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NASB | Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:4 There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]-- |
Bible Question: WHAT DOES JESUS THINK ABOUT DENOMINATION. AND WHERE DOES BIBLE SUPPORT DENOMINATION. |
Bible Answer: Hi, Medi... The Bible does not support within the body of Christ schism, sect, division, or denomination. However, it records a great deal of it in the early churches. Man being what he is, such things occur when you put more than one of us with another. On the other hand, the Bible does say, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) Therefore, if a believer finds themselves in a group that is not worshiping the God of the Scriptures, then he is among idolaters and he should withdraw himself. Another point, in an effort to bring balance: Ephesians 1-3 is all about what God did in order to create His temple "made without hands." To accomplish this He did two specific things: (1) He made dead men alive and (2) He brought estranged men together. We could never have accomplished this; But what man could not do, God has done. A work that is marvelous in our sight! The invisible, universal church of Christ is *already* united! Paul goes on to instruct us, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3) Therefore, what God has done, let us not fight against in our local congregations. But the effort to retain unity begins with "walking worthy of the vocation in which we are called." It means being humble, meek, patient, and loving. If we do these things, then we can preserve unity in the visible church. Denominations -- great bodies of men in which authority is vested -- were created to preserve truth and insure the dissemination of it. Men sometimes begin to wield power for selfish, prideful purposes, etc. Some groups have lapsed into this kind of problem, and the denomination becomes an edifice that exists for its own promotion. Others have attempted to devise mechanisms to prevent this and other failings. Some groups vest authority in the local church. While others simply avoid using the term denomination at all. No matter how you look at it, it is not a simple problem. I hope that this answers your question in a balanced, denomination neutral fashion. In Him, Doc |