At the turn of the 20th century there were an estimated 1900 Christian (Evangelical) denominations in the world. Christians divided by culture, race, and doctrinal beliefs. By the end of the 20th century there were an estimated 22,000 Christian denominations in the world. (I assume that includes what I call "non-denominational" denominations.) page 97 - The Call - Os Guinness.
Reading that caused me to think about the root of the Christian faith. What is at the root of what it means to be a Christian? That took me to John chapter 3 and a conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus.
"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:1-6
Given that scripture, how would you answer the question, "What must I do to be saved?" Of course - "You must be born again by the Spirit." Association with a denomination had nothing to do with my salvation. In fact, my new birth and Martie's happened after we listened to the preaching of a Presbyterian pastor. Some months later, we were baptized by a Nazarene Army Chaplain. It was by God's grace and mercy that we were saved.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-9
But there is more, isn't there. Reading those verses in Ephesians, one should ask - "Faith in what or more correctly in Whom?"
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." - Romans 10:8-10
Faith in Jesus - acknowledgement and understanding of His place in the eternal plan of God the Father. Belief that God the Father, raised Him, Jesus, from the dead so we might have victory over sin and death - through Him. That has nothing to do directly with a denomination but everything to do with God expressing His love for mankind through His Son. The heart of Nicodemus was stirred and
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:16-17
That is the root of who we are as Christians. I don't identify primarily as a Baptist but as a Christian - a Christ follower. The Baptist denomination or any denomination cannot save me - only faith in Jesus and the indwelling of the Spirit can do that. Being born again by the Spirit.
In John 17 Jesus prayed about unity in the body of Christ as a testimony to a lost world. An other-worldly unity among diverse people as evidence that the world might believe that the Father sent the Son. That is how important unity among Christians is.
“I (Jesus) do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." - John 17:20-21
There is much diversity among Christians today - you might say 22,000 divisions in the Body of Christ. Jesus spoke to the consequence of division. Actually He was referring to Satan, but the principle applies to everyone, including Christians.
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end." - Mark 3:24-26
It is not wrong to be aligned with a denomination, but it is wrong to identify with a denomination first and then as a Christian. A word of caution, make certain that those you identify with are talking about the same Jesus you are.
"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 16:13-17
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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