From Gary... "knowledge"

Knowledge is a transitory, inexact thing; it fluctuates in depth, meaning and relevancy over time and can distort truth.  Wisdom clarifies knowledge. It gives depth and meaning and purpose to understanding.  To truly comprehend life, first look within, then above for guidance. Ultimately, truth, wisdom, knowledge and insight is found from only one source...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 1 (WEB)

 20  Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.  22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,  23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,  24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.  25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.  26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;  27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;  28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:  29 that no flesh should boast before God.  30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:  31 that, according as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

Think you are smart; there is always someone smarter!!!  Think you "know" something- think again!!! The depth of knowledge is not limited to a comprehension of something, it develops by a personal interaction of feelings and physical interplay.  Heady stuff!!! Simply put, know what you can know, to the depth you are capable of and THEN boast- not about yourself, but about God who gave you life in the first place.

From Gary... Bible Reading March 12

Bible Reading  

March 12

The World English Bible

Mar. 12

Exodus 22

Exo 22:1 "If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it, or sells it; he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

Exo 22:2 If the thief is found breaking in, and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt of bloodshed for him.

Exo 22:3 If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt of bloodshed for him; he shall make restitution. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Exo 22:4 If the stolen property is found in his hand alive, whether it is ox, donkey, or sheep, he shall pay double.

Exo 22:5 "If a man causes a field or vineyard to be eaten, and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field, and from the best of his own vineyard.

Exo 22:6 "If fire breaks out, and catches in thorns so that the shocks of grain, or the standing grain, or the field are consumed; he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.

Exo 22:7 "If a man delivers to his neighbor money or stuff to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house; if the thief is found, he shall pay double.

Exo 22:8 If the thief isn't found, then the master of the house shall come near to God, to find out if he hasn't put his hand to his neighbor's goods.

Exo 22:9 For every matter of trespass, whether it be for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any kind of lost thing, about which one says, 'This is mine,' the cause of both parties shall come before God. He whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.

Exo 22:10 "If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies or is injured, or driven away, no man seeing it;

Exo 22:11 the oath of Yahweh shall be between them both, whether he hasn't put his hand to his neighbor's goods; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution.

Exo 22:12 But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner.

Exo 22:13 If it is torn in pieces, let him bring it for evidence. He shall not make good that which was torn.

Exo 22:14 "If a man borrows anything of his neighbor's, and it is injured, or dies, its owner not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.

Exo 22:15 If its owner is with it, he shall not make it good. If it is a leased thing, it came for its lease.

Exo 22:16 "If a man entices a virgin who isn't pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.

Exo 22:17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

Exo 22:18 "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.

Exo 22:19 "Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Exo 22:20 "He who sacrifices to any god, except to Yahweh only, shall be utterly destroyed.

Exo 22:21 "You shall not wrong an alien, neither shall you oppress him, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

Exo 22:22 "You shall not take advantage of any widow or fatherless child.

Exo 22:23 If you take advantage of them at all, and they cry at all to me, I will surely hear their cry;

Exo 22:24 and my wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Exo 22:25 "If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor; neither shall you charge him interest.

Exo 22:26 If you take your neighbor's garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down,

Exo 22:27 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.

Exo 22:28 "You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

Exo 22:29 "You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. "You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me.

Exo 22:30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. Seven days it shall be with its mother, then on the eighth day you shall give it to me.

Exo 22:31 "You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs. 

From Mark Copeland... "CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH" Sectarianism

                  "CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH"

                              Sectarianism

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous lesson, we examined the challenge of
   denominationalism...
   a. Which involves the organization of local churches under 

      various hierarchies
   b. Each denomination with its unique names, presenting a divided
      picture of church
   c. Contrary to the prayer of Jesus and the doctrine of Paul

      - Jn 17:20-23; 1Co 1:10-13

2. A similar challenge confronting the church is what I describe as sectarianism...
   a. Though I use the term in a rather unique and limited sense
   b. But as a problem I have seen arise even in opposition to denominationalism
   c. Leading to a perspective of the church that is akin to a
      denominational mindset

[What do I mean by sectarianism?  Let’s begin by considering some
dictionary definitions...]

