Denominations Gone Wild: What Happened To Unity?

The Bible teaches that Christians ought to practice a single faith. It reads: "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). Yet, today, every man does what is right in his own eyes. What's the solution? Pastors and elders must set the church in order.

The apostles did not lay down different worship patterns at the various churches they established, as the following apostolic warning indicates: "If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice - nor do the churches of God" (1 Cor. 11:16). Likewise, God had told Moses, "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mount." Just so, after correcting many deviations from the God-given pattern, Paul the apostle told the Corinthians "The rest I will set in order when I come" (1 Cor. 11:34).

Moreover, those who care to look into it will find that the phrase "set in order" represents a technical, liturgical term found three times at the end of Exodus as a summary for the refrain, "just as the Lord had commanded Moses." Exodus 39-40 uses the phrase "set in order" specifically of those three symbols most prominently regarding the Church and its holy jurisdiction -- the table of showbread (representing the Lord's Supper), the lampstands or candlesticks (portraying the churches themselves in Revelation 1-3) and the altar (symbolizing the prayers and praise of the saints in the New Testament).

This order whereby the apostles and prophets laid the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20) does not refer to "order in general" (where orderliness sits opposed to chaotic worship), as many commentators have falsely surmised. Rather, it has in mind the priestly order assigned to care for the worship of God so that it proceeds precisely as God has commanded, without deviation or exception. Liturgical care and precise obedience to the biblical pattern of worship form the basis of the Holy Spirit's applause given to both the prophet (and priest), Samuel, and to King Josiah, in these words:

"And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept" (2 Chronicles 35: 17-19).

If one heeds the tone carefully here, he might note that this compliment comprises as much an indictment against Israel as a lauding of the fidelity in worship displayed by the prophet and king favorably named in the passage. It also tells us that God takes note when His people deviate in the least from, or conform exactly to, His own established worship pattern. He cares.

In the New Testament, "order" in the churches refers to the priestly order of Melchizedek. Hence the saying of Paul, "Follow me as I follow Christ." The context tells us here that Paul was making a point about the pattern of worship (liturgy), meaning "Following the apostolic pattern, as we have delivered to you the teachings of Christ." The apostolic duty requires Paul to perform the liturgy of the churches just as Christ -- the head of the Church as High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek -- dictated by his words and deeds. The Lord Jesus sets the pattern. Here the saying applies, "My House, My rules." Christians -- pastors and elders -- must not deviate from this pattern. For the one Lord commands it, the one faith requires it, and the one baptism we shares promises this obedience in worship.

Conclusion: The extraordinary diversity in worship patterns among religious groups today -- which many applaud as "blessed diversity" -- shows that our churches and nations are filled with all manner of idolatrous fancy and man-made innovation in worship. This shows a disdain for the commandments of God, and a hostility toward His word. And that is precisely how He regards it. The Bible itself insultingly calls this "will worship," meaning worshipping God by the doctrines of men, rather than by the acceptable divine pattern found in the commandments of God. Col. 2:22-23 reads, "...Which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men ... Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

Let the reader recall that diversity in Israel's liturgy among its kings came only through REBELLION without exception, starting with Solomon's idolatry. Rather, the Bible commands that we must have "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." And this ONE faith which God commmands has a name in the Bible. It is called "The faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12). It is this faith alone we must practice in the churches. And if anyone wants to be contentious about this, the apostles and prophets had no other practice - nor did the churches of God.

Carson Day has written approximately 1.3 gazillion articles and essays, many with very insightful, if alternative, viewpoints. He presently writes for Ophir Gold Corporation, and specialized in the history of ideas in college. He has been quoted in the past as saying "What box?" and remains at large despite the best efforts of the civil authorities.

You can visit the Ophir Gold Corporation blogsites at http://scriberight.blogspot.com (Writing With Power), http://ophirgoldcorp.blogspot.com (OGC's Free Web Traffic), or http://ophirgold.blogspot.com (Church and State 101)

---

The Rapture, A Coming Event; Part 1

Daniel 2:44-11:35To begin with, what is prophecy? It's the study... Read More

It is Written: Alien Invasion of Planet Earth PART ONE

IT IS WRITTEN. Satanic Panic and the Alien Connection -... Read More

How to Solve a Wonderful Mystery

The first issue we must recognize is the way God... Read More

Living Without Blueprints

Some people look at the biblical book of Revelation as... Read More

The Rapture of the Church

The Rapture of the Church will be the most startling... Read More

Jesus Our King: Priest Forever After The Order Of Melchizedek

Much confusion surrounds the person of one "Melchizedek" found in... Read More

The Rapture

... Read More

Thought Produces Desire, Produces Results

(Channelled)Roy? this week you learned something about yourself. You learned... Read More

Spiritual Healing or Spiritual Malpractice?

Christians with chronic illness need to know there is a... Read More

Sex, Lies, & Videotape; Part 3

ConclusionVideotape in todays world is based on these three things... Read More

Crucification

Most of know how Jesus was crucified. Do we ever... Read More

God is God

God is God and besides Him, there is no other.... Read More

Making Merchandise of Christians ? Prosperity Gospel Blight

Anyone who has read their Bible would have to concede... Read More

Slain in the Spirit?

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE?A Catholic woman reported to me that a... Read More

Gods Billboards Invade Cyberspace

Once upon a time, Americans traveled the highways searching for... Read More

Paul?s Letter to 21st Century Christians

Dear Readers, I received a letter this week that is... Read More

Tom Cruise and John Travolta Prescribe to Scientology... Whats the Deal With That?

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA: Anytime a well-known name gets involved with a... Read More

Smile! God Loves You!

There is a greater sin than not obeying Jesus; it... Read More

Gays and Lesbians Attempt to Distance Themselves From Catholic Priests

There is a new term being thrown around "phenophilia", no... Read More

Iesa and Jesus in the Pyramid

The Sun god, Mithras, was the most widely worshipped deity... Read More

A Comparison of ISLAM and CHRISTIANITY

Hi,(Salaam to You: Peace be Upon you) (What a great... Read More

Deliverance

Deliverance is to be rescued or salvation. Thanks be to... Read More

Moses v. Jesus: Why do Conservative Christians Prefer Moses Commandments to Jesus Beatitudes?

Why are conservative Christians so concerned about displaying the Ten... Read More

What If? -- Musings on the Tsunami

Thumbing through Isaiah recently I was startled to find this:... Read More

Worship and Praise in Charismatic Churches

This article was in response to an email about someone... Read More

Let Her Be Covered Part Two

The framework for the message this morning will consist of... Read More

Women in Religion

During the debate in the Episcopal Church over whether or... Read More

How the Christian Right is Blowing It

I am not a particularly pious person and I certainly... Read More

Pagan Religions Taught In Public Schools

In classrooms throughout the country, Judeo-Christian beliefs are often cast... Read More

Biblically Speaking of Evil and National Security

We have been learning to think Biblically and speak Scripturally... Read More

The Warped Psychology of Islam

The London Bombings are just the beginning. Londoners are probably... Read More

The Afterlife and Scientology

AFTERLIFE: The 'Bardol Thodol' and 'Sidpa Thodol' of the Tibetan... Read More

Development of Liberal Theology: An Overview (Part 2)

The American theologian Horace Bushnell also played a vital role... Read More