Divisions In The bible
Divisions In The bible
Divisions in the Bible
The Bible mentions two kinds of division. One caused by Christ and one caused by false leaders. The division caused by Christ is between belivers and unbelivers. Men of the Church and the world. This we except readily and have no problem with identifying. Mt 10:34 “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword.” These words of Jesus are expected to cause division in the world for Jesus is sovereign, and the world is blind to this fact. The world is in rebellion against its creator. Recorded in John 17th chapter verse 14, Jesus prayed ” I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
The division caused by the false leaders is not as easy to identify, and causes much hurt to local fellowships. Mostly because we want to expect all who say they are Christian leaders to be what they profess.
The Bible teaches that, there are ways to identify men who have a false ministry. These men cause division in local churches and causes confusion as to the nature of the mission of the Church.
Four ways to identify a false spiritual leader. 1. By their fruits.
Jesus warneds against false prophets, saying, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matt. 7:15).
Paul writes: 2 Corinthian 11:13-15 13 For such false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Peter writes: 2 Peter 2:1-3 1 But there were false prophets also amoung the people, even as there shall be false teachers amoung you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And though covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
If such a warning was necessary to the Early Church, it is necessary today. (We believe and practice what they wrote then concerning the Lord’s Supper, baptism, and other things. Why not believe and practice what they said about this?)
The ministery is the Lord’s and belongs to no man. Some men have their own ministery and require that men serve them. Psm 23. 1: says “The Lord is my Shepherd”.
Ministers today claim to be shepherd of their flock. This is wrong, there is but one shepherd and to him do all Christians give allegiance. Men who teach and practice otherwise are false Spiritual leaders. All Spirit led Christians are taught to be sensitive to men who teach otherwise. These men become tyrants in that they upsurge authority that doesn’t belong to them. They prey upon the innocent.
The Bible teaches The Lord is my shepherd. not: The pastor is my shepherd. The evanglist is my shepherd. The teacher is my shepherd. The deacon is my shepherd. The denomination is my shepherd.
These maybe So called Christian leaders but when they do not lead you to the Lord as the only shepherd they are in error.
The correct term of pastors is an undershepherd. Based upon 1 peter, the pastor is not to lord his authority but become like Christ a servant.
2. Does he glorify Christ?
Jesus, speaking of the Holy Spirit, said, “He shall glorify me…”(John 16:14).
When men attract attention to themself, its wrong, for Jesus said “he shall glorify me.” John, one of Christ’s apostle wrote;
1 John 4:1, 2 1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
Again false prophets are mentioned. If there were false prophets in the time of the Early Church, there are false prophets now. What are their attitudes toward Jesus? If they lead men away from Him or create division in the Body of Christ, they are wrong. If they magnify man or self, rather than Christ, they are wrong.
3. Do they agree with Scripture?
Do they teach the bible is truth or that the bible contains truth? The Word (Bible) was inspired by the Holy Spirit. (“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, ” 2 Peter 1:21.)
If men tell you things that do not agree with the Bible they are in error. If it’s the same Spirit, it’s going to agree with the Word of God. (Bible)
4. Do their teachings produce liberty or bondage?
True teaching produce liberty not bondage. The word says, “…. where the Spirit is there is Liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17). Some people stop right here and take the wrong liberty. Romans 8: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, wherby we cry, Abba, Father” (v.15).
Ministers and teachers should produce liberty not Bondage. This error is often seen in the selfish nature of leaders in getting their way at all cost. No matter the cost to fellowship. Statements such as, “If you do not agree with the leader you should leave.” These people often produce an atmosphere in which there is competition and not cooperation for the Lord’s work. The leader who becomes dogmatic, He’s gone to far. God uses many different people, not just one man. 2 Cor. 11:20 states; 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
Men who become a law unto their own, add to the Word to make themselves to be more piest then others, are like the Pharisees of Jesus’s day. These men will cause you much suffering and unhappiness, because the Law of God (Bible) will bring you happiness, freedom, and peace.
A passage in Acts 20 shows us what happened in the Early Church is still happening today:
Acts 20:28-30 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you oversees, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
False leaders fleece the sheep instead of feeding the sheep. The word of God says because of self glory.
It is wrong for a man to build a ministry of self and say (most are not this bold) it is for the glory of God. The ministry is always the Lord’s and all men are servants in this ministry. The above verses show that the true leader from God is not going to create division. The Church in one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. (Eph. 4:4-6) Because of this we should endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3)
In Romans 16:17, 18 we are told:
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own body, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the innocent. These word should cause all Christians to always be on guard to protect the innocent, the babes in Christ. ready to do battle and content for the faith delivered to the saints.
We are one body, and one Church, saints of God and called to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
These are but four ways to identify men who profess but do not posses the true calling from God. Let us be on guard and not partake of their evil ways that carry us farther away from the blessings promised us by obedience to God our creator and Lord. May we endeavor to identify and cast light on their darken ways.
While these ways may seem harsh, they become necessary in the days that we live. In order to serve Christ first and be more Christlike as he set the example. We should hold up and pray and encourage all leaders who exault Christ and demostrate Christ like qualities in leadership of the Churches of God today. But we must be on guard and identify false leaders, Because of the harm to mens souls. Realizing that we must maintain unity may it be against the evils of our day, and not joining in the problems that come through false leaders. We must not throw out the baby with the bath water. But work toward building up the fellowship but not the disarray that comes by the dividing factor of all false leaders.