I. DEFINING SECT AND SECTARIANISM

   A. WHAT IS A SECT....?
      1. A group of people forming a distinct unit within a larger group
         by virtue of certain refinements or distinctions of belief or practice
      2. A religious body, especially one that has separated from a
         larger denomination
      3. A faction united by common interests or beliefs
      -- The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

   B. WHAT IS SECTARIANISM...?
      1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect or sectarian
      2. Limited in character or scope: parochial
      -- Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary

   C. OBSERVATIONS...
      1. Sect and sectarianism are often used as synonyms for
         denomination and denominationalism
      2. In this study, I am limiting my use of the terms to these definitions:
         a. Sect:  a faction united by common interests or beliefs
         b. Sectarianism:  Limited in character or scope: parochial
      3. I am making what may be an arbitrary, but hopefully useful,distinction
         a. Denominationalism:  a mindset that sees nothing wrong with
            dividing up the body of Christ into various denominations
         b. Sectarianism:  a mindset that views the body of Christ as
            limited to a select group of churches identified by a
            particular and somewhat arbitrary set of doctrinal practices

[Using these two terms as such, perhaps I can clarify the distinction
further by reviewing two erroneous views of the church of Christ...]

II. MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE CHURCH

   A. THE DENOMINATIONAL MISCONCEPTION...
      1. The Church of Christ is made up of those churches with the name
         "Church of Christ"
      2. The "Church of Christ" (as such) is but one denomination among many
      3. Together with other denominations, they constitute the
         universal church, the Body of Christ
      4. Those who hold this view include:
         a. Those in other denominations, because of their
            denominational mindset in which they view their own church
            (denomination) as but a part of the Body of Christ
         b. Sadly, many in "mainstream" churches of Christ, who are
            increasingly accepting a denominational view of the church

   B. THE SECTARIAN MISCONCEPTION...
      1. The Church of Christ is made up only of those churches with the
         name "Church of Christ"
      2. Those churches (as such) constitute the one, true church, the
         Body of Christ
      3. People in any other congregations cannot possibly be members of
         the Body of Christ
      4. Those who hold this view include:
         a. Many in "mainstream" churches of Christ, especially those
            who view "Church of Christ" as the official and exclusive
            name for the Lord’s church
         b. Many in "non-mainstream" churches of Christ, including those
            tending to identify themselves on the basis of one
            particular issue

[With this peculiar distinction between denominationalism and
sectarianism hopefully made clear, let me suggest two...]

III. EXAMPLES OF SECTARIANISM

   A. INSISTING ON ONE EXCLUSIVE NAME...
      1. The Scriptures use a variety of terms describing the Lord’s
         church - e.g., Ro 16:16; 1Co 1:2
      2. But some insist there is only one scriptural name (e.g., Church of Christ)
      3. This limits one’s view of the church universal to only those
         churches with the "right name"
      4. When there could be other New Testament churches scriptural in
         every way, but who choose to use a scriptural designation other
         than "Church of Christ"

   B. IDENTIFYING FAITHFULNESS BY ONE PARTICULAR DOCTRINE...
      1. Churches are often judged by their stand on particular issues
         a. E.g., the issue of institutionalism
         b. E.g., the issue of divorce and remarriage
      2. This can lead to rather arbitrary standards of faithfulness
         a. For example, a church is deemed faithful if it is "non-institutional"
         b. While in fact it may engage in other unscriptural practices
            or be lacking in critical Christian attitudes (e.g., love)
      3. I often hear people asking:  "Can anyone recommend a NI Church of Christ?"
         a. Is this not reflecting a sectarian mindset, "limited in
            character or scope"?
         b. Why not ask for "...a Baptist Church of Christ?" or "...an
            Episcopal Church of Christ?"
      4. Is this not dangerously close to a denominational mindset?
         a. Inadvertently creating a new denomination?
         b. Perhaps leading to "The NI Church of Christ"?

