Is Exclusivity The Unpardonable Sin? Part 1

Is Exclusivity “The Unpardonable Sin”?

“Is Christ Divided” into Sects?

Chapter 24, Part 1 Preview: Here is unmistakable Biblical proof that simply belonging to a “sect” is quite literally “heresy”! Jesus’ harshest words were undeniably those directed toward the most obsessive religious ideology of His generation—exclusivist sects. Why does sectarian “doctrine” so often make people arrogant? Why are there so many sectarian “ministries”? And what is more important—stroking the egos of a hierarchy or corporate acquisition of wealth and power? Jesus charged that these “hypocrites” greatly love public praise but have absolutely no concern for the spiritual well being of anyone!

Can we demonstrate that Jesus had an extremely vehement aversion for sectarianism? Before we can associate “exclusivity” with being a so-called “unpardonable sin”, we need to focus on Jesus’ statements describing what “exclusivity” means. While English Bibles do not translate a Greek word as “exclusivity” in describing the offense, Jesus certainly exposed the self centered sects as being exactly the opposite of what “pure religion” is! [Note: Frequenting one of these Churches or Assemblies for fellowship is not the same as pushing hierarchical strong arm tactics, so long as you are a member of “the body of Christ” rather than being a member of a sect!]

Matthew 23:1 ... 7 The scribes and the Pharisees ... 4 bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, 6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men. WEB

Here is the Biblical definition of “pure religion”:

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Today’s incorporated churches generally perform exactly the same disservice that their forerunners the Pharisees did two thousand years ago. They are the modern day equivalent. While the teachings have evolved, such as their appropriating the name of Jesus—the selfish motivations of the leaders are the same. It is a terrible offense to God to say that we represent Him, the loving God, if we really advocate exclusivist arrogance, division and strife. How ironic it is that those who preach so much against division are the very cause of most of it! Paul anticipated that this would happen:

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Jesus. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news”, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough. WEB

Dont let their acknowledging Jesus’ name fool you:

Luke 4:41 Demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Rebuking them, He didnt allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ. WEB

James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder. WEB

Jesus, while admonishing the Pharisaical hypocrites in His presence, was apparently also foretelling that counterfeit Christian hypocrites would worship Him in vain:

Mark 7:6–9 He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. 7 But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 “For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” 9 He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your [sectarian] tradition. WEB

Demons also seduce false teachers into replacing the doctrines [teachings] of God with substitute teachings. Two specific end time examples are given.

1 Timothy 4:1-5 But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; 3 forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. 5 For it is ‘sanctified’ [Strong’s #37: “to separate from profane things”] through the word of God and prayer. WEB

Marriage literally pictures God’s family plan—making us literally Sons of God. The demons certainly hate to see our wonderful potential with them having no future, so they would naturally want to forbid marriage, causing gullible people to have warped sexual ideas. A second example, perhaps most valuable because it will point out some of the primary proponents of the “doctrines of demons” concerns prohibitions on eating foods “sanctified through the word of God”.

(Leviticus 11 is where “the word of God” lists the sanctified foods.)

Incidentally, all of the “doctrines of demons” are designed to cause you to reject the commandments of God—replacing them with these “works”:

Galatians 5:18-21 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under [the death penalty of] the law. 19 Now the WORKS of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, ‘divisions’ [quarrelsome debates], ‘heresies’ [arrogant sectarianism,] 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Reading the text of the prophecy from Isaiah that Jesus quoted from is even more revealing. It mentions His coming at the end of this age for Judgment, while also alluding to when He came in the flesh. Then it describes the prophetic “marvelous work” of His silencing the preaching, “of their [sectarian] wise men”. When that day comes, God’s truth will not be hidden from “this people” any longer, instead, “the understanding of their [sectarian] prudent men shall be hidden.” No longer will men “deeply hide their counsel from [Yehovah’].” Their dark works will be exposed:

Isaiah 29:13–20 The Lord said, “Because this people draws near with their mouth and with their lips to honor Me, but they have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear of Me is a commandment of men which has been taught; 14 therefore, behold, I [Jesus!] will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their prudent men will be hidden.” 15 Woe to those who deeply hide their counsel from [Yehovah], and whose works are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us?” and “Who knows us?” 16 You turn things upside down! Should the potter be thought to be like clay; that the thing made should say about him who made it, “He didnt make me;” or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding?” 17 Isnt it yet a very little while, and Lebanon will be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field will be regarded as a forest? 18 In that day, the deaf will hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind will see out of obscurity and out of darkness. 19 The humble also will increase their joy in [Yehovah], and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 For the ruthless is brought to nothing, and the scoffer ceases, and all those who are alert to do evil are cut off ... WEB

Only after understanding the gravity of the transgression should we venture into how the scripture, which is the basis for “the unpardonable sin” premise, is actually related to exclusivist religious sects.

