Unity of the Church
Unity of the Church UNITY OF THE CHURCH
By V. E. Howard
Friends, Brethren, Ladies, and Gentlemen: It is indeed a distinct pleasure for me to appear before you this morning to discuss a matter of grave importance, “The Unity of God’s People.” Yes, it is a genuine pleasure to be here because I am glad to be back home. I shall always be grateful for the influence of Abilene Christian College in my life. It was here that I came, after having begun to preach the gospel, to better prepare myself for the work I have chosen. This is my first time to speak here since I was in Abilene Christian College about eight years ago.
Although I consider it a pleasure to address you on this occasion I am not unmindful of the .serious obligation resting upon me. I am addressing you, most of you, many years my senior in years and experience, as a young preacher of the gospel. I am to call your attention to a further discussion of the most important subject, “Unity of the Church.”
While Jesus, our Lord and Master, was, in the very shadow of the cross, on which he was to give his life for the church, the thought uppermost in his mind, seemingly, was the unity and oneness of God’s, people. Hear him as he prayed unto his Father and our God, “Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are. Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us,: that the world may believe that thou didst send me” (John 17:11; John 17:20-21). The predominate need of the religious world is unity. It is indeed deplorable to look about and see the division and strife existing in the realm of religion, yet all are professing to be Christians, representing Christianity before the world. It is, a cast of reflection on God for men to assert that they cannot read and understand God’s word alike, thus being united. The earnest plea of the inspired apostle was: ‘‘Now I beseech you, brethren, through 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 perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). To dispute these truths is nothing short of mockery of God, but be not deceived “God is not mocked.” Indeed, I believe that division is the champion breeding bed of infidelity.
Yes, it is lamentable to think of the division of, so called, Christendom, numbering more than two hundred distinct denominations, with their respective branches numbering more than six hundred bodies, all purposing to present Christ to a sin-cursed world through conglomerated entanglement of doctrines, and creeds of men, each contradicting the other. How could man have the audacity to accuse God of being involved in such scandalous misrepre-sentation of himself.
One thing is certain, the Bible is not responsible for any division. “God is not the author of confusion.” We are not divided over what the Bible teaches. The difficulty is that men introduce foreign teachings and practices. There are no agencies in the kingdom of God, not provided for in the word of God. It is indeed an arrogant assumption that God left his kingdom incomplete and deficient, and that the wisdom of uninspired, mortal man can supply .such deficiency. We are forced to the following conclusion:
1. God’s word is complete and thoroughly furnishes every man unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-16).
2. or, God in his infinite wisdom left the Christian system incomplete which necessitates man’s,
wisdom to complete what infinite wisdom left incomplete.
There is no organization in the kingdom of God, larger than the local congregation of the church, and no authority higher than authority of Christ. Any additions or subtractions is a transgression of God’s law, which brings about division and disfellowship.
I shall confine further discussion of this subject to the division within the church of Christ, his spiritual body, which cost his life and blood upon the cruel cross. A body that is near and dear to our Lord, and should be to all of us; yet there have been, and still are, those who would thrust a spear tlmough his body, or cut it in twam, thereby bringing sorrow and grief, disabling the church of our Lord, and retarding its rightful function in this world. My mind goes back to that timely warning and exhortation of Paul to the elders of the church at Ephesus as recorded in Acts 20:28-30 : ‘'Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them."
Oh, how we need to ponder these truths. No outside force alone can defeat the church of Chris,t. The danger is from within.
It is marvelous to read in the New Testament of the early church, a zealous and united body that grew by leaps and bounds, in the face of unsurmountable foes. Yes, a church that, within but a few short years, carried the gospel to the then known world. Men and women by the thousands become obedient unto the gospel. Yes, the Lord “added to the church daily,” and not just on the Lord’s day, because a united church labored faithfully together daily. But the time came that men arose teaching false doctrines, as the apostles warned, and carried the church away into an apostacy and human ecclesiasticism, known as Roman Catholicism. A disunited body could no longer meet the foe. This opposition to the truth, however, could not last forever. The church of the living God can never be obliterated from the earth. God’s will and purpose can never be defeated. There were those who led the church into darkness, but thank God there were others who braved the storm to restore Christianity.
