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Why is the Church so divided?
Together we stand, divided we fall apart. Jesus commanded us to love one another and infact in loving one another is how people in the world will know that we are his own. So why is the church so divided? How are we to bring more people to Christ when we are divided?
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Asked June 24 2013
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Fanny Essamuah
Supporter
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Kelli Trujillo
Supporter
I think that the church is divided because it is human nature to disagree about certain issues and to band together with those that agree with our point of view. This tendency to divide in the church was evident in the very earliest days of Christianity. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul begins in verse 1 to call the Corinthians "worldly" and not spiritual for dividing according to the person by whom they were baptized. Paul himself had such a sharp disagreement with Barnabus that we are told in Acts 15:39 that they parted ways. Scripture indicates that this disagreement was later resolved as Paul mentions working with Barnabus once again (1 Cor. 9:6). This kind of division is certainly not limited to Christianity. The Jews have had several distinct groups within their faith since its inception, which we can see in the Bible. There are also several distinct groups within the Muslim faith, and the list could go on and on for other faiths. And let's go beyond faiths to other kinds of practices: There are several different kinds of vegetarians, there are several different philosophies and strands of practices when it comes to education, medicine, psychology, etc... Even in marriage, the two are never going to agree about every single issue. However, because of the commitment that the two have made to "be one" in spite of those differences, there can be unity. As Christians, we want to endeavor to please God, and it's clear that God loves unity (see Psalms 133) and wants His church to be able to "agree to disagree" in matters that are non-essential and to embrace the core doctrines that define what it is to be a Christian. Our tendency to band together around certain non-essential issues will probably always prevent universal unity (until we reach heaven) but we can certainly work on the process of being able to agree to disagree and to not condemn others just because their practices are different than ours, as long as the core tenets of the Christian faith are intact.
Andrea Spirit
Supporter
I recently wrote a book and the Holy Spirit gave me this as a preface, I pray it will answer your questions. "Genesis 11:1-9 tells us of how the whole earth was in perfect unity-speaking one language. In these particular scriptures, it tells us they wanted to build a city and a tower that sits on heaven. God saw that they could have done just that because they were all united working together as one; therefore, He confused them by giving them different languages. The early church in the book of Acts was quite similar, as they too were in perfect unity causing them to work many miracles through the Holy Spirit. Somewhere along the years the devil has crept in and somehow we, the church, started speaking different languages. These different languages have caused division in the Body of our Savior; therefore, we no longer do the work of Jesus Christ because we are not on one accord. Some believes that their denominations are the true church whereas some has changed their language to a man-made organization. We should never get to a point where we believe our church is the best; no church is better than another because it is the same Spirit that reign within Jesus body and the same Spirit that birth each ministry. “First Love Between The Bridegroom and His Bride” take us into a realm of the true language of a Christian. I pray these words will become spirit and change the language of our heart to “First Love For Jesus Christ.” Our language has changed my friend, for most, Jesus is no longer the priority of our motives but gain and power has taken over. 2 Chronicles 25:2 spoke of a king who did right in the sight of the Lord but not with a loyal heart, Jesus is looking for people who are willing to take up their cross and follow Him even if we don’t have food to eat or a shelter over our heads. There's so much more I could say but the point is that, just like Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7, we have lost our first love for Jesus.
Cassius Ash
Supporter
The church is divided so those who are approved can be recognized, but there is one Church and that is the body of Christ. Christians who follow all of the New Testament and not just sections as some other divisions do are most likely non-denominational. For there must be also heresies (divisions) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:19 KJV)
Vincent Mercado
Supporter
The Church is divided because of sin. Men refused to dialogue and listen to authority, took matters into his own hands, left and started another church. I sincerely hope we can learn from the mistakes of the past and move forward towards reconciliation.
Rose Ong
Supporter
Personally, I believe that non-denominational churches are the way to go. Whether you believe that you're saved by grace or once saved always saved, who cares? The bottom line is - Are you saved? Are you walking in a way that is pleasing to our Father? Do you share your faith with others? These are the issues that matter to followers of Jesus...
Bob Reese
Supporter
Why is the Church so divided? God has provided the {sojourner} of this world with His inerrant Word. When you do believe and concur that the Bible as we are able to procure, read, and meditate upon, is a factual rendering, of our God's words continue reading, please.
The God whom gave His Son, as we are able to comprehend it...and shed blood, died, and rose again... that is testified to, for the realists, in this accurate historical written verbiage Christ's disciples refer to as the Bible. The Spirit wants you to reason (pray over -and for) with the truth written. I would offer, not the suggestion of choice(s) as we are able to ; and sinful man would entice you to follow. This having been said and prayerfully submitted for your consideration attend the denomination of your choosing. Submit the leadership of that building or place to God for His authoritative discernment and guidance. If that "Church", in, and of its members feel divided, and or the leadership does not preach the grace, forgiveness and mercy for you…perhaps you continue to pray and search for another community to experience gathering, worship, and communion, and outreach with Him. . You present very searching and yearning queries. What if...the "church" were NOT divided? “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” John 1:14,
Claude Millette
Supporter
My Opinion is that a Church is a Building.Why is it so Divided.It because of the Lack of Knowledge of the Scriptures.Where 2 or 3 are gather in my name is far more important.Because its only by the Spirit that We find the Truth.I just Join and Im French so if my answer has nothing to do with the Question Please give me time!With Love Claude!
John Fernandes
Supporter
Church is divided because, we are not obedient to the commandments, our focus in not on the teaching of Jesus Christ "Came to serve not to be served" "Love your neighbors as your self" Love your God with your Whole heart, Mind ...many more basically if one study deeply one will find the reason is that "I cannot have my own way" so I break-up and form my own church God Bless All
David Allen
Supporter
When Christ paid for mans sin. The devil lost his power over those who believe (The Church). Just as with the first man his only recourse was to deceive Adam & Eve into enslaving themselves. The devil was able to convince two perfect beings to choose the knowledge of good and evil (a form of the law) and strip them of their authority. In the days of the early church satans use of extreme persecution was not working. Every where Christians went people where healed from sickness and delivered from evil spirits. And the Church was growing; even though Christian where being slaughtered because of demonstrations of Holy Spirit Power. So the devil remembered the first man and how he got victory over perfect man and deceived the Church in choosing the Law once again. In Grace man is righteous under law man falls short every time. How can I lay hands on this sick person when I broke one of the commandments yesterday? So the Church denied the power in lieu of the law. So today we have those who preach Law. And those who preach a mix of grace and law, and a few that teach grace. Thanks For Reading David Zion
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