Can We Embrace a Simple Christianity Today?
Is It Still Possible
to Be Simply
Christians?
Are Christians
commanded to
be united?
Y
es
Paul commanded the
Paul commanded the
Corinthians, “that you all speak
Corinthians, “that you all speak
the same thing, and that there
the same thing, and that there
be no divisions among you, but
be no divisions among you, but
that you be perfectly joined
that you be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and
together in the same mind and
in the same judgment” (1 Cor.
in the same judgment” (1 Cor.
1:10).
1:10).
Does God ever
command things
that are impossible
for us to do?
N
o
When God gave the Law to
When God gave the Law to
Israel, He made it clear that the
Israel, He made it clear that the
commandment of the Law was
commandment of the Law was
“not too mysterious for you, nor
“not too mysterious for you, nor
is it far off” (Deut. 30:11)—it
is it far off” (Deut. 30:11)—it
was near and accessible “that
was near and accessible “that
you may do it” (Deut. 30:14).
you may do it” (Deut. 30:14).
N
o
The same is true of
The same is true of
the Law of Christ
the Law of Christ
(cf. 1 Cor. 10:13).
(cf. 1 Cor. 10:13).
Is God pleased with
Christians being
divided in doctrine
and practice?
N
o
Jesus prayed that His
Jesus prayed that His
disciples might be one
disciples might be one
(John 17:21), but He also
(John 17:21), but He also
warned them not to turn
warned them not to turn
aside to false teaching
aside to false teaching
(Matt. 7:15-20).
(Matt. 7:15-20).
Can Christians depart
from sound doctrine
and still remain a
part of Christ’s body?
N
o
Jesus warned individuals
Jesus warned individuals
that those who do not bear
that those who do not bear
fruit will be cut off from
fruit will be cut off from
Him (John 15:5-6).
Him (John 15:5-6).
N
o
Jesus also warned
Jesus also warned
churches unwilling to
churches unwilling to
repent that they would be
repent that they would be
removed from His
removed from His
presence (Rev. 2:5).
presence (Rev. 2:5).
N
o
John taught, “Whoever
John taught, “Whoever
transgresses and does not
transgresses and does not
abide in the doctrine of Christ
abide in the doctrine of Christ
does not have God. He who
does not have God. He who
abides in the doctrine of Christ
abides in the doctrine of Christ
has both the Father and the
has both the Father and the
Son” (2 John 9).
Son” (2 John 9).
Is it ever necessary
for Christians to
separate themselves
from those in error?
Y
es
The church is to
The church is to
withdraw from one
withdraw from one
who refuses to repent
who refuses to repent
when rebuked for sin
when rebuked for sin
(Matt. 18:15-17).
(Matt. 18:15-17).
Y
es
Withdrawal from the
Withdrawal from the
unrepentant is aimed at
unrepentant is aimed at
the restoration of one in
the restoration of one in
error (1 Cor. 5:5) and to
error (1 Cor. 5:5) and to
keep the church sound
keep the church sound
(1 Cor. 5:6-8).
(1 Cor. 5:6-8).
Y
es
An unrepentant Christian from
An unrepentant Christian from
whom the church has
whom the church has
withdrawn may still be
withdrawn may still be
considered a brother (2 Thess.
considered a brother (2 Thess.
3:15), but he or she is not in an
3:15), but he or she is not in an
acceptable relationship with
acceptable relationship with
God.
God.
Y
es
Christians must not
Christians must not
“keep company with
“keep company with
him that he may be
him that he may be
ashamed” (2 Thess.
ashamed” (2 Thess.
3:14).
3:14).
Y
es
Those who have never come to
Those who have never come to
Christ cannot be counted as
Christ cannot be counted as
brethren. We may seek to teach
brethren. We may seek to teach
such a person (cf. Acts 18:24-
such a person (cf. Acts 18:24-
26; 19:1-5)…
26; 19:1-5)…
Y
es
… But one who expresses
… But one who expresses
tolerance and acceptance of
tolerance and acceptance of
that which is outside of the
that which is outside of the
doctrine of Christ “shares in his
doctrine of Christ “shares in his
evil deeds” (2 John 10).
evil deeds” (2 John 10).
Does simply calling
oneself a “Christian”
truly identify him or
her as a Christian?
N
o
Jesus said there would be
Jesus said there would be
those who would call Him
those who would call Him
“Lord” and yet by refusing
“Lord” and yet by refusing
to do His will be denied as
to do His will be denied as
His disciple on the Day of
His disciple on the Day of
Judgment (Matt. 7:21-23).
