Christians Only
Note: All scripture quotations are taken from the ASV 1901, unless otherwise noted.
“Then they that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved,” Acts 2:46-47.
In this historical Biblical record pertaining to the beginning of the church, there are several items that should be noted. First of all, those that did believe Peter and the facts of his powerful sermon that he delivered on this, the,“birthday,” of the church, truly wished to know what it was that they could do to make things right in the sight of God. This same question, “what shall we do,” should serve as a benchmark today for those who would strive to achieve truthful and honest answers to the way of salvation and entrance into the church. Sadly the answer that those folks on Pentecost was given does not satisfy the larger portion of bodies that claim to be, “Christians,” today. If the answer and example contained in these scriptures were indeed satisfactory, there would be no Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, or any other man made institution in this world today. There would simply be Christians!
This concept sounds foreign to most people, I know. It goes against all that most have been taught religiously all their lives. It is a hard truth to fathom, and I understand the shock and surprise of folks not acquainted with this Biblical standard of truth. While we look at this question of Biblical salvation, let us remember that the book of Acts is referred to as, “the book of conversions.” Acts involves all aspects of the church, or kingdom, including of course, the way to salvation.
Think it over. Nowhere in this example found in the book of Acts, nor any where else in the Bible is there found that one is to, “join,” the church. We find that they were simply, “added,” to the church by the Lord. They were, “added,” to the church following their obedience to the commands of Peter to, “repent and be baptized.” Incidentally, the commands uttered by Peter in this instance,completely mirror the Lords commands before His ascension to the letter, as can be seen with the reading of Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47. Nowhere can it be found in the Word that once a convert had been added to the church of our Lord that he or she went about seeking to create, or join another church of their choice. We cannot think we have authority to be members of two churches can we? This idea is foreign to the Bible. It is of human design, as are these churches not built by Christ. There was, and still is, only one church! This church is the one founded by Jesus, and purchased by His precious blood. No one can expect to enter the kingdom through another door other than that Door; Jesus!
Denominations of the world give a blurred and error filled teaching of the, “visible,” church and the, “invisible,”church. To think that all denominations are true visible churches within the true invisible church of our Lord is quite ridiculous. The denominations conveniently work this false notion of ,“join the church of your choice,” into their rhetoric, although this is not even slightly alluded to within the Word of God.
Indeed, there were, in the beginning, various congregations of the one true church. However, there were no such things as denominations, each preaching and practicing different doctrine. This is no more than an attempt at reconciling and rationalizing the divided state of denominationalism. Christ never intended for there to be anymore than one church, undivided and bound together by a common love for the Lord and a holy devotion to the brotherhood of Christ. Indeed, as a matter of record, Christ prayed that His subjects would remain undivided, “Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as we are, “John17:11. Jesus built one church. He died for His church at Calvary and purchased it with His own blood, “…The church of the Lord which He purchased with His own blood,” Acts 20:28.
People in this day and age shop for a church as they would an automobile or clothes.Whatever suits their fancy and makes them happy is the order of the day. And most folks today seek out and choose the most, “entertaining,” church they can find. This is not true worship that is in spirit and in truth, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:23,24, (King James Version). This is not doing things decently and in order! “But let all things be done decently and in order,” 1Corinthians 14:40. I would think that this verse would most definitely pertain to our, “worship,” first, as well as in our every day lives as well.
Would you not agree that it would be much better to let God do the talking in all matters pertaining to His will. I think I can safely aver that it was never His will or intention that human inspired organizations plant themselves in place of, and in addition to Christ’s one true church.
The Reformation Movement was a good start at getting back to a “thus sayeth the Lord.” However, the Reformation did not go nearly far enough. As a matter of fact, though much good came from that partial revival, ultimately, much more damage was done than good. What transpired from the Reformation Movement is a maze of countless institutions and bodies, all in disharmony, and all thinking in some strange way that God approves of this arrangement. “giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through you all, and in all,” Ephesians 4:3-6. Human injection and interference was the cause of the falling away centuries ago, and human injection and interference continues to be the cause of division to this very day.
The call to do away with human devised party names, creeds, and doctrine was sounded in the churches infancy. The Holy Spirit through the inspired writers of the New Testament divinely made that call. The call that was sounded went unheeded, the result is evidenced today with the countless number of denominations, all claiming harmony in diversity. All claim divine guidance of the Holy Spirit.
With the advent of the lesser known, “Restoration Movement,” some three hundred years ago, the call to do away with party names, creeds and doctrine, and return to the purity of the scriptures was once again sounded. This plea is still being sounded today by the Lords church. The plea is to return to unity in all phases of Biblical matters, and to call ourselves just, “Christians.”
On a final note I will ask one question in relation to denominations. Each and every denomination that I am aware of, will declare that they are guided by the Holy Spirit. Each and everyone of these church bodies will teach their particular brand of creeds and doctrine, which variously at many points, is in complete disharmony and disagreement with one another. I will ask, which one is led by the Holy Spirit? Someone is wrong! How could a person know? Will you attempt to affirm that it does not matter? It most certainly does matter because the Holy Spirit does not teach conflicting doctrine, of this we can be sure. Each denomination will go to the Word for their proof…most of the time any way. There are exceptions, and this is because some denominations do not accept the Bible as literal. This is fodder for another day however.
Truthfully, there are many people within a church that they follow, that do not even know exactly what it is that their denomination teaches! I ask that all folks need to determine what is truth and what are falsehoods. Do you want to know? Study your Bible.
If you are joined to a denomination you need to question it’s teachings in light of the Word of God. Remember, the Lord, “adds,” converts to His church. If you are added to the church that Christ built, why would you want to be joined to another church? Think about this will you?
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