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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: Part 2 of 3 So, if there were two hundred members in that congregation, Paul expects that there would be one Gospel and that they would practice one Gospel! If we multiply that by a zillion? God Commands that there be one Gospel and that they practice one Gospel--to do differently would be to render Christ's Command null and void: "be one as I and the Father are One!" " in the end, our Holy Bible has to be the final authority concerning our questions of God, Christ and His Church." This statement sound extremely progressive... yet, the Apostles did not have that view... that view is essentially a modern view of God, Faith, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit... Here's what Paul says about the "final argument:" if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) Paul is not telling the various congregations to take out the Scrolls and formulate the various discourses and decrees as they agree on some topics, ignore others, and still hold others as inapplicable... No! Paul tells them that the Living Church of God is the pillar and foundation of the truth! Why is Paul stating this? Because Jesus did not leave a manual for the Church but left the other Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, in charge of the Church... as the Holy Spirit revealed further information, the Church began to take shape... as you can recall, there was no Bible in existence when Jesus walked the earth as the Lamb of God... and even the existing Scrolls were not the final word till Jesus fulfilled the prophecies that referred to the Messiah... He came not to abolish but to fulfill and part of His revelation is that the Holy Spirit comes to the Believers (the Body of Christ) and it is His job to bring the fullness of truth. If we remove the Holy Spirit from the Church we simply have a social event where everyone and anyone can be as opinionated as their whim allows--some dictating conflicting doctrines. Can you imagine a course on North American History when the indigenous people and all of the various imports (nationalities) are removed? It would be as palatable as a grilled cheese sandwich without the cheese! That is what our liberal and pluralistic individualism has done to the Church as each group dissects Scripture and create their version of Christianity! |