Judgment (Matt. 7:21-23).
N
o
It is the Bible not human
It is the Bible not human
beings that define who is
beings that define who is
and is not a Christian, or
and is not a Christian, or
disciple of Christ (cf. Acts
disciple of Christ (cf. Acts
11:26).
11:26).
What determines
whether an
individual or group
truly belongs to
Christ?
Jesus said that
Jesus said that
abiding in His word
abiding in His word
determines if one
determines if one
is or is not His
is or is not His
disciple (John
disciple (John
8:31).
8:31).
What is a
denomination?
In Latin the word
In Latin the word
nomen
nomen
meant, “name.”
meant, “name.”
This came into English
This came into English
in our word nominate,
in our word nominate,
which means literally to
which means literally to
“name” a person for a
“name” a person for a
task or office.
task or office.
The prefix
The prefix
de
de
- when
- when
added to this word,
added to this word,
either intensifies the
either intensifies the
primary meaning, or
primary meaning, or
adds the sense of
adds the sense of
“away” from the thing
“away” from the thing
named.
named.
To denominate
To denominate
something is to
something is to
distinguish it in name
distinguish it in name
from something else.
from something else.
Two things of a different
Two things of a different
“denomination” are not
“denomination” are not
the same thing in nature
the same thing in nature
or quality.
or quality.
D
enomination
“A recognized
“A recognized
autonomous branch
autonomous branch
of the Christian
of the Christian
Church” (
Church” (
New Oxford
New Oxford
American Dictionary
American Dictionary
).
).
D
enomination
Jesus told His disciples,
Jesus told His disciples,
“I am the vine, you are
“I am the vine, you are
the branches” (John
the branches” (John
15:5). The “branches” of
15:5). The “branches” of
the Lord’s church are
the Lord’s church are
individual disciples.
individual disciples.
D
enomination
An individual is either part
An individual is either part
of Christ or outside of
of Christ or outside of
Christ. To be autonomous
Christ. To be autonomous
is “acting independently or
is “acting independently or
having the freedom to do
having the freedom to do
so” (
so” (
New Oxford American
New Oxford American
Dictionary
Dictionary
).
).
D
enomination
An individual cannot be
An individual cannot be
autonomous. Paul
autonomous. Paul
declared, “I have been
declared, “I have been
crucified with Christ; it is
crucified with Christ; it is
no longer I who live, but
no longer I who live, but
Christ lives in me” (Gal.
Christ lives in me” (Gal.
2:20).
2:20).
D
enomination
Individuals have freewill,
Individuals have freewill,
but we cannot act
but we cannot act
independently of Christ.
independently of Christ.
Paul taught that Christians
Paul taught that Christians
have become “slaves of
have become “slaves of
God” (Rom. 6:22).
God” (Rom. 6:22).
D
enomination
Groups of people are
Groups of people are
either part of Christ or
either part of Christ or
outside of Christ. a. If they
outside of Christ. a. If they
are a part of Christ they
are a part of Christ they
are the same in nature and
are the same in nature and
identity.
identity.
D
enomination
When Jesus taught His
When Jesus taught His
disciples not to elevate
disciples not to elevate
disciples one over another,
disciples one over another,
He explained, “you are all
He explained, “you are all
brethren” (Matt. 23:8).
brethren” (Matt. 23:8).
D
enomination
We cannot
We cannot
denominate
denominate
something from another
something from another
thing and yet say it is the
thing and yet say it is the
same in identity and
same in identity and
nature.
nature.
The New Testament
The New Testament
teaches no church
teaches no church
government higher than
government higher than
the eldership of local
the eldership of local
congregations (Acts
congregations (Acts
14:23) and yet lower than
14:23) and yet lower than
the headship of Christ
the headship of Christ
(Eph. 5:23).
(Eph. 5:23).
One eldership does not rule
One eldership does not rule
over another church. In this
over another church. In this
sense congregations are
sense congregations are
autonomous, but even
autonomous, but even
congregations must be in
congregations must be in
submission to the headship
submission to the headship
of Christ (Eph. 5:24).
of Christ (Eph. 5:24).
If two congregations are
If two congregations are
different and distinct in
different and distinct in
practice or teaching, one
practice or teaching, one
(or both) is either
(or both) is either
obedient to God’s word or
obedient to God’s word or
in rebellion to God’s word.
in rebellion to God’s word.
