Subject: need for a bible-anyone |
Bible Note: Greetings Mouse2! Thanks for the response! I would have to differ with your first source though. Titus 1:5 says that Titus stayed to 'appoint' elders. How could this possibly support total local autonomy? Even 1 Tim. 1:3 would seem to violate this principle, because Timothy (an outsider) was commanding individuals within a local church about their doctrine. And, nothing is said in your source about Acts 15, where the Jerusalem church sent a letter to Antioch with instructions to be obeyed. Concerning your second point, I do agree that there is an invisible universal Church. That is why I was concerned about some of the things I was hearing about the Churches of Christ, since they seem to believe that that invisible Church is only made up of those who believe like the Churches of Christ. I disagree however that every church had a common doctrine. Most of the New Testament was written to address false doctrines which were creeping into the various local churches through a variety of sources. But, while I don't like everything about denominationalism, I still think that the universal Church is a reality even with denominations. Everyone who has been washed by the blood of Christ, whether they call themselves Church of Christ, Baptist, Lutheran, ect..., are part of that Body of Christ, just like local churches are all part of one body. We can begin to 'restore' unity by uniting under one Lord, not teaching or preaching that only our particular brand of Christianity is the 'true' Church. Disclaimer: This is not to say that every group is Christian. There are many cults which deny the essential doctrines of the Bible, but still want to be considered Christian. They are not part of the Body of Christ. But, the differences which divide most denominations don't fall into this category. Well, the basketball game is coming on! Got to go! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |