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I really don't know what to say to that other than the blind follow the blind and both with fall in the ditch. If we are only following God's word and not man how can we be wrong doctrinally?
It is the Holy Spirit that brings unity as it is revealed in the Book of Acts(2)
THere is the answer!
Its becoming clearer everyday that the Holy Spirit has not been given to the modern churches (at least none that i have seen), this i believe is due to iniquity, apathy,acceptance and excuse for sins.
Therefore No unity, the apostles were united in truth and spoke with One doctrine. New denominations popping up everyday 36,000 and growing, discourse and confusion to doctrines is not of God, it is of man.
Unfortunately, in many churches today, only the first, or maybe the first and second are stressed. But, if there is no accountability, how can there be unity of doctrine and practice? True, the Holy Spirit guides each one, yet we were not meant to walk the path alone.
1 Thes. 5:11 ¶ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Unfortunately, in many churches today, only the first, or maybe the first and second are stressed. But, if there is no accountability, how can there be unity of doctrine and practice? True, the Holy Spirit guides each one, yet we were not meant to walk the path alone.
1 Thes. 5:11 ¶ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Your usage of the word 'humility' reminds me of some of my thoughts when I was trying to go to sleep last night. I was thinking of how so many emphasized their 'personal relationship' with Christ. That expression seems to me to be exalting themselves, instead of glorifying Christ???
I am more impressed with all who stress the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
If you study the New Testament Church, they were all "with one accord, with one mind". This does not mean that they were mindless robots, but rather that there needs to be a unanimous following of the Holy Spirit PLUS a give-and-take attitude... We need to be able to correct and be corrected to maintain true doctrine in unity. There needs to be a willingness to learn, and a willingness to submit our light to the light of the body... but losing our individuality is hard on the flesh, and something we want to fiercely cling to!
And so, we prefer to remain unaccountable.. and disunified.
If you study the New Testament Church, they were all "with one accord, with one mind". This does not mean that they were mindless robots, but rather that there needs to be a unanimous following of the Holy Spirit PLUS a give-and-take attitude... We need to be able to correct and be corrected to maintain true doctrine in unity. There needs to be a willingness to learn, and a willingness to submit our light to the light of the body... but losing our individuality is hard on the flesh, and something we want to fiercely cling to!
And so, we prefer to remain unaccountable.. and disunified.
The "losing our individuality" thinking can be dangerous if man is behind it, tho.. (think: cult) .. but when God is behind it, that is the only way to true unity of the Spirit. It's no longer only my direction, my conviction, but it is our direction. And sometimes our direction happens first, then becomes my direction.
Again, when the Spirit is not involved, dangerous and deadly thinking.. but when the Spirit is involved, the only danger is to our flesh.
Psalms 133:1
This talking about unity with brethren not any ceremonial and religious person.
Acts 2
Yes the apostles or leaders we're on one accord in fellowship and doctrine.
The preaching of Peter on water baptism would be the preaching of John
and Paul on water baptism.
The preaching of Matthew on speaking in tongues is the preaching of Mark and Luke on speaking in tongues.
The preaching of Paul on jewelry and attire is the preaching of Peter on jewelry and attire.
The preaching of Matthew on divorce and remarriage is the preaching of Mark and Paul on divorce and remarriage.
The preaching of Isaiah and Mark on the Sabbath is the preaching of Paul on the Sabbath.
The preaching of Matthew on prohibiting the bible being edited is the preaching of John prohibiting the bible being edited.
No real man of God is not content with assemblying with any ceremonial religious person or group.
That's not church.
Unity in doctrine is church.
We never heard of many split up groups during the Law of Moses or the
613 ordinances of the first 5 books of the bible.
Paul warned before he expected his death approaching that their would be
split groups within 2 years of time.
Old ancient bible times the split up groups was primarily over the Law of Moses vs. grace and truth in Jesus Christ
Outside of that you had split up groups with idolatry to pagan gods.
Compared to thousands or ten thousands of split groups with ceremonial and religious people today.
That's really not church.
Again unity in doctrine is church.
Obviously nobody can guarantee unity being perfect people.
At the same time we can guarantee unity if we're on one accord in doctrine.
Paul did speak about the strife and envy of the Corinthian people with one another but it really had something to do with them feeling that they can split on groups with Paul's doctrine vs. Apollo's doctine to follow and be in subjection and leadership to.
It's not different today with so called Pentecostal doctrine vs. Mormon doctrine or Orthodox doctrine vs. Amosh doctrine.
We got people with a gift of the Holy Spirit while folks are provoked to strife and envy at the same time.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit like miracles, tongues and prophecy was never intended to despise people that don't have the gift of miracles, tongues and prophecy like they do.
Instead people with a gift in government, helps or music, etc. only should be esteem in the body of Christ as brethren also.
Gifts are rather dividing the body more then their uniting the body of Christ today.
We can't even have a clear bible answer on what a deacon and prophet is without conflicts of knowledge by many people.
The outside book expert is respected more than the bible with bible information.
If all scripture is inspired by God then why should we trust an encylopedia and scholar reference book in theology so much.
Unfortunately, in many churches today, only the first, or maybe the first and second are stressed. But, if there is no accountability, how can there be unity of doctrine and practice? True, the Holy Spirit guides each one, yet we were not meant to walk the path alone.
1 Thes. 5:11 ¶ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
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more thots on the topic..
