The apostle Paul announced to the
Ephesians a startling fact, perhaps one that is even more startling to many today. The
fact is that all men are reconciled to God in one body (Eph. 2:16). This body already had
been announced to be the church (Eph. 1:23). Paul is saying all enmity that might impede
peace and unity between God and man is done away with when man becomes a part of the body
of Christ, the church.
The word used here for reconciliation is
the stronger of two Greek words used prominently in the New Testament for reconciliation.
It includes the idea of completeness, of restoring peace and harmony between man and God.
It is the divine purpose that all men would be brought to harmony with the mind of God,
and such harmony can be found and exists only in the church.
Reconciled in One Body
There is only one place of
reconciliation. It is designed so by God, and all the maneuverings of man will not change
it. Surely one will not want to argue about the oneness of the body of Christ. Teachings
in Ephesians, Colossians and Corinthians are far too prominent for one to argue with any
degree of success that there would be multiple places for persons to come to peace with
almighty God.
Not Reconciled in a Denomination
Because the New Testament teaches
reconciliation takes place within the one body, the church of the Lord, it follows that
such reconciliation does not take place within any denomination. Those who are members of
a denomination are not in the place designed by God for peace and harmony with Him.
This is true first because no
denominations were in existence when Paul spoke of the one body (Eph. 4:4). Therefore,
they cannot be described as having any part in this one body.
Second, there is no teaching within
Scripture that one body is made up of many denominations. Paul spoke of individuals,
persons, as the members of the one body (1 Cor. 12:12-27), therefore, denominational
churches cannot be considered the members.
Third, Jesus spoke of men, individuals,
being the branches on the vine (John 15:1-6), hence denominations cannot be considered as
the branches on the vine of Christ.
Fourth, denominations were designed by
men, begun by men, given doctrines originating with men, offer worship according to men's
wishes, and do many works at the impetus of men. Because the Bible and the teachings of
Jesus are true, denominations have come from forsaking the commandments of God in order to
hold the commandments of men (Mark 7:8, 9).
So denominations are not any part in
God's work of reconciliation. Men who motivate others to join denominations are involved
in a soul-damning error. God does not approve of denominations and will have no part in
them. All the good works they do will not change the fact they are not obedient to the
will of God but only their own will (Mat. 7:21-23).
Who Will Teach This Today?
Such teaching about the errors of
denominations is thought to be passe today by many. How long has it been since one has
heard a sermon on the sinfulness of denominationalism?
Listen to the major TV and radio
programs today, and you will not hear such distinctive teaching. With few exceptions,
churches have fallen for the line of the public relations men thinking they can slip up on
the blind side of those in error. There is no slipping up, and there is no blind side. The
fact is that truth in the hands of these men suffers.
Campaigners had a fad going in recent
years to avoid telling contacts they were the churches of Christ. They said they wanted to
wait until they were further into the teaching program to tell about the Lord's church. It
is a pity the Lord has a bride that must be hidden until men deem it wise to tell sinners
about her.
Brethren in the pews cringe under this
kind of preaching, fearing it will hurt the feelings of members of denominations. They do
not seem to mind when denominational preachers preach their doctrines with courage, but
they do not want to allow a gospel preacher the same privilege.