Explain what is division in the church?

[Guest shiloh357]

There are two kinds of divisions.

The first is internal to a congregation, this division is indeed fixable and is usually the direct result of sin and self seeking, and really follows what the above posts point out, an immaturity in the Lord. Doctrinal disputes should never be tolerated within a congregation, this should be settled.

However the second kind of division is doctrinal between different denominations and groups of Christians. This division is harder to understand and harder to fix, there are thousands of different groups of Christians in the world today with different beliefs about what the bible is saying, I don't know why this is or how to solve it, it is a mystery to me.

I do know that the answer is not, "well all you have to do is agree with MY group".

does that mean because i am a baptist that i am a member of a division, would it not be nice if we all could agree and all have all things common, as saith the lord word. you have help me a lot about this and brother i thank you and i love you as Christ love us..thank you so much

Part of the problem is that people see denominations as a bad thing when they really aren't. What the Bible teaches against is genuine strife. The Bible does not say all Christians must agree on all matters of Christian faith and practice.

Even when it comes to the "essentials" we differ over what is "essential" to the Christian faith. For example, to a Catholic, transubstantiation is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. Protestants as well as Baptists do not, as a rule agree with that doctrine.

The question is, WHO gets to decide which matters of faith we will agree on? Who gets the privilege of being the final arbiter? Who is willing to sacrifice what they believe if that belief doesn't make the cut? And wouldn't it be rather dishonest to feign unity over a belief you didnt REALLY agree with, but were forced to conform to for the good of the collective?

The point is that unity is not the absense of diversity. We may not see things the same on all matters, but we can come together in unity for the good of the Kingdom of God. I can fellowship with Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, etc. without differences in beliefs getting in the way. That is the true test of biblical unity.

[traveller]

Amen Shiloh - good post

[Botz]

Double Amen Shiloh. Excellent response.

[exrockstar]

first off what is the result of divisons of the church.?

what happen when divisons takes place in the church?

Can a divided church be fixed?

and what would fix that situation in a church?

what causes divisons in church?

last question what is God stand on divisions in church/

thats when you have a two groups of people.

one group has a female pastor.

the other group stands by 1 Tim 3:12.

the first group refuses to accept 1 Tim 3:12

thats a division

[Emanuel]

THE NEW COVENANT: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (Heb. 8:10)

>>> Doing good works, giving or submitting to a Spiritual guide should NEVER compromise or override the new covenant (kingdom within or Christ in You)

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Rev. 2:4)

First love? Yes indeed! Every believer in Jesus - the CHRIST, including the Spiritual guide have the same and equal Spiritual Condition - (kingdom within or Christ in You) in their human spirit - through the Holy Spirit as the primary guide or first love. NOT the control of the Organisation, Church group, family, spouse, nor the Spiritual guide as in the case of legalism and NOT the giving into ones familiar Sin as in the case of license;

BUT liberty (in Christ) unto good works according to the Scriptures . . . nevertheless, they all have different growth experiences - progress in the individual Soul.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Emanuel

[RebekahDavid]

not all divisions within a church are bad either but used by the Lord to further His work in different ways. this happened within the church i was attending. our pastor and our former youth pastor fully agreed upon doctrine tho their callings were slightly different. we were not able to meet the needs of two full time pastors which is what the Lord called the youth pastor to do. eventually the youth pastor was ordained and followed his specific calling. i am sure some may have thought it was an issue of pride but it was not. the Lord uses them both now in the same community . each church is growing but each also ministers in slighlty different ways according to their callings and gifts- both are Biblically based.

i find it interesting how now that the former youth pastor's church is growing and flourishing so is ours and can now pay an associate pastor. God's perfect timing.

love your sister in Christ,

Rebekah David

[OneLight]

I sat back for some time now and considered denominations and divisions. The simplest analogy that made since to me is one of high school.

In high school, they are many students. Within the body of students, there are many different groups that are like minded ... math club, sports, computer geeks ... you know them. Just because they go by a different name, they are still students. Unless they drop out of school, they all graduate as a class.

As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, we will all graduate from this life to be with Him forever...

[Guest yod]

There is nothing wrong with having "distinctions" of diversity within the Body. Paul speaks about how we are all different and have different roles within the Body in this verse:

1 Corinthians 12:20-22 (New International Version)

20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

However, there is also such a thing as division. In my experience within dozens of denominations there is one division that appears in every place (sacred and secular) where any division exists and that is the division of sheep and goat mentioned in Matthew 25

Israel is the dividing line. Those who love Israel/the jewish people/Jerusalem and pray for their shalom are divided from those who want to end Israel/Jews/Jerusalem by letting her be divided by man to bring "peace"

On the side of those who would curse Israel in this way, you will find people who have no regard for the Word of God. These will be the denominations who support homosexuality, abortion, and all kinds of unrighteousness. You may not have noticed that yet...but if you begin trying you will see exactly what I mean...

This is the root of all division and intolerance. Israel. Her very existance speaks of the faithfulness of God and the eternal nature of His Torah. It is the conviction of His law that sets men against her.

Humans are naturally predisposed to desire being "god" without interference of conscience

[RebekahDavid]

i do agree there is a division between sheep and goats too. however the "divisions" i was referrring to was within the body of Christ who would indeed pray for Israel to be blessed with the Lord's peace (not man's) and stand behind the Lord's Word regarding Israel's roles in God's plans both past and present and future

love your sister in Christ,

Rebekah David

[Guest skypair]

Here's an interesting passage:

1Cor 11:18 -- "...I hear that there be divisions [Gr: "sects"] among you; and I partly believe it.

19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." What is God's purpose in divisions? To make His truth manifest in those who believe His truth.

And what that does is drive us first to Eph 4:3-6 -- are we all in the same "bond of peace?" Are we all even saved by the same "One Lord, faith, ..." Much message board understanding is attributable to not having the same salvation. Notice the Corinthian church even harbored some heresies, some "defection from orthodox belief."

Settling those differences, we can move on to Eph 4:12-13 -- "...the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" SPIRITUAL GROWTH Some divisions are caused by mere lack of maturity. In fact, I will say that many of the denoms of Protestantism reflect lack of a mature understanding of scripture by the original but highly authoritative writings of the leading Reformers. Areas they had not fully developed are eschatology, doctrine of man, doctrine of salvation (they arrived at an interim understanding that salvation was by faith but did not give a complete enough model for how it was received by man), doctrine of covenants, etal.

I believe that every church can resolve these issues with scripture but it appears, according to prophecy, that the denoms will not resolve it among themselves until they abandon doctrine -- as even the SBC is now in its drive to be "missional" -- and make just this basic statement of the truth, that "Christ died for all our sin." Then will come the one for whom this message will work -- AC!

skypair