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March-May 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel

Why So Many Divisions in the Churches of God?

by Robert Sumner

It is a problem everyone talks about, but few do anything about it. Are you a cause of division? Or instead, are you a cause for peace?

Throughout the past 25 years, I have personally witnessed many divisions in the Churches of God. Some"seemed" to be beneficial, but most have been more harmful to the "Body of Christ" and to the lives of many brethren, than they have been edifying.

But, is this anything new? Of course NOT! The Apostle Paul addressed this same issue, and may I say,very harshly. I must examine my own motives sometimes and ask myself; "If I lived in the days of the Apostle Paul, and belonged to one of the Churches of God, would I have been part of 'the divisions'?"

Notice the admonition to the Church of God, at Corinth. "Now I beseech you brethren, by the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ; that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgement. It has been declared . . . that there are CONTENTIONS among you. One of you says, '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 you baptized in the name of Paul? he that glories let him glory in the Lord!" (I Cor. 1:10-31).

"And I brethren, could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ . .. for you are yet carnal. For, whereas there is among you ENVYING, STRIFE, AND DIVISIONS. ARE YOU NOT CARNAL AND WALK AS MEN? Who is Paul? And who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man! I have planted, Apollos watered, but God that gives the increase! Now he that plants, and he that waters are ONE; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are LABORERS TOGETHER WITH GOD, you are GOD'S HUSBANDRY, you are God's building . . . for (any) other foundation can no man lay that is laid (already), which is Jesus Christ! (I Cor. 3:1-11).

Remember, the Corinthian Church had many more "outward" gifts of the Spirit than that recorded of any of the other churches (I Cor. chapter 12). The Apostle Paul, however declared them "carnal," NOT"spiritual"! Why? DIVISIONS, ENVYINGS, STRIFE, AND CONTENTIONS!

How many in the Churches of God today does this fit? Dare any of us "examine ourselves whether we be in the Faith"? ( II Cor. 13:5); or among the "divisions"? Do we have an attitude of "I belong to this Church of God"? Or, "Our church holds onto this (pet) doctrine"? Or, "I will support and follow this minister Of God,""this church denomination," "this organization" NO MATTER WHAT! Aren't we saying what the Corinthians said before, "I am of Paul" (a particular church or denomination); "I am of Apollos" (a particular speaker); "I am of Cephas/Peter" (a particular minister), or "I am of Christ" (a particular doctrine/teaching/truth)?

Are there ministers and church leaders who bicker and fight? Whose ego or pride gets hurt, or in the way,and they must go out and try to "out-do"/"out-church" one another? Who among us claim to be the one God has chosen, and no one else? What did our Savior say about this subject? "You know that the princes of this world [Gentiles] exercise great authority over them. But, IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU! Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister (Greek = servant), and whosoever will be chief among you,let him be your servant (Greek = bond slave, servant)! ( Matt. 20:25-27). Ministers are but trusted, proven servants, not governing masters who lord it over God's people! (See I Peter 5:1-10). They are overseers, not taskmasters; gifts to the Body of Christ, not takers! WHY? To build organizations, works, or denominations(especially for themselves)? NO! "And He (Christ, THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH, NOT ANY MAN) gave some apostles; some prophets; some evangelists; some pastors and teachers (notice He gave some, not many)for the perfecting of the saints; for the work of the ministry; FOR THE EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. TILL WE ALL COME INTO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD ; unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" ( Eph. 4:11-13). Not some man's fulness, but Christ's, "SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, may grow up into Him in all things; WHICH IS THE HEAD, EVEN CHRIST" (Eph. 4: 15).

Compare this, brethren, with the church or congregation you fellowship with. Does the leadership meet these criteria? If not, they need to be addressed properly according to Scripture. Ministers of God, do you meet these qualifications? If not, there needs to be a change in your ministry. Remember, CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF HIS CHURCH -- NOT MAN! Not any organization! Christ is the foundation of the church --not any doctrine! not any "truth"! not even any commandment keeping!

Remember, we are all brethren, workers together, "laborers together with God"! God is the potter and we are the clay. Christ is the vine, we are the branches. All glory belongs to Him alone!

How did the Apostle Paul respond? "For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified"! (I Cor. 2:2). If our speech, teachings, sermons, doctrines, beliefs, actions, or whatever else, DO NOT REVOLVE AROUND THIS MOST CRUCIAL CORE FOUNDATION -- WE HAVE GONE ASTRAY! Does this mean, not to teach doctrines? The Sabbath? Truth? Scripture? God forbid. Of course not! IT MEANS THEY ALL MUST BE CHRIST CENTERED! Is it wrong to have different church groups or denominations? Not necessarily. Remember, all the churches of the New Testament were independent assemblies -- yet all worked together to share God's love; to share Christ and Him crucified; to provide fellowship; to evangelize; to provide for physical needs of their community and the Christian communities at large; and to continually build up the body of Christ.

In I Cor. 12:4-6, we find there are different administrations, as well as different gifts, all by the same Spirit of God! All were part of the body of Christ! Yes, there are different parts of the body, with different functions.

However, they are still one in faith, one in spirit, one in goals, one in purpose, and one body working together!

Compare I Cor. 12 & Eph. 4). Even the Apostle Paul had differences of opinions on how to "do the work"/"administration," yet still it was working towards the same goals, and "extending the right hand of fellowship." The foot can't tell the arm, I don't want you, and still function as part of the same body. If the big toe is stubbed or hurt, the whole body suffers. We are connected together and should work TOGETHER IN CHRIST!

