Unity or division has been the hot topic of discussion within Chrisianity for 2000 years. When the church of Rome began to fall away as a result of spiritual adultery with the world when it took the reins of power once held but now vacated by the emperors, the true followers of Christ must have had very similar discussions. As the Roman church allowed more and more compromises to weaken its hold on truth, the faithful few decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church. They dared not tolerate errors that would imperil not only their own souls, but those of the children and future generations after them. As the state church became more entrenched in falsehood and idolatry, division became the only option if they were to obey the word of God. I would imagine that the love they had for their church, and their brethren in the faith, would have motivated them to bend over backwards to secure peace and unity among those who named Christ as their Savior, but only so far as it was consistent with conscience and faithfulness to God. But if unity was bought at the cost of principle and truth, then that price was too high. History then informs us that those factions that seperated from or refused to submit to Rome over the ensuing centuries paid for their fidelity to truth with their lives.
The reformation that began several centuries later incited similar discussions. Though originally having no desire to seperate from Rome, the reformers, from Wycliffe to Huss, and from Luther to Ridley, were in the end given no choice. Again, because Rome refused to seperate herself from idolatry error and sin, new factions developed such as we now see today. The Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans et al...the divisional fruits of seeking truth and righteousness.
Today, we are having the same discussion, but sadly from the opposite perspective. Rome is actively and powerfully seeking to have those 'seperated brethren' return to the fold. Unity today is seen by many as being of paramount importance, and unfortunately the compromising of truth and faithfulness to the word of God is not seen as being too much of a barrier. So long as they can agree on a few main points of doctrine, the differences can be set aside for future discussions amid a spirit of 'tolerance and love'.
Ever wondered at the persecutions of the early church and the reformed churches and why there is so little persecution today? Yet the apostke Paul declare that they who would live godly in Christ Jesus would suffer persecution. (2Tim 3:12). I am convinced that the only reason for such a state of affairs today is that the church by and large has conformed to the world's standard and incites no oppostion. No longer are we willing today to refuse compromise. We are too tolerant of error. We are afraid of being accused of intolerance and not 'loving the brethren'. We are afraid of being accused of being 'divisive'.
For me, I care not if all the eclesiastical councils, seminaries, bible colleges,universities and church boards and PhD luminaries from far and wide agreed and signed page after page of high powered declarations of unity and brotherhood....I would stand alone if I disagreed in one point of doctrine affecting conscience. I would stand alone if in conscientious obedience to God's word I would be in opposition to them...I would stand alone if God's character was insulted and abused by lies regardless of the reputation of those ingnorantly doing so...I would stand alone if untiy with them involved compromise and lightly disregarding truth.
And the reformation never ended...those that pulled away did not move far enough and their children today (the vast majority of Christendom) are suffering as a result, inheriting and believing superstitions and lies that can or could vitally affect salvation, and impact mightily on their apprehension of God's character and His purposes for His people.
) The biggest question I have for anyone on here that may argue with what is NOW considered non-traditional doctrine is, are you lead by the Holy Spirit or you own agenda and interpretation of His word? If you are truly lead by the Holy Spirit then we would all start to agree because I'm pretty sure the Holy Spirit doesn't lead differently depending on who's asking.
