By Glenn L. Shaver
Jesus Christ prayed for his followers to be ONE (John 17:2-22). The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth reproving them for their divisions and exhorted all to be of the same mind and judgment, speaking the same things (I Cor. 1:10-13). He also wrote to the Ephesians exhorting them to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Thus, it is Christ’s will for his people to be united and not divided.
Yet, there is division among Christ’s followers today, just as there was in the 1st century. Some of the problems causing differences in the 1st century were: circumcision, keeping of the Law of Moses, heathen feasts, worshiping of angels, etc. Some of the current problems are: “Missionary Societies” and “Sponsoring Church Cooperation” in preaching the gospel; “Educational Institutions” taking funds from the churches to edify; “Benevolent Organizations” to do the work of relieving the needy for the churches; “Socialized Gospel Movement” in building “recreation and fellowship halls,” “youth camps,” etc. to entertain and provide recreation for the young people, etc.
These “human organizations” set up to do the work for the churches are causing division among the followers of Christ. The promoters of such “human institutions” are guilty of “driving the wedge that split the log.” Remember, “these six things cloth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:” (What is the seventh thing?) “He that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov. 6: 16-19).
When faithful and sincere brethren ask for the scriptural authority (precept, approved example, or necessary deduction or inference) for the above practices, the promoters of such practices cry, “You are trying to kill the good works we are doing.” No, no, beloved, we are not trying to kill any good work, but we are asking that the good works be ordained of God and that the churches work in the manner God has appointed.
Truth Magazine VI: 3, p. 1a
December 1961