I sometimes do think that the main cause of different denominations in Christendom is the confusion as to whose authority is utmost.
But if the Bible is clear that “God is not an author of confusion”, why has there been a denominational faction in Christendom?
Catholics, Pentecostals, Baptists, Adventists and so on. What's really the difference?
Well, this situation happened in the time of Paul as recorded in the of book 1 Chorinthians chapter 1. A certain house of Chloe was divided amongst themselves between Paul and Apollos. The matter reached Paul and he addressed it immediately.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
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.
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:9-13 (KJV)
These people were divided on the ground of whose authority they were under with regards to their faith — Paul's or Apollos’ or Cephas’? Paul addressed them that it was neither himself nor Apollos or Cephas that died for them but Christ. He neither baptized any of them, so they wouldn't say he is the reason for their believing. He further hinted that this division is a proof of their canality. (1 Corinthians 3:4) Though they were saved but acted like they are still under the rule of their flesh.
Paul asked a very instructive question:
Is Christ Divided?
The one question that is begging for an answer in today’s Christendom.
I find it rather laughable that we profess to worship the same God but are divided on whose authority we base our doctrinal beliefs and practices, especially here in Africa. Most followers of a particular denomination believe so much in the words of their General Overseers more than the Bible itself. Some do not even know the truth about certain Biblical doctrines besides what their founder says. Of course they prefer healing and prophetic services to Bible Study.
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Jesus is the final authority. The Jews even acknowledged his authority in Matthew 7:28-29
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.(KJV)
How did the scribes teach? As people who only learned what was written and handed down from generations before. But Jesus taught as one who is the Word himself. Jesus is the Word of God. Whatever he spoke, he spoke with authority as one who embodies the Word of God. He could correct and update Moses (Matthew 5) but the scribes couldn't. Many times he declared the authority of His word by saying
verily, verily, I say unto you..
Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV) tells us that,
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
On this premise then, Jesus is the only Word of God that we must hear and obey if truly we are and want to be followers of Christ indeed.
The Church is the Body of Christ and Christ is the Head of the Church. If Christ is the head, why is the body divided?
When people seek to advance their own ideologies or scriptural perspective, they, like the members of the household of Chloe, only show that they are yet carnal. Wives are admonished to submit to their husbands as the head while husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church.
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We cannot be arguing scriptures to win doctrinal debates for such arguments don't brong glory to God nor edification to the Church. There are many mushroom churches in my locality here in Nigeria. Most of them are founded by people who couldn't secure employment, and decided to call themselves into ministry as a way out of poverty. Many of them do not even have a sound spiritual background nor were properly discipled, and they've gone all misleading people and deceiving. Gullible members who do not want to submit to the authority of Christ find themselves being manipulated and preyed upon by these charlatans disguised as men of God.
Brethren, in whatever we know or seek, Jesus is the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life.
The final authority as long as the Bible is read and taught in every Church. For every imagination or ideology or interpretation or doctrine shall all be casted down and brought in the searchlight of the very True Word of God.
Here is the summary of it all.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)
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Shalom.