Unity
Is biblical unity across denominational lines a real possibility or simply a pipe dream
Is biblical unity across denominational lines a real possibility or simply a pipe dream
As much as I, and many others, would like it to be so, I personally believe that denominational unity is just wishful thinking -- a pipe dream. If you're wondering where the expression "pipe dream" comes from, it means "a fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe)." In other words, we're just not thinking rationally!
I once thought that God could move the hearts of denominational pastors, but as hard as I, and others, have prayed it has became quite evident there will be no substantial change of heart. Defending doctrinal differences seems to be much more important than unity.
Oh, some well meaning pastors have tried for unity and have met with others of different denominations, but the invisible lines of separation were always subtly in place -- and no one dared cross them. This is not biblical unity -- it's not even close.
Oh, some well meaning pastors have tried for unity and have met with others of different denominations, but the invisible lines of separation were always subtly in place -- and no one dared cross them. This is not biblical unity -- it's not even close.
Unity across denominational lines will never happen because the churches will never allow it to. While it is true that the one world religious ecumenical movement will be successful to a degree through compromise; the true church of Jesus Christ will never unite beneath the torn banners of doctrinal differences. Nor will it ever meet under a banner of compromise.
The reason is simple -- biblical unity is Spirit-based
True biblical unity is Spirit-based. It is called "the unity of the Spirit" (Eph 4:3; 1 Cor 12:13). The natural religious mind is incapable of grasping the intricate workings of the Holy Spirit. Jesus described the Holy Spirit this way:
"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8).”
We cannot denominational-ize the Holy Spirit. He cannot, and will not, freely function in such exclusive environments. This is the very reason why the glory has all but departed from the institutional, corporate church. What typically remains in the churches is a very convincing spiritual imitation made up of psychological and emotional elements. In some churches we even find hysteria masquerading as the Spirit.
Thank God that the message of salvation remains somewhat in tact and souls do get saved in many of these denominational settings. I personally got saved in such a setting. The sad part is that those who do get saved in this way become corporate church slaves perpetuating the denominational thinking that created the problem of disunity in the first place.
Unity Has nothing to do with the physical church
Unity Has nothing to do with the physical church
- Biblical unity has absolutely nothing to do with church structure; whether it is traditional, denominational or contemporary.
- Unity has absolutely nothing to do with church leadership whether it be a Pastor, Bishop, Priest, Pope or any other religious person that tries to sets up a class distinction between the "priesthood" and the "laity" (the so-called common people; or attendees).
Unity is an automatic, supernatural byproduct of salvation imparted by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13)
If we could somehow remove divisive doctrines from off the waters of Christianity, unity would very naturally rise to the surface and the true Body of Christ would spontaneously become one.
God absolutely loves unity
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's' beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's' beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."
Will it be persecution that finally drives the church to unity?
Winds of persecution are already beginning to blow on the church and will increase in intensity as our society becomes more and more liberal (if that be possible). Morality will finally surrender to the filth of Sodom and Gomorrah and all hell will ultimately break loose.
The day will come when the true church will be forced underground. At this point the denomination you belong to and the demonic, divisive doctrines you were taught to adhere to will no longer matter. Christians will experience a genuine unity like they've never known before -- just in order to survive.
Don't put all your chips on an easy out either. The many different doctrines of "the rapture of the church" are riddled with demonic reason and logic and are thereby not trustworthy. We must be wise and strengthen ourselves in Christ for what just might be a long hard, haul. We, quite frankly, really don't know.
Christ will birth unity one way or the other -- of this we can be sure -- and then He will return ... !
The day will come when the true church will be forced underground. At this point the denomination you belong to and the demonic, divisive doctrines you were taught to adhere to will no longer matter. Christians will experience a genuine unity like they've never known before -- just in order to survive.
Don't put all your chips on an easy out either. The many different doctrines of "the rapture of the church" are riddled with demonic reason and logic and are thereby not trustworthy. We must be wise and strengthen ourselves in Christ for what just might be a long hard, haul. We, quite frankly, really don't know.
Christ will birth unity one way or the other -- of this we can be sure -- and then He will return ... !
