The Human Failure to Remain United
Jesus said that he and the Father are one (John 10:30). Later, he said: "My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are." (John 17:9-11, NLT) He continued: “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!" (John 17:22-24, NLT) Hence, we can see that Christ clearly intended for his disciples to remain united.
Moreover, Scripture makes very clear that this is exactly where the Church began. Indeed, when the disciples came together after Christ's resurrection, we read: "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place." (Acts 2:1, ESV) And, after Peter delivered his sermon, we read: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42-47, ESV)
Unfortunately, people being people, things fell apart rather quickly. In the fifteenth chapter of Acts, we are informed that a dispute arose among the believers about whether or not Gentile Christians were obligated to observe the commandments of Torah. Moreover, although all of the apostles came to an agreement that Gentiles were NOT going to be required to observe the tenets of the Old Covenant, the other writings of the New Testament make clear that the issue continued to be a source of contention and division among the saints (see Romans and Galatians).
In Paul's first epistle to the saints of Corinth, we also see that cults of personality began to develop within that congregation. In other words, the saints began to identify more with a particular leader in the early Church and began to form groups within the congregation based on their allegiance to a particular leader. Paul wrote: "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, 'I follow Paul,' or 'I follow Apollos,' or 'I follow Cephas,' or 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Corinthians 1:10-13, ESV) For Paul, this divisiveness at Corinth was plainly NOT a positive development. On the contrary, he implored them to eradicate this behavior from their midst!
Paul went on to compare the ekklesia to a human body. He wrote: "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, 'I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,' that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, 'I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,' would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, 'I don’t need you.' The head can’t say to the feet, 'I don’t need you.' In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." (I Corinthians 12:12-27, NLT) Clearly, for Paul, the body needed ALL of its parts working together for the common good!
Indeed, this was a common theme throughout the writings we have from the Apostle Paul. He wrote to the Christians at Ephesus to "“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) Does that mean that unity requires effort? Paul went on to tell them that perfect unity was a goal that everyone should strive to achieve (Ephesians 4:13). Likewise, he wrote to the saints at Rome to "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.” (Romans 12:16) He also wrote to the Christians at Philippi that they should "make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” (Philippians 2:2) Paul told the Jewish and Gentile saints of Galatia that they had been made into one people in Christ (Galatians 3:28). Finally, in his second epistle to the Christians of Corinth, the apostle urged them to "Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.” (II Corinthians 13:11)
We should also note that this notion of unity is completely consistent with Christ's expectations of his disciples. In the Gospel of John, we read that Jesus told his disciples: “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:9-17, NLT) In fact, just prior to this discourse, Jesus had told his disciples that their love for each other would identify them to the world as his disciples! (John 13:35)
This is the sentiment that ALL of Christ's apostles echoed in their teachings. Peter wrote: "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (I Peter 3:8) John wrote: "If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (I John 4:12) The anonymous author of the epistle to the Hebrews wrote: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) Likewise, James wrote to his readers that pure religion was to be found in taking care of those among them who were in need (James 1:27). He continued: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” (James 2:8) He also went on to say: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) In other words, God expected his saints to love each other and to live in unity and peace with each other.
Nevertheless, as we have already seen, the saints didn't waste any time in turning their backs on the unity and love which Christ and his apostles had demanded of them. Differences of opinion became grounds to exclude and shun each other. Once again, James laid his finger on the problem. He wrote: "What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." (James 4:1-8, NLT) Clearly, for James, the source of the division was human nature, NOT God!
This history of bickering and division has continued up to the present day - encompassing the entire two-thousand-year existence of the Christian Church. Over those centuries, there have been a number of heresies, opposing centers of power, church councils, and wars fought in the name of Christ and his Church. Like the Roman Empire itself, the Christian Church developed into a Western and Eastern tradition. The Western tradition centered on Rome, its bishop, and Latin. Likewise, the Eastern tradition centered on Constantinople, its patriarch, and Greek. (Now, while these designations are useful to us, it should be noted that they constitute an oversimplification of a more complex picture of East and West.) At any rate, these two halves of the Church coexisted for many centuries, and both regarded each other as constituting part of the Body of Christ. In 1054, however, theological and political differences resulted in both sides excommunicating each other, and the "Universal" was engulfed in the Great Schism - a division which has never been healed.