[This is not to lessen the seriousness of erroneous doctrines and
practices, for Jesus clearly warned of the danger of false doctrine
among churches (Re 2-3).  But how can we avoid the sectarian mindset
that can easily lead to denominationalism...?]

IV. AVOIDING SECTARIANISM

   A. WITH A PROPER VIEW OF THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL...
      1. Remember what we covered in our first lesson on the universal church:
         a. Began on the day of Pentecost, composed of all Christians
         b. The Lord adds those who are being saved, He determines membership
         c. There is just one spiritual body, there is no earthly organization
      2. Thus the church universal is not composed solely of a select
         group of churches:
         a. Wearing one official name
         b. Defined by one particular issue
         c. Listed in a specialized directory of churches

   B. WITH A CAREFUL EVALUATION OF LOCAL CHURCHES...
      1. The faithfulness of local churches are determined ultimately by the Lord
         a. Jesus knows and judges His congregations - e.g., Re 2:2-3
         b. Congregations with false teachers might be tolerated for a time - Re 2:4-6
      2. Any evaluation we make is subject to our limited knowledge
         a. Certainly we should do our best to be faithful, and find
            faithful, churches
         b. But we must be careful in our judgment of other churches
            - cf. Jm 4:11-12
      3. Careful not to discount the possibility of other faithful
         churches unknown to us
         a. Scriptural in every way, but perhaps using a different
            scriptural name
         b. Though not listed in "our" directory of churches, or known
            by our association

CONCLUSION

1. Denominationalism and sectarianism can be distinguished by their
   views of the church...
   a. Denominationalism’s view of the church too broad
   b. Sectarianism’s view of the church is too narrow

2. Yet sectarianism often leads to denominationalism...
   b. By inadvertent use of denominational language ("NI Church of Christ")
   a. By a backlash to improper narrow-mindedness typical of sectarianism

My prayer is that we might avoid both denominationalism and sectarianism
with a proper view and understanding of the Lord’s church universal and
His churches local, while serving the Lord simply as Christians in
congregations faithful to His Word...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

The Case of the Empty Tomb by Kyle Butt, M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=10&article=896

The Case of the Empty Tomb

by	Kyle Butt, M.A.

Around the year A.D. 165, Justin Martyr penned his Dialogue with Trypho. At the beginning of chapter 108 of this work, he recorded a letter that the Jewish community had been circulating regarding the empty tomb of Christ:

[A] godless and lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilaean deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples stole him by night from the tomb, where he was laid when unfastened from the cross, and now deceive men by asserting that he has risen from the dead and ascended to heaven.

In approximately the sixth century, another caustic treatise written to defame Christ circulated among the Jewish community. In this narrative, known as Toledoth Yeshu, Jesus is described as the illegitimate son of a soldier named Joseph Pandera. He further is labeled as a disrespectful deceiver who led many away from the truth. Near the end of the treatise, under a discussion of His death, the following paragraph can be found:

Diligent search was made and he [Jesus—KB] was not found in the grave where he had been buried. A gardener had taken him from the grave and had brought him into his garden and buried him in the sand over which the waters flowed into the garden.

Upon reading Justin Martyr’s description of one Jewish theory regarding the tomb of Christ, and another theory from Toledoth Yeshu, it becomes clear that one common thread unites them both—the tomb of Christ had no body in it!

All parties involved recognized the fact that Christ’s tomb laid empty on the third day. Feeling compelled to give reasons for this unexpected vacancy, the Jewish authorities apparently concocted several different theories to explain the body’s disappearance. The most commonly accepted one seems to be that the disciples of Jesus stole His body away by night while the guards slept (Matthew 28:13). Yet, how could the soldiers identify any thieves while they slept? And why were the sentinels not punished by death for sleeping on the job and thereby losing their charge (cf. Acts 12:6.19)? And an even more pressing question comes to the mind—why did the soldiers need to explain anything if a body was still in the tomb?

