Someone on another thread (Tact thread, I think) suggested a thread on our insistence in using denominational and subgroup labels Arminian, Assembly of God, Baptist, Calvinist, Catholic, Charismatic, Evangelical, Holiness, Lutheran, Oneness, Pentecostal, Perfectionist, Protestant, Reformed, Trinitarian, Word of Faith, etc.etc., ad infinitum. The hasnt appeared yet, so I will offer it.
All of this sub-dividing reminds me of the announcement in the newspaper that read:
I know it is natural to group ourselves and it helps us to understand how we are similar (or dissimilar) to one another, but do you think it is pleasing to the Lord in the light of the following scriptures?:
And I know that our tendency to want to be exclusive from those who do not agree with us is perfectly normal. It was even evident in both testaments in the Bible:
But, even so, How do you feel about our tendency to subdivide ourselves into all of these clearly defined exclusive groups?
Do you think it creates walls and barriers (us vs. them) to understanding?
Is it pleasing to God?
Is there anything we can do about it?
\o/
Other scriptures against sectarianism (i.e, pro-unity):
Matthew 23
8You are all brothers.
Acts 4
32All the believers were one in heart and mind.
Romans 12
16Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 14
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 15
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1
27 stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.
Philippians 2
2 having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
All of this sub-dividing reminds me of the announcement in the newspaper that read:
New church. Evangelical, Calvinistic, non-denom., premillennial, traditional, non-contemporary, non-liturgical, non-Charismatic, non-Pentecostal, non-Messianic, no sandals, no shorts, no jewelry, baptistic, KJV-Only, young earth creationist, pro-life, whites only. Call 765-4321. Everyone welcome.
I know it is natural to group ourselves and it helps us to understand how we are similar (or dissimilar) to one another, but do you think it is pleasing to the Lord in the light of the following scriptures?:
John 17
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
1 Corinthians 1
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Psalm 133
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
1 Corinthians 1
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Psalm 133
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
And I know that our tendency to want to be exclusive from those who do not agree with us is perfectly normal. It was even evident in both testaments in the Bible:
Mark 9
38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." 39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us.
Numbers 11
24 So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again. 26 However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." 28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!" 29 But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"
38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." 39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us.
Numbers 11
24 So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again. 26 However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." 28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!" 29 But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"
But, even so, How do you feel about our tendency to subdivide ourselves into all of these clearly defined exclusive groups?
Do you think it creates walls and barriers (us vs. them) to understanding?
Is it pleasing to God?
Is there anything we can do about it?
\o/
Other scriptures against sectarianism
Other scriptures against sectarianism (i.e, pro-unity):
Matthew 23
8You are all brothers.
Acts 4
32All the believers were one in heart and mind.
Romans 12
16Live in harmony with one another.
Romans 14
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 15
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1
27 stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.
Philippians 2
2 having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.