Later, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his famous/infamous Ninety-five Theses to a church door in Germany, and the Protestant Reformation began. Then, over the next five hundred years, the Protestant Church divided into hundreds of different churches/sects/denominations. Among them, a group of Sabbath-keeping Christians emerged and were eventually known as Seventh-Day Baptists. A little later, one of the Millerite groups adopted sabbath-keeping and promptly divided into Seventh-Day Adventists, and the Church of God Seventh Day (which itself divided into two groups). Then, in the Twentieth-Century, a man named Herbert Armstrong broke away from one of the Church of God Seventh Day organizations and founded his own "Radio Church of God." Later, he changed the name to the "Worldwide Church of God" and ruled that organization until his death in 1986. After his death, the Worldwide Church disintegrated into a number of splinter groups, which have continued to splinter into smaller and smaller grouping ever since. One of these groups, the "Church of God International" has itself divided a number of times over the years. The most recent schism being Pastor Bill Watson of Medina, Ohio's declaration of independence from that group's Tyler, Texas headquarters.
What is the point of all of these Scriptural passages and history? That division is NOT of God! It is born of humans who have refused to follow Christ's commandments and teachings! In other words, division is ALWAYS born of SIN! Division is NOT consistent with Love. It is born of impatience, jealousy, anger, ego/pride, rudeness, unkindness, irritability, giving up, faithlessness, hopelessness, and a distinct lack of forgiveness (see I Corinthians 13:4-7). Schism within the body of Christ is also indicative of individuals who are NOT living according to the beatitudes outlined in Christ's Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:3-10). In schism, we don't usually find much evidence of humility, hungering for righteousness, mercy, pure hearts, or workers for peace! Hence, we are forced to conclude that ALL schism is born of sin and is INCONSISTENT with Christ's commandment to love each other, and to help each other survive the pitfalls and suffering of this present world! In short, schism CANNOT be justified. None of the excuses offered by those who engage in the practice are ever sufficient to justify it! What do you think?
Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix
30 comments:
https://godcannotbecontained.blogspot.com/2025/11/unity.html
"In short, schism CANNOT be justified."
As the article points out, division is the natural consequence of sin, so what's meant by 'it cannot be justified?' Matthew 18:17 points out that an unrepentant sinner is to be treated "as you would a pagan or a tax collector." This is primarily self protection, which is a right and a self responsibility. Which is why churches justifiably splinter, and why America will also shortly splinter, becoming a Mickey Mouse third world country.
Sadly the concept of love in Christian Churches has been weaponised by bullies who smack it over the heads of their victims as 'your at fault...you're not showing love to us by refusing to allow us to control your beliefs and your life..ultimately becoming Popes in other peoples lives.'
Here you have a highly skilled person writing a post on this anti-COG blog, one minute decaring Sabbath keepers as not allowed to call themselves Christians and giving the constant pay out of sarcastic and cruel remarks that only belittle and humiliate others...yet now writing about unity and love.
Maybe the blog writers, who all know each other and work as a group should take the most difficult step in unity and love and start on themselves first.
"Hence, we are forced to conclude that ALL schism is born of sin and is INCONSISTENT with Christ's commandment to love each other, and to help each other survive the pitfalls and suffering of this present world! In short, schism CANNOT be justified. None of the excuses offered by those who engage in the practice are ever sufficient to justify it! What do you think?"
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I disagree. Aside from my glitch in a bible study, as pastor, on "Splits and Schisms" when I actually said, "Shits and Splisms", This is too idealistic and not how humans actually, when organized in belief, function. Some accept anything they are told, if they are prone to the answer to begin with, by someone they perceive as "an authority". Others think about the why, when and how of events and tales told in the Bible.
Paul saying that the reason there should "all speak the same thing", is for the sake of harmony and so there be no division among us is simply a plea, by Paul, to believe him over others. This is no reason to do any such thing. Then any charlatan that comes along can take us down a path we may not find is where we should have gone.
On the other hand Paul is also said to have said, "Romans 14:5-12
5 One-man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
This allows for differing views and individual thinking over what is presented, which, of course, lead to shits and splisms.
Big topic, but sin, rebellion and such has nothing to do with one thinking through what is presented as "true". There is plenty of scriptural permission to ask questions and be cautious of the answers.
