The Need for Unity in the Church for the Interpretation of Scripture

[Guido]

The churches suffer from a lack of doctrinal agreement, responsible for the entrance of many souls into Hell, because by the churches there are different ways of salvation being proclaimed, of the which only one is the true way. Is there then no need for the unity of the churches, for diligent study of the scriptures, that there might be by them a sound interpretation drawn out?

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Ephesians 4:11-16. Christ has given the churches all they need to reach a unity which is not organizational, but spiritual. I take it that the apostles and prophets have gone, but the evangelists, pastors and teachers remain.
Christian unity can be seen in organizations like 'Together for the Gospel' and, in Britain, by the various 'Gospel Partnerships' that have sprung up {{ seo.headTitle() }}

On the is board the unity is obscured by the constant bickering over Arminianism and Calvinism, but actually, the way of salvation is the same in both. 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

 

[37818]

The churches suffer from a lack of doctrinal agreement, responsible for the entrance of many souls into Hell, because by the churches there are different ways of salvation being proclaimed, of the which only one is the true way. Is there then no need for the unity of the churches, for diligent study of the scriptures, that there might be by them a sound interpretation drawn out?

1 Corinthians 1:10-17, ". . . Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. no For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. [xNow this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. . . ."

 

[AVL1984]

I know what many have found to be a "stumbling block" isn't Christ himself, but the way he is presented by the Calvinists AND Arminians. The Calvinist's constant harping on "the elect" and who those people are has caused a problem for many because the question arises "What if I call on the Lord for salvation, but I'm not a part of "the elect?" They can't give an easy answer, but try to complicate it with all these long diatribes from theology books (theology isn't an exact science...sorry...but I'll NEVER believe it is except where the attributes of God are concerned)...and the continued endless conversations and new threads about their soteriology, implying free will is wrong/unacceptable. Those who hold to free will have adequate Scriptures to support their viewpoint, but, usually...at least in these forums and others, seem to be under attack by the previous. I can't say that they are not guilty either. They do their fair share of attacking. The sad part is that this is a subject that won't be settled until Christ comes to judge us all, and we will know all things. I have found that most Calvinists won't discuss other doctrines, but will constantly find a way to introduce Calvinism into every other doctrine in any way they can...Sad, really. I'm not saying whether I believe in TULIP or free will. I know that in these discussions because of the relentless attacks and the number of threads posted, I usually end up fighting for the Free Will side...I, do however, fight for the Calvinists side when they are attacked relentlessly as well. They've got just as many Scriptures to back their ideology.

 

[Van]

The churches suffer from a lack of doctrinal agreement, responsible for the entrance of many souls into Hell, because by the churches there are different ways of salvation being proclaimed, of the which only one is the true way. Is there then no need for the unity of the churches, for diligent study of the scriptures, that there might be by them a sound interpretation drawn out?

The biblical answer is no. Recall how bad seed was sown within the field for harvest?

 

[Guido]

The biblical answer is no. Recall how bad seed was sown within the field for harvest?

I am not in agreement with your seriotology, but I do agree on this.

 

[Guido]

I think that likely the church will be one, that is, the biblical church, only upon our entering Heaven, as also another said.

 

[Van]

I am not in agreement with your seriotology, but I do agree on this.

The road to success is paved with partial victories.

You can certainly choose to disagree with scripture, but I see my view as the only one consistent with scripture, and thus it is biblical Soteriology.

 

[canadyjd]

The churches suffer from a lack of doctrinal agreement, responsible for the entrance of many souls into Hell, because by the churches there are different ways of salvation being proclaimed, of the which only one is the true way. Is there then no need for the unity of the churches, for diligent study of the scriptures, that there might be by them a sound interpretation drawn out?

God loses no one He has chosen for salvation. All those in hell are responsible for being there, no one else.

As far as churches, doctrine etc… as a professor once said, “God can hit straight with a crooked stick”.

peace to you

 

[AustinC]

The early church was filled with people inserting doctrinal error that the Apostles were constantly working to correct. These disagreements today are nothing new. From the beginning some people in the church have tried to insert man as the cause agent that moves God to act. This faulty teaching was addressed by each New Testament writer to point all persons to God as the cause agent that moves men to respond in repentance.
Even here on the BB we see a continual man-centered approach to the Bible that relentlessly pushes to bring God down so that man can claim the top spot in salvation.

The great thing is that no human can ever thwart the will of God. God will save his chosen and adopted children, despite the man-centered bombardment of false soteriology.