IS CHRIST DIVIDED?

[Terry Scerine]

"Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:13)

"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." (John 17:21, KJV, emphasis added)

As we know, Jesus will be coming and probably very soon to unite with His bride, the Body of Christ. I believe He is in the process right now of preparing His bride, and I believe this message is one of the many things He is doing to accomplish this. Would he come back for a segmented bride, divided and still in pieces? I don't think so. I think He wants His bride united as one. "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

Some Christian denominations, a few even meeting the criteria of a cult, separate themselves from the rest as the only ones with the Truth. How do they do this exactly? I'll explain.

Note: Please keep in mind as you read further that, while I may disagree with the existence of many Christian denominations and cults (because I believe God does), I do not judge any persons. God looks at the heart, and only He can judge a person's heart. Indeed, there are any number of people who are true born-again believers and members of the Body of Christ involved in denominations and even in some of what I consider to be "Christian" cults. Besides, God can save anyone in the midst of any circumstances.

What is "The Church"?

The Church, as defined in the Word of God - the Bible, is the body of those who are true believers in Jesus Christ that have been saved by God's Grace through faith in Him. The Church is the Body of Christ.

Confusingly, though, we also use the word "church" to refer to a building or to a denomination such as the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, etc.

Christian Organized Religions

Organized religions are organizations with a hierarchy of government founded on a common general faith or religion. Christian organized religions, or denominations, are organized divisions of presumed Christianity founded on a particular sub-set of doctrines or beliefs not commonly shared among all born-again Christians. The problem I have with Christian denominations is that I personally believe God's Word prohibits divisions among the Body of Christ:

"Now I beseech you, bretheren, 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." (1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV, emphasis added)

"Now 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?" (1 Cor 1:12-13, KJV)

"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (1 Cor 2:2, KJV)

Divisional Doctrines

Each organized Christian denomination, or "church", while supposedly accepting the authority of the Bible, is also established on a certain sub-set of doctrines or beliefs as the foundation of its denomination. Usually, this set of beliefs is called the "Doctrinal Statement" of the denomination. In more extreme cases, these beliefs are embodied in a whole other book or set of writings outside of the Bible altogether.

These sets of beliefs, by the very nature of their existence, contain one or more of what I consider "divisional doctrines" or unique beliefs that they use to distinguish their denomination from others. With these divisional doctrines they at least inadvertently differentiate themselves apart from the rest of the Body as if to be the only ones with the "real" or "full" truth. These divisional beliefs are generally presented as sound Biblical doctrine.

Divisional doctrines are generally either conclusions drawn through the private interpretation of Biblical scriptures, or they are beliefs derived from writings outside of the Bible altogether. In a Doctrinal Statement, these beliefs are usually accompanied by isolated Biblical scripture verses that seem to support it, but are usually absent of any Biblical scriptures that may explicitly contradict it. In any case, the authorities of that denomination are prepared to explain away any scriptural contradictions to a divisional belief.

"Christian" Cults

There are some presumed "Christian" denominations that actually satisfy the common traits of a cult. These are common traits of cults:

1. A source of authority outside of the Bible (person, book, or writing)
2. The denial of justification by grace alone.
3. The devaluation of Christ.
4. The group as the exclusive community of the saved.
5. Non-members and opponents are considered blinded by Satanic force.

These will generally have whole other books or writings which contain their divisional beliefs and which they accept as essential truth in addition to the Bible. Many of them also have some person who they uphold as a latter day "prophet", or otherwise infallible person, whose writings or teachings they consider to be divine revelation that allegedly clarifies or even supersedes God's Word!

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1, KJV, emphasis added)

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1, KJV, emphasis added)

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20.29-30, KJV, emphasis added)

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (11:13-14, KJV, emphasis added)

"...but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:7, KJV, emphasis added)

" ...and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." (1 John 2:18, KJV, emphasis added)

Each of these false religions and their additional books, writings or teachings cunningly present heresies as truth and incorporate beliefs that set themselves apart from other churches as the only ones who have "the real truth". (I would gladly name those congregations here along with their "prophets" and other sources of authority, but I don't wish to offend any persons who may be members of them.)

What is Truth?

After all, what is truth? Truth is not relative to anyone; in other words, whatever one believes to be true isn't necessarily the truth just because it's what they think. Consider this: If there are two "truths" that contradict each other, then at least one or maybe both of them must not be true.

How can two different writings that contain contradictions to each other both be true? Pick one, and throw the other in the garbage. Anything that is not truth is a lie, and any writing or belief that contains a lie, is in itself a lie. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." Satan is the father of lies, and any belief based on a lie is a "doctrine of devils".

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine..." (2 Timothy 3:16, KJV, emphasis added)

"...no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (2 Peter 1:20, KJV, emphasis added)

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..." (Ephesians 4:14, KJV, emphasis added)

God does not deceive, nor will He lead us to deception, contention or division. This is solely the work of Satan!

There is only one Truth about God and mankind, and that is the inspired Word of God - the Bible. There have been many intelligent atheists who have devoted their life's work to finding even one thing in the entire Bible that is not true, all of whom have failed to do so, and many who have in fact become believers in the process. There are multitudes of research and information that testifies to the authenticity and credibility of the Bible. Not one person in the world has ever been able to prove one thing wrong in the Bible!

Therefore, sane reasoning dictates that we must choose the Bible against any other book, writing or teaching that contains anything that is unsubstantiated in it or directly contrary to it! Keep the divinely inspired Word of God, the Bible, and throw all others that contradict it in the trash where they belong.

Satan's Purpose

"Where God builds a church the devil builds a chapel." - Martin Luther

Which of the myriad teachers, evangelists, and denominations is the right one to sign up with and devote himself or herself to? Whose interpretations of scripture are we to believe as the Truth? Which of them have it right?

It makes sense to me that Christianity has totally lost credibility among the unsaved these days, and even among some of the saved that I know personally. I hear them saying, "Which pastors and teachers are we supposed to believe when they're all teaching conflicting things?"

We of the Body can't even agree among ourselves on the simplest of Biblical doctrines! Consider all the evangelists, preachers, teachers and other Biblical "scholars" of the various denominations who cannot even agree on who Jesus is exactly, much less the doctrine of the Gospel and salvation. Where's the credibility in that?

Again: "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." (John 17:21, KJV, emphasis added)

It is my opinion that the many different versions of doctrine, or "the truth", among the Body of Christ serve only to destroy the credibility of true Christianity in the eyes of the unsaved, which only furthers Satan's kingdom of darkness and deceit.

Too often, the teachings of the pastors, priests, ministers and/or preachers of denominational churches are generally accepted by the people as the inspired Truth from God, and many listeners tend to feel relieved from the responsibility of diligently studying God's Word for themselves.

They tend to believe they need only to accept the teachings of those in authority, rightly believing that they are teaching the pre-approved doctrines of their whole denomination which they assume have been verified and proven to be correct.

In the extreme cases of certain cult denominations, the people are even discouraged from studying the Bible for themselves!

Biblical scholars and teachers are not infallible; therefore their teachings at times will perhaps contain their own false private interpretations and conclusions blended with truth, and the listener may swallow it whole.

Cults especially determine to indoctrinate, or brainwash, its members and attendees with its heretical beliefs and its fabricated regulations at as early an age as possible. Further, their members are even brainwashed to believe that anyone outside their church who opposes it is motivated by satanic force, or at least by spiritual blindness. If the brainwashing is successful, it can then be used to manipulate and control its people for its own purposes (ultimately, for Satan's purpose), and keep them blind to the Truth.

It is my own opinion that Satan's purpose in all these Christian denominations and cults is to destroy the credibility of true Christianity in the eyes of the unsaved, to divide and conquer the Body of Christ and prevent people from coming to a knowledge of the Truth and being saved. Satan seeks to draw away disciples to himself to distract and prevent people from knowing the Truth which would otherwise set them free from being in bondage to heretical beliefs and traditions of men and ultimately to himself.

Those who sincerely petition the Father to know the real Truth of all things while studying the scriptures diligently for themselves and subsequently recognize the divisional heresies of their church, usually have only one choice: they can either keep their mouths shut about it, or leave. For the average person in the congregation, the choice to leave is a fairly simple one: just leave.

But what about the pastor, priest, or minister whose eyes may have been opened to the heresies of his denomination? He must either skirt the issue and deny the Truth, or convert his church to one that is independent and nondenominational, or leave that church and his whole livelihood. He is in bondage to the government and doctrines of his denomination.

Avoid the Snares of Bondage

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings..." (2 Timothy 2:15-16, KJV, emphasis added)

Believers who read and study the Bible for themselves, who discover and know the real Truth of God's Word, can no longer be held in bondage by Satan and whatever denominational churches and cults may be serving him.

