Division in the church

[Blain]

the Osas the law music that is evil the rapture these are some of the main subjects that cause disunity and chaos in the church. I have benn pondering about this, frankly i hate the disunity i dont like how the church divides and goes against each other but i remember How jesus said he did not come to unite but to bring a sword or at least i think thats what he said. but I also remember how he said a house divided against itself cannot stand. But is this disunity necessary? is it to seperate the wheat from the chaff? Or is it simply the enemies tactic to bring down the church?

i also understan the one world government the one world religion that is rearing its ugly head calls for unity. i wonder who will succeed in unity first the one world agenda or Gods church?

 

[breno785au]

I think maybe what the church needs is some good ol' persecution so they can do more than just sit around being divided about issues that in the long run, when your being hunted for your faith in Christ, wont mean jack at the end of the day.

 

[JesusistheChrist]

"For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." (I Corinthians 11:18-19)

 

[3Scoreand10]

There will always be disunity because some/most believe and teach heresy.
It has always been this way, and always will be.
You may say somethings we disagree on are not importand, but I disagree.
Most "CHRISTIANS" need to keep quite untill they understand the truth.

 

[Jon4TheCross]

I believe God is working through Christians regarding a better example of the unity that comes from the love of God. I find part of myself getting impatientsome times...then I remember...A day with the Lord is as a thousand years...and...

1 Thessalonians 2:7King James Version (KJV)

7*But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

 

[MadParrotWoman]

It doesn't have to be divisive, as long as we approach with a humble heart we can learn from each other - isn't that why we are here? For sure I'm here to learn. We don't have to always be right.

 

[MsLimpet]

It doesn't have to be divisive, as long as we approach with a humble heart we can learn from each other - isn't that why we are here? For sure I'm here to learn. We don't have to always be right.

What does the bible say about unity and division?

 

[CRC]

Although mankind is now more horribly divided than ever, unity continues to distinguish true worshippers. God’s prophet Micah foretold: “In unity I shall set them, like a flock in the pen.” (Mic. 2:12) Micah foretold the elevation of true worship above all other forms of worship, whether of false gods or of the State as a god. He wrote: “It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Yahweh will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it peoples must stream. For all the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god; but we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Yahweh our God.”—Mic. 4:1, 5.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

"For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." (I Corinthians 11:18-19)

So at a minimum Paul found one church with divisions and heresies, those approved by the congregation manifested among them. It wasn't just what they thought was true, but they acted out the errors.

Before there was such a thing as the internet and discussion groups, it was necessary to visit any church where eventually it would be learned what they believe, and whether their actions show forth false beliefs. One agreed and stayed, or became alarmed and resumed church-hunting.

Now we can select a local church online and go read their statement of faith, at least finding out their professed doctrines. From there it's likely to take personal experience to discern whether they do what they say they believe. But to some degree there's testimonies online that can give a preview of what to expect.

In the whole process, these discussions keenly compare such things so that each person participating can learn what the divisions and heresies are, if any, and eventually for the Holy Spirit to help sort the tares from the wheat at least for each of us individually.

I've observed many times that members of a congregation might have a brochure listing their fundamentals, or a poster in the lobby, accepting them without question without having enough Bible knowledge to question anything about their church. The list is then equated to the 10 Commandments on stone tablets, though most probably couldn't quote those or even find them in the Bible. Even traditions not mentioned in the Bible become part of their doctrines. To them they are not divided, have no heresies. Most will never take a look at what another church believes, as that doesn't matter to them.

The people that are alarmed over divisions and heresies are mostly us who do look at the various church doctrines online. We are not at peace about it because we're learning how deadly false beliefs and Bible ignorance can be. I've watched hundreds of dedicated online members drop out from weariness dealing with it. Little no no change will come of it from us, except maybe between some of us, but that won't change those churches out there that are in error, especially if "we" don't bother attending a church.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

What does the bible say about unity and division?

1Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

 

[ISeeYou]

I believe God is working through Christians regarding a better example of the unity that comes from the love of God. I find part of myself getting impatientsome times...then I remember...A day with the Lord is as a thousand years...and...

1 Thessalonians 2:7King James Version (KJV)

7*But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

Thats rare, even that which cherisheth.

The affections of Jesus Christ are often missing even within the sphere of correct teaching (doctrine) agreed.

And I know I tend to gaurd my own heart in the open, but I will open it towards my brothers or sisters in private, although what I do not approve of in myself is that seemingly necessary skin of armor needed for fellowship these days, or what could be described as the constant closing of my heart in the face of roughness. And often unnecessary roughness where I find Im not as slow to respond back to it.

I fear turning into that nasty beastly thing, and I can take that up sometimes, as it speaks of bad company, that we should not become overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.

I love knowledge myself, you dont have to be rough in your delivery of it all the time. A person can have all knowledge and have not charity and be nothing but think he is something.

I'll look for the kind of knowledge that has charity in it.

 

[MsLimpet]

1Cor 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Then why are there so many denominations?