For all practical purposes—any sin that gets you tossed into the Lake of Fire would be an “Unpardonable Sin”! Many people believe that there is a sin for which you cant repent and be forgiven in this life. This chapter deals with an attitude that, unrepented of, blazes a wide trail to the “second death”. While there may be a paragraph break implied in the following verse; it is interesting that the “way that leads to destruction” is followed by “Beware of false prophets” in the very next breath.

Matthew 7:13-15 Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it. 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. WEB

Exclusivity is precisely what Jesus condemned the Pharisees for endorsing. The Pharisees were exclusivist toward their race as well as their religious tenets. Jesus condemned their hypocrisy, which manifested itself as attitudes of superiority toward other people, which can also include the extreme of racism.

The Pharisees, while they were a highly respected religious hierarchy, were in reality ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. Despite these “minor character flaws”, the evidence of their snake charmer like abilities over the people is blatantly obvious considering that their oratory overshadowed the miracles and majesty of the Messiah Himself—to the point where He was slain for His righteousness. Yet even today, the Red Riding Hood’s of the world keep being deceived by the hypnotic voices of wolves who appear as innocents. Prophecy indicates that in the end, the entire secular world will even be swayed by the charms and deceptions of wolves.

Religious exclusivity is saying or just thinking that your sect of people is better or more special than other groups in the eyes of God. Among the very people who should know better than to have these thoughts are “Christian” groups which make the claim that: “if you are not a part of this organization then you cannot be saved”. Alternatively, some claim that your position in the Kingdom—if you happen to squeak in—will be of much less preeminence than if you had chosen their “guru” to lead you into the Kingdom. Such egotistical theology makes a mockery of Jesus’ teachings.

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Dont set your mind on high things, but ASSOCIATE WITH THE HUMBLE. Dont be wise in your own [opinion]. WEB

To be sure, Jesus said that His flock was a “little flock” (Luke 12:32). And there is “one body” (Romans 12:5) but it is not for men to decide who is in it and who is not. But here are some clues as to who are part of the flock:

1 John 2:4 who says, “I know Him,” and doesnt keep His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth isnt in him. WEB

1 John 3:22 ... and whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His Commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. WEB

1 John 3:24 He who keeps His Commandments remains in Him, and he in Him. By this we know that He remains in us, by the Spirit which He gave us. WEB

1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His Commandments. WEB

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His Commandments. His Commandments are not grievous. WEB

2 John 1:6 This is love, that we should walk according to His Commandments. This is the Commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. WEB

Revelation 12:17 The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God’s Commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony. WEB

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the Saints (off site) those who keep the Commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. WEB

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His Commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. WEB

In case you dont know which commandments are being mentioned here—and are required for eternal life—allow Jesus to answer that:

Luke 18:18-20 A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit ETERNAL LIFE?” [the best possible question!] 19 Jesus asked him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good, except one—God. 20 You know the Commandments: ‘Dont commit adultery,’ ‘Dont murder,’ ‘Dont steal,’ ‘Dont give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ WEB

By naming half of the Ten Commandments the fellow got the point. These are the minimum requirements “to inherit eternal life”. Of course you can do more. The “ruler” thought that this answer was too simplistic. So Jesus went on to explain what being one of his twelve disciples required. Tragically, most professing Christians today believe that the Commandments are optional at best! That particular heresy is a “damnable heresy”. It is known as Antinomianism (outside link).

There will be more in this chapter on exactly what heresy is. It is of great importance that you know what it is and what it is not! The English definition of heresy differs entirely from the Biblical use of the term. The Encyclopedia Wikipedia has a detailed explanation for how the Catholic definition of “heresy” is still considered the technically “correct” definition.

“While the term is often used by laymen to indicate any non orthodox belief such as Paganism, by definition heresy can only be committed by someone who considers himself a Christian, but rejects the teachings of the CATHOLIC CHURCH. A person who completely renounces Christianity is not considered a heretic, but an apostate ...”

Revelation chapters 2 and 3 describes the Seven Assemblies of God (“Churches” (off site)) at the end of the age. They are not “church eras”, rather they are regrettably what has become of the people of God today. The Commandment keeping people are divided by “heresies” (as the word has become to mean in English) and most of them are divided into “heresies” or “denominations”—which simply means a group brandishing a sectarian name as is implied in the Greek and virtually always having a “Statement of [mandatory] Beliefs”.

Philadelphia would not be sectarian or God would have certainly mentioned it. Smyrna is also not likely tainted with sectarianism. These smaller Assemblies would be described as “independent” and would follow a 1 Corinthians 14 format as described in Are Sermons Biblical? at their gatherings—everyone has the right to express themselves so long as they do not try to repeatedly force sectarian ideas down the throats of the others. They are loosely affiliated but do not have a human “king”. Fortunately for the other Assemblies, sectarian heresy is not necessarily one of the “damnable heresies” tho stringently teaching hierarchy may be.

