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THE SEED OF THE KINGDOM VS THE SEED OF DENOMINATIONALISM Bob Myhan
n the third day of "creation week” God created vegetation; and the seed of everything was “in itself according to its kind" (Genesis 1:11-13). When Jesus walked the earth He taught His disciples the manifold nature of His coming kingdom through a series of parables, one of which was the parable of the sower (found in Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23; Mark 4:1-8,13-20; Luke 8:4-15).
n His explanation of this parable, Jesus said, "The seed is the word of God" Luke 8:11). The kingdom is perpetuated by planting the word of God. But if “the seed [of the kingdom] is the word of God" what is the seed of denominationalism?
urely, one does not become a member of every denomination simply by obeying the word of God. Does anyone become a member of any denomination simply by obeying the word of God? Did any of the Christians in the New Testament become a member of a particular denomination simply by obeying the word of God? Does it not, indeed, take something in addition to or other than the word of God to become a member of a denomination?
he word “denomination” simply means “name." But denominationalism involves more than just a name. It also involves differing doctrines and practices. Do all these differing doctrines and practices come from the word of God? Surely not! When Paul wrote his letter (by inspiration) to the Galatian churches, he said, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:6-9).
rom this we learn that when anyone, even “an angel from heaven," preaches “any other gospel" than Paul preached, those who receive this "perversion" of the gospel are turned away "to a different gospel, which is not another." That is, when people are taught, and believe, something in addition to or other than the word of God, they either do not enter the kingdom or do not long remain therein. If this is not so, then what was Paul concerned about? Someone may be thinking, "He was just concerned about the fate of the false teacher." But Jesus said, "And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch" (Matt. 15:14). If no one had ever begun to "pervert the gospel of Christ," thus creating "a different gospel, which is not another," surely there would be no denominationalism today. But some did, and they continue to do so. Denominationalism is perpetuated by planting something in addition to or other than the word of God. Are you being taught the gospel which Paul preached? Are you sure? & INSPIRATION [Selected]
here is no subject more basic than that of inspiration. The literal and root meaning of inspiration is "breathe into," and the practical import is that God put His message in men and moved them to say exactly what He wanted said. The Bible lays claim to being that kind of an inspired word - men did the speaking or writing but they did not speak from their own wisdom; they spoke according as God directed them. If the Bible is in truth and fact the inspired word of God, then it certainly must be the only safe and reliable standard for our faith and practice. The value and authority of the Scriptures are thus directly dependent upon whether or not they are inspired, i.e., "breathed of God."
his is the argument and claim of 2 Peter 1:20, 21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” “Private interpretation” does not refer to an individual hearer's understanding, for Peter is discussing its origin, not its reception. “Private interpretation,” therefore, has to do with the speaker, not the hearer, and is tantamount to saying that the prophets did not speak their own personal understandings.
hey rather spake as the Holy Spirit "moved them." In fact, the prophets did not always personally understand the message (1 Peter 1:10-12) and would have been rather hard put to tell what they did not know or to explain what they did not understand. But [being "moved by the spirit"] they did not need to rely on their personal opinions and interpretations. The book of Jeremiah, for example, is not the personal view and private interpretation of the prophet, but rather it is the "word of the Lord" (Jer. 1:4) expressed according as the Spirit moved the prophet.
his means that inspired words are not words of human wisdom, or choice. Listen to 1 Corinthians 2:10-13: "But God bath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.... Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth [not of man's choosing], but which the Holy Spirit teacheth...." This is verbal inspiration! The Bible is God’s word to the word, for its writers did not speak of themselves. They neither gave their own opinions, nor did they even pick out their own words to express the gospel message; inspired men were “moved by the Spirit” and spoke the words which the Spirit supplied. This is purely a case of an infallible and divine word being “once for all” delivered through human instrumentality, but God did not allow the human agency to alter the setting forth of His law by adding “private interpretations” or by making a faulty choice of words.
od is the author of the Bible. Men only penned it. As such it is in truth the "word of God." And therefore it is a perfect guide for life and the standard by which we will all be judged. [Via Drew Park Bulletin] & J.E.F.
THE PORNO PEDDLER By Bob Felkner Not far away from where you live Arc movies rated X, And in those pornographic films, They show perverted sex. The peddler of this public filth Promotes a school of sin; Just put your money in his hand, And you can drive right in. Young and old from porno pens Are anxious to be slopped, But decent men and women say Those movies must be stopped. Good citizens are all concerned; Complaints are now on file; Officials squirm and shirk their jobs And say they'll wait awhile. The peddler's money pays them off; He stays away from jail, But money will not keep that man Out of the Devil's Hell. He drives the biggest car in town And wears a diamond ring. A filthy scepter in his hand, Of smut he is the king; He doesn't care what harm he does Cause now he's filthy rich; In social circles, as a friend, I’d rather have the itch. [From Truth Magazine; June 20, 1974]
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