Posted by Bigfish69 on 8:04 am | Categories: 4walls, apostolic, authentic, dysfunction, evangelistic, family, fellowship, kingdom stuff, membership, oneness, relationship, sect, sectarian, tribal
If
God desires there be no division between his people, where do
denominational groupings within the church fit? What about those who are
called believers and unbelievers
Paul
appealed people to live in harmony with each other, without divisions
in the church. To be of one mind, united in thought and purpose... Some
claimed to be a follower of Paul, others Apollos, others Peter, or only
Christ. But Christ is not divided into factions. Nor Paul crucified for
you? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
After
all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through
whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave
us. It’s not important who did what, but rather that God makes the seed
grow. (1 Corinthians 3:5-16)
Was your minister, pastor, priest, mentor crucified for you?
If Christ is not divided into different groups, what are we doing?
If Jesus ended division by terminating the system of law with its commandments and regulations, then are the requirements we expect of people to belong relevant? If not, what do they do? How?
What are we to make of the promise of Christ in that there is nothing a person needs to do for God to forgive and embrace them? For all people? For all time?
Does placing requirements on people to belong create barriers to what God wants to do?
What are the commandments and regulations the church imposes today to belong?
Consider things such as attendance of services, how we speak, what we wear, who we interact with, permitted activities, etc. Consider things such as how to pray, worship styles, or what it means to become saved.
What are the alternatives?
