Ed,Originally posted by Ed Edwards:
If denominational-ism is God's method of
winning the world with many witnesses,
we err to gripe against it. [/QB]
bmerr here. You are correct, IF denominationalism is God's method. If it's not, then we have a duty to "gripe against it".
One thing required of witnesses in order for them to establish a case is that they all agree with one another. I think you would agree that in the denominational world, there are many points of disagreement. To the world of the rank heathen, this is confusing.
As I mentioned at the start of this thread, I have a good friend who's dad is a Baptist preacher. Nonetheless, my friend is a member of the Nation of Islam. He has told me himself that the main reason he rejects Christ as the Savior is the existence of so many denominations, all teaching conflicting doctrines, and all claiming to be teaching the Bible.
Denominationalism is NOT an effective witness for Christ.
In fact, there is a Biblical example of the uselessness of having many conflicting witnesses. In Matt 26:59-61, we read,
"59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet they found none. At the last came two false witnesses,
61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Now I realize that these were witnesses against Christ, and the issue at hand is witness for Christ, but the principle still applies.
So how do we explain the fact that though many false witnesses came, none were found? The reason is that no two gave the same testimony.
Remember that "...at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established" (Deut 19:15).
So all those people who came to bear false witness against Jesus, to a court that was already against Him, were of no use because of the difference in their testimony.
But, at the last, the council found two witnesses with the same testimony against Jesus, and the kangaroo court proceeded to condemn Christ.
Now, let's look at the denominational world with it's many differing doctrines and testimonies, and see how hopeless and confusing it must be for a lost person to find the truth.
Even among those of the same denomination there are often vast differences in beliefs, let alone between those of different denominations.
Finally, consider the prayer of Jesus in John 17. Beginning in verse 20, we read,
20 Neither pray I for these alone [the apostles], but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
What was the condition to be met that the world may believe that the Father had sent Jesus? That believers would be ONE. As in "...one body [church], and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph 4:4-6).
Jesus only built one church. Jesus only established one faith. How is it that today there are many churches and many faiths? Many bodies and many doctrines? This was not God's plan.
In order for the cause of Christ to be won, we MUST "...speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions [denominations are divisions] among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:10).
Believe me, Ed, I want nothing more than to provide the world with a witness for Christianity, to the end that they may believe, but that can only be done by uniting on the solid foundation of truth, and abandoning our church manuals, creed-books, catechisms, etc.
There are no good references to divisions in the New Testament. No denominations.
In Christ,
bmerr