There may be those today who would lead us astray, but there are still those with the faith and courage to “cry aloud and spare not,” holding aloft the doctrine of Christ, to lead us back to Jerusalem. From the beginning of the 19th century this old world began to tremble and s,hake its very foundations under the power of the gospel of Christ. Indeed, the battles were many and bitter but there was no compromise. Literally thousands were rescued in the ark of safety, the church of our Lord, from the curse of denominationalism and sectarianism. Again the church was, growing by leaps and bounds, but soon division crept within and disrupted the peace and tranquility of the church, thus, retarding its growth and hindering its influence in the world.
Perhaps some in this audience may remember some of those sad and bitter experiences. I am too young to know, but I do know today that we of the younger generation are benefitted by the battles fought by thos,e pioneer preachers. Yes, most of these brave Christian soldiers who fought those battles from dawn to dawn, have laid aside their battle scarred armor and crossed to the other side. Just two weeks ago another one of those great souls,, one among the last, made his departure, Brother F. B. Srygley. He is gone but his influence will ever be present. I appreciate the great battles and victories that have been fought for me. As best I can I shall try to take up that sword of the spirit, the word of God, and fight for the truth and for victory.
Brethren have transgressed the will of God, disre-garding the authority of Christ, introducing into the church institutionalism and unscriptural practices, causing a division. In 1849 the societies were introduced and in 1859 and in 1869 the mechanical instruments of music were brought into the worship. The body of Christ was rent in twain. God’s law had been transgressed. The church divided. Now where is the responsibility? On the transgressor, of course! There can be no unity on this issue until the transgressors repent, disposing of ail the innovations, and come back to God’s word on which all can unite. The loyal disciples of Christ have not trans-gressed in this regard and have no concessions or terms to make. God has. stipulated the terms. Anyone who would offer to compromise is equally guilty with the transgressor. Hear the apostle John regarding this matter. Quote: “Whosoever goeth onward and abid- eth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not his teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works” (2 John 1:11). With the introduction of the organized societies and the mechanical instruments of music came the cries of: “Let Alone,” “Peace,” and “Freedom and Liberty.” They did not want anyone to oppose their un-scriptural practices. Oh, yes, they were very deceitful and cunning in promoting their cause at first, persuading privately, going from house to house, until they secured a following. And that same thing, brethren, is being done today. Those who have caused division, in practically all cases, have not done so publicly. They have done their destructive work privately until they could master a following.
Brethren, listen, any man that teaches and promotes his caus.e privately, and does not publicly do so, is dangerous. Not only is he dangerous, but he is a coward. It is cowardly for a preacher or elder to teach something privately that he does not teach publicly. Remember that!
During recent years there have been other factions within the church. Some have opposed the clas,s system of teaching God’s word. Also, this same, faction has contended for the “one cup” idea; that is, all Christians should drink from the one cup, an absurdity and impossibility; a contention purely without Scriptural basis. The “how” here seems to have been as important as the teaching itself with these brethren. However, they failed to note that Jesus commanded “go teach,” but he did not say how go, nor how teach. I might ride a donkey, walk, swim, or “fly.” The Lord has not legislated here. The thing that must be done is the going. We may use our own wisdom and conven ience in choosing how we go. The same is true respecting the teaching. I may teach by word of mouth, by writing, and by manner of living. I might write that truth on a blackboard, or in a newspaper, it is still God’s word. Or I might teach the person in a building, in the auditorium, or in a separate room, on the building, or under the building. The thing to be done is, teach!
It should be said, however, that no longer are there any strong contentions over these matters for the exponents of such whimsical ideas seemingly have vanquished. Of course there are those "within the church, and always will be I presume, who are contentious and factious, always making “much ado about nothing/’ Some brethren seem, to have been born in the “objective case” and rhe “kickitive mood.” They object to anything and kick about everything! Such a person is a menace to the cause of Christ; yet, is to be pitied. Sometimes I wonder if that sort of person shouldn’t be given the “leather degree.” By that I mean, if you’ll pardon the expression, he should be given a kick with the toe of a boot! Now I wouldn’t take that coo seriously. That isn’t God’s method, but it is tiresome and aggravating to have someone constantly kicking and objecting without cause. In recent years there has been another serious threat prevailing agamst the church. I refer to the speculative theories concerning the second coming of Christ, commonly known as “Premillenniaiism,” the earthly establishment of the kingdom of Christ and a material reign of 1,000 years. The Lord s church has been divided, and for awhile it seemed that this “cism” would spread throughout the body of Christ. Thank God, however, for the courage, faith, and stability of all those who have fought this false doctrine, exposing its fallacies. Had these battles not been fought, and were they not still being fought, there is no way of determining its fatal results.
