Recently we again heard the argument that since our society is so diverse, with so many different kinds of persons with so many different needs, we need a variety of denominations to meet those needs.
We admit that there are multitudes with various needs, attitudes and feelings. However, we raise the following questions: First, did not Jesus know that was true when He built His church? There were twelve Apostles, each about as different from the other as one can imagine. Why did He not tell each one of them to start a different denomination? Second, what need does anyone have that could not be met in the Lord’s church? Let us admit that there may be congregations that are so fossilized in their traditional way of thinking and doing that they might oppose having only one song and a prayer before the lesson. It is not improper for us to examine our traditional way of doing things and strive to find a more effective way of presenting the gospel. Those of us who have been in other nations or cultures recognize that we may do things in various ways without the necessity of forming a denomination. If we were in a society in which there were those who were accustomed to taking their shoes off and sitting on the bare floor with crossed legs, there would be nothing unscriptural about starting a new congregation in which they did that. That is far different than advocating different denominations, or different doctrines or practices in worship that are not authorized by God. There is as much authority for sitting on the bare floor as there is for sitting on a padded pew. If we can find that kind of authority for women elders, instrumental music or any of the other innovations that are being pushed by some, then we could properly fellowship another congregation that was doing those things, even if we did not feel comfortable with them. We can properly worship with a congregation that does not have a Sunday morning Bible study as we normally have. We can worship with one where all the members drink the fruit of the vine from one container. We do not have a right to split the church about those things, or start a denomination that teaches falsehood about doing them. We need to make a distinction between the right of a person to conclude that it is best for all in the congregation to drink the fruit of the vine out of the same container, and the right of that person to make that conclusion a part of the plan of salvation, or teach that one will be lost if he does not believe that. We do not need to form another church just because we do things in a different way, as long as both are scriptural. If a thing is wrong to practice, we certainly do not need to form another church to practice that. T. Pierce Brown by Wayne Brewer
The Lord’s work is being carried out at this moment by literally thousands and maybe millions of Christians around the world. Innumerable acts of kindness are done every minute by Christians in every nation (Matthew 5:16). Countless Bible lessons are being taught at this very moment in homes, church buildings, and many other public and private places on every continent (Matthew 28:19-20). Invitations are being given for Bible schools, Gospel Meetings, and other activities among brethren at this very moment (Mark 16:15). The Lord’s work is carried out by Christians that go and by the sacrificial giving of brethren that it might be done (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Sometime the question raised is; should I give or should I participate? In order words, should I write a check or actually go? Obviously both are needed in order for the Lord’s work to be accomplished in any place. The members of the church in Jerusalem were taking food to the Jew and Gentile widows on a daily basis (Acts 6:1-7). Logically that means that funds were needed in order to purchase the food and good brethren to actually carry the food to the widows, or if they had a central place where it was picked up, brethren were needed to work at that location. The apostle Paul thanked the brethren at Philippi for the financial support they had provided to him as he traveled throughout the Roman Empire preaching the gospel (Philippians 1:3-7, 4:14-16). The Lord needs givers and the Lord needs goers in order for his will to be completed and there are blessings to be received by doing either or both. Paul reminded the elders at Ephesus of what Jesus had said; “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). There is a place for giving and a place for going. Going to see a work that is being supported or to help in a mission area has great benefits to those that give, go, and are visited. Do you enjoy receiving a visit from a neighbor, your children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, or parents? Do you enjoy seeing them face to face, giving them a hug, and spending time conversing with them? Do you enjoy hunting or fishing with them, going to the zoo or a park together? I believe that the answer to these questions would be “yes” and we all know why. The same principle is true in the spiritual family of God. When brothers and sisters from the United States travel to Italy, Latvia, Costa Rica, Quebec, Mexico, Scotland, or wherever else in the world in order to see their brethren face to face there is a great encouragement that takes place. The time that is spent working together in the Lord’s kingdom is invaluable and a powerful motivation to continue on. Let’s continue to do what we can whether it be giving to support the Lord’s work or going to support the Lord’s work, or both. May the Lord’s church as a whole and Christians individually never lose sight of the need to give and to go. |
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