Now that I have been around Christendom for a little while I have found that there are a number of things that some count as Christian that are really far from Christ like. Take, for instance, the matter of denominations. There are about 39,000 “Christian” denominations worldwide. The problem is that there is no Scriptural context for denominations. Yes, it is certain that some believe that John the “Baptizer” was Baptist and that Peter was the first Pope. This further complicates an already complicated conundrum. But before I scrape the history of denominational divisions I think it only fair to lend some light to my worldview.
First, I am a Christian, plain and simple. Nothing else comes even close to that declaration. But because this discussion on focused on denominationalism I must address my denominational preference. The fact is that I can be counted as “Catholic” because I am part of the universal church. And while being part of the universal church I lean towards “Holiness” because the Word of God clearly teaches that without holiness no man shall see God. Even more I am “Pentecostal” because the truths of what happened on the Day of Pentecost rings true even today. Yes, I can also be counted as “Baptist” because I believe that once repentance is made baptism is mandated. I am also “Apostolic” because I believe that the teachings of the Apostles were God-ordained. As such some might say that I am interdenominational but I would rather count myself as nondenominational. My interests have little to do with denomination and everything to do with serving the True and Living God.
Now that that is out of the way I can get to the heart of this message. I have heard some say that if you are not of this sect or that sect then you are not in Christ and that salvation has eluded you. Yet there are no evidences of such a divide in Scripture. I find nowhere in the text any discussion by Jesus that such a divide should exist. Even more Paul, in I Corinthians chapter three, bemoans division by reason of schisms. Paul’s rebuke was to prevent divides because of individuals rather than reliance on the Word of God. One might say that Paul sought to prevent denominational divides and showed that all that served the One and True God worked together rather than apart.
It is for this reason that I urge all to lay aside idiosyncratic pontifications of irrelevant issues and return to the truths of the Word. If there is a simple reliance in God’s Word the denominational divide can be repaired. After all Jesus did not come to create a divided church rather He came for one body. Consider for a moment the Pauline discussion in I Corinthians 12. The fact is that denominational divides are doing harm to the church. Therefore we need to hang up our hang ups and let God be God and His Word stand for itself. In other words, let us come together and serve God!
The fact is that denominations came about as a result of isms and schisms. Much of the fighting had little to do with the Word of God and much to do with selfish control. It is for this reason that I again urge all to lay aside denominational dogma and pick the Word. Careful and proper exegeses are in order so that we all speak and live the same thing so as to bring as many as possible to the foot of the cross.
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^WC I am having a hard time understanding why everyone is free express their beliefs, no matter how contrary. But the Christian must censor his words. Whatever ever happened to freedom of religion (Christianity) and freedom of speech?
Throughout the Pentateuch God shows that He demands a standard of holiness from His people. When Adam and Eve violated His standard there was an immediate consequence. The same was true of Cain who took it upon himself to kill his brother. These decided it was more important to follow after their own whims rather than present themselves holy before the Almighty God. This meant that they pulled away from God thereby setting up a “world” order that God was not pleased with. It meant that any devices that came to man’s heart would be fulfilled no matter the offense to the God of holiness.
Leviticus 19:1-2 reads, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.” This is a call for the children of God to separate themselves from the many forms of sin that were eminent in that day. There was the turning to false gods, idolatry and hosts of other things that God not only frowned upon but warned against in multiple ways from the time of man. Yet man saw reason to ignore the Creator of all and do all the evil he could imagine in his heart. But the love of God proved to be more eminent than the sin man chose to live in. God continued to urge His people to live a holy life. But, what is holiness?
Holiness is being separated and set apart from the world. It is that simple. Yes, there will be some that tout holiness as some distant, mystical aspect of Christianity that but a few are able to acquire. Yet the above Scripture shows that holiness is for all the people of God. It is not an aspect that is suitable only for the preacher and deacon but all are required not to bend to the world order rather the people of God are required to lean on the basic principle of holiness. This is to say that God called for His people to be separate and apart from the world order because He is above and cannot be touched by the world order. Therefore the people of God must not pervert the holiness of God with the mess of the world.
More evidence of God’s holiness is found in Deuteronomy 23:12-14; “Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad: And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee: For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee. Said in more modern vernacular God saying here to cover your mess. God is so holy that He does not want to see that which comes out of you. The instructions are clearly show that God’s holiness does not mix with mess.
Even so many that call themselves Christians have no problem relieving themselves and leaving their mess in the open. By this many “Christians” cuss and quickly ask God’s forgiveness even though the cussing is part of the norm in their lives. Others steal and declare that God knows their hearts. And the mess continues on with these as though there is no Holy God. The problem is that holiness and mess just don’t mix and this matter is further evidenced in Galatians chapter five. Even more the questioned is posed and answered, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid” Romans 6:1-2). The fact is that mess is nothing more than works of the flesh and those that indulge in works of the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Among the works of the flesh is reveling (Galatians 5).
Reveling, in part, is dancing in the street. Reveling historically was in honor of false deities and took place in the evening. Today many not only dance in the streets in honor of some “hero” or other reason but also bars and clubs are filled with drunken celebrations. Some may well be physically sober but drunkenness of the mind is just as dangerous. This mess is an atrocity to the Word of God and does not mix with His holiness. Our bodies are not to be used as instruments of unrighteousness, or mess, rather we are to glorify God in our bodies. There is no way to do both at the same time. The fact is holiness and mess just don’t mix.
I am not ashamed to mention my ignorance to the blogging world. I am fairly new at it and have been learning more each time I come into the room of bloggers. Even so I made a major mistake through my ignorance. I had not complete my “About” page as I thought I already did. Well, Worn to Won showed me my error but my ignorance persisted. Then granonine stepped in and showed me the way. Thanks to both of you for stretching and growing me in the blogging world. 🙂
The guns have never been the problem. The problem with any murder is the heart of man!
preachercarter 