How is the Church different from secular, worldly organizations? If you cannot answer that question, then something is obviously wrong. Famous religious figures are "busted" for wrong doings and immoral acts. Is this different from the world? How does this reflect on God's Church, the Body of Christ? Scripture tells us,"by this shall all men know you are my disciples if YOU HAVE LOVE ONE FOR ANOTHER" (John13:34-35)! All of us who have separated from various denominations or organizations -- how are we known? By our differences? Are we prideful about our differences, or reasons we left? Do we lift up doctrines, spiritual gifts, sacred names, leaders, ministers, "The Work," "The Truth," or our way of doing things? Or rather, are we known by the fruit of God's Love in our lives and in our churches, and in our dealings with other brethren from other churches? Do we have the same kind of love our Lord displayed while He was here on earth? What fruits are we displaying -- carnal, or of the Spirit? (Gal. 5:13-26 )

Where are all the Bridge Builders"? The "Peace makers" (Matt. 5:9)? The "Repairers of the Breach" (Isa.58:12)? The "Pure and Undefiled before God" (James 1:26-27; Matt. 25:36-46)? The "Ambassadors for Christ," and "The ministers of Reconciliation" (II Cor. 5:17-21)? If we are part of the ministry/work of Christ as many of us claim -- why aren't there more who are "anointed to preach the gospel to the poor; heal the broken hearted; to preach deliverance to the captives; and recovery of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:17-19)? Are we about our Heavenly Father's business, or our own? Are we building our own little empires, or the Kingdom of God? Are we fellowshipping and working together as "fellow laborers with God," or separating ourselves to do "The Work," that only "we" can do? Are we the only ones, or, are we part of the Body of Christ with Him at the head? "BEHOLD HOW GOOD AND PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL TOGETHER INUNITY" (Psalm 133:1-3).

We constantly hear of church splits; groups breaking up; and new independent fellowships and individuals starting out. Frankly, much of this is sad to see. It's even sadder to have experienced some of this personally. Brethren, you have fellow shipped with for years, turning their backs on one another. WHY? Are the children of God, the real enemies? God forbid! Who is the accuser of the brethren? The thief, destroyer? Well, of course it is Satan, the devil! Why aren't we fighting him instead of our brethren? Why do we bang our heads against the wall, hurting ourselves? Jesus asked this of Saul, who became Paul, on the road to Damascus,"Why do you kick against the pricks?" We should join in the battle to fight our common enemy, not ourselves. Satan knows how to divide and conquer.

When was the last time you were encouraged to hear about brethren getting together and healing their differences? Coming together in harmony, mutual respect, and humility of spirit? Why don't we hear more of this? Why don't more brethren share good things, and good news such as in "The Journal" and "The Sabbath Sentinel"? I like hearing good reports, and not so much negative all the time. Information that builds and edifies, and does not tear down. How about you?

Would you like to hear a good report? I have one to share. In the central Pennsylvania area, several hundred brethren left a major denomination in 1974. Many reasons were given, including administrative, theological, and personal. Soon there were splits off splits, etc. About fourteen years ago, the remaining larger group,broke up in half. One half remained with a certain organization; while the other operated for years as an independent group. Individually, God was dealing with their spiritual growth. The independent group finally matured enough to see the need of a larger affiliation and doing work for the kingdom of God; so they joined with an old, large denomination in the 7th day churches. Meanwhile the former group who had stayed with another organization had difficulties, and became more or less independent also. God led them to a maturity that helped them see they needed to be part of a bigger affiliation. During the years of separation, the Lord was working with these split groups because members of each group attended the same functions and fellowshipped socially. Finally the Lord led the leadership of both groups to meet with each other; and itwas decided to join back together after all those years. In the last three years the Lord has worked marvelously, by the healing of personal hurts, changing attitudes and clearing up any other major differences.

Some of the important matters to consider are these:

  1. We serve the same Lord, why not work together?
  2. Doctrinal differences are minor. Learn to allow others a different viewpoint.
  3. We all grow at different levels in grace and knowledge, so allow for this with mercy and love
  4. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
  5. Support one another, even when we sin and fall short.
  6. Teach the Word of God.
  7. Preach the gospel -- the good news. Allow for freedom of expressions as long as it edifies.
  8. Let God be God, not us.
  9. Don't condemn one another.
  10. If some believe the Festivals of Leviticus 23 are mandatory, and others do not, don't bicker and fight -- learn from one another.

Allow for differences, as this does not take away your salvation. There are many others but ALWAYS BE HUMBLE AND PUT CHRIST FIRST in everything you do! The restored congregation is now growing spiritually and in numbers as well. Praise God for His mercy! His grace and love! Praise Yahweh!

Why isn't cooperation such as this being duplicated across America, and other countries? Why aren't more brethren working together? You don't have to attend the same services to work together, or to fellowship together. You should be on the same team, with the same goals and purposes. If we keep our minds open,and a humble attitude -- perhaps we will learn something from another brother or sister in the Lord. If we maintain this concept of "we only have the truth," or "we only have God's special anointing," or "our leader is the special one called of God"; then we are missing the true calling of God! We must be ministers of the conciliation and reconciliation of God, ambassadors for Christ -- not just serving ourselves, or our organizations!

"I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,holy, acceptable unto God; which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God," Rom. 12:1-2!

"If there be any consolation in Christ; if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies, fulfill you my joy that you be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord; of one mind let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the father . . . for it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure . . .do all things without murmurings and disputings that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke; in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom you shine as lights to the world.holding forth the word of life . . . (Phil. 2:1-16).

Are we lights? Do we express God's love? Are we Ambassadors for Christ? Ministers of Reconciliation? Bridge builders? Prayer warriors? Repairers of the breach? Peace makers? Meek? Humble? Is Christ central to everything we do? Let's glorify God together. Let's have the same mind as Christ. Let's love one another. By this shall all men know we are His disciples!

TSS

March - May 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel