Conversations That Inspire

So, the question we want to ask our listeners today is:  Just as the devil deceives the whole world, has he used his same strategies of twisting and distorting words, which includes the words we find in the Scriptures, in order to bring confusion and disunity into our modern day houses of worship?   And Brother Lemie is going to share some information and thoughts with us right now,  that will help us begin to find the correct answer to this very important question.

Friends, let’s begin by taking a look at some information that should concern every Believer in Christ.  In 2001, the updated World Christian Encyclopedia estimated that there are at least 33,000 different Christian denominations.  And their definition of a denomination is “an organized Christian group within a country”.

In 2012, The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, published that the number of Christian denominations had risen to 43,000.  And we want to point out the fact that these two publications are not saying that there are more than 43,000 different Christian beliefs, just an estimated 43,000 different organized groups.

Another source reduced the number of divisions in the Christian community down to six CATAGORIES of beliefs, and these categories are:  Independents, Protestants, “Marginals”, Orthodox, Roman Catholics and Anglicans.  While other sources list about 40 major divisions of denominations.

And whatever the case may be, even if we use the lower count of only six categories of denominations, isn’t that still an unacceptable number, especially when it is impossible for there to be more than ONE TRUTH, and also in light of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where He asked The Heavenly Father that all His followers would be ONE?

Now, was Jesus asking the Heavenly Father to only make the faith of the Believers one in the truth that Jesus is the TRUE MESSIAH?   Or, did Jesus’ prayer also include  making them  ONE in doctrinal beliefs, as well?  Let’s see what Jesus had to say about this in other Scriptures.

Luke 11:15
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Matt 15:6-9
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.  7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Now let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about the very first set of Believers, which were converted on the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection.

Acts 2:42.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers

This account of the newly converted saints does not say they were steadfast in differing doctrines, but in the apostle’s doctrines.  Now let’s take a look at what several of the apostles had to say to the churches that Jesus established, through their outreach ministries.

Jude 3
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

The word faith in this verse is Strong’s # 4102 and has been translated from the Greek word “pistis”  (pee – steece), which is a noun  - not a verb like the word belief.  Why is this important to know?  Because here, Jude is  not primarily speaking of the first century New Testament believer’s personal faith or belief in God, but more about the system of doctrines and religious observances, which Jesus gave the first New Testament churches, through the teachings of the apostles.  Let’s see what the Strong’s Concordance has to say about this.  Strong’s says the word “faith” or  pee – steece  in the Greek - means:

 

So, we see that Jude is telling all Believers to contend for the beliefs and doctrines given to these first saints, by the apostles.  Did this faith consist of numerous interpretations of Scripture and doctrines being taught to the first churches?   Not according to the words of the apostle Paul.  In 1 Tim 1:2-4, the apostle Paul  instructs Timothy to make sure that no other doctrines, other than those they had received from the apostles, were to be taught at the church of Ephesus.  And of course, this would also apply to all the other churches – wouldn’t it?

1 Tim 1:2-4
Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.  3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Now let’s see what the apostles Peter and Paul predicted would happen to the churches down through the ages.  In 2 Peter 2:1-2 the apostle Peter said:

2 Peter 2:1-2
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

In 2 Tim: 4:3-4, the apostle Paul also warned that unsound, or unhealthy doctrines would make their way into the churches.

2 Tim 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Now, have any of these problems found their way into our modern Christian community?   Let’s investigate this together, and see just what we find.

One assembly says the gospel message is about the coming Kingdom of God.  Another says it’s the shed blood, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  Another group says the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead, or that God is three beings in one. Yet, other denominations  teach that the Holy Spirit is the essence and Power of God.

Some Believers keep the 7th day Sabbath; while others keep Sunday, the first day of the week as their Sabbath.  One group teaches there is a pre-tribulation rapture, another group says there is a mid-tribulation rapture, while a third group declares that there is no rapture at all, until Christ’s return.

And the list of differing beliefs within the Christian community goes on and on.  Isn’t it simply amazing that modern Christianity cannot even agree on what the True Gospel Message really is?  One of the most profound and important foundational doctrines in the entire Bible.  Yet, all groups claim to be under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Friends, how can this be?

2 Tim 3:16 tells us that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine.  Is the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth –giving conflicting doctrines and beliefs to God’s Children, who are also Christ’s end-time Brethren and Sheep?  If not, then who is inspiring these conflicting Christian beliefs.  I think we all know – don’t we?