Individuals who are a
Individuals who are a
part of that group are
part of that group are
not, therefore, part of
not, therefore, part of
the church that belongs
the church that belongs
to Christ.
to Christ.
Is biblical unity
accomplished by
accepting unity in
diversity?
N
o
Paul taught the same
Paul taught the same
things “everywhere
things “everywhere
in every church” (1
in every church” (1
Cor. 4:17).
Cor. 4:17).
N
o
The Bible teaches patience
The Bible teaches patience
and respect for conscience
and respect for conscience
(Rom. 15:1), but it also
(Rom. 15:1), but it also
warns that one may
warns that one may
“condemn himself” by
“condemn himself” by
approving of that which is
approving of that which is
wrong (Rom. 14:22).
wrong (Rom. 14:22).
N
o
Paul commanded the Romans,
Paul commanded the Romans,
“Now I urge you, brethren,
“Now I urge you, brethren,
note those who cause
note those who cause
divisions and offenses,
divisions and offenses,
contrary to the doctrine which
contrary to the doctrine which
you learned, and avoid them”
you learned, and avoid them”
(Rom. 16:17).
(Rom. 16:17).
There are matters of
There are matters of
judgment in which
judgment in which
congregations have the
congregations have the
liberty to choose
liberty to choose
different ways to fulfill
different ways to fulfill
the Lord’s commands.
the Lord’s commands.
The church is commanded
The church is commanded
to
to
sing
sing
or
or
speak
speak
to one
to one
another in “psalms and
another in “psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs,
hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making
singing and making
melody in your heart to
melody in your heart to
the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; cf.
the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; cf.
Col. 3:16)
Col. 3:16)
We are not told how many
We are not told how many
songs, or what order in
songs, or what order in
which those songs must
which those songs must
fall during a time of
fall during a time of
worship.
worship.
We are not told whether
We are not told whether
the songs are to be in four-
the songs are to be in four-
part harmony, or whether
part harmony, or whether
a congregation is to sing
a congregation is to sing
from a printed songbook
from a printed songbook
or from a projection of the
or from a projection of the
words and music.
words and music.
If congregations differ in
If congregations differ in
these matters of judgment it
these matters of judgment it
does not compromise their
does not compromise their
unity or their obedience to
unity or their obedience to
the word of God—they are
the word of God—they are
still fulfilling the Lord’s
still fulfilling the Lord’s
instruction to
instruction to
sing
sing
or
or
speak
speak
to
to
one another in song.
one another in song.
if a congregation decides to
if a congregation decides to
add a mechanical instrument
add a mechanical instrument
into their song worship the
into their song worship the
members of that
members of that
congregation are adding an
congregation are adding an
activity to this instruction
activity to this instruction
that the Lord has not
that the Lord has not
commanded.
commanded.
To
To
sing
sing
or
or
speak
speak
is not
is not
the same activity as
the same activity as
playing
playing
an instrument.
an instrument.
The words of Scripture
The words of Scripture
do not authorize this
do not authorize this
addition.
addition.
It is therefore a departure
It is therefore a departure
from Scripture that
from Scripture that
compromises abiding in
compromises abiding in
the word of Christ (and
the word of Christ (and
therefore compromises
therefore compromises
unity between brethren).
unity between brethren).
If this unauthorized act
If this unauthorized act
is compelled upon a
is compelled upon a
group of Christians it
group of Christians it
must be opposed and
must be opposed and
rejected.
rejected.
If a group refuses to end
If a group refuses to end
this unscriptural act, a
this unscriptural act, a
faithful Christian must
faithful Christian must
remove himself from
remove himself from
identification with such a
identification with such a
congregation.
congregation.
Can We Still Be
Simply
Christians?
Y
es
We can still be nothing
We can still be nothing
more and nothing less
more and nothing less
that what Christians
that what Christians
were in the New
were in the New
Testament!
Testament!
If Not, What Are
We Really
Saying?
We cannot identify
We cannot identify
ourselves as “simply
ourselves as “simply
Christians.” we must be
Christians.” we must be
“Stone-Campbell
“Stone-Campbell
Christians” or part of the
Christians” or part of the
“Church of Christ”
“Church of Christ”
denomination.
denomination.
The Bible condemns
The Bible condemns
party names whether
party names whether
those names
those names
represent respected
represent respected
brothers in Christ or
brothers in Christ or
not (1 Cor. 3:4).
not (1 Cor. 3:4).