I John 4:1
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
If one is encouraged to do this with whatever one perceives as "Spirit", which may be seen as "opinions" as well and not demons, then one can question any view presented without some devious and sinful motive, divisive spirit and total lack of love
PS
"What is the point of all of these Scriptural passages and history? That division is NOT of God! It is born of humans who have refused to follow Christ's commandments and teachings! In other words, division is ALWAYS born of SIN! Division is NOT consistent with Love. It is born of impatience, jealousy, anger, ego/pride, rudeness, unkindness, irritability, giving up, faithlessness, hopelessness, and a distinct lack of forgiveness "
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Totally not how or why the sincere and seeking for meaning, the human mind works when searching the scriptures "to see if these things be so..."
i doubt you are correct when saying ''..sabbath keepers as not allowed to call themselves Christians''.
I've read the posters comments enough to know such is not his view.
Perversely, it is the sabbath observant systems who seem most prone to argue the true church is only in their number.
Dennis,
Like many of my fellow travelers, I continue to seek and question. I believe that God designed us to seek and question. I believe that what the author of Acts said about the Bereans was true. I believe in critical thinking, and I do NOT believe in swallowing whatever comes down the pike hook, line, and sinker. Indeed, I see plenty of error in the theology and teachings of ALL of the human organizations which profess to be Christian.
Even so, I have NEVER felt compelled to branch out on my own and found yet another human organization with the "right" theology or real "truth." I am humble enough to realize that I too am probably wrong about some of the things which I accept/believe. Error, ego, stubbornness, impatience, and anger are unfortunately a part of our human reality, and we delude ourselves if we don't think that they are ever present with us. A sincere and well-meaning seeker of truth will be aware of these baneful influences and seek to avoid them. In other words, the objective cannot be to destroy, discredit, or tear down what has been built by others - Rather, it should be to correct, refine, or add to what has gone before.
The example of Bill Watson is a case in point. I do not accept many of the teachings of the Church of God International, and I disagree with many of the teachings of Pastor Watson. Nevertheless, those differences would not preclude me from fellowshipping or worshipping with them or of me continuing to regard many of their followers as friends, family, or brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe the impulse to excommunicate, leave behind, or start a new group is wrong, and that has NOTHING to do with my interest in trying to get at the truth or stay within God's will!
I can reject someone trying to "lord it over" me without rejecting the person or the worth of their own individual journey. From my perspective, the impulse to leave the group and strike out on one's own is inherently anti-social and selfish. For me, this tendency encapsulates our experiences with the Armstrong Churches of God "I have the truth, and you don't!" - "I'm smart, and you're not!" "If you want to be on God's side, follow ME!"
Miller Jones:
Underlying the divisions in the Ekklesia are disagreements over Biblical interpretation. One of the items on the list of disagreements in the Great Schism of 1054 is whether or not unleavened bread should be used in the Eucharist. The Western Church advocated using unleavened bread to reflect Jewish Passover practice and the Eastern Church advocated using leavened bread as a symbol of the risen Christ. It would seem like this divergence in view could be accommodated instead of being added to the cumulation of other discrepancies.
If the Ekklesia had been able to follow the principle of “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity” the fracturing of the Ekklesia could have been greatly mitigated. But the actual principle that seems to have been followed is “my way or the highway.” And so, denominations multiplied. In the spirit of faction, any nuance of theology could be the source of schism.
So now we have an odd situation. The primitive church was separated mostly by just geography. Now the Invisible Body of Christ is embedded in many denominations with many nominal members and differing organizational purposes and requirements. All the brothers and sisters are united by the Holy Spirit but they are not united by organization. Membership in a denomination does not equate to membership in the Ekklesia. As the saying goes among Christians, “Sitting in church will not make you a Christian any more than sleeping in a garage will make you a car.” But this is the crucible out of which the kingdom of priests will be forged. Go figure.
It is good that you addressed this matter. It is a part of the ever-present backdrop of both Christianity and Armstrongism.
Scout
the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Dennis, I’m not sure you’re right about Paul there in 1 Corinthians. He puts himself in the list with everybody else, including Christ. It seems not an Armstrong-esque call to cultism, but rather a genuine admonition against picking your favorite Armstrong wannabe. Here and elsewhere he does elevate the apostles to the level of Jesus, but not simply himself.
Lol You might be letting Armstrongism training cloud your perception.
Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord.......2Cor 6:17. Uh oh, a schism....
I am correct you are basing your answer on a few weeks. This blog has gone as far as allow comments calling Sabbath keepers Satan worshippers. The hatred over previous months and years has been horrific towards Sabbath keepers.
Every religious denomination from Catholics to Baptists have at one time or another declared themselves as the one true church. In fairness to COG movement they have never burnt anyone at the stake, unlike both Catholics and Prosetants.
