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NASB | Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. |
Bible Question:
How do we justify denominations in light of John 17:20-23 (NKJV) 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Which in effect is calling for unity and says the world will know Jesus is authentic by the unity it sees in the believers. Then we move to 1 Corinthians 1:13 (NKJV) 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 12:25 (NKJV) 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. |
Bible Answer: Dear brother Ed, How many denominationalists believe in denominationalism for the sake of being a denomination? Don't you suppose that "Denominations have emerged for legitimate reasons" (as Tommy Reid, an AG pastor in New York writes)? Might some of these reasons still exist? It is inconceivable that Christ's prayer in John 17 was ineffective, or that the Father failed to honor it, or that it was just wishful thinking! (Paul says in Romans 12:5 and Ephesians 2:20-22 that we *are* all one.) Was Paul writing to all Christians everywhere, or to a particular church in the letters to the Corinthians? Was he speaking to the disunity of all believers everywhere, or to a specific church that was in serious trouble? I'm strongly non-denominational, but these passages are not the ones upon which I base this belief. Frankly, I'm non-denominational because of passages like Matthew 23:8-10. Possibly even more convincing is history! (Imagine, John Bunyan could have been released any time during his 12 years in prison by just promising not to preach!) Just my 2 mites... feel free to ignore. :-) In Him, Doc |