The term “churches of
The term “churches of
Christ” (Rom. 16:16) is
Christ” (Rom. 16:16) is
used in Scripture of
used in Scripture of
congregations of the
congregations of the
Lord’s people who are in a
Lord’s people who are in a
saved relationship with
saved relationship with
Him, but never of some
Him, but never of some
segment of the church
segment of the church
universal.
universal.
If it is not possible to be
If it is not possible to be
simply Christians without
simply Christians without
some denominational
some denominational
allegiance, we must accept
allegiance, we must accept
that one can abide in
that one can abide in
Christ while failing to
Christ while failing to
abide in His word!
abide in His word!
Are denominations
following the word
of God?
N
o
They are divided in
They are divided in
doctrine and practice and
doctrine and practice and
have adopted things that
have adopted things that
are outside of the word of
are outside of the word of
Christ.
Christ.
N
o
By definition a disciple of
By definition a disciple of
Christ abides in His word
Christ abides in His word
(John 8:31). One cannot have
(John 8:31). One cannot have
a relationship with God while
a relationship with God while
stepping outside of the
stepping outside of the
doctrine of Christ (2 John 9).
doctrine of Christ (2 John 9).
What About
Grace?
It is clear that our
It is clear that our
salvation is not
salvation is not
accomplished by our
accomplished by our
meritorious, and
meritorious, and
flawless ability to
flawless ability to
follow the Law of
follow the Law of
Christ…
Christ…
… But by the merciful
… But by the merciful
willingness of God to
willingness of God to
forgive our sin by His
forgive our sin by His
grace through the shed
grace through the shed
blood of Jesus Christ
blood of Jesus Christ
(Eph. 2:8).
(Eph. 2:8).
All souls fall short
All souls fall short
of God’s glory
of God’s glory
(Rom. 3:23).
(Rom. 3:23).
“All those things which
“All those things which
you are commanded”
you are commanded”
are simply “what was
are simply “what was
our duty to do” (Luke
our duty to do” (Luke
17:10).
17:10).
Is God’s grace
universal and
automatic?
N
o
The soul outside of Christ
The soul outside of Christ
will die in sin (John 8:24),
will die in sin (John 8:24),
and be condemned to hell.
and be condemned to hell.
Paul said, “Through HIM [i.e.
Paul said, “Through HIM [i.e.
Jesus] we have received
Jesus] we have received
grace” (Rom. 1:5).
grace” (Rom. 1:5).
N
o
If one has not put on Christ
If one has not put on Christ
in obedience to the gospel
in obedience to the gospel
(Gal. 3:27), he or she is not
(Gal. 3:27), he or she is not
yet a recipient of “the grace
yet a recipient of “the grace
of God that brings salvation”
of God that brings salvation”
(Titus 2:11).
(Titus 2:11).
What About
People who are
So Close?
The Bible speaks of those
The Bible speaks of those
who are “not far from the
who are “not far from the
kingdom of God” (Mark
kingdom of God” (Mark
12:34), but being close to
12:34), but being close to
the kingdom is not the
the kingdom is not the
same thing as being in or a
same thing as being in or a
part of the kingdom.
part of the kingdom.
When Aquila and Priscilla
When Aquila and Priscilla
learned that Apollos
learned that Apollos
“spoke and taught
“spoke and taught
accurately the things of
accurately the things of
the Lord” and yet “he
the Lord” and yet “he
knew only the baptism of
knew only the baptism of
John” (Acts 18:25)…
John” (Acts 18:25)…
…Scripture tells us,
…Scripture tells us,
“they took him aside
“they took him aside
and explained to him
and explained to him
the way of God more
the way of God more
accurately” (Acts
accurately” (Acts
18:26).
18:26).
Our task is to be “good
Our task is to be “good
stewards of the manifold
stewards of the manifold
grace of God” (1 Pet.
grace of God” (1 Pet.
4:10), not to put
4:10), not to put
ourselves in the place of
ourselves in the place of
God passing judgments
God passing judgments
He has not revealed!
He has not revealed!
Reflect on the question "Is it still possible to be simply Christians?" and explore the essence of embracing a straightforward approach to Christianity in contemporary times. Delve into the core principles and practices that define a minimalist yet profound faith journey amidst the complexities of modern life.
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Presentation Transcript
Is It Still Possible to Be Simply Christians?
Are Christians commanded to be united?
Yes Corinthians, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Cor. 1:10). Paul commanded the
Does God ever command things that are impossible for us to do?