When Peter stood up to preach on the Day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, the crux of his sermon rested on the fact(s) that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. In order to silence Peter, and stop a mass conversion, the Jewish leaders needed simply to produce the body of Christ. Why did not the Jewish leaders take the short walk to the garden and produce the body? Simply because they could not! The tomb was empty. The Jews knew it and tried to explain it away, the apostles knew it and preached it boldly in the city of Jerusalem, and thousands of the inhabitants of Jerusalem knew it and converted to Christianity. John Warwick Montgomery accurately assessed the matter when he wrote: “It passes the bounds of credibility that the early Christians could have manufactured such a tale and then preached it among those who might easily have refuted it simply by producing the body of Jesus” (1964, p. 78). The tomb of Jesus was empty, and that is a fact.

REFERENCES

Montgomery, John Warwick (1964), History and Christianity (Downers Grover, IL: InterVarsity Press).

From Jim McGuiggan... WHAT KIND OF GOD IS IMMANUEL?

WHAT KIND OF GOD IS IMMANUEL?

      Any Christian will tell you that in Jesus Christ alone as much of God as can be seen and known in a human life is seen and known. As a Christian I hold that to be something beyond dispute!

     But that doesn't mean and we're not to believe it means that the character and will of God is seen in no other human.

     Jesus saw the love and righteousness and glory of God everywhere he looked. He stopped one day at a field of beautiful flowers and said, "Look at that! That's my Father's work. Solomon in all his glory never looked that good!"

     The writer of Ecclesiastes looked at the sun coming up and going down, up and down, up and down and he said, "Pointless. Pointless I tell you." Jesus saw the same thing and said, "Isn't my Father wonderful! He makes his sun to shine on the thankless and the righteous and he sends his rain on the fields of the atheists as well as the fields of devoted believers." He saw God's generosity where the cynic saw boredom and nothing.

      He watched a woman putting yeast into the bread she was making and he said, "Remind me to stop here later and tell you about how my Father's kingdom works." The casual observer saw rising bread and Jesus saw the invisible throbbing rise and spread of God's reign.

       He saw God reflected in people as well. Caring fathers who would feed their hungry children good food reminded him of his caring Father. He met a Roman centurion whose faith astonished him and he turned and told the crowd he hadn't seen anything like it. He spoke praise of the heart of Abraham who because he trusted the faithful God was able to see the day when God's promises would be fulfilled in Jesus and so he lived in the joy of it. A non-Jewish mother, because she believed that a God worthy of this Jewish Messiah must be generous to more than his own people Jesus said, "O woman, what great faith you have!" And despite their bickering and their flaws Jesus saw his apostolic group as friends given to him by his Father.

This is "Immanuel"!

     On a hill he sat sobbing over the coming war that would bury a million and a half of his people in 70 AD, he got angry with religious leaders who misrepresented his Holy Father and created doubt in the hearts of people and if they made a disciple they made him in their own hellish image [he said]. And as he sat on that hill sobbing over what Rome would do to his wayward nation--with the innocent as well as the guilty--he would have tuirned and looked eastward toward the capital of the evil empire and whispered, "Your day's coming! You and I will meet again; you and all kingoms like you." 

      Look around you and believe! You see God everywhere and in all kinds of people. You will if you begin to see as Jesus saw.  

      Bearing in mind that in Jesus we are seeing as much of God as a human can show we gladly acknowledge that are getting a clear picture of the Holy One in his unfathomable generosity in relentless and loving pursuit of us that he might give us life! 

      But when we remember that even Jesus can only show us something of God we are thrilled even more to hear Jesus say in John 14.28, "You think I'm wonderful, you think I'm worthy of following and worthy of being worshiped? And I am! But I wish you could fully know my Father. He's greater than I am." 

