1 Corinthians 1:10-13 KJV

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

It was never God’s design, but Christianity is divided. The Word constantly reminds us to be of the same mind. Paul implored the churches to do this back then to combat factions and divisions. People claimed to be of Paul or Apollos. Today people claim to be of Luther and Calvin. Just saying. Christians who were formerly Jews wanted Christian doctrine to contain elements of Judaism.

So seeing this took place years ago, it’s no surprise that this exists today.

Don’t consider this a viable excuse to avoid Jesus altogether as this is a foolish school of thought. Jesus is not divided even though man is divided on how to serve Him. Jesus still has expectations of you. The failings of man doesn’t negate the perfection of God or His law.

But the separation is dangerous!

Why? Because it gives off the misguided notion that religion divides and causes conflict which could not be further from the truth. People cause conflict. But one looks at the bickering within christianity and are immediately turned off.

It confuses the seeker. Why so many religions? Which is right? Denominational, non denominational… Ahhh!!!

It’s also produces a false sense of unity. The secular world clumps all “those Christians” into one major group without any careful respect to individual doctrinal differences. People who call themselves Christians clump themselves with others who call themselves Christians and feel we are all on the same page as long as we believe in Jesus. And the general unity is necessary and beautiful but…

Why so many different Christians? Churches?

Did not Jesus say to Peter, on this rock I will build my church? Were they not first called Christians at Antioch?? Did Paul not urge us to be of one mind? Church. Not churches. Christians and not Lutherans, catholics, baptists, etc. One mind.

If the Bible highlights unity, the multitude of groups within this one supposed unified faith is not what God intended!

(If I’m wrong, scripture me right)

No. This not an attack on any one denomination by any means!! But what I want to convey is there is a separation and this is a true spiritual issue. Furthermore it begs the question, why?

It’s more obvious than you think.

There are significant differences in the proper application of scripture.

We, if truly Christians, all agree that the Bible is the infallible word of God. The infallible truth. Right? So from there we now have to rightly divide the truth (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). This is why we are charged to study the word. If one person does not do this and joins himself with others who has erroneously applied the word, you now have a group who has erred in unison.

Many false doctrines have been born out of failure to accurately apply scripture or totally fail to really read it altogether. God’s word is really more clear cut than it is cryptic. Through God’s word we learn what God expects of us, how to serve Him, how to be saved and how to get to heaven. But conflicting views have created this plethora of denominations.

The point of this blog is not to discuss specific doctrines, but to address the individual sitting in a pew or deciding which pew to sit in. The purpose of this blog is to also cause church groups to really look at this issue, look at their doctrine, look at God’s word and ask themselves if both agree.

The root of the confusion is people are not reading their Bible correctly. The confusion is fed because people are not reading their Bible at all. To you I say read your Bible. Rightly divide the word of God. Join yourself with others who have correctly determined what God requires of His church.

Because although there may be many local congregations, we all should be saying one thing.

Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Blessings in your Christian walk.

Let’s get to this humble beast, Braille!