Exclusivity can be expressed by a wide range of biases—anything from believing that anyone not a part of your religious organization should be killed, to simply believing that you are more righteous than, for example, publicans (tax collectors). Very often secular people are more loving than religious people.

A friend told me of a preacher that he heard who said: “I’ll get to heaven on my superior knowledge far sooner than you will get there on your superior love”.

That man is void of both knowledge and love!

1 Corinthians 13:2-10 And if I have prophecies, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give out all my goods, and if I deliver my body that I be burned, but I do not have love, I am not profited anything. 4 Love has patience, is kind; love is not envious; love is not vain, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave indecently, does not pursue its own things, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. 7 Love quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be caused to cease; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be caused to cease. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease. LIT

These “superior” men are the very ones who cast the Saints out of their places of worship! When John spoke of being put “out of the synagogues” he was not referring to end time Judaism!

John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. WEB

The term “synagogue” has come to be strictly associated with Judaism, but John was referring to the Disciples being persecuted by their own assemblies or “churches” (off site). The root word for “synagogue” clearly illustrates what John meant:

Here is how the exclusivist thinks about anyone not in his “synagogue”:

Luke 18:11–12 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get. WEB

You may wonder why Saints would be fellowshipping in such places to begin with. More than likely it is to help the others. Some local groups are more tolerant of a good example than others but eventually the truly converted will likely be excluded.

In short, sectarian exclusivity is judging other people to be less righteous than yourself—leave the judging to God:

Luke 6:37 Dont judge, and you wont be judged. Dont condemn, and you wont be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free. WEB

Philippians 2:3-4 ... doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others BETTER than himself; 4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. WEB

Exclusivist “hypocrisy”, in the form of needless separations, was so deeply instilled in the culture of the day that even Apostles became ensnared!

Galatians 2:11-13 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before some people came from James, he ate with “Gentiles”. But when they came, he drew back and SEPARATED himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his HYPOCRISY; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. WEB

How many people today separate themselves—or more often—separate others, by “excommunication” or “disfellowshipment” or “marking”, or “dismembering” for imperfections or even for having heartfelt personal convictions over issues “not leading to death”?

Here is what the scriptures say to do when someone sins “a sin not leading to death”:

1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I dont say that he should make a request concerning this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. WEB

If someone is not breaking the Ten Commandments then he must not to be treated as a heathen, he must be treated as a brother! When “ministers” cast Commandment keeping people from their Assemblies they may as well cast themselves into the lake of fire! It would be better for them to tie a millstone around their own neck and shove it into the sea than to jeopardize the spiritual life of one of their sheep!

Luke 17:1-4 He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a MILLSTONE were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” WEB

Jesus even emphasized caution to the Jews concerning how they condemned others:

John 8:7... He who is without sin among you [Jews], let him throw the first stone at her. WEB

I have a friend who was cast from his “synagogue”, in the____Church of God (name upon request), because he refused to eat out at restaurants on the Sabbath, setting a “proper” example. They call that “trying to outrighteous the ministers”, which is a quote from a taped headquarters sermon on the subject. Other friends there are threatened with “dismemberment” for daring to discuss the scriptures without a minister present.

Another Church of God sect has “dismembered” anyone who once belonged to the WCG, who has not since proclaimed that their splinter group are the only “righteous”. A friend was recently invited to a wedding but upon arriving the parents told this former WCG man that either he had to leave or they would.

Certainly there are people who should be avoided but here are the criteria:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; 10 yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world. 11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Dont even eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with also judging those who are outside? Dont you judge those who are within? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.” WEB

The above points do not including mandatory agreement with the tenets of a particular sect! What if the point of contention of the sect is right? There is a great difference between the wicked and someone not convinced on a particular point of doctrine. I have seen babes in Christ get booted as well. The Apostle Paul said that he would sooner become a vegetarian than offend a vegetarian, even tho he knew their issue to be wrong. You simply dare not cause a brother to stumble:

1 Corinthians 8:11-13 And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I dont cause my brother to stumble. WEB

I know of a man who began fellowshipping with the Radio Church of God over fifty years ago. The “minister” asked him if he believed that the RCOG was the only true church. The man said that he did not know but that every church that he was familiar with made that claim. He was banned from ever attending! Fortunately that babe in Christ had the tenacity to keep the Sabbath in his own home, and has done so to this very day! He did learn intolerance from them tho. After joyously fellowshipping with him for a couple of years he allowed a point of disagreement to come between us and told me never to come back. He refused to tell me what the point was.

