Is Exclusivity An Unpardonable Sin? Part 1

Is Exclusivity “An Unpardonable Sin”?

“Is Messiah Divided” into Sects?

Chapter 24, Part 1 Preview: Is Exclusivity “An Unpardonable Sin”? Here is unmistakable Biblical proof that simply belonging to a “sect” is quite literally “heresy”! “Is Messiah Divided” into Sects? Yeshua’s (Yeshua) harshest words were undeniably those directed toward the most obsessive religious ideology of His generation—the 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 their acquisition of wealth and power? Yeshua charged that these “hypocrites” greatly love public praise, but have absolutely no concern for the spiritual wellbeing of anyone!

Can we demonstrate that Yeshua had an extremely vehement aversion for sectarianism? Before we can associate “exclusivity” with being a so-called “unpardonable sin”, we need to focus on Yeshua’s statements describing what “exclusivity” means. While English Bibles do not translate a Greek word as “exclusivity” in describing the offense, Yeshua 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 Messiah” rather than being a member of a sect!]

Matthew 23:1 ... 7 Then Yeshua addressed the crowd and His Disciples, 2 and said, “The Torah teachers and Pharisees ... 4 bundle heavy burdens, and load them on people’s shoulders; but they personally wont lay a finger on them. 5 Everything that they do is done for appearances; like when they broaden their phylacteries, and extend the tzitzits [tassels] of their clothing. 6 They love the best seating at suppers and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and salutatory greetings in the market places, and being addressed by people as Rabbi. GV

Here is the Biblical definition of “pure religious practice”:

James 1:27 because pure religious practice that is dedicated before Yehovah the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their distress, and to keep themselves unspotted from the world. GV

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 Yeshua—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 just as the serpent deceived Eve with his chicanery; in a similar way your minds could be corrupted from the simplicity of the Messiah. 4 Suppose that the person who came to you had heralded to you another Yeshua—one we havent heralded; or suppose you had received a spirit that differed from the one you have accepted; or a different Good News than what you have accepted; you just might have endured it! GV

Dont let their acknowledging Yeshua’s name fool you:

Luke 4:41 Demons left many, crying out and saying, “You are the Messiah, Yehovahs Son”. But He admonished them, and didnt allow them to say that they knew He was the Messiah. GV

James 2:19 You believe that there is one Aloha; you do well; but the demons also believe, and tremble. GV

Yeshua, 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 told them that Isaiah the prophet prophesied accurately concerning the hypocrites; as the Scriptures say, “These people honor Me with their lips, but their minds are very far from Me. 7 They waste their effort worshiping Me, while teaching human rules as doctrine. 8 You have forsaken the Commandments of Yehovah, and respect the traditions of men; washing cups and pots, and many other such things”. 9 He added, “Despite your pretenses, you reject the Commandments of Yehovah, so that you can preserve your own [sectarian] traditions! GV

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 The spirit explicitly says that in the latter times, some will renounce their convictions of the truth; and devote themselves to impersonating spirits, and their demonic doctrines. 2 They will teach lies as if they were actors on a stage, BY A FALSE APPEARANCE; having their own consciences seared as with the mark of a branding iron. 3 They will forbid marriages; and will require abstinence from meats that Yehovah created to be used with thankfulness, by those who believe and understand the truth. 4 Every animal that Yehovah created for food is good; and there is nothing that should be rejected if it be received with thankfulness; 5 because it is made sacred [Strong’s #37: “to separate from profane things”] by the Words of Aloha [1] and by prayer. GV

[1] in Leviticus 11

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 “made sacred thru the Words of Elohim”.

(Leviticus 11 is where “the Word(s) of Elohim” lists the sacred 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 arent under the death penalty of the Torah. 19 Now the workings of our physical nature are obvious: adultery and other kinds of illicit sex, profligate living, unbridled lusts, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, self-promoting partisans seeking control, rivalry, rage, hunger for power, divisions, sectarianism, 21 envy, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and anything like that. Those who perpetrate these things, as I have before told you and am telling you again; WONT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF YEHOVAH. GV

Reading the text of the prophecy from Isaiah that Yeshua 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 [Yeshua!] 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 Bible, that 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 that you cant repent of 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 road is broad that leads to destruction” is followed by “Beware of false prophets” in the very next breath.

Matthew 7:13-15 Enter thru the narrow door, because the door is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter it. 14 How narrow is the doorway and constricted is the road that leads to eternal Life, and very few search for it! 15 Beware of false [pseudo] prophets who come to you cloaked as sheep, but inwardly they are extortioning wolves. GV

Exclusivity is precisely what Yeshua condemned the Pharisees for endorsing. The Pharisees were exclusivist toward their race as well as their religious tenets. Yeshua 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 Yeshua’s teachings.