10:57. Your absolute hypocrisy is not shocking to read at all. Armstrongists for over 8 decades have maligned and smeared sincere Christians with every kind of disgusting term imaginable, and you sit there on your high horse, whining like a little schoolgirl when people point out that Sabbath Keeping does NOT earn anyone a special pass card into the kingdom. Even worse, when the tables are turned and they toss those same inflammatory words back at you, you get all indignant. Cry me a river, why don't you?
Then you end with this appalling comment: "In fairness to COG movement they have never burnt anyone at the stake, unlike both Catholics and Protestants."
Go tell that to the thousands of people who have committed suicide because of Armstrongism over the decades. Tell the thousands of married men and women who were forced to abandon loving marriages all to please some degenerate church leader. Tell that to the families who have had parents and grandparents turn their backs upon them because some retard in Oklahoma says God told him to say it. Or David Pack demanding that all of his followers sell all they have and give it to him because Jesus is coming to visit Wadsworth.
Armstrongism has destroyed innumerable lives over the decades, so don't go claiming you are better than Catholics and Protestants, because you are not. In fact, you are even worse since you claim to be the orginal and only true Church on the earth.
Dennis,
That was me @ 7:14.
Scout,
I agree with you that the real ekklesia is a spiritual entity that does NOT conform to any manmade organizational boundaries. The common threads are God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, and Love. Take away any one of these elements, and an individual or group is not even a legitimate part of that unseen body. The existence of all of these manmade organizations does NOT justify the creation of more of them. It's the old two wrongs cannot make a right argument. Thanks for your support.
Good point about Paul, Lee!
II Cor 6:17 Therefore, come out from among UNBELIEVERS,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.
The enemy sowed weeds among the grain. Shall we pull them out? NO, you may uproot/disturb the grain! We are, however, not supposed to support or fellowship with folks who profess to be believers but act like folks in the world - not living the golden rule, following the Law of Love, or practicing the beatitudes.
They work as a group now? When did that happen?
Dennis, you fail to a knowledge the murder of the mind ploys used by these groups in order to lord it over their members. These soul murdering techniques include frequent gaslighting, invalidation, emotional abuse, attacking people's self image etc. No, it's not anti social or selfish to go no contact with such groups or individuals. What you propose amounts to a closed system in which victims cannot escape the murderous mind twisting.
God asked Abraham to leave his father and country for a reason.
Anon 2:47. That was not me. That was Miller Jones posting at 7:14
Dennis, you are right. My apology.
Lonnie= female pretending to be male. Dennis, sometimes Lonnie but also Scout. = Married M. couple.
The only hypocrite is you 11:36. I knew you'd respond like this...with fake outrage.. whilst in real life your one of THE most calculating, patronizing and manipulating bullies i've ever dealt with.
The hypocrisy as always is always yours.
Yeah like someone wiser than me put it: “It is better to be serving God in solitude than serving sin with a multitude.”
I don't call sabbath keepers Satanic, or Satanists. I will say that it, and prophecy, were two of the impliments of our collective spiritual rape. Some people have recovered, some are in the process of recovery, and others have not yet realized that there is anything to recover from. Naturally, you are going to read some intense opinions as people attempt to salvage any sort of life in the aftermath.
What a troll you are, 9:32!
11:36 Strawman argument. 10:57 made no mention of having to keep the Saturday Sabbath as a PASS card into the Kingdom of God.
2:47 That's exactly how they treat people, including children in church. They set up foolish old men to lust after married women and sit back and watch it all from a distance sniggering. They stop believers from building up Tabernacles and destory everytjing in their path.
9:32,
Have you never read: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." Hint: That includes defending a faith, teaching, or person. If you cannot make a substantive counterargument, it might be better to remain silent.
For the record, I am male. I have NEVER been affiliated with UCG or its ministry. I am NOT synonymous with Scout or Dennis, but I do have great respect for both of them. Finally, I remain devoted to the mother of my daughters and fellow companion of over forty years now.
Not a troll 10:53 but a fighter, letting you in your immense power know, your going to be fought every step of the way. Your fake proclamtion of peace was as false as Adolf Hitlers.
Liar.
Order always moves towards entropy, even in the field of religion.
Quit lying, '9:32/1:11! you are either a demented, paranoid troll, or you just falsely accuse us of being dissident ministers to piss us off. I'd ignore your stupid crap, but there might be some newbies or naive ones who actually believe it. Ask you mother to wash you mouth with a bar of Irish Spring as punishment for your lies!
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