Our Newspaper Article:
Where Is Authority for Sectarian Names? | Keith Sharp
We must have authority from the Lord Jesus Christ for all we believe, teach, and practice (Colossians 3:17). Where is authority from Christ for the sectarian names worn by denominations and their members? Collectively, the people of Christ may be called the church of Christ (Romans 16:16), church of God (1 Corinthians 1:2), temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16), body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), family of God (Ephesians 3:14-15), bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32), house of God (1 Timothy 3:14-15), church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23), kingdom (Hebrews 12:28), and even the Way (Acts 9:2; 24:14). Individually, we may be called members (1 Corinthians 12:20,27), disciples (Acts 6:1), saints (Acts 9:13), believers (Acts 5:14), Christians (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16), and children of God (Galatians 3:26). But we must not be divided into sects wearing sectarian names (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Not only does the Lord not authorize sectarian names, He forbids both the names and the sects they denominate.
Response
I read your ad in the Bulletin about sectarian names. I’ve scanned your ad several times over the years.
I agree Christians should be united. If one accepts the basic tenants of the Christian faith; God, Christ & Holy Spirit represent a trinity and that through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross one is saved, then receives the Holy Spirit to assist them in their walk. Turns their life to worship and follow the will of God to the best of their ability, then I would consider that person a Christian. I think that many Christians attend churches that don’t have the right name on a sign out front. I think a lot of Christians attend churches where they have different opinions on what a particular scripture means to the preacher or elder or fellow member.
You seem to want an individual to come to the point where they agree on the Bible as you define it. If the Bible could be defined that clearly then their would not be so much separation. The reasons for the separations are many and yes I believe that every separation is wrong in the sense that it is not perfect. Our imperfection is why we need Christ. Each denomination believes they are right, as does the Church of Christ on Hwy. 5. Each can ‘turn’ the scripture to support to their particular belief. Many times I hear a Christian explain something and I wonder “How could they think scripture is saying that?” I’m sure some of my beliefs invoke the same response in other Christians, like yourself for starters.
As a general rule I rarely expound on what I call the “set of beliefs that are not all so important.” That is just my phrase, as every word of God is of the utmost importance. I do not think that just because a Christian does not accept and falls in line with someone else’s identical beliefs that they will end up in hell. What I do consider important is what Jesus said was the 2 most important commands; Love the one God and love each other. I believe you have to hear, believe, confess, repent and be baptized as the scripture says. I believe we are to tell others the Good News of how Christ can provide a way out of sin’s bondage. After that, while this is oversimplification, “It’s all small stuff.” To the Church of Christ, nothing is small stuff. It’s all this way, is the only way. I’ve always wondered exactly what and how the guy in Mark 39 – 41 was doing. The apostles considered it wrong, but Jesus didn’t. I believe that if Christians loved each other more then Romans 12:18 might be more effective.
If you stay busy loving God and others and spreading what Jesus told us to spread then you will be doing what God wants. I don’t think telling people how and why they are wrong is what Jesus meant in the Great Commission, nor do I think it is an effective way of turning folks into Christians. I’m pretty sure Jesus had the inside track on how he wanted it done. : – )
Just some thoughts.
Answer
Thanks for taking the time to read and to reply to our little article in the “Baxter Bulletin.” We’ve had a number of people who either respond or tell us they read it. That is very encouraging.
We seem to agree on many things, particularly on using the inspired Scriptures as our standard (1 Peter 4:11). That’s an excellent start. I won’t belabor things on which we agree.
If I understand your position, you think some biblical doctrines are central and essential for unity, whereas others are peripheral and unnecessary.
I don’t disagree that some things are fundamental and central, whereas other things are less so. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees thus:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone” (Matthew 23:23).
Justice, mercy, and faith were more important than tithing garden herbs. But the Lord didn’t tell them not to bother with the tithing. They were to do both.
The same is true today. Indeed love for God is still the most important command and love for one another the second (Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-31; Romans 13:8). But to love God is to obey Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:5; 5:3). We must observe all things the Lord commands.
“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).
