I once worked with a Korean fellow. Our conversation once turned to Christianity. I asked him if he were Christian. He said no and I asked why. He asked me how he could become a Christian since there were so many Christian Churches/Denominations/Sects and they all disagreed with each other about the tenets of their Christian faith. He made a good point.
All Christians look to the Bible as their source of God's word and truth. But what good is that if all these Christians interpret the Bible and it's passages differently? I've been on this board for about a year and so many disagreements. And, after observing many/many posts on this board, with differing opinions, I've never yet to see one person change their mind about any doctrine or tenet from the Bible.
Seems that each of us has appointed ourselves, and not the Bible, as the authority on what the Bible says and teaches. Jesus prayed that we all be one and promised to send the Spirit to lead us to all truth. That's surely not happening. Why so???????????
Hi arthur,
yes it can seem like that however have you ever considered what Jesus said -
`However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth;...` (John 16: 13)
And that is a process.
The Apostle Paul warned his disciples -
`For I (Paul) have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.` (Acts 20: 27)
For over 2000 years the Body of Christ has been battling against Satan and his demons, who have tried to stop the believers coming to maturity in Christ. Although the Apostle Paul taught the whole counsel of God, he warned the believers that false teachers would arise.
`Therefore take heed to yourselves.....For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. `Therefore watch...` Acts 20: 28 - 31)
Here is a summary of the main truths, then the errors that came in and finally the restoring of those truths through the centuries.
Ministry gifts (Eph. 4: 11) -
Bishops were substituted. (AD 110)
Holy Spirit infilling and gifts -
Formalisation of worship. (3rd C)
Holiness -
Amalgamation of Church and State. (AD 323)
Baptism for believers -
Infant Sprinkling. (6th C)
Justification by Faith -
Penance Indulgence. (AD 1063 / Dark Ages)
Reformation, Lutheran - Justification by Faith. (1517)
Baptist - Full Immersion. (1608)
Methodist - Holiness. (1738)
Pentecostal - Indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (1906)
Apostolic - Christ`s ministries (Eph. 4: 11) (1916) & the Eternal Purposes.
Christ`s ministries, (apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor, evangelist) develop the believers and the whole Body into spiritual maturity and understanding. They stimulate the perfecting of the `Christ life` and promote the function and ministry of each member in the Body.
When Christ ascended `
He gave some (people) to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some
pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ,
Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ......may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ.` (Eph. 4: 11 - 15)