Disunity within Christendom has had far-reaching negative effects. Dr. Joel R. Beeke wrote in The Church’s Unity, “Disunity affects the whole church, including the work of evangelism”.
The success of evangelism, here in the USA and worldwide, has been hindered by a perceived disunity existent in Christendom. Also, disunity inhibits fellowship among already believing Christians.
The factors which cause disunity in the church are many. Doctrinal controversy is a significant factor. The apostle Paul exhorted Titus in Ti.2:1, “Speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine”.
From Does Our Focus On Sound Doctrine Detract From Biblical Evangelism? “Doctrinal purity is extremely important. Biblical love never minimizes the importance of God’s truth…from Genesis to Revelation. A healthy focus upon truth and sound doctrine is essential for God’s honoring evangelism.”
This topic deals with unity in doctrine, and table fellowship which contributes to unity. There’s the old adage, ‘Those who eat together stay together’, and ‘The family that eats together stays together’.
Jesus said there is one “way” (Jn.14:6). Jesus is the way. Some of His earliest followers were known as “the Way” (ref Ac.9:2, 24:14). Yet in the 50s AD, Paul asked the rhetorical question in 1Co.1:11-13, “Each one of you is saying, ‘I am of Paul,’ and ‘I of Apollos,’ and ‘I of Peter,’ and ‘I of Christ.’ Has Christ been divided?” Disunity and division was happening even then in Corinth.
There are presently more than 2.2 billion people in the worldwide Christian family. But they are divided into more than 40,000 denominations, sects, or groups! Why is that?
Answers.com How Many Christian Denominations Are There? “Different people have different beliefs in Christianity. Unfortunately, those differences lead to divisions. God requires unity. Jesus’ last prayer was for His disciples to remain united (John 17). The Lord never intended for His church to be divided into competing groups teaching different doctrines. The Lord is not the Lord of confusion. Much of Christianity has been polluted by other false pagan religions, which has led to differing beliefs and unscriptural practices which has caused them to break apart.” Unscriptural practices cause division!
But what if all Christian beliefs and practices were based on scripture…with no pagan or contradictory unscriptural dogma based on traditions that cause disunity, dividing brothers & sisters in the faith!?
Most Christian churches make the claim that their beliefs, teachings and practices are based on the Holy Bible. The late Dr. Myles Munroe wrote in 2008, “The Bible is the Constitution of the Kingdom of God”. Pastor Benny Hinn says, “The Holy Spirit authored the Bible”. That’s the written scriptures.
The inspired word of God is the true standard for our faith! We learn the word/Bible over the years by various means…reading, study, sermons, etc. We learn of our salvation, available via Jesus’ sacrifice!
1Ti.4:13 Paul told Timothy to do public reading of Old Testament (OT) scriptures in the church. Barnes Notes 1Ti.4:13 “The then written portions of the sacred volume, the Old Testament, are doubtless specially intended here.” The written word of God is the basis, the foundation, of true knowledge…unlike the traditions of men.
In addressing various Bible topics on this site, some verses I’ve quoted or referenced are verses which, unfortunately, are ignored by much of mainstream Christianity.
Wikipedia: Mainstream “Mainstream Christianity’ is a term used to collectively refer to the common views of major denominations of Christianity (such as Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Protestantism) as opposed to the particular tenets of other Christian denominations. The context is dependent on the particular issues addressed, but usually contrasts an orthodox majority view against a heterodox minority view.”
Heterodox minority groups may be disregarded as lacking overall credibility. But, the orthodox majority may emphasize its traditions; also the orthodox churches themselves disagree among themselves.
There are principles found in scripture, valid for all humankind (Christians too)…that mainstream omits. Sadly, these points of scripture limit or divide fellowship between various Christian sects/groups.
Missiologist Dr. Ed Stetzer Tribalism Outside the Church. And In “Of the many negative impacts that spring from church disunity, perhaps most troubling is the damage it does to our gospel witness.”
Gavin Reid OBE Doctrine Matters “Doctrine in evangelism is not so much what converts, but what establishes the new believer. Evangelism and doctrine are inseparable.”
In this two-part topic, I’ll focus on four significant points of doctrine that impact Christian unity and (table) fellowship, but which much of mainstream ignores. Yet these points are scriptural, and can help us improve our rapport with other peoples we hope to evangelize. They’ll also benefit our own lives.
There is a cause for every effect in our life! These doctrinal points teach us how to better live blessed and healthy lives! They are practices found in scripture…for Christ’s people OT Israel, and even for gentiles prior to when Christ spoke His Decalogue to Israel on Mt. Sinai (Ex.20)!