To draw up a list of necessary and unnecessary divine commands is to draw up a human creed and to disobey God.
Indeed churches of Christ are divided. Baxter County is a notable example. If I have counted correctly there are fourteen churches of Christ in Baxter County divided into at least six camps that have no fellowship with one another. Division is not just imperfection but is sinful and carnal (1 Corinthians 1:10; 3:2-4; Titus 3:10-11) and a major impediment to reaching the lost (John 17:20-21).
What should we do? Not dismiss our differences as trivial. I must respect the conscience of my brother (1 Corinthians 8:12). Rather, we should do as first century brethren did over the issue of circumcision and observance of the law of Moses, come together for an honest, open, loving discussion of our differences (Acts 15:5-6,22). I am willing to have such discussions with all who are likewise willing.
Rather than dividing the commands of God between necessary and unnecessary, we need to distinguish between faith and opinion. Faith is God’s revealed will (Jude 3; Galatians 1:11-12,23; Romans 10:8,17). Faith should determines our fellowship (2 John 9-11), be the basis of unity (Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 1:10), be the standard by which we judge (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15), be what we preach (Galatians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Peter 4:11), and that for which we contend (Jude 3).
Opinion is what we think about things but cannot prove by Scripture (Romans 14:5). Human opinion must not determine our fellowship (Romans 14:1-3). We may have diversities of opinions (Romans 14:6), they must not be the basis of judgment (Romans 14:13), we must not preach our opinions (Romans 14:22), and we must not contend for them (Romans 14:22).
The apostle Paul commanded, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). God is just (Psalm 7:11; Isaiah 45:21; Revelation 15:3),
therefore He doesn’t command us to do what we are incapable of doing. We are able to understand His will revealed in His Word.
God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). It is axiomatic that truth is consistent, i.e., it does not contradict itself. Thus, the will of God revealed in the Bible is consistent. It doesn’t contradict itself.
This fact has several implications. If we understand the Bible at all, it will be alike. That’s the reason Paul could command us to all speak the same thing (1 Corinthians 1:10). If God says one thing to you and something else to me, doesn’t that make Him a liar? Of course, it would be blasphemy to call God a liar (cf. Romans 3:3-4).
Thus, if we accept conflicting answers, someone is wrong. If we disagree with each other, we could both be wrong, but we can’t both be right. A man be wrong any way he wants, but there’s only one way to be right (cf. John 14:6; 1 Timothy 6:3-5).
This also means that knowing the will of God is not a matter of personal opinion or interpretation. It’s a matter of reading, believing, and obeying the will of God revealed in Scripture. We must all “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11) if we are to be united.
Water baptism is how we enter Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27). Surely no one outside Christ can be properly called a Christian.
I do not believe the Highway 5 South Church is Christ is part of any denomination. We have no organizational ties to any sectarian body, but the elders of this local church make the decisions for all its activities (1 Peter 5:1-2). We have no human creed but follow the will of Christ in all our work and teaching (Colossians 3:17; 2 John verses 9-11). We have no sectarian name. I don’t quarrel about any scriptural name a congregation might wear, but surely there’s nothing sectarian about being called a church of Christ (Romans 16:16).
Yes, people must be convicted of their sins before thy can be led to repent (John 16:8; Romans 1:16 – 3:26).
I would be delighted to continue our studies in a manner convenient for you.
Second Response
Your response is gracious and knowledgeable.
You said “If I understand your position, you think some biblical doctrines are central and essential for unity, whereas others are peripheral and unnecessary.”
To clarify, I do not think any of God’s law is unnecessary, simply less important in a sense in that a believer does not even need to be aware of it to be saved. Example; an individual comes to you that has never been a believer in Christ. He accepts Christ in a biblical way you agree with. Is he saved? I believe, yes. This individual is not even aware of anything else in the Bible besides the initial steps to his salvation. Now, this individual continues to attend your church, progressing along, learning additional biblical teachings. One day he reads something that he believes means such-and-such. He realizes that your teachings do not agree with his understanding of the same scripture. He comes to you to discuss this. You explain why you hold your belief, he explains why he holds his. You both use scripture that you believe backs your beliefs. One of you is right or both of you are wrong. Are you both still saved? Is the wrong one still saved?
2nd example: The same as above but the individual dies right after his conversion. He was still unaware of the many commandments within the Bible, many of which he may be in conflict without his knowledge. Is he saved?
Here is an example of a scripture that is misinterpreted; take care of the widows and orphans…. Some argue that children abandoned by parents are foster children, not orphans, and women abandoned by husbands are not really widows. Those folks are correct in the definitions strictest sense. Other people argue that that scripture means any children or women in need. Who’s correct? If both groups of people have accepted Christ in a way that you agree with as needed for salvation, are both groups saved?
Have a great day,
Second Answer
It’s really a pleasure to communicate with you. I appreciate the thought you have put in and your lack of anger. I think we could sit down together and talk profitably.
The Scriptures discuss salvation in two senses: immediate salvation from sin (Mark 16:16) and final salvation in heaven (Romans 13:11). Of course, people are saved from past sins and become Christians without being aware of all their obligations as Christians. That’s the reason we speak of “babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 5:13-14). But both these passages indicate we must not remain at this level. We must go on to perfection, i.e., maturity (Hebrews 5:12 – 6:3).
The danger of falling into sin is greater for babes in Christ particularly because of their ignorance. And their ignorance and spiritual immaturity does not excuse them if they violate any divine law. There is a New Testament example that directly addresses this problem. Philip preached Christ in Samaria, and Simon, who had been a sorcerer, believed and was baptized (Acts 8:5-13). The apostles Peter and John came down from Jerusalem and imparted the Holy Spirit to the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17). Simon tried to buy with money the power to impart the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18-19).
“But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
‘You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ‘Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ‘For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity’” (Acts 8:20-23).
Simon was a babe in Christ, was tempted in that point in which he was the weakest, and sinned just one time through ignorance, but the inspired apostle declared, “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:23, English Standard Version).
Ignorance is not a sin, unless it is willful, but ignorance increases the danger of sin. Simon was not “in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” because he was ignorant.
When he was saved by faith and baptism, he was just as ignorant. He fell because he tried to buy the power to impart the Holy Spirit.
Some laws of the Lord are black and white, either we’re guilty or innocent. Either someone is a fornicator, or he’s not (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Other laws are relative, a matter of growth, such as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A fornicator is lost until he repents (Galatians 5:19-21). We can all stand to grow more in the fruit of the Spirit.
Is there no hope until we know everything? No, there are definitely different levels of maturity, from “little children” to “fathers,” among faithful Christians (1 John 2:12-14; cf. Philippians 3:15). But, our faith is in the Lord, that, as long as we’re sincerely, diligently seeking to do His will, we will find the way and be saved (Matthew 7:7-8; Hebrews 11:6). Thus, we can and should have confidence in our salvation (1 John 5:13).
It is not my place to judge whether or not others are saved (James 4:12). If I see a brother sin, regardless of which law of the Lord he violated, I should seek to restore him (Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:19-20).
The judgment each of us must make toward others is fellowship. We must not share in the sins of others (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:17). And we must not receive into our fellowship those who are divisive (Titus 3:10-11), walk in sin (1 Corinthians 5:11-13), or teach damnable error (2 Peter 2:1-3).
That doesn’t mean we must agree on the meaning of every passage. What is “the Day” of Hebrews 10:25? I think I know, but you may disagree, and that shouldn’t cause us to sever fellowship unless one of us “forsakes the assembling” of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). It’s the will of Christ contained in Scripture we must see alike.
Although I don’t think this is the reason you brought it up, I’ll comment on James 1:27 (“orphans and widows”). This is an instance of “for example” legislation. Both the Old and New Testaments require care for widows and orphans as examples of the principle of helping the helpless, compassion that leads to mercy. Perhaps the most famous example of this is the parable of “The Good Samaritan,” and the Samaritan felt compassion and showed mercy for one who was neither a widow nor an orphan. We must have compassion for those who suffer, and our compassion must lead us to show mercy to them.
