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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]. |
Subject: denominations. |
Bible Note: Dear Brother Steve, I use the term "rant" because this person repeatedly brings this topic up, accomplishing nothing but to elicit hard feelings in those whose denominational affiliation has significance for them. (I don't see Paul giving this approach as appropriate for helping to build up weaker brothers.) Furthermore, such posts are rants because they are full of criticism while lacking viable, Scriptural alternatives. In almost every case, the epistles were written to a single church. What you and I would call a "local" church. Jesus, Himself, addressed individual churches in His messages through the apostle John. Since those were the situations that were being addressed, a proper hermeneutic would begin to seek application within that context. Furthermore, this is the primary issue that church-attenders face, since the greatest interaction is with fellow believers in the same congregation. If a local congregation is unable to achieve unity in itself, how can it possibly seek unity on some broader, external basis? The appropriate behavior associated with believers with a non-denominational stance is to avoid becoming a member or submitting to a denomination or a church that subordinates itself to a larger human structure. Next, a believer ought to work to submit appropriately to the elders and shepherd of the flock in which he is serving, while earnestly seeking to walk in love with the brethren. Then, a believer should avail himself to manifesting love to surrounding (important distinction, that) congregations, but not with any other objective than to serve. Saving faith always manifests itself in obedience. Obedience always manifests itself in holiness. Holiness always manifests itself in worship. The Lord works these things out in local congregations according to His will -- while taking little note of historical associations, denominational affiliation, or the careful plans of man. In conclusion, if you study church history, you will understand why this is a particularly important subject to Baptists. I have other posts to answer, but that will have to do for tonight. :-) Thank you for your patient attention, brother. In Him, Doc PS Here's a very interesting set of lectures by a former president of the United States on this very topic: http://www.reformedreader.org/history/adams/btrtoc.htm |