“Unity, Exclusivity and Sectarianism.”
Introductory Note:
This article is a study and discussion of the 3 thoughts and how they pertain to the Biblical teaching on the nature of the church that Jesus founded (a.k.a. the church of Christ). The many differing concepts about exclusivism, sectarianism and the basis of unity for the church in this present time are often bewildering. There are simply so many different ideas about how we, Christians, should consider who are our brothers and who are not. Often times, the criteria for fellowship with those wearing the name “Christian” is completely void of scriptural support. It is, therefore, my objective to gain a hold on these very important questions using God’s Word as our only authority. God’s Word should contain all the answers about how to attain unity, whether or not we should feel we are the exclusive body of the saved and whether or not we can classify ourselves as a sect (i.e. denomination).
A few specific questions I desire to answer in this study are presented below:
#1) How can we, Christians, be united and what is the basis of our unity?
#2) Also important for us to ask is how can unity be lost and sectarianism result?
At the end of this study we should all be able to answer these questions confidently; without a doubt in our mind.
Discussion:
The Significance of Unity
The importance of unity is underlined in the Gospels as well as in the epistles. Jesus prayed for the unity of all His followers. The prayer for His disciples is that they would be “kept” and “united” (John 17:11, 12). Unity should be very important for us to desire. For the Lord himself desired it for us. Why, then, is there so much division and confusion? Why so many religious bodies, denominations and “fellowships”? Surely, this is not the way that God wants it to be. This is not characteristic of the church we read about in our New Testaments.
All Christians should agree that unity is important for us to strive for. Not only important, but essential for us to have. The embracing of denominationalism (the teaching that there are many sections or factions within the body of Christ but all of them are part of the one, true church) is clearly contrary to this goal.
God’s Word is not vague about this tenet: There is “one body” (Eph 4:4) established by Christ (Matt. 16:18) and not many separate bodies established by others. Eph 1:22 shows that Jesus dwells in His body in “fullness”, indicating that he dwells in no other religious institution. He loves this body so much that he shed his blood for it (Acts20:28). Every other body, that he has not “planted”, will surely be “rooted up” (Matt 15:9). The idea that Christ was crucified for a number of “parties”, “factions”, “sects”, denominations or any number of religious bodies is foreign to the scriptures. No responsible Bible teacher will dictate that when Christ said “I will build my church”, he actually meant “I will build my sects”. Even note that the word church is in the singluar and not in the plural, indicating that there is only one church and not many.
The Exclusivity of the Church
The very word “church” (Greek, “ekklesia “) is defined as “the called out”. “ek” meaning “out of” and “klesia” meaning “to call”. This definition reveals that the church is a separate body; expected to exhibit a non-conformity to the world and her precepts. Christians are expected to be different than others, in the sense that they are conformed to God’s will and not to man’s philosophies.
”And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
-Rom. 12:2 (KJV)
This scripture points to the concept of exclusivity. The body of Christ is exclusive from the world because we are different. We are unique and that sets us apart from all others that are not conforming themselves to the will of God. The church, therefore, is the exclusive body of Christ based on their actions in this world. They are distinct from all others because they are following Christ and no one else in their thoughts, words and deeds.
Exclusivism is taught and advocated by our Lord and His apostles.
” Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
-Matt. 7:13
This scripture teaches an exclusivity of the saved. Those who enter the wide gate are not the exclusive few who will have eternal life. It’s apparent how important it is for us to realize that we are on the exclusive route to heaven and not on the broad way. Jesus said, “ I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” ( Jhn 14:6).
Only through obedience to Christ, can one obtaineternal life (Heb 9:5) and not through any other method. Those who obey him are, therefore, exclusively the body of Christ; the saved. They are “not of the world” (Jhn 17:16) in any way. They are one, exclusive body who are on one, exclusive path.
Exclusivity Begets Unity
Once we realize that we are an exclusive group because of who we are; the faithful few, we can begin to see how unity is acheived. In the Acts chapter 2 account there are significant things to be recognized about the early church. 1) The devotion that characterized the early disciples is remarkable (Acts 2:42). They were constantly devoting themselves to the “apostles teachings”. 2) They also devoted themselves to fellowship.
How can we, Christians, acheive unity like they had in the early church days? We can devote ourselves to fellowship and have such fellowship if we devote ourselves to the apostles teachings. These two practices go hand-in-hand. We cannot have one but not the other. We, therefore, recognize our fellowship with all those who devote themselves to the apostles teachings. These are the exclusive saved and could not possibly be outside the church we are part of.