"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is the truth, and is no lie..." (1 John 2:27, KJV, emphasis added)

I have known many wonderful teachers whose messages have dramatically spoken to me and radically changed my life! But I consider that any one of them will at times teach something that may not be true, so I am careful not to categorically accept all the words that proceed from the mouth of any person as the Truth, no matter how trustworthy I perceive them to be. I trust God at all times to give me the discernment to rightly divide the truth by searching out the scriptures.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we are to categorically accept all the teachings and doctrines of any particular denomination as the infallible Truth from God without each of us first searching the scriptures out for ourselves as did the Bereans.

In fact, nowhere in the Bible does it even say that going to church or being a member of any particular church is necessary for salvation, or that it is even a matter of direct obedience to God. This is what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well:

"...Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father ... But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:.." (John 4:21-23, KJV)

We are to worship the Father with the living sacrifice of our lives, not just in any particular place on Sunday or even on Saturday. I think Jesus was telling her that we are no longer under the law to assemble every sabbath in a temple or any other designated place of worship.

However, the New Testament does clearly teach us concerning the assembling of believers. By way of the examples and teachings therein, we are clearly encouraged and prompted to assemble regularly for fellowship - to praise our Lord and Father together in worshipful song, to share the Truth and our testimonies among ourselves, and to contribute of our excess to distribute to the needs of others.

"But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." (1 Cor 14:24-26, KJV, emphasis added)

I consider the simple model we are given in the New Testament by the example of the Apostles and members of the early church, along with the other New Testament teachings concerning the assembling of believers, to be the perfect model that we as a Body should all return to today. In fact, I believe that in these last days Jesus is calling the true members of His Body to reunite in doing just that.

I personally think it's high time that we all drop the long-accepted seating arrangements and pre-printed programs that have become mainstays of the tradition we call "church", get rid of the raised-platform stages and pulpits and non-audience-participation message monologues, and just get back to the original basics of the fellowship of believers with all things done decently and in order.

It is my own personal opinion, based on the scriptures I've read, that the only "church" we should attend would be a non-denominational assembly of believers that is founded only on the simple truth about Jesus and the Gospel; one that would closely emulate the simple model and explicit teachings of the New Testament concerning the assembly of believers, one that would only have one "doctrinal statement" - the whole Word of God.

The true Church is the whole Body of Christ.
Our doctrinal statement is the Word of God alone.
Our spiritual father is our Father in Heaven alone.
Our teacher, our authority, our covering, our shepherd, and our Savior is Jesus Christ alone.
Period.

[LT]

Greetings Terry,

I have read several of your other blogs and agree with most of what you have said. I have some differences with you on this one. You knew this was a hot topic before you ever posted it :-)

Three main things I will address. 1) Denomination is not synonymous with division. Many denominations were started in order to protect the church from the onslaught of error that was invading the church through false teachings. Some were started out the selfishness of man. Do not lump them all together. A doctrinal statement is nothing more than a creed, a stated belief that clearly articulates what one stands for. Now, you could point out organizations that are in error and cults (which you have somewhat linked denominations to by your choice of words). I would not disagree regarding those that are in error or the cults. But, there are many who love Jesus and serve him faithfully through a denomination. In the city I reside over 20 denominations came together for community prayer on the National Day of Prayer. There is much unity between many denominations. You say that denominations are not biblical. I disagree and point out that they are not divided, but rather expressions of the body as Paul taught regarding one is a foot, another an eye, etc. 2) Independent churches, for that is what you are left with after you remove the denominations, all have their own set of beliefs regarding certain issues the same as organizations have. The biggest difference is that they are just an island to themselves. 3) Even people have individual core beliefs, or sub-sets, that would qualify as a doctrinal statement, including you and me. These do not have to be divisive when we stick to the core issues.

I serve through a denomination, but my loyalty is to Jesus, not the organization. I understand and know that there is only one true church, but there are many parts and numerous tasks to be accomplished.

The following words come to mind from Scripture:

“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:38-39 NIV

Lord Bless,
LT

[Terry Scerine]

You know, I noticed the title awhile ago and it definitely caught my eye, and I do plan to read it later or tomorrow since I've run out of time. But count on it, and I will comment. It sure sounds good! God bless you too, Brother!!

[SavedYouzer]

Read my Blog and tell me what you think Ive been reading your Blogs and you seem to have knowledge of the word. God Bless you Brother. The Title of my Blog is Walking in the TRUTH, and walking in DECIET! Thanks for your time and any interest you can share on this subject! it was posted today right before your first one!