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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 3 of 3 Not to engage in argumentation... heard the expression of throwing out the baby with the bath water?... this is our dilemma today! Some one somewhere decided that "Tradition" was a four letter word... and out if went! Everyone modernized their local church by rejection history and suspending the Holy Spirit for nearly fifteen hundred years... is this in teaching with the Apostles? Did any of them taught a separation from the Old Testament because if was null and void by the New Covenant? Did Jesus? Here's what Paul says: So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. (2 Thessalonians 2:15) Clearly Paul does not teach about a Church that exists in a vacuum! He is careful to instruct and to remind the Church that what the Apostles (which includes their direct delegates) teach through writing, (Epistles) or through oral presentation is directed by the Holy Spirit--so traditions (teachings) is never a four letter word for Paul! Sadly, when man decided to divest himself from the cumbersome "traditions" of the Church he, unintentionally, embraced all teachings--just as long as Scripture is sited… and like a stubborn child he refuses to admit that the Holy Spirit has never ceased working in the Church that Christ built! So schism, like the old shampoo commercial (I think it was shampoo... I told two friends, and they told two friends, and they told two friends...) took hold of the Church... and the "traditions of the Apostles" were disregarded in favor of the exponential traditions created by a still dividing body of men! As Jesus said: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25) The Church still stands only but for the Grace of God! God Bless! Angel |