There is nothing clearer from Scripture than that the Church is the Body of Christ and that there is one Church and one Body.
In a recent survey, no less than 34,000 Christian groups were identified across the world, most having nothing to do with one another, even those groups still within the overall umbrella of denominations from whom they separated.
What kind of testimony is this to the unbeliever and what is the believer to think? What does the Lord feel about it?
DENOMINATIONALISM
In the early part of the 'Book of Acts' we see a beautiful picture of unity and oneness as the Holy Spirit came upon those early Christians, linking them with heaven and their risen Lord and baptising them into one body on earth.
It was not long before the Devil tried, in many different ways to spoil it all and the Apostles, keeping close to the Lord, used their wisdom and gifts to maintain that unity. The believers themselves, suffering persecution, also strove hard to preserve the 'Unity of the Faith and of the Spirit' and they persevered in teaching and the breaking of bread and kept the company of the Apostles as much as they could.
Later, as assemblies were established in various towns and cities the Apostle Paul came on to the scene and really moved everything forward under the Lord's direction, becoming the great architect of the Church under Christ with a ministry that encompassed the Gentiles too.
We can see in his epistles how he strove, as Christianity spread, to both encourage the Saints in the various places and also to instruct them in the manner in which the Church should conduct itself and to deal with anything that threatened to mislead or corrupt, morally, doctrinally, or in any other way.
It seems that towards the end of his life, the Apostle Paul seemed to almost accept that this unity would be increasingly difficult to maintain, especially after his own departure to be with the Lord and in his letters to Timothy, particularly the second epistle, we get some very clear pointers as to how the Christian is to manage and behave. I believe Paul's advice to Timothy is as relevant today as it was then.
So, you may ask, “Why, if even the Apostle envisaged breakdown and the appearance of denominations and sectarianism am I so worked up about it?”
Well……again, we must try to look at it though the Lord's eyes and try to imagine just what this fragmentation and disintegration (in practical terms) of his Church means to him.
It is not good enough to simply say that “It was going to happen anyway” but in feeling, in some small measure, how he must feel about it, I begin to get a judgement of it. I begin to see what I have become part of and in my thinking (and possibly with my feet), I can now move in a different path.
But where should I go? This very difficult question is addressed in the section “What can I do?”
So what is it that disturbs me most? Let me say immediately, that the 'labelling' of groups of Christians is very often the work of those who look on and I suppose that if I were to meet regularly with a number of likeminded persons and that company grew noticeably, it would not be long before we were given an identity by others and a situation might arise where to comply with various laws and regulations, we too, might need to identify ourselves in that way.
That, in itself, is a sad reflection of the state of things but it is more the active acceptance combined with the actual adoption, even promotion of an identity that I really object to.
However innocuous it may seem, within any gathering or group that becomes established on this basis are contained the seeds of further error together with fertile soil in which those seeds will grow. In time, clericalism takes root, a particular culture develops and where substantial numerical growth and expansion takes place, that culture and the practises associated with them often become formalised in terms of a “Constitution” or some similar code of practise.
Very often, many years later, the whole thing takes on the shape of an organisation, not dissimilar to any other worldly organisation with its own earthly head office, and whilst it could be argued that such organisations provide a useful service in terms of assisting their affiliated Churches to meet and comply with the raft of regulations and legislation that we all have to deal with these days, by its very existence, it becomes the protector and promoter of the doctrine, traditions and culture of that organisation within it's area of influence.
Clergy often take a title which includes and is prefixed by the name of the particular denomination to which they are attached, evidently not realising that in so doing they are actually adding to and accentuating the breakdown of the Church in Christendom as a whole, seemingly quite insensible as to the Lords feelings in that way.
These things are clearly apparent among the larger denominations with national or international exposure, but much more difficult to identify or discern among smaller groups.
The word “Sect” is normally used in relation to the smaller groups. What is a sect?
I offer the following quotation from one whose ministry has been of such help to me:-
“The spirit of a sect exists when we see disciples unite around opinions or traditions that those who profess it are gathered, in order that they be united by means of these opinions or traditions. The unity is not founded on the principle of the unity of the body, nor of the union of brethren. When such persons are united in a corporation, and mutually recognise each other as members of this corporation, then they constitute formally a sect, because the principle of the gathering is not the unity of the body; and the members are united, not as members of the body of Christ, (even though they are), but as members of a particular corporation”.
Let me remind the reader again that we are dealing with a broad system of error and are not being judgemental in relation to individuals. I am not in a position to judge the motives of anyone and would not presume to do so. Nor (whilst believing the Scripture in 2, Timothy 2. is very applicable), would I presume to point the reader to a group of believers entirely free from the spirit of denominationalism or sectarianism. It is an intensely individual exercise and one that each has to work through. It is not a question of 'joining' anything. That misses the point.
We arrive at the truth individually and to those who have been priviledged to have been born into fellowships that are clearly blest with truth and light from generations past, I would ask you, "Do you know why you are where you are?" and "Had you had to find your way from darkness to light and through the confusion of Christendom, (guided predominently by Scripture), would it have led you to where you are?" and would your answer contain just well taught words and phraseology or real conviction?
May I just conclude by making it clear that despite the insidious influence of denominationalism and sectarianism, I do not believe the Lord neglects us. He “knows those that are his”. He “Knows his own Sheep by name” and he is “The Good Shepherd”. I believe he distinguishes between those who mislead and those who are misled, between those who are unenlightened (and may find themselves in a situation where they are unlikely to receive enlightenment) and those who, for personal gain or advantage are content to knowingly pursue and promote error.
So, I believe the Lord still comes to his own and that his presence can be felt. I also believe God's word is heard and the Holy Spirit moves among God's people where they are gathered 'In the Lord's name' and all that that implies, but I feel sure that what Divine Persons find in so many gatherings is not what they would wish to find and that, largely, believers are being denied the opportunity, as gathered, of experiencing the blessings they might otherwise enjoy
Wherefore, beloved, as ye wait for these things, be diligent to be found in him in peace, without spot and blameless; and account the longsuffering of our Lord to be salvation; according as our beloved brother Paul also has written to you according to the wisdom given to him, as also in all his epistles....
.........take care lest, being led away along with the error of the wicked, ye should fall from your own steadfastness.
2, Peter 2. v 14-18
But this know that in the last days, difficult times shall be there.................
........wicked men and juggling imposters shall advance in evil, leading and being led astray......
.......but thou abide in those things thou hast learned and of which thou hast been fully persuaded.......
.........Every scripture is Divinely inspired........
2, Timothy. 3 (whole chapter)
".......and I am no longer in the world and these are in the world and I come to thee, Holy Father. Keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one as we....
..........also for those who believe on me through their word, that they may be all one, as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they may be also one in us....."
John 17 (whole chapter)
Yet the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal. The Lord knows those that are his; and, let him who names the name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only gold and silver vessels but, also wooden and earthen; and some to honour and some to dishonour. If, therefore one shall have purified himself from these (in separating himself from them) he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified, serviceable to the master, prepared for every good work.
2, Timothy 2. v 19-21
O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings and oppositions of false-named knowledge, of which some have made profession and missed the faith. Grace be with thee.
1, Timothy 6. v 20-21