Suppose a notable division had come within the church because of these speculative theories, on which side do you suppose brethren would be, who have refused to expose and condemn these false doctrines, even manifesting a critical attitude toward thos.e who have engaged in the fight? Where do you suppose brethren would have been, who have, seemingly, tried to be neutral, not lifting their voices and influence against these errors, but decidingly showing a sympathetic attitude toward those teaching the error ? Brethren, one can’t be a neutral on these matters; not when false doctrines, are being taught and the body of Christ being divided because of false teachers. In such cases, the so-called neutral will usually ally himself with the side of his sympathies, after he sees which way the “wind is blowing.” No one can be a neutral concerning the doctrine of Christ. We know of the results of the so-called neutrality during the early days of the “Christian Church—Digressive—movement.” Nearly all of those who refused to engage in the fight went with the “digressives” after a following had been mastered and partial control had been gained within the church by these brethren in error. No, they were no longer neutral after they determined the popular side! Those who refused to give up were then driven out of their buildings into the cold to struggle for existence.
Again the cry has been loud and long, “Let alone,” “Peace,” “Freedom and Liberty,” and “Don’t Disfellowship.” But, friends, the Bible is clear concerning what should be done about those who refuse to cease teaching false doctrines and disturbing the church. Hear the apostle Paul again: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing divisions, and occasions of stumbbng, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned, and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17). And again: Titus 3:10-11 : “A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; knowing that such one is perverted, and sinneth, and being self condemned.”
Brethren, I am going to make a charge I believe to be of serious, consequences. That charge is: the leadership in the church is largely responsible for division and factions within the church. The elders and preachers are largely responsible! It is the solemn duty of the bishops, of local congregations to oversee and feed the church, as the apostle charged the Ephesian elders. Preachers and teachers are many times responsible for bringing into the church false doctrine, which, of course, may include an elder, or elders, but the elders, are responsible for the teaching in their respective congregations. Too often personal friendship and misappropriated love have allowed false teaching to come into the church, causing division and bringing many heartaches. On the other hand, the lack of investigation or thorough knowledge of the teacher has allowed false teachers and contentious, persons to sow seed of discord within the church. Even in some cases, a man known to have sown seed of discord and cause division in the church, may be given a recommendation by the elders of the church in order that they may get rid of him, thus allowing other congregations of the body of Christ to become victims of false teachers and disturbers. Brethren, here is a serious responsibility of the leadership of the church. Efficient and faithful bishops in the church can largely keep division without the church. Are we fully as,- suming that responsibility without respect of persons? Remember, Paul charged, “Take heed unto yourselves—feed the church!”
It is not infrequently that you hear the urge, “Have the spirit of Christ,” when one uncompromisingly op poses, false doctrines. This cry often leaves the impression that Christ was a “weakling,” and would not be so aggressive as to expose a false teacher and his doctrine.
We must all appreciate the kind, gentle, and forgiving spirit of our Lord, but no one can study the life and teachings of Christ and conclude that he was a “weakling,” who was so tolerant that he would overlook the false teachers who would pervert his gospel and divide his spiritual body, the church. No, my New Testament does not picture Christ as such! He was kind and lovable, but he was equally brave and courageous, never fearing, nor refusing, to condemn false teachers in unmistakable terms! And he spoke with “authority,” not apologetically as some of my brethren do today when they endeavor to expose error, fearing, it seems, that someone’s feelings might be hurt, which would make them unpopular.
It was Christ who went into the temple, overthrew the tables, and drove out the money-changers. Yes, it was he who said, “My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you thieves, (and I want you to get that word) you thieves have taken possession of it —Get out!”
It was the Christ who rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, religious false teachers, declaring, “Woe unto you scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye made him two-fold more the child of Hell than yourselves!” Can you imagine some of our “sweet-spirited” brethren of today, who refuse to expose false teachers and false practices, saying such things? No, not them. They have the “spirit of Christ,” they say! Too bad it is that some of our modern preachers could not have been back there and given Christ some good advice concerning “methods of approach,” etc. They might have preserved the lives of some of those who exposed themselves to death because they so boldly proclaimed the truth and condemned error. Ridiculous! No, Jesus did not hesitate to pronounce them:4 “Whited sepulchers, full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness—ye serpents—ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of Hell?”