Then there is the often used excuse that a brother was “causing division”. Is having a different opinion than the hierarchy preaches really “causing division”? The scriptural term for that is called “heresy”, and it is strongly denounced in the scriptures. Surprisingly, “causing division” would mean trying to create a new sect! Here is the definition:

And here are the four references to heresy:

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also ‘heresies’ among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. KJV

Galatians 5:20 Idolatry witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, ‘heresies’ ... KJV

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable ‘heresies’, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. KJV

Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call ‘heresy’, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: KJV

The Rest of the Story

As Paul Harvey would say, “And now, the rest of the story”: Belonging to ANY particular “sect” (or “denomination” or “church”) is HERESY by the Biblical definition! The English word translated as “sect” is in truth the Greek word hairesis—heresy! Here are the other five places where heresy should be written into your Bible. Note that while belonging to a particular “heresy” was quite acceptable to the Jews, it is not what God desires for the followers of Jesus. The same situation happened in ancient Israel. God’s people Israel wanted to be governed “like all the nations” so God allowed it!

1 Samuel 8:4-7 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah; 5 and they said to him, “Behold, you are old, and your sons dont walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” Samuel prayed to [Yehovah]. 7 [Yehovah] said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them. WEB

Here are the other places where the word “sect” has replaced the more interesting word “heresy”:

Acts 5:17 But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the [heresy] of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy ... WEB

Acts 15:5 But some of the [heresy] of the ‘Pharisees’ [which literally means “separate”—which is what a sect is] WHO BELIEVED [Christians!] rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. WEB

Acts 24:5 For we have found this man [Paul] to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the [heresy] of the Nazarenes. WEB

Acts 26:4-5 Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest [heresy] of our religion I lived a Pharisee. WEB

Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this [heresy], it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against. WEB

In short, the Biblical definition of heresy is belonging to a sect—period! The Catholic definition of heresy is belonging to any sect EXCEPT the Catholic sect and the definition non Catholics use is simply belonging to any sect which they consider to be unorthodox (that they dont like).

Yet claiming to follow any man or sect is idolatry!

1 Corinthians 1:12-13 I mean this, that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” and, “I follow Christ.” 13 IS CHRIST DIVIDED? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? WEB

However claiming to “follow Christ” if you really only want to follow yourself is folly as well. “Work out your own salvation” but dont forget the “fear and trembling” part!

Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. WEB

It is very good to worship God with other people of a similar mind whenever possible. Yet salvation is a one on one relationship with God. People want to worship God in groups for the wrong reasons. Many think that there is safety in numbers and at least unconsciously feel that just belonging to their church will get them “saved”. Belonging to a group encourages people to believe whatever they are taught by others without actually taking the time to understand the only book that God delivered to mankind. That is why the vast majority of people actually “inherit” their religion. People are naturally inclined to want to become members of sects, gangs, clans, clubs etc. Trusting in God rather than man is what is required to become one of the Saints of God.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to take refuge in [Yehovah] than to put confidence in man.

People want to belong to a “name-brand” group. When a church becomes popular then “franchises” tend to spring up. The more people are told what they like to hear the faster their franchise grows. People are not content to tell someone that they are a “Saint” or a “Christian”. They prefer to be named after Luther (Lutherans) or Calvin (Calvinists) or call attention to the way they baptize people (Baptists). That is extremely convenient but if you dont have a handy label then people might just have to discuss at length what you believe rather than simply ask who you believe and end the conversation.

This can lead to heated discussions. That is OK. As long as love is present there just might be some learning going on. If love is not present then it is just a fight! Bad. Everyone loses. Also debates are a sport, they are about winning rather than edification.

There is some sentiment towards what is called the Restoration Movement, (off site) which denies overt sectarian names for the following reasons:

“Christianity should not be divided, Christ intended the creation of one church.

“Creeds divide, but Christians should be able to find agreement by standing on the Bible itself (from which they believe all creeds are but human expansions or constrictions) instead of on the opinions of men about the Bible.

“Ecclesiastical traditions divide, but Christians should be able to find common ground by following the practice (as best as it can be determined) of the early church.

“Names of human origin divide, but Christians should be able to find common ground by using biblical names for the church (i.e., “Christian Church,” “Church of God or “Church of Christ” as opposed to “Methodist” or “Lutheran”, etc.). It is in this vein that conservative members of the Churches of Christ object to the phrase “Stone-Campbell Movement”.

Yet even these “Biblical names” are used as sectarian names for all practical purposes and there are numerous divisions among these “no name” groups.

Having strong disagreements is no reason to disfellowship someone tho. Even Apostles could have real controversies yet without accusing each other of “heresy”.

Acts 15:36-41 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. 38 But Paul didnt think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didnt go with them to do the work. 39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Assemblies. WEB

It may be comforting to realize that any time that you are thrown out of a sect (or church or denomination) that you are literally being thrown out of heresy!

Now for Part 2

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