     That is the God who in and as Jesus is with us. That is "Immanuel"!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Gary... And the world is passing away

Today's post is different, for it is quite personal. Jim was my best friend in high school and although I have not seen him in over 30 years, still, I think of him from time to time. Slowly, but surely, the things pertaining to my youth are fading away, as this post illustrates.  Occasionally, I ask myself, why do you even do this blog, Gary? And then I remember; God is with me each and every day, in all that I experience. His word comes to me as I live this life; in the little and great things that happen. Today is no different (other than being a bit personal) and as I reflect upon the life of this man, I am reminded of the Scriptures once again...

Genesis, Chapter 3 (WEB)

  1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’” 

  2  The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden,  3 but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 

  4  The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t surely die,  5 for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

Human beings die- Satan lied (and still does).  My good friend of high school days is gone and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. Sooner or later, we all must face the reality of mortality and then give account for what we have done in this life. I pray that Jim became a Christian and is in heaven.  I will miss him. If any part of this post causes you to think about your own eternal destiny, then my efforts will not have been in vain. May God bless you, today and always...

Your Friend,

Gary

From Gary... Bible Reading March 11

Bible Reading  

March 11

The World English Bible

Mar. 11

Exodus 21

Exo 21:1 "Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them.

Exo 21:2 "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything.

Exo 21:3 If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he is married, then his wife shall go out with him.

Exo 21:4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.

Exo 21:5 But if the servant shall plainly say, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free;'

Exo 21:6 then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever.

Exo 21:7 "If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do.

Exo 21:8 If she doesn't please her master, who has married her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, seeing he has dealt deceitfully with her.

Exo 21:9 If he marries her to his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.

Exo 21:10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights.

Exo 21:11 If he doesn't do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.

Exo 21:12 "One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death,

Exo 21:13 but not if it is unintentional, but God allows it to happen: then I will appoint you a place where he shall flee.

Exo 21:14 If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbor to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.

Exo 21:15 "Anyone who attacks his father or his mother shall be surely put to death.

Exo 21:16 "Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Exo 21:17 "Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Exo 21:18 "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he doesn't die, but is confined to bed;

Exo 21:19 if he rises again and walks around with his staff, then he who struck him shall be cleared: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for his healing until he is thoroughly healed.

Exo 21:20 "If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.

Exo 21:21 Notwithstanding, if he gets up after a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his property.

Exo 21:22 "If men fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely, and yet no harm follows, he shall be surely fined as much as the woman's husband demands and the judges allow.

Exo 21:23 But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life,

Exo 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Exo 21:25 burning for burning, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise.

Exo 21:26 "If a man strikes his servant's eye, or his maid's eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Exo 21:27 If he strikes out his male servant's tooth, or his female servant's tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

Exo 21:28 "If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.

Exo 21:29 But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and it has been testified to its owner, and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death.

Exo 21:30 If a ransom is laid on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is laid on him.

Exo 21:31 Whether it has gored a son or has gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him.

Exo 21:32 If the bull gores a male servant or a female servant, thirty shekels of silver shall be given to their master, and the ox shall be stoned.

Exo 21:33 "If a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and doesn't cover it, and a bull or a donkey falls into it,

Exo 21:34 the owner of the pit shall make it good. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall be his.

Exo 21:35 "If one man's bull injures another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live bull, and divide its price; and they shall also divide the dead animal.

Exo 21:36 Or if it is known that the bull was in the habit of goring in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall surely pay bull for bull, and the dead animal shall be his own.

 Mar. 11, 12

Mark 8

Mar 8:1 In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself, and said to them,

Mar 8:2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.

Mar 8:3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way."

Mar 8:4 His disciples answered him, "From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?"

Mar 8:5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven."

Mar 8:6 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude.

Mar 8:7 They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.

Mar 8:8 They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

Mar 8:9 Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.

Mar 8:10 Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha.

Mar 8:11 The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him.

Mar 8:12 He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Mar 8:13 He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side.

Mar 8:14 They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them.

Mar 8:15 He warned them, saying, "Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod."

Mar 8:16 They reasoned with one another, saying, "It's because we have no bread."

Mar 8:17 Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened?

Mar 8:18 Having eyes, don't you see? Having ears, don't you hear? Don't you remember?

Mar 8:19 When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Twelve."

Mar 8:20 "When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Seven."

Mar 8:21 He asked them, "Don't you understand, yet?"

Mar 8:22 He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.

Mar 8:23 He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.

Mar 8:24 He looked up, and said, "I see men; for I see them like trees walking."

Mar 8:25 Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.

Mar 8:26 He sent him away to his house, saying, "Don't enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village."

Mar 8:27 Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?"

Mar 8:28 They told him, "John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."

Mar 8:29 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

Mar 8:30 He commanded them that they should tell no one about him.

Mar 8:31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Mar 8:32 He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Mar 8:33 But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men."

Mar 8:34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mar 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

Mar 8:36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

Mar 8:37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life?

Mar 8:38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

From Mark Copeland... "CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH" Denominationalism

                  "CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH"

                           Denominationalism

INTRODUCTION

1. A great challenge confronting the church is denominationalism...
   a. According to one account, there are more than 38,000 different
      denominations!
   b. Different religious organizations, bearing many different
      religious names
   c. Hindering the spread of the gospel ("Why, you Christians can’t
      even agree!")

2. Denominationalism confronted the church early on...
   a. Many think that it started with the Protestant reformation (ca.1517 AD)
   b. Properly understood, its origins can be traced to the second century AD

[What is denominationalism?  Why is it wrong?  Such questions this study will address...]

I. DEFINING DENOMINATION AND DENOMINATIONALISM

   A. WHAT IS A DENOMINATION...?
      1. "A large group of religious congregations united under a common
         faith and name and organized under a single administrative and
         legal hierarchy." - The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
      3. By their common name and tie to a governing body above the
         local congregation, they are "denominated" from all
         congregations that do not submit to the same authority
      4. Some examples:
         a. The Roman Catholic Church is a denomination made up of those
            churches that submit to the pope in Rome
         b. The Eastern Orthodox Church is a denomination made up of
            those churches that submit to the patriarch of Constantinople
         c. The Anglican Church of England is a denomination made up of
            those churches that submit to the archbishop of Canterbury
         d. The Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) is made up of those
            churches that submit to the synod in Missouri
  

    -- A denomination is a group of congregations that are joined
         together under some governing body, all wearing the same distinctive name

   B. WHAT IS DENOMINATIONALISM...?
      1. According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language:
         a. "The tendency to separate into religious denominations"
         b. "Advocacy of separation into religious denominations"
         c. "Strict adherence to a denomination; sectarianism"
      2. For the purpose in this series, I will be applying the term to
         any approval of the denominational division which exists today
         a. Many in denominations today are not all that devoted to
            their denominational principles or interests
         b. But by membership in a denomination they implicitly advocate
            separation into religious denominations

[Is denominationalism really a challenge confronting the church?  Some
consider it a blessing:  e.g., "Join the church of your choice!"  But
from a Biblical perspective, consider...]

II. WHY DENOMINATIONALISM IS WRONG

   A. IT IS UN-SCRIPTURAL...
      1. That is, it is without Scriptural support
         a. There is no basis in the Bible for local churches being
            divided up into various denominational bodies
         b. There is no denomination that can go to the Bible and say,
            "See that passage? There is our church (denomination)!"
      2. In the New Testament...
         a. Local congregations were independent, autonomous (self-governing)
         b. Church organization was limited to within the local congregation
         c. With elders (also known as pastors, bishops, overseers,
            presbyters) appointed to oversee only the congregation of
            which they were members - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1Pe 5:1-2
      3. The only authority above the local church in the NT was Christ
         and His apostles
         a. Once the church began, apostles were not replaced after they
            died - e.g., Ac 12:1-2
         b. But through the Word of God, the authority of Christ and His apostles continues
 

     -- Individuals, synods, conferences, etc., that presume to usurp
         authority over local churches today do so without Scriptural authority