I am sure that Paul had the “spirit of Christ,” yet he publicly condemned Philetus and Hymenseus, who “concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is pas,t already, and overthrow the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:17-18).
Surely it was with no personal delight that Paul denounced and exposed Hymenseus and Alexander, whom he “delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme,” but he had the courage to do so. I should think that those false teachers would like to have had the mouth and pen of Paul stopped. No doubt they would like to have been “Let alone” and given “Freedom and liberty,” but the great apos.tle was discharging his duty and responsibility, giving us a good example of how he imitated Christ, which he declared he did (1 Corinthians 11:1). Had we more men and women of the faith and courage of the apostles and early Christians in the church today, perhaps there would not be so many threats of division within the church. Without question, there is a distinct need for more plain, forceful gospel preaching, and less compromising and “soft soaping.” How often have you heard preachers deliver a wonderful discourse, but at the conclusion of his address you couldn’t even intelligently discuss what he had to say. Nothing “stuck,” or pricked the heart! Sometimes such discourses are classed as “deep sermons,” and it is usually these deep sermons, or statements, which are so easily misunder-stood. Friends, muddy water always looks deep!
There is one thing certain, and that is: when the apostles and early preachers of the gospel declared the counsel of God it brought conviction to hearts of their hearers. The people didn’t have any difficulty understanding them! They could tell others what they had been taught. The results of sound gospel preaching in the early days were usually one of two things: the people were convicted of their sins and errors, because they were pointed out, and they obeyed the gospel, or, they stubbornly rebelled and became the enemies of those who were preaching the gospel. You remember, Paul once asked his own brethren, “Am I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” And there are examples after examples where the early Christians were persecuted and sought to be put to death, just because they uncompromisingly taught the truth and exposed error. On all of Paul’s, missionary journeys, about the first place you would find him, was in the synagogue teaching the truth and exposing error.
Ladies and gentlemen, the mission of the church of Jesus Christ is, to preach the gospel, both positively and negatively, and not to build programs to become the most popular church. The person that courts the favors of denominationalism, and the people, is not a loyal exponent and defender of God’s word.
Just here I would like to pause for observation of two or three inevitable conclusions regarding the teaching of false doctrines that may cause the church to become divided. First, it must be admitted that a man can be a Christian and not believe in Methodism (for example), but one cannot be a Christian without obedience and adherance to the gospel of Christ, therefore, Methodism, so called, is no part of the gospel and is, not necessarily related to Christianity.
Now, let us apply the same logic to the “isms” in the church. It must be admitted that one can be a Christian and not believe “Premillennialism,” or any other sort of “millennialism,” but no one can be a Christian without obedience and adherance to the gospel of Christ, therefore, “Premillennialism” is, no part of the gospel and is not necessarily related to Christianity.
Since it takes the gospel, and the gospel only, to make Christians, and it is admitted that one can be a Christian and not believe these peculiar theories, it must, therefore, be concluded that “premillennialism” or any other “ism” is no part of the gospel, nor Christianity, for a man cannot be a Christian and not believe and obey the gospel. These conclusions are inevitable! On the other hand, this doctrine is destructive for it dethrones Christ our King.
I am not unmindful that someone might object to these conclusions, suggesting that one does not have to believe all the gospel to be a Christian, for when one believes, repents, and is baptized he becomes a Chris.tian, but does not necessarily believe all the gospel, or the whole thereof. This reasoning is unsound, however. It. is true that one must believe certain facts and commands of the gospel in order, to become a Christian, yet not necessarily believe everything in the New Testament, because he has, not been taught all, but to remain a Christian one must study, or be taught, the gospel in its completeness, obeying' the same and growing thereby in order to be a “man of God complete.”
Now why all this, cry about, “Let us alone,” “Dic-tators,” “Popes,” etc.? Beloved, there can be but one logical answer. These brethren want to teach their speculative theories unopposed so that they may have opportunity of promoting their interest to a greater degree. They well know that their success will not be so great when they are being exposed before the brotherhood.
Yes,, these brethren would like very much to be “let alone” while they are propagating their theories and laying a foundation for division in the church. All sorts of plans and schemes are used, and money is not spared in promoting these false doctrines to the disruption of the peace and tranquility of the church; yet it mus.t be admitted, as I have pointed out, that, even if the doctrine were not destructive, it is no part of the gospel, nor is it related to Christianity !
