by Webster as "the emphasizing of denominational differences to the point of being narrowly exclusive: sectarianism." This definition is helpful, though it fails to fully explain the danger of the practice, and to differentiate between division that is desirable, and that which is condemned by God. Jesus Himself was divisive. He said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to `set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law"' (Matthew 10:35). Truth divides, as it separates those who will be saved from those who will be lost. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). However, division among those who name the name of Christ is wrong. Paul wrote, "I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, `I am of Paul,' and another, `I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3:2-4). The division that exists when those who claim to know Christ differ in worship and doctrine can in no way be justified. It is carnality, or worldliness, and a shame to those who practice it. One Body The church is described in scripture as the body of Christ. Using that illustration, we see a single head (Christ), on a single body (the church). This is as it should be. It would be a monstrosity to have a body with multiple heads. Too, it would not be natural to see one head attached to multiple bodies. But, this is an accurate description of the present claim made by the denominations. Christ as head over many bodies, each with distinct doctrines, government and practices. Ephesians 4:4 says there is "one body," and we need to be content with this Bible truth. A Plea Others have seen the incongruity of denominationalism. "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace..." (1 Corinthians 14:33). This is one reason for the proliferation of "non-denominational" churches. However, these churches fail in two areas. First, they themselves teach religious error, making them a sect (notwithstanding their claims to be non-sectarian). Second, they attempt to bring unity not by obtaining agreement in doctrine and practice, but by "agreeing to disagree, without becoming disagreeable." This is not Biblical unity. Paul wrote, "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" (1 Corinthians 1:10). The proper means of obtaining unity is by agreeing to the one standard, which is God's word. Lay aside all creeds of men, follow the divine standard, and withdraw yourselves from those who walk disorderly. Respect the authority of scripture, and refrain from "teaching as doctrine the commandments of men" (cf. Matthew 15:9). Paul exhorted Timothy, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13). When a group departs from truth, and the departure results in division, the fault lies with those who do not "abide in the doctrine of Christ" (cf. 2 John 9). So many claim to love Jesus, and yet they work and worship with religious organizations whose origin and creeds are from men. These churches do not do the work of the Lord, and they do not respect the authority of Christ. They are self-willed and presumptuous in their teaching and practice. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). -- Watchman Magazine, June 2002 ___________________________________________ "He Is Risen As He Said" by Clarence R. Johnson "Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightening, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, `Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.' So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word" (Matt. 28:1-8). The earthquake mentioned in verse 2 may be the same one Matthew had already referred to in 27:51, or it may be a second one. It seems to have occurred at the time of His resurrection. Matthew tells us the visit of the women to the tomb occurred as the day "began to dawn." Mark says, "They came to the tomb when the sun had risen" (Mark 16:2). Luke says it was "very early in the morning" (Luke 24:1). John tells us, "On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark" (John 20:1). If this is the same occasion, as most likely it is, the four accounts are reconciled by simply recognizing that she left home "while it was still dark"; but by the time she arrived at the tomb, "the sun had risen." Luke tells us these women, on Friday or Preparation Day when Jesus was crucified, had "observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared" (Luke 23:54 through 24:1). In these few verses, Luke covers the entire time period Jesus was in the tomb -- from late Friday afternoon to early Sunday morning. Skeptics have suggested that perhaps the women had forgotten where Jesus was buried and accidentally went to the wrong tomb. In this way, they try to account for the empty tomb. But Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all careful to point out that the women had carefully observed how and where Jesus was buried. They did not go to the wrong tomb. Jesus came forth from the dead! We serve a risen Savior, who gave Himself a ransom for our sins, and came back from the dead as He had promised. -- Via The Susquehanna Sentinel, June 2, 2002 ___________________________________________ News & Notes I'm now in Denham Springs, Louisiana, and glad to be preaching for the Myrtle Street church of Christ. I arrived May 31. Things have been coming along well in getting setup in my home, learning my way around the area, and working with the church here. I'm about 4 miles from the Baton Rouge line. I truly appreciate all those who helped out with loading the U-Haul in Pennsylvania and the unloading here. You were a big help! The following shows my new address and phone number: Tom Edwards 29603 West Karen Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 667-4520 ________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ________________________________________