 

[Kaycie]

A church divided against itself will not stand- but that's not the case. Here's the problem: there is only one church and many false manmade churches. When someone changes the church's doctrine and branches off into a new church, of course they are not going to be in agreement. Of course they are divided by doctrine, because one has truth and the others have lies. All the different faiths are not the one faith of the bible. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Ephesians 4:5.

1 Timothy 4:1 "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon THE faith (singular- there's only one faith) and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." How can things taught by Christ and things taught by demons NOT be divided?

Matthew 15:9 "They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."

So we need to make sure we are following Christ's doctrine and only Christ's doctrine. This is why I try to biblically show the contrast in false doctrines compared to genuine doctrine, because I care and do not want anyone to be lost, not on my watch, not if they can be persuaded back to the truth.

 

[secularhermit]

Thats rare, (...)And I know I tend to guard my own heart in the open, but I will open it towards my brothers or sisters in private, (...).

Oh I see you... Was that a leak? Hmm!I see you.

 

[Kaycie]

Then why are there so many denominations?

The bible means all the congregations of Christ's church have to all agree and teach the same thing. It does not mean all the false churches.

 

[JesusistheChrist]

Thats rare, even that which cherisheth.

The affections of Jesus Christ are often missing even within the sphere of correct teaching (doctrine) agreed.

And I know I tend to gaurd my own heart in the open, but I will open it towards my brothers or sisters in private, although what I do not approve of in myself is that seemingly necessary skin of armor needed for fellowship these days, or what could be described as the constant closing of my heart in the face of roughness. And often unnecessary roughness where I find Im not as slow to respond back to it.

I fear turning into that nasty beastly thing, and I can take that up sometimes, as it speaks of bad company, that we should not become overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.

I love knowledge myself, you dont have to be rough in your delivery of it all the time. A person can have all knowledge and have not charity and be nothing but think he is something.

I'll look for the kind of knowledge that has charity in it.

Out of curiosity, does the following play into "the affections of Jesus Christ" and "charity":

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:19)

I'm not singling you out, but most people have such a warped view of God Who IS love, as if He's just an old man giving out candy, that they have no reverence for either Him or His Word and therefore no fear whatsoever of regularly misrepresenting Him through heretical teachings to their own possible destruction and to the possible destruction of those who foolishly follow them in their error. From my perspective (and I believe from God's/Christ's), such need to be rebuked if they won't be gently persuaded and, unfortunately, that seems to pertain to the majority and not the minority. Although several people on this forum seem to want to do anything BUT "consider the goodness AND SEVERITY OF GOD", God wiped out the whole world except for 8 people in the days of Noah and this present heaven and earth are reserved for FIERY JUDGMENT. Personally, I count anyone my friend who shows me my error in that I'd rather deal with it in the here and now than have to answer to God for it one day. Jesus said that we're going to have to give an account for EVERY IDLE WORD which we have spoken in this lifetime and that ought to make us all to tremble, but, alas, it rarely ever does...from what I've observed.

Anyhow, again, I'm not singling you out, but merely using your comments as a springboard for that which I believe needs to be said.

 

[JesusistheChrist]

I believe God is working through Christians regarding a better example of the unity that comes from the love of God. I find part of myself getting impatientsome times...then I remember...A day with the Lord is as a thousand years...and...

1 Thessalonians 2:7King James Version (KJV)

7*But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

This same Paul said elsewhere:

"What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?" (I Corinthians 4:21)

IOW, Paul wasn't always so "lovey dovey". When the saints were sinning, then he took out the rod. I'm quite confident that he would have much preferred coming "in the spirit of meekness", but the behavior of others definitely helped to determine what sort of approach Paul took towards them. Yes, as Paul asked:

"What will ye?"

 

[Blain]

even as I went to church this morning and also through out church my spirit was disturbed at the disunity in the church of Christ. i kept asking god what can i do? how can we fix this? its not most ppl listen to begin with i have made many threads in the past to bring unity to bring love for each other rather than what we see in the bible forum but it fades away and everything continues on.

denominations doctrines views of scriptures these all cause strife and chaos in the church and quoting scripture doesnt seem to have an effect because anther scripture will be used against it and many refuse to humble themselves and learn admit their wrong they just want to be right. Many denominations seem to be in competition with other denominations they want to prove their right instead of remembering to reach the lost and do all we can for God and others

 

[secularhermit]

The bible means all the congregations of Christ's church have to all agree and teach the same thing. It does not mean all the false churches.

Even inside the RCC there are divisions and denominations: Marianites, Jesuits, Agostinians, etc.Your beliefs, that system of beliefs each people have is different from others and, essentialy, because each person walks his / her own way of personal experiences, new convictions, following a local "leadership" which -itself- identifies with other tendencies.Historically those factions like Seducees, Herodians, Pharisees, etc. were DIVIDED, same way Paul "pictured" and mentioned in Corinthians:1Co 1:12 This is what I mean: One of you says, "I follow Paul," and someone else says, "I follow Apollos." Another says, "I follow Peter," and someone else says, "I follow Christ."

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Then why are there so many denominations?

God doesn't do denominations - that is a man-made product, a product of different interpretations of truth and in some cases adding or taking away from God's word. A prime example is Catholicism.