   B. IT IS ANTI-SCRIPTURAL...
      1. Not only is it without scriptural support, it is contrary to
         what the Bible teaches
      2. It is contrary to the prayer of Jesus for unity among His
         believers - Jn 17:20-23
      3. It is condemned by Paul in his epistle to the church at Corinth
         a. There are to be no divisions among believers - 1Co 1:10-13
         b. Sectarianism is a sign of carnality - 1Co 3:3-4
      4. It opposes the efforts of Christ on the cross! - Ep 2:14-16
         a. Jesus died to break down the wall of division
         b. Jesus died to reconcile man to God in ONE body
      -- Just as our sin works against the efforts of Christ on the
         cross (for He died to put away sin), so does denominational
         division!

   C. IT IS HARMFUL TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST...
      1. Jesus knew that unity among His disciples would be "the final apologetic"
         a. Cf. "that the world may believe" - Jn 17:21
         b. In view of Jesus’ words, we should not be surprised when
            unbelievers are slow to accept the gospel coming from a
            divided church
      2. Many point to the divided condition of those professing to follow Christ...
         a. Atheists and agnostics use religious division as an excuse
            not to believe in God
         b. Muslims, Jews, etc. often use denominationalism reasons not
            to believe in Christ
      3. Denominationalism has also given support and encouragement to the cults
         a. Mormonism started in reaction to the denominationalism of
            Joseph Smith’s day
         b. Those who call themselves "Jehovah’s Witnesses" use
            religious division to encourage people to follow their own
            strictly-controlled organization
    

  -- How can any true disciple of Christ support such a harmful concept?

   D. OTHERS WHO VIEWED DENOMINATIONALISM AS WRONG...
      1. Martin Luther, a leader of the Reformation Movement:

         "I ask that men make no reference to my name, and call
         themselves not Lutherans, but Christians.  What is Luther?  My
         doctrine, I am sure, is not mine, nor have I been crucified
         for any one. St. Paul, in 1 Cor. 3, would not allow Christians
         to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian.  How then
         should I, poor, foul carcass that I am, come to have men give
         to the children of Christ a name derived from my worthless
         name?  No, no, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names,
         and call ourselves Christians after Him Whose doctrine we have."
         - Hugh Thomason Kerr, A Compend of Luther’s Theology
         (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1943, p. 135)

      2. John Wesley, another reformation leader, among whose followers
         are Methodists, Wesleyans, etc.:

         "Would to God that all party names, and unscriptural phrases
         and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot
         and that the very name [Methodist] might never be mentioned
         more, but be buried in eternal oblivion." - John Wesley,
         Universal Knowledge, A Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Arts,
         Science, History, Biography, Law, Literature, Religions,
         Nations, Races, Customs, and Institutions, Vol. 9, Edward A.
         Pace, Editor (New York: Universal Knowledge Foundation, 1927,p. 540)

      3. Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest Baptist preachers who ever lived:

         "I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be
         a Baptist living!  I hope that the Baptist name will soon
         perish, but let Christ’s name last forever." - Spurgeon
         Memorial Library, Vol. I., p. 168

      -- Note well:  these individuals were bemoaning the use of
         denominational titles, not organizational ties per se

CONCLUSION

1. But it is organizational ties above the local church that leads to denominationalism...
   a. Once local churches are "organized under a single administrative
      and legal hierarchy", denominational names soon follow!
   b. And so it is that denominationalism with its religious division
      continues to grow!

2. If local churches are to successfully confront the challenge of
   denominationalism, they must...
   a. Remain independent, autonomous (self-governing) congregations
   b. Refuse organizational associations with other churches
   c. Refrain from using denominational names for their churches

3. Churches that succeed in avoiding denominationalism are more likely to be...
   a. Nothing more than local churches of Christ
   b. Christians who simply seek to follow Jesus as His disciples
   c. The answer to the prayer of our Lord for unity among believers
      - cf. Jn 17:20-21

But there is another challenge, one that is closely related to
denominationalism, which we shall consider in our next study:
Sectarianism!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011