Why, brethren, these same plans, schemes, and cries were used by those promoting the Christian Church interest a few years ago when they brought about division in the church. Why, did. you not know that the Christian Standard magazine (then church paper), was organized for the purpose of destroying the efforts and influence of those who were opposing their unscriptural practices? This journal was organized as a stock company with a capital of $18,000.00. Isaac Errett and his assistants made no concealment of the fact that they intended to crush the Christian Review, which was edited by Benjamin Franklin, who was contending earnestly for the truth and condemning the unscriptural practices of the “digressives.” According to the Biographical Sketch and Writings of Benjamin Franklin, page 44, and I quote: “By its own confession, the Standard sunk $50,000.00 of the people’s money before it was per-manently established, while the Review all the time was made self supporting, and sunk nobody’s money.” (XJnquote).
Think of it! Brethren were willing to lose $50,000.00 to promote admitted non-essential interests that were dividing the body of Christ. I wonder if it isn’t possible that today there are those who would be willing to spend $50,000.00, or more, to promote their interests to the hurt of the church of our Master. Friends, we need to think! What do you suppose would be the results if someone, who is opposed to open and free dis.cussion and condemnation of false teachings and practices, should get control of our gospel papers and have all of them “copyrighted”? Brethren, from all indications, there are some who would like to do that very thing today!
Regarding the responsibility of division and con-tentions within the church because of speculative the-ories and doctrines, it surely must be true that those who have taught these doctrines are responsible for the disfellowship. Of course, those in error will deny it is their responsibility. That is usually true. The Christian Church folk do not assume the responsibility for the division that came about becaus.e of the introduction of the mechanical instruments of music in the worship and institutionalism in the church either. Denials do not change the truth of the matter and facts of the case, however. To illustrate who is responsible in thes,e matters, 1 shall relate the following example that has come within my experience. While in Abilene Christian College about eight years ago, I preached once or twice each month for a small congregation nearby, while another preacher, who lived in Abilene at that time, I believe, preached there regularly also. It was not long until I learned that my preacher brother, just mentioned, was endeavoring to teach these speculative theories concerning the second coming of Christ. Of course he did not do much teaching publicly, if any, concerning these matters, but he did so privately, or perhaps occasionally, in disguise, publicly. This brother would make trips, to Louisville, Kentucky, and spend several weeks of study under Brother R. H. Boll, and then come back and teach the speculative and pernicious theories he learned, thus causing disturbance in the church. Brethren, it seems to me that one, who cannot see who is responsible for division in these matters, just doesn’t have his eyes open. Perhaps it would be well for us to open our eyes and look around some!
Other divisions in the church may include “localized” divisions. It is quite possible that a congregation may be meeting in the same house, under the s,ame roof, supposedly engaging in the same worship and services, yet far from being united, “being perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Sometimes brethren will not even speak to each other. It may be jealousy, prejudice, envy, stubornness, or “preaeheritis,” or “elder” factions, but beloved, these things ought not to be. It is, displeasing to our heavenly Father, and will surely hinder the growth and progress of the. church of our Lord.
We are told by the apostle John that brethren who do not love one another, whom they have seen, surely do not love God whom we have not seen. Also, we are told that one who hates, his brother is a “murderer.” All of us in the church, need to recognize one great truth: the church was not made to serve elders and preachers, but preachers and elders made to serve the church! The church was not made just for the convenience of its members, but members of the church were cabled out from the world and added together to serve God, to s,erve each other, and save the soul of man. Let us think on these things.
Unity is essential in the home, the community, the nation, the church! Where there is division within a home there is usually someone, with a heavy heart almost all the time. Where there is division in the church it grieves our Lord, who died for his church, and causes many sorrows and heart-aches in the church. Open division will hinder the mission of the church of Christ in this world. Division will cause s,ouls to be lost. May we endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” God has always demanded that his people be one. In the long ago man disregarded God’s law and terms of union, so he sent the flood and destroyed all who were not in fellowship with God and his people. God’s people then came forth from the ark of Noah united as one family, but man has since again corrupted his way upon the earth. Today the world stands a divided, confused and rebellious people. Out of all this world of confusion and strife God will sorpe day bring about unity and peace once again. All the unfaithful and disobedient will be gathered and cast into everlasting punishment, while the faithful and righteous few s,hall be gathered home with God and Christ, and the redeemed of all ages, to live together forever and ever. Then will be perfect joy, peace, and happiness—unity beyond our comprehension!
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”