Be of one mind.

[David1954]

Baptists teach what Baptists teach. Lutherans teach what Lutherans teach. Catholics teach what Catholics teach. No one teaches what God teaches: Be of one mind. (2 Corinthians 13:11.)

 

[David1954]

Within a few weeks of deciding to investigate the possibility God is real, I had two questions: why are "Christians" divided into dozens of sects, and why do "Christians" participate in wars. Every "Christian" has quick answers that conflict with Scripture.

 

[David1954]

1 Corinthians 1: 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

[Yet here we are in 2019 with every sect of "Christianity" calling itself by its own name. Wesleyan, Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Mennonite, Quaker.]

 

[David1954]

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
(Matthew 5.)

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 10:34; "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Luke 12:51; "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division;
Luke 12:52; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.
Luke 12:53; "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

 

[Brother-Paul]

Baptists teach what Baptists teach. Lutherans teach what Lutherans teach. Catholics teach what Catholics teach. No one teaches what God teaches: Be of one mind. (2 Corinthians 13:11.)

There is a distinct difference between denominations, but I cannot agree that 'no one teaches what God teaches: Be of One Mind'

Why are "Christians" divided into dozens of sects, and why do "Christians" participate in wars. Every "Christian" has quick answers that conflict with Scripture.

Why indeed, but the answer my friend is a simple one.

The early church grew in the first 300 years, but from that point the Romans were involved, from the time of Constantine, government and church influence began. The Christian Church we read about in Acts and the following books in the Bible confirm, with blessings and trials, the growth of the Church, the ekklesia. From that time until the Reformation was the Roman Catholic Church (RCC).

In brief, around 1517 martin Luther, a German monk started what was called the Reformation. He protested to the RCC for their errors in the teaching of The Word. Luther's followers became known as Protestants, many of their ideals were accepted and adopted by governments of the time, but others preferred to remain with the RCC, this led to the split in the church as it was known.

So this was the thin end of the wedge that split the church, it also answers why some protestant churches still follow RCC traditions and styles of worship. But following this came further division, the Baptists chose the importance of baptism and created their way, the Methodists came from the Wesley brothers who had a different method of preaching the Gospels and was also influenced by hymns they wrote which are sung in many denominations today. And so from then other denominations have sprung up, cults also.

So the simple answer to why are there so many denominations today is, the RCC got so many things wrong, and they still follow the old practices and ways today, including changing the Word of God to suit what the Pope felt was right. The RCC being run by the pope, not by God. Had the RCC followed the Word of God to the letter, there would not be all the denominations we see today.

But I feel at times we have to sit back and look at the full picture and ask, is the church today, as the early church described in scripture, then ask what are the differences and how they affect us, and what should we do 'To be Right with God'

Looking at the full picture it seems clear to me that due to the errors in the RCC, denominations were inevitable, our Lord would not let the True Church disappear, fade away, no to the contrary, He stepped in to save it.

Although there are wrongs, God knows this, His spirit is working through this, His will, will be done, His Word will be fulfilled. Jesus is coming again in Glory to save the One True Church. Not the building called a church, the kuriakon, but the One True Church of Born Again believers, the ekklesia. Where will we find the ekklesia? Everywhere that two or three, or more, saved believers come together in Jesus Name. They can be from any denomination, and from those who do not attend a denominations place of worship, the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, the ekklesia, (born again saved souls) are the only ones our Lord will be returning in Glory for, and we will be with Him forever.

In this current age, in these latter days of the end times, sinners and saved exist together...

Matthew 13:24-30 (NKJV)
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
29 But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "

There is wheat and weeds everywhere, in the streets, in the cities, in the denominational churches.

Matthew 13:36-43 (NKJV)
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field."
37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels.
40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.
41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Jesus knows His sheep, His sheep know Him. He knows which is the wheat and who are the weeds, He knows which are the sheep and which will show themselves as they are, the goats.

We all have to make sure we are right with God, and Trust Him, He is working His purpose out.

Praise the Lord.

Those who are saved, the spiritual stones of the True Church, those who are saved, who are part of the body of Christ, of which He is Head, are one body and one mind in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thank you Lord, in Jesus Name. Amen.