#1) CLEAN/UNCLEAN creatures: If I were to list only one important practice that mainstream ignores, I might well choose this one! The neglect of this principle hinders unity and table fellowship among Christian brethren; and it limits the success of our evangelistic efforts in Middle East nations.
The pre-incarnate Christ was the Creator and executive God of the OT (Jn.1:1-3, 14). He was the God of ancient Israel…according to Peter, John, Paul. see the topic “Jesus Was the Old Testament God”.
Christ wasn’t like a harsh heathen god who may subject his people to bondage. Christ freed Israel from Egyptian bondage. Then He gave commands and principles to Moses/Israel for their benefit. Christ wasn’t overly restrictive or selfish, and didn’t Lord it over them to flaunt His authority. He loved them.
As Creator, Christ knows which creatures are compatible with the human digestive system, and which aren’t. And which creatures will typically carry parasites or can even be carcinogenic. Christ instructed ancient Israel in His guidelines of clean and unclean…out of love! Moses told them in De.7:6-15, “You are a holy people; the Lord your God has chosen you. The Lord loved you.” Christ the Lord gave Israel His dietary laws for their well-being…to bless, not burden, them! see “Unclean versus Clean Food”.
But even centuries before Christ conveyed His dietary standards to ancient Israel, the gentile Noah knew the difference between clean and unclean animals. Ge.7:1-2 “The Lord said to Noah, ‘Take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, male and female; and one pair of every kind of unclean animal, male and female.” Had they eaten of an unclean pair, that genus could have there ceased!
Noah wasn’t Jewish. There was no Jews or Old Covenant (OC) in Noah’s day; his right understanding predated the OC! Clean vs unclean creatures (ref Le.11 & De.14:1-21 for detail) were known by that gentile prior to Christ’s OC law for Israelites/Jews! Perhaps such knowledge had been passed down from Christ’s instructions in Eden, or from Adam & Eve’s experience, or righteous Enoch had taught it, or by revelation from God to Noah. (also see “Added in the Old Covenant”.)
The Lord spelled out in Le.11:2-ff, “These are the creatures which you may eat from all the animals that are on the earth”. Benson Commentary Le.11:2 “For the preservation of their health.”
Unclean creatures carry micro-organisms which cause disease. Eating them harms all races of mankind. Not just Jews. (Whereas properly fed clean animals don’t normally carry those disease-causing organisms.) Feeding or serving unclean flesh to our neighbor…isn’t loving our neighbor!
Humanity (Christians too) consumes numerous unclean scavengers, created by God to clean up earth’s refuse and thereby limit disease. Wikipedia: Scavenger “Scavengers play a fundamental role in the environment through the removal of decaying organisms, serving as a natural sanitation service.”
Reducing the populations of these ‘creature janitors’ can increase global disease due to excess decaying matter extant. Eating scavengers is self-indulgence, perhaps done under the guise of dietary freedom. But removing scavengers from their created purpose of sanitation/clean-up…isn’t loving our neighbor.
The makeup of animals, such as unclean swine (a scavenger), didn’t change at the cross! Scientists say the AIDS virus was transmitted to humans by slaughtering and eating monkeys. Monkeys are unclean. How tragic! The scourge of AIDS has nearly wiped out entire peoples! It’s a result of disobeying or ignoring Christ’s food laws! False teaching or lack of teaching has led to this great calamity.
The internet is full of medical articles which explain the dangers of eating pathogenic unclean creatures. Literate affluent societies can easily learn their dangerous effects, and stop eating the unclean.
This table fellowship issue of clean vs unclean divides church groups. More than that…Christian evangelism to Jews and Muslims is impeded by Christians eating prohibited creatures. It can offend those Abrahamic peoples! Yet the scriptures about this are on their side. It is a shame for Christ’s church that these other two religions are showing more love for their neighbor (Le.19:18b) in this regard!
Count Zinzendorf (1700-1760), leader of the Moravian church (Czechoslovakia/America) in 1738 wrote of himself. “I have during my lifetime not eaten the foods which were formerly forbidden them….that I have done without design, in simplicity of heart.” (Budingsche Sammlung, 1742, sec.8, p.224.)
#2) BLOOD abstention: Abstaining from blood is a health issue, related to clean vs unclean. Two of the four restrictions of Acts 15 for the New Testament (NT) church…are dietary. God wants us to be in good health (3Jn.1:2), and He gave us guidelines in scripture which contribute to good health.
Ac.15:28-29 “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things dying of itself [strangled], and from sexual immorality.” However, this directive wasn’t something new in the book of Acts.