Romans 12:16 Dont value yourselves more than your Friends. Dont try to receive honors; rather, associate with the humble. And dont be someone who tries to appear wise or intelligent. GV

To be sure, Yeshua said that His flock was a “little flock” (Luke 12:32). And there is “one body” (Romans 12:5), but it is not for us 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 Anyone who says, “I know Him”, but doesnt obey His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in them. GV

1 John 3:22 Whatever we ask, we receive from Him; because we obey His Commandments, and do the things that please Him. GV

1 John 3:24 Anyone who obeys His Commandments remains in Him, and He remains in him. And this is how we know that He remains in us, by His spirit that He has given to us. GV

1 John 5:2 This is how we know that we love the new converts of Yehovah: when we love Yehovah, and obey His Commandments. GV

1 John 5:3 This is the love of Yehovah, that we obey His Commandments; and His Commandments are not burdensome.GV

2 John 1:6 This is love, that we live according to the Commandments. These are the Commandments that you have heard from the very beginning, that we should regulate our lives by, the same ones. GV

Revelation 12:17 The dragon was provoked to anger against the woman; and he went to war against her remaining survivors, who obey the Commandments of Yehovah, AND have the Testimony of Yeshua. GV

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patient endurance of the Saints, who preserve the Commandments of Yehovah, and are fully convinced about Yeshua. GV

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His Commandments, so that they will have the right to the Tree of Life, and can enter thru the gates into the city. GV

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

Luke 18:18-20 One of the leaders asked Him, “Good Master, what must I do, so that I can inherit ETERNAL LIFE”?[the best possible question!] 19 Yeshua asked him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good, except one; Yehovah. 20 You know the Commandments, ‘You must not murder; you must not commit adultery; you must not steal; you must not give a false testimony; and honor your father and your mother’. GV

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 leader thought that this answer was too simplistic. So Yeshua 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”*)) at the end of the age. They arent “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”—and that 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 dont 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 were to have the gift of sacred inspiration, and if I understood every mystery, and knew everything; and if I had all faith, so that I could move mountains, but lacked love, I would be nothing. 3 If I were to donate everything I owned to feed the poor; and if I were to allow my body to be set on fire* as a martyr; but lacked love, it would not be advantageous at all! 4 Love perseveres patiently, and is kind; love doesnt burn with envy; love doesnt boast; it’s not conceited; 5 and doesnt act unbecomingly; doesnt seek its own way; it’s not easily provoked; and doesnt have a bad nature. 6 It finds no pleasure in violating the Torah, but rejoices with others in the truth; 7 it endures every threat, and is persuaded of every conviction, with limitless hope and perseverance. 8 Love will never end. But prophesying will come to an end; and language will no longer stir us; and some knowledge will vanish. 9 We only have limited knowledge; and our sacredly inspired revelation is limited. 10 But when completion comes, then incompletion will be obsolete. GV

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 You will be excluded from their synagogues [1]; and far worse, the time will come when whoever kills you will believe that they are doing a sacred service for Yehovah. GV

[1] 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”*). The root word for “synagogue” (sunago) clearly illustrates anassembly or gathering, even like a school of fish.

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

Luke 18:11–12 The Pharisee stood by himself, and prayed, ‘Yehovah, I thank You that I have not been like everyone else—robbers, oppressors, and adulterers; or like this tax extractor. 12 I fast twice a week, and tithe on all my gains’. GV

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 express judgments, and you wont be judged; dont pronounce condemnations and you wont be condemned. Pardon those who sin, and you’ll be pardoned. GV

Philippians 2:3-4 And do nothing in contention, or in vain glory; but in meekness everyone should consider their neighbor as better than themselves. 4 No one should only be concerned about their own interests, but also for the interests of others. GV

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 Cephas came to Antioch, I confronted him to his face; because he was at fault. 12 Because before certain ones came from James, he ate with the other ethnicities; but when they came, he timidly withdrew himself, and became exclusivistic; because he was afraid of the circumcision proponents. 13 The rest of the Jews also were as hypocritical as he was in this regard; so much so that even Barnabas yielded to their hypocrisy. GV

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 Bible says to do when someone sins “a sin not leading to death”:

1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees their Friend sin a sin that doesnt deserve death, they should ask, and Life will be given to them, so long as their sin isnt deadly. There is a deadly sin; and I am not saying that we should make requests about that. 17 Every violation of the Torah is a sin; but there is a sin that is not deadly. GV

If someone is not breaking the Ten Commandments then they must not to be treated as a heathen, they must be treated as a brother! When “ministers” throw Commandment keeping people out of their Assemblies, they may as well throw 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 Yeshua told His Disciples, “It is inevitable that some people will cause scandalous offenses [skandalon], but I pity the person who causes them. 2 It would be better for them, if a millstone were hung around their neck, and they were cast into the sea, than for them to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be careful, if your brother wrongs you, reprimand him; and if he amends his ways, disregard [2] the sins. 4 If you are offended seven times in a day, and then, seven times that day, they turn to you and say, “I want to amend my ways; then acquit them. GV

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

John 8:7 ... “The person among you who has not sinned should be the first to throw a stone at her”. GV

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”. That is a quote from a taped headquarters sermon on the subject. Other friends there are threatened with “dismemberment” for daring to discuss the Bible 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 is the only “righteous” one. 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 by letter, not to befriend a male prostitute. 10 But I dont mean with the male prostitutes who are in the world, or with the greedy, or predators, or idol worshipers; otherwise you would be obligated to leave the planet. 11 But now I have written to you not to befriend anyone who calls himself a Friend, who is a male prostitute, or greedy, or worships money, or those who use abusive language, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—dont even share a meal with these kind of people. 12 What business do I have judging those on the outside? But you must judge those within the body, 13 and remove the wicked ones from among you, (Yehovah judges those outside). GV

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 the Messiah 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 Should a weak brother, who the Messiah died for, be destroyed because of your knowledge? 12 When you sin against your Friends, and wound the consciences of the feeble, you sin against the Messiah. 13 So if food is a obstacle for my Friend, I wont ever eat sacrificial meat again, in order to keep my Friend from stumbling. GV

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 Messiah 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 Biblical term for actual division is called “heresy”, and it is strongly denounced in the Bible. Surprisingly, “causing division” would mean trying to create a new sect! Here is the definition. So if your intent is “storming a city”, or figuratively speaking, taking over an assembly of people, then you might just be a heretic!

And here are the four references generally translated as “heresy”:

1 Corinthians 11:19 Of necessity there must be sects [hairesis] among you, so that the genuine can be distinguished from the counterfeit] among you. GV

Galatians 5:20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, self-promoting partisans seeking control, rivalry, rage, hunger for power, divisions, sectarianism, [hairesis] ... GV

2 Peter 2:1 As false prophets arose in history, there will also be false teachers among you, who will by stealthiness introduce destructive sects [hairesis], denying the Master who bought them; and bring on themselves swift and eternal death. GV

Acts 24:14 Yet I certainly acknowledge that in accordance with the Way that they refer to as a sect [hairesis], I do serve Aloha, as did my ancestors, believing everything written in the Torah and in the Prophets. GV

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 Yeshua. 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” is actually the more the more versatile word “heresy”[hairesis]:

Acts 5:17 The high priest was filled with envy, as was everyone with him of the sect [hairesis] of the Sadducees. GV

Acts 15:5 Some of the people who had come from the sect [hairesis] of the ‘Pharisees’ [literally meaning “separate”—that being what a sect is], but were now Believers in Yeshua, got up and said, “It is a necessity for you to circumcise them as spelled out by the Torah of Moses”. GV

Acts 24:5 We have found this man [Paul] to be a plague, and an instigator of sedition among all the Jews thruout the Empire; he is a ringleader of the sect [hairesis] of the Nazarenes. GV

Acts 26:4-5 The Jews themselves, if they would testify, are well aware of the kind of life I have lived from my childhood, the kind of life that from the beginning was in my nation and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known for a long time, if they were willing to testify, that I lived my life among the renowned sect [hairesis] of the Pharisees. GV

Acts 28:22 Yet we are willing to hear your opinion; because we know that this sect [hairesis] isnt accepted by anyone”. GV

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’m telling you that one of you says, “I am of Paul”; and another says, “I am of Apollos”; and another says, “I am of Cephas”; and another says, “I am of the Messiah”. 13 Now was the Messiah divided? Or was Paul crucified for you? Or were you immersed in the name of Paul? GV

However claiming to be “of the Messiah” 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 Friends, as you have always listened, not only when I was near you, but now that I am far from you, work out your own eternal Life, with fear and trembling. GV

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’s better to take refuge in Yehovah, than to put confidence in humanity. —The Word of Elohim, Gabriel Version (WE)

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,*) 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 Some days later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return, and visit the Friends in every city where we have publicly taught the Truths [Words] of Yehovah; and let’s see how well they are doing”. 37 Yet Barnabas was determined to take John, who was surnamed Mark, 38 but Paul was unwilling to take him with them, because he had left them when they were in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to the work. 39 As a result of this serious disagreement, they went their separate ways; Barnabas took Mark, and they traveled by sea and set sail for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas, and left after the Friends had entrusted him to the the compassion of Yehovah. 41 He traveled thru Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the the Assemblies. GV

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