Posts tagged methodist

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” I Corinthians 12:13

“Where did denominations come from?” This question is often asked of me by those wearied of going from one “church” to the next, trying to find a place they might finally “fit in.”

My heart goes out to those Christians who wander from building to building trying to find true fellowship – fellowship already intimated in the Book of Acts and the Epistle letters.

A Baptist preacher from Massachusetts once told me, “The reason for denominations is because God desires ‘walls of separation’ in order to keep bad doctrine from creeping in.” Unfortunately, this “teacher” was and still is, promoting an exclusivity or “closed fellowship” mentality – doctrines strongly rebuked by the teaching of our Apostles. Is this scriptural?

No!

Listen to our Apostle Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthian Church. These believers were promoting then, just as others promote today – a form of fellowship that runs contrary to the doctrines of the Apostles and the working of God the Holy Spirit:

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. 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. 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?” I Corinthians 1:9-13

Christians are called by God unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:9), are told to speak the same things with no divisions – and having the same mind and judgment (I Corinthians 1:10).

When these simple instructions are NOT followed, the results are catastrophic:

• …there are contentions between the brethren (I Corinthians 1:11)
• …frustration that leads to seeking help elsewhere (I Corinthians 1:11)
• …brethren start following their favorite man or denomination; dividing themselves from one another! (I Corinthians 1:12)
• …the give honor to mere men who speak of Jesus Christ – neglecting giving honor to Jesus Christ Himself! (I Corinthians 1:13)

No where in the scriptures does God encourage a separation between true followers of Jesus Christ by denomination affiliation but, unity instead:

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, 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.” Ephesians 4:1-6

These scripture are a beautiful word picture about unity between all true followers of Jesus Christ! With this in mind, I have put together a very brief and simple history of denominations and their origins. Today, especially in America, new “movements” are popping up all the time so, for expediency sake – I have only listed the major “movements” of which most smaller or more recent denominational creations derived:

Our brother and Apostle Paul rebuked the Corinthian Church long ago, and God the Holy Spirit rebukes us today – that the only thing we are to glory in is Jesus Christ – not our favorite denomination, teacher, worship team or any other ministry effort.

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” I Corinthians 1:30-31