Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned. 1 Kings 16:21-22
Is anybody surprised when
people divide after dividing? At the outset of the northern kingdom, we understood
that Jeroboam divided from King Rehoboam of Judah and assisted in breaking the
unity of Israel. Afterward, there was a series of idolatrous practices, war,
and discord within the rebel nation. It would only be logical that after an
origin in division that division could come again. We have seen it in history
repeatedly, and the most obvious is within the religious landscape of
Christendom.
When man decided to build
churches that were not the church that was built by Jesus, (cf. Matt 16:18)
this was obviously a division. In math we understand that the denominator is
the one that sits below the numerator in a fraction and it functions as the
divisor of the whole. So we see that the very function of a denominator is
simply to divide that which was once whole. Now some will say that that they
are non-denominational to take away the stigma of being a source of division. However,
they have simply divided from denominational Christendom. Simply put, anything
other than one-whole is a divided and denominated group.
The Inspired Apostle Paul
spoke of it this way, There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are
called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one
baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and
in you all. Eph 4:4-6. How can all of the various religious groups be
one if they all teach doctrines contrary to first the Bible and then in regards
to one another. If there is more than one body, Paul is wrong. If a church’s
catechism is superior to the Word of God, can God be above all? If one teaches
baptism is by immersion because of the remission of sin and another teaches
baptism is by sprinkling for the inherent sinful nature of an infant, can there
be one?
Over and over again, we
have seen divisions from the Church of Rome, the Church of Eastern Orthodoxy,
The churches of Protest, and the churches created by the “visions” of men in
our community and around the globe. If we earnestly seek God, we will find Him,
and he is not hidden. His will is not subject to our feelings, our status in
life, our time that we live in. His will is revealed in His Word and from it we
learn the will of our Lord is that His people will be one (cf. John 17:21-23).
His will is that we speak the same thing and that no divisions be named among
us (cf 1 Cor 1:10). It was only a matter of time that some would follow Timbni
and others Omri; division will continue to occur until everyone will walk by
the same infallible standard. The church of Christ is not a denomination; it is
not a non-denominational church. The church of Christ is the first century
church that follows the Word of God in all matters. We encourage you to study
with us, and work to live in unity with the Lord and His body under His
revealed pattern.
Grace and Peace,
Ryan
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