And take…the sword of the Spirit, which  is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 15, Number 01
02/19/2012

Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
   1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:
       P.O. Box 30821
  Bellingham, WA 98228
       (360) 752-2692

Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM

Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
All sing last Wednesday

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price

Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
Dan Head

In this issue:

• In Defense of Denominationalism
• Sermon Outlines:
  • The "Benefits" of Hell
  • "Here I Raise My Ebenezer"
• Noteworthy News:  Same-Sex Marriage Legalized

In Defense of Denominationalism
Joe R. Price

     One of the prevailing notions of Protestant denominationalism is that different faith groups (i.e., denominations) bring vitality and diversity to Christianity. Years ago, Billy Graham likened it to men and women wearing so many different hats:

“Whenever anyone points a critical finger and demands to know why there have to be so many different churches all serving the same God, I am always tempted to point out how many different styles of hats have to be designed for both American men and women.  We all belong to the same human race, but we all have enough physical differences to make it impossible for us to wear the same style of hat with equal satisfaction.” (Peace with God, Billy Graham, 193)

     A more recent defense of unity in diversity (which is the essence of denominationalism) compares the differences that exist between Bible-believers to different accents within one language. The Christian Reformed Church offers this support of each “accent” of faith:

“While all Bible-believing Christians share one single language of faith, as Plantinga points out, we all speak it with our own accent. Be proud of your accent. Thank God for it. Add yours to the rich diversity of tongues that speak of the great things God has done.” (“What is Reformed”, Christian Reformed Church website, www.crcna.org/pages/reformation.cfm)

     Have you ever noticed that when we try to defend a teaching and practice that is not in the Scriptures we invariably resort to using illustrations (like hats and languages) that appeal to human rationale and wisdom? It is simply not true that there is only “one single language of faith” among the denominations (their use of “Christians” is denominational, not Biblical). The Christian Reformed Church is Calvinistic in its view of God, man, sin and redemption. Naturally (being Protestants), they reject the authority of the Roman Catholic Church (which speaks a very different “language of faith” than Protestantism and vice versa).

     The Scriptures affirm there is “one body” and “one faith” (Eph. 4:4-5). There is no Scriptural mandate for the church of Christ to be subdivided into different religious heritages or points of emphasis. (The church of Christ is composed of Christians, not churches, Acts 2:47). New Testament Christians endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Christians are under commandment to “speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). The denominationalist has abandoned the unity taught in Scripture for the cheap counterfeit of agreeing to disagree – and calling it “unity” (Jno. 17:20-21; Acts 2:42; 1 Jno. 1:1-7).         (Continued on page 2)

     We continue to plead with those caught up in the division of denominationalism to come out of the deceptive clutches of unity in diversity. It has been shaped by the wisdom and will of men, not the word of God (Col. 2:8). Through the gospel that reveals God’s grace, you can be saved in Christ and be united with the saints (Rom. 1:16-17; Gal. 3:26-27; Eph. 2:19-22; Acts 2:41-42).

     Consider how the Christian Reformed Church views its role in advancing their form of unity among the Protestants:

“Where does that leave us? We need to stay true to the teaching of Scripture. That’s the only way we can stay in Christ. However, we should always, always be looking for opportunities to join with other Christians. We should work with them even if our differences will not allow us, yet, to routinely worship with them. We need to keep reaching out to each other as we continue to reach for our Bibles. We may not always agree on doctrine or on how to worship. But there’s plenty we can agree on that God wants us to do in this impoverished, sin-wracked world. So let’s join efforts and do what needs doing together. Let’s make our own unique contribution to God’s mission, using the particular gifts God’s Spirit has given us. That way we may be the hands and feet and voice of our Savior for those who need to share in his goodness. Then we’ll still be functioning as Christ’s body. And the world will experience God’s reconciling love.” (Ibid)

     We agree that staying true to the teaching of Scripture is the only way we can stay in Christ (Gal. 5:4-7). But, staying “true to the Scriptures” would put the CRC and all the other Protestant and Catholic churches out of business, since they cannot be found in the Scriptures (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:20-23; 4:4; Gal. 1:6-10).

     Those who defend denominationalism urge working with other Christians (i.e., those in other denominations) “even if our differences will not allow us, yet, to routinely worship with them”. What Scripture says Christians may work together but not worship together due to differences in doctrine? (We are discussing matters of revealed truth, not differences over authorized liberties, 2 Jno. 9; Rom. 14:1-5.) The very reason James, Cephas and John gave Paul and Barnabas “the right hand of fellowship” was because they were united in doctrine and its practice (Gal. 2:7-10).

     The word of God says not to have fellowship with those who conduct and teaching goes beyond the doctrine of Christ (2 Jno. 9-11). The stated reason is because they do “not have God” (2 Jno. 9). So, an effort to reach out to them must be based on teaching them the truth and warning them of their error (Eph. 5:9-11). The apostles of Christ did not defer to error “for an hour” because to do so would compromise the truth of the gospel (Gal. 2:4-5).

     This defense of practical denominationalism by the Christian Reformed Church sounds eerily familiar. More and more brethren in churches of Christ now worship with those they know are teaching and practicing error. For example, the false doctrines on divorce and remarriage have been clearly shown and are on the record, yet a growing number of brethren no longer make this an issue of fellowship (if they ever did). Some take comfort in their compromise by using the same kind of reasoning held by the denominationalists: “We may not always agree on doctrine or on how to worship. But there’s plenty we can agree on that God wants us to do, in this impoverished, sin-wracked world. So let’s join efforts and do what needs doing together.”

     We are not immune from the sin of accommodative fellowship witnessed among the denominations. If we practice the same thing we are also guilty (Rom. 2:1). We also need to be warned of the unity in diversity deception fostered by the churches of men (1 Cor. 10:12). Unity in Christ is built upon God’s truth; nothing more and nothing less (Jno. 17:17, 20-21). 

The "Benefits" of Hell