Where Denominationalism Thrives Beyond The Four Walls Of Denominations.

The Spirit Of Denominationalism Beyond The Four Walls Of Denominations. 


The spirit of schism & denominationalism is so subtle that it can be found thriving so strongly even in the midst of those who have broken out of the four walls of denominations.


There are many today who deem themselves to be reformers and have left the four walls of denominations, yet they are caught up with the "isms" identified with doctrinal divides...calvinism, arminianism, cessationism, continuationism etc.


How in the world would a christian consider himself to be a calvinist or arminianist, a cessationist or a continuationist, except it be that something other than Christ and being identified as Christ's(belonging to Christ) has become the obsession?


When a doctrine which should lead to Christ/reveal Christ falls short of that in the hands of men and becomes something in itself...a movement, an affiliation, a religious/doctrinal sect/camp of all who embrace it, and even a foundation on which we build an ecclesia/church, this is idolatry in it's most subtle form & it can go on for centuries without being discerned.


For instance, Calvinism Vs. Arminianism goes back to the early seventeenth century with a christian theological debate between the followers of John Calvin and Jacobus Arminius and continues till date. 


If Paul had lived in the early seventeenth century, he would have reprimanded them same way he did the Corinthian church: "For ye are yet carnal. For whereas there is among you emulation and strife, are ye not carnal, and walk according to men?  For when one says, I am of Calvin and another, I of Arminius, are ye not carnal? (1st Corinthians 3:3-4).


To the Corinthian church caught up in the religious yet worldly/carnal spirit of denominational and doctrinal affiliations, Paul boldly said: "Ye are Christ's". 

In other words, you belong to Christ and that should suffice, anyother sense of belonging or affiliation, is strange and not of God. 


This destroys that carnal sense of belonging in that shameful profession which they were holding unto, whereby they asserted to belong to men/ministers of God..."I am of Paul, I am of Cephas, I am of Apollos".


1st Corinthians 3:21-23

Let no one boast in men; for all things are yours. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things coming, all are yours; and *ye* are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 


We are Christ's, we belong to Christ and that should be enough; enough to be identified with, enough to be known for.

We're not to be known or identified with doctrinal divides but to be known as sons of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, who stand for everything consistent with the scriptures of truth which testify of Christ; holding unto the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the spirit of prophecy. 


In this last hour, everyone who truly seeks to go on with the Lord must make a resolve in the midst of doctrinal divides and ministerial affiliations; even a resolve, determination and choice not to know anything but Christ and Him crucified( See 1st Corinthians 2:2).


Just like Paul amongst the Corinthian saints who were caught up in the fancy of ministerial/doctrinal affiliations and walking after men, determined not to know anything among them but Christ and Him crucified, let's choose not to know calvinism, arminianism, cessationism, continuationism but Christ and Him crucified.


I choose not to be carried about with diverse doctrines & doctrinal affiliations but to know Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever, to know Him who is from the beginning & to abide in that which i have heard from the beginning.


Hebrews 13:8-9

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and unto the ages abiding.

Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the heart be confirmed and established with grace, and not with meats which have not profited those occupied with them.


1st John 2:14 & 24

I have written to you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.


Let that which ye have heard from the beginning abide in you: if what ye have heard from the beginning abides in you, *ye* also shall abide in the Son and in the Father.

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