Christ previously had decreed these same four restrictions in the OT! Abstention from blood and from eating things dying of itself or strangled are dietary laws involving clean animals only…for Israelites and aliens. Le.17:13-16 “When any man from Israel or aliens among them catches a beast or bird which may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood.” Unclean creatures may not be eaten (Le.11). The carcass of an unbled or unslaughtered clean animal is defiled as food and was forbidden, for aliens too. Neither will gentile Muslims eat it. It is very risky health-wise. Pulpit Commentary Le.11:2 “There is something loathsome in the idea of eating such flesh.” (see the topic “Acts 15 – Four Prohibitions”.)
God forbad the consumption of blood. He commanded the non-Jew Noah in Ge.9:4, “You shall not eat flesh with its life, its blood”. This principle applies to everyone…gentiles, Israelites, aliens.
Christ said in Le.17:10-12, “If any man from the house of Israel, or from the aliens among them, eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off”. That’s serious! v.11 “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” Blood is the principle carrier of life…and of disease.
Sickness and even death can result from consuming blood…and also from contacting blood.
Ge.31:33-35 shows that incidental contact with blood was avoided. If bleeding is detected on a player during today’s NBA games, e.g., the officials immediately stop play, and he must have it attended to.
Le.18 identifies acts of sexual immorality/porneia. (Sexual immorality is prohibited also in Ac.15:29.) Le.18:19 “Do not have sexual intercourse with a woman during her monthly period.” also ref Le.20:18; Ezk.18:5-6, 22:10. Having sexual relations with a menstruating woman can put her at risk for vaginal infection, cervical cancer, and possible tubal pregnancy. Doing so isn’t loving our neighbor/wife!
Dr. (Ms) De Souza Dangers of Sex During Menstruation “Irritation and an introduction to infection are major risks. Any wound or bleeding is a gateway to infection. The cervix is slightly opened during menstruation to let out blood. This heightens the risk of infection, not being limited only to the vagina, but additionally to the uterus. ‘Engaging in sex during menses is associated with the development of STDs such as chlamýdia, gonorrhéa and HIV infection, which in turn are associated with cervical cancer’ (Ben-Noun, 2003:101).” Ac.15:29 commands the church to abstain from blood.
Cycle Harmony: Potential Side Effects of Having Sex During Period “It can cause blood stasis and lead to amenorrhéa (no period or scanty period), dysmenorrhéa (painful period), menorrhágia (heavy and prolonged period), or irregular periods.” Dr. Elaine Loh Sex During Menstruation “Studies have shown that immunity is decreased during menstruation. Momentary pleasure versus risky health – you be the judge.” Christ had warned in the OT that menstrual sex must be avoided.
To this day, religious Jews avoid menstrual sex. Judaism 101: Kosher Sex “According to the Torah, a man is forbidden from having sexual intercourse with a niddáh, that is, a menstruating woman. The law of niddah is the only law of ritual purity that continues to be observed today; all the other laws applied to when the Temple was in existence, but aren’t applicable today.” That one is relevant today.
Woman’s anatomy and her monthly cycle didn’t change at the cross or when the Temple fell in 70 AD! Menstrual intercourse is still risky. Abstention from sex during her period is mostly for her sake.
Neither do (most) Muslims engage in menstrual intercourse. Quranic Path “The only prohibition in the Quran during menstruation is sexual intercourse.” Yahoo Answers: Why is Sex While the Wife is Menstruating Not Allowed in Islam? “To protect women from infection and disease.”
I’m not Jewish or Muslim. But this issue regarding blood has had a negative effect on evangelizing Jews and Muslims, two Abrahamic peoples. Yet scripture about this too is on their side. Also, menstrual sex causes conflict in the American home between some Christian husbands and their wives.
Christian neglect to practice doctrinal points #1) and #2) limits the credibility of our evangelism in the eyes of Jews and Muslims. Yet the war-torn Middle East so desperately needs the Spirit of the Prince of Peace! Benson Commentary Le.11:2 “When men cannot eat together, they have little inclination to enter into any close intercourse with one another.” If we could all eat together in like-minded table fellowship…the opportunity and believability of our gospel witness would be enhanced!
Jesus’ principles and His morality is “The same yesterday, today and forever” (He.13:8). No man could compel Him to reiterate His many beneficial principles over & over again, or in the NT too. Christ said, “It is written”. He didn’t err in commanding these two good-sense principles. Love was His motive.
This topic is continued and concluded in “Doctrinal Disunity Impacts Evangelism (2)”.
Bible Topic Exposition 