"Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."--Jesus Christ
The church is not brick and mortar. The church is not a denomination. The church is the union of all believers in Jesus Christ. The Bible describes the church as 'the body of Christ.' No matter what our origin, our nationality or language, our race or ethnic background, or our denomination to which we belong, we are united together in Christ in one world-wide body that knows no artificial or man-made boundaries.
I am a Baptist in the traditional sense. But I know that the church of Jesus Christ extends far beyond the Baptist denomination. I have Christian brothers and sisters in every denomination, every language and nation, every race and ethnicity. We are united by our faith in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Anyone, anywhere, who truly believes that Christ came to die for our sins on the Cross, shedding His blood for our salvation, and then rose victorious from the grave is a part of this world-wide body of believers.
And nothing will ever prevail against it, not even the very gates of Hell.
Prayer--"O God, we thank you that we have this privilege of being in this church, this world-wide body of your people, united together by our common faith in your divinity, death, and resurrection. Remind us that nothing will ever succeed in dividing us. You have promised that this glorious church will remain, no matter what the opposition. We praise your holy name. Amen."
Song--A gem by the group First Call, entitled, 'Undivided.' Click on the title for the video.
"Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name {authority} of Christ."
ReplyDeleteHow then, are religious people authorized to denominate {divide} the church and call themselves by other names?
If it is as you say, "We are united by our faith in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ." then there should be no denominations. No baptist-christians, no methodist-christians, no catholic-christians, etc.
"Come out from among them, and be ye separate."
While I agree with Christians being united, I do not believe that denominations necessarily separate us. Denominations have their place. Christians have a tendency to gather with people who have the same beliefs. Nothing wrong with that. But in most cases those beliefs that separate us are relatively minor, and most of us can accept one another as Christian brothers and sisters. Rather than making denominations the evil scapegoat, I believe it is much better for Christians to remain where they are while reaching across denominations lines for Christian fellowship and unity. This is being done a a variety of ways.
ReplyDelete"I believe it is much better for Christians to remain where they are while reaching across denominational lines for Christian fellowship and unity."
ReplyDeleteMy preferences {tendencies} are not authoritative. If we would learn to call bible things by bible names {and eschew anything else}, rather than invent new words to describe our idols {things we have no right/sanction to believe} we could come into actual unity. Then the world would see something worth emulating.
Listen to "A Call to Anguish"
ReplyDeletehttp://standeyo.com/NEWS/11_Faith/110427.David.Wilkerson.html