No When God gave the Law to Israel, He made it clear that the commandment of the Law was not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off (Deut. 30:11) it was near and accessible that you may do it (Deut. 30:14).
No The same is true of the Law of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13).
Is God pleased with Christians being divided in doctrine and practice?
No Jesus prayed that His disciples might be one (John 17:21), but He also warned them not to turn aside to false teaching (Matt. 7:15-20).
Can Christians depart from sound doctrine and still remain a part of Christ s body?
No Jesus warned individuals that those who do not bear fruit will be cut off from Him (John 15:5-6).
No Jesus also warned churches unwilling to repent that they would be removed from His presence (Rev. 2:5).
No John taught, Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son (2 John 9).
Is it ever necessary for Christians to separate themselves from those in error?
Yes The church is to withdraw from one who refuses to repent when rebuked for sin (Matt. 18:15-17).
Yes Withdrawal from the unrepentant is aimed at the restoration of one in error (1 Cor. 5:5) and to keep the church sound (1 Cor. 5:6-8).
Yes An unrepentant Christian from whom the church has withdrawn may still be considered a brother (2 Thess. 3:15), but he or she is not in an acceptable relationship with God.
Yes Christians must not keep company with him that he may be ashamed (2 Thess. 3:14).
Yes Those who have never come to Christ cannot be counted as brethren. We may seek to teach such a person (cf. Acts 18:24- 26; 19:1-5)
Yes But one who expresses tolerance and acceptance of that which is outside of the doctrine of Christ shares in his evil deeds (2 John 10).
Does simply calling oneself a Christian truly identify him or her as a Christian?
No Jesus said there would be those who would call Him Lord and yet by refusing to do His will be denied as His disciple on the Day of Judgment (Matt. 7:21-23).
No It is the Bible not human beings that define who is and is not a Christian, or disciple of Christ (cf. Acts 11:26).
What determines whether an individual or group truly belongs to Christ?
Jesus said that abiding in His word determines if one is or is not His disciple (John 8:31).
What is a denomination?
In Latin the word nomen meant, name. This came into English in our word nominate, which means literally to name a person for a task or office.
The prefix de- when added to this word, either intensifies the primary meaning, or adds the sense of away from the thing named.
To denominate something is to distinguish it in name from something else.
Two things of a different denomination are not the same thing in nature or quality.
Denomination A recognized autonomous branch of the Christian Church (New Oxford American Dictionary).
Denomination Jesus told His disciples, I am the vine, you are the branches (John 15:5). The branches of the Lord s church are individual disciples.
Denomination An individual is either part of Christ or outside of Christ. To be autonomous is acting independently or having the freedom to do so (New Oxford American Dictionary).
Denomination An individual cannot be autonomous. Paul declared, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20).
Denomination Individuals have freewill, but we cannot act independently of Christ. Paul taught that Christians have become slaves of God (Rom. 6:22).
Denomination Groups of people are either part of Christ or outside of Christ. a. If they are a part of Christ they are the same in nature and identity.
Denomination When Jesus taught His disciples not to elevate disciples one over another, He explained, you are all brethren (Matt. 23:8).
Denomination We cannot denominate something from another thing and yet say it is the same in identity and nature.
The New Testament teaches no church government higher than the eldership of local congregations (Acts 14:23) and yet lower than the headship of Christ (Eph. 5:23).
One eldership does not rule over another church. In this sense congregations are autonomous, but even congregations must be in submission to the headship of Christ (Eph. 5:24).
If two congregations are different and distinct in practice or teaching, one (or both) is either obedient to God s word or in rebellion to God s word.
Individuals who are a part of that group are not, therefore, part of the church that belongs to Christ.
Is biblical unity accomplished by accepting unity in diversity?
No Paul taught the same things everywhere in every church (1 Cor. 4:17).
No The Bible teaches patience and respect for conscience (Rom. 15:1), but it also warns that one may condemn himself by approving of that which is wrong (Rom. 14:22).
No Paul commanded the Romans, Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them (Rom. 16:17).
There are matters of judgment in which congregations have the liberty to choose different ways to fulfill the Lord s commands.
The church is commanded to sing or speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19; cf. Col. 3:16)
We are not told how many songs, or what order in which those songs must fall during a time of worship.
We are not told whether the songs are to be in four- part harmony, or whether a congregation is to sing from a printed songbook or from a projection of the words and music.
If congregations differ in these matters of judgment it does not compromise their unity or their obedience to the word of God they are still fulfilling the Lord s instruction to sing or speak to one another in song.
