Not a Good Idea?

By Bill Brandstatter

 

    I was watching a television program in which a number of preachers were asked questions from viewers. One viewer asked a very important question. The question dealt with why all the different denominations. The viewer asked, “Wouldn’t it be better to have just one church?” The moderator of the program stated that would not be a good idea! Only a couple of preachers responded. They indicated that varying opinions of interpretation of scripture was the reason for all the denominations. Since there are varying opinions, according to them, denominations are justified.

    Apparently, some of the men on the program may not have been familiar with some statements in scriptures that would have answered the question. Jesus prayed for unity and that “all may be one.” (John 17:21) Paul pleaded with the Christians at Corinth “that there be no divisions among you but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 1:10) The idea of unity is, according to the Bible, a good idea.

    The Bible teaches also that one church is a good idea. Paul wrote that Christ is the head of the church which is His body. (Eph. 1:22) He says in 1 Cor.12:20 that there is “yet one body.” Paul also mentions in Eph. 4:4, “There is one body.”

    There is one church whose members have their names written in heaven.

(Heb.12:23) Regarding this one church, Paul emphasized “we being many are one body in

Christ.” (Rom. 12:5) Paul further indicated there is one way into that one body. He indicated, “For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.” (1 Cor. 12:13) This happened when the church was established in acts 2:47. Luke writes there, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

    There was in the New Testament time only one church. They were consistent in message. (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17) There was just one system of faith that had to be obeyed. (Jude 3; Eph. 4:5) There is just one gospel. (Rom. 1:16)

    May we understand the simple plan for unity as outlined in the New Testament.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/