(By: Emerson Blythe)
What is a sure-fire recipe for division and discord?
NUMBER ONE: Insist on a "thus saith the Lord" for everything we do in religion.
Sounds good... but there is just one problem: THE BIBLE DOES NOT GIVE US SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARRYING ON CHURCH.
We then insist that there is a "PATTERN" or "EXAMPLE" in the Bible for how we are to do everything in religion.
But then we realize that there is no specific pattern given for carrying out a modern-day worship service. There is no example of a church building, pews, a pulpit minister, a youth minister, a song leader, Ushers, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible school, youth programs... and the list goes on.
SO... we say that "pattern" has to be DEDUCED from commands, examples, necessary inferences, and approved precedents. And, so, our predecessors have pretty well done that for us.
NUMBER TWO: We tell everyone to study the Bible for him- or herself.
We don't want to be like some churches who tell their members they must take the decisions of the "clergy" without question, so we instruct each Christian to study the Bible for themselves.
WHEN THAT HAPPENS... Here comes the discord!
One Christian says there is no example of a "Communion Set." He confuses the phrase "When he had supped" (eaten supper, 1 Cor. 11:25) as the equivalent for "When he had sipped," and concludes one cup needs to be passed around and everyone take a sip.
Another says there is no New Testament example of an organization other than the local church, and thus such things as missionary agencies and orphan's homes are unscriptural. Thus a "Non-Institutional" church is born.
One reads the New Testament and notices that there is no example of anyone but needy church members and preachers receiving funds from the church treasury and concludes any other use is sinful. One person deems various "benefits" as a good way to raise funds for various projects; another notices that the only fundraising in the early church was free will offerings.
And so on with humming, hand-clapping, pitch pipes, musical instruments, divided classes, bus ministries, teaching aids, praise teams, kitchens, fellowship meals... and the list goes on and on.
THE RESULT: When one Christian perceives another as doing something that departs from the "pattern," he concludes that it is "wrong" to fellowship the "brother who is in error" --WE ARE THE ONLY TRUE CHRISTIANS... all who differ are fakes. And thus: DIVISION AND DISCORD.
WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
Stop studying for yourself and accept the directive of your preacher or leader?
Each group follow a "study guide" put out by a central educational institution?
Everyone agree with me, and we will all be united?
Stop thinking for yourself?
BUT YOU SAY NONE OF THESE ARE FEASIBLE. True. Then how about this one: STOP REQUIRING EVERYONE TO THINK ALIKE. REALIZE THAT GOD DOES NOT DEMAND COOKIE-CUTTER CHRISTIANS!
2 Cor. 3:6: "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
2 Cor. 3:17: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is LIBERTY."
Gal 2:4: "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage."
THE JEWISH SCRIBES AND PHARISEES OF JESUS' DAY TRIED DEMANDING LEGALITIES ON THEIR PEOPLE... AND JESUS DID NOT APPROVE. Matt. 23:15: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."
Luke 11:42: "But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Verse 46: "And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers."
1 Cor 8:1-3: "Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him."
Rom. 14:1-4: "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand."
Rom 14:17-19: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
Peace. --EB
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