“Everyone of the truth listens to my voice”
-Jhn 18:37
We know who are brethren are by this: they are listening to the voice of Jesus and this makes them ”of the truth”. ”Of the truth” is a reference to those who are united in devotion to the teachings of Christ. They are devoting themselves to the Word and obedient to Jesus in every way. This, brethren, is what could properly be termed a “test of fellowship”. Likewise, it can be observed who is not within our fellowship and who is not “of the truth”;who is not part of the the excusive body of Christ.
Sectarianism Defined and Exposed
It should be noted that there are various theories as to what constitues a sect and how to define “sectarianism”.
One “theologian” puts it this way:
”[Sectarianism is] a narrowing down of the ground of acceptable Christian fellowship and cooperation due to a broadening of what is considered orthodox doctrine. It is therefore my (or my group’s) refusing to allow for diversity in others and demanding conformity with all my views, as if my view (in full detail) alone had divine sanction. It is the notion that I, or my own specific group alone has a market on the truth, to the exclusion of others.”
-Rex A. Koivisto
However, the only definition that I will regard as acceptable and acurate is one that is found within God’s inspired Word. In short, I will say that the prominent (yet false) definition of sectarianism is a belief that the Christian’s unwillingness to allow room for (what is coined) “diverse” teachings and promote fellowship with those of varying opinion are dividing the body of Christ and splintering themselves into a sect. Hence, sectarian mindset.
The objective of those who believe this is to attain a diversity-based unity with all religious bodies. This can occur by throwing off all absolute truth; calling it “relative” and rejecting all authority in doctrines. The mindset being described thus: “Truth to me may not be truth to you but we are all safe and right”. This view teaches that to attain unity is to embrace all doctrines (of man made origin) and allow room for varying opinion in matters of faith.
The problem with this new approach is that it cannot be found anywhere in the Bible! If the Bible is recognized as our authority in all matters of faith; in doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness; to make the man of God perfect, fully equipped unto every good work (2 Tim 3:16, 17), what room does that leave for a man-made idea? Especially, in this case, concerning the nature of the Lord’s church, there is no room for the doctrines of men (Matt. 15:9). They are fallacious to the core and have no place in our lives.
There is no example of the apostles tolerating diverse doctrines to preserve or attain unity. Also, there is no command to tolerate diversity in order to attain unity. The teachings of Christ and His apostles are regarded as the only standard of authority throughout the New Testament. Diversity in teaching has always been condemned. Note the warning of the writer of Hebrews: ”Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” (Heb 13:9). Those who brought different teachings were to be avoided (2 Jhn 9-11).
There is no doubt that the intention to attain unity with all believers in Jesus is pure and good (Jhn 17). Sects, parties or divisions, if you will, are condemned again and again (1 Cor. 1:10-13, 3:3-5) and eliminating this mentality of divisiveness is commendable. Striving for division is a “work of the flesh” and should be avoided by us all (Gal 5:20). However, the embracing of doctrinal error to be in union with all self-professed Christians is defeating the purpose in it’s entirety and destroying the uniqueness of Christ’s exclusive body. By eliminating the barrier of doctrinal difference, we fellowship with darkness and, therefore, lose our fellowship with Christ (1 Jhn 1:7, 2 Cor 6:14).
This unity achieved by diversity is not a Godly unity and actually results in more separation: the separation between God and His faithful. Resisting the teachings of men by distancing one’s self from error is not sectarian but rather faithfullness to Christ. I present the following as a proper definition (and explanation) of sectarianism:
” Sectarianism begins with conformity to worldy doctrines and/or lifestyles and permitting such within the Body of Christ. This behavior drives the church into factions as some seek to be faithful to the teachings of Christ and others conform to unscriptural teachings and practices. The inevitable result is factions (i.e. sects, denominations, divisions, parties) by eliminating adherence to one, absolute authority-God’s Word.”
Consider Acts 20:29. This is an example of diverse teachings leading ” disciples after them” and splintering the Body of Christ. The teaching of this particluar “flock” had nothing to do with the departure of the disciples. The “grievous wolves” were to blame for their teaching of absurdities that were not consistent with the teaching of Christ. This caused sectarianism to occur among members of the Lord’s church. How dare some say that the brethren Paul left behind are to blame for not conforming to every new “wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14) that came along and are, therefore, sectarian? This kind of logic is backwards and does not recognize the authority of the apostles teachings as the basis of unity in the brotherhood.
Those within the body of Christ are charged to have “one spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). This same mind and faith are the essential ingredients for Christian unity (Eph 4:3, 4). Those who are truly our brethren in the Body of Christ have the same spirit (disposition) and have no unique or varying agenda. This kind of unity, a Christ-based unity is the scriptural one that we need to strive for and a safeguard against sectarianism. Diversity-based unity does not exist beneath the surface and will not stand the test of eternity. In all honesty, this kind of unity could never last regardless of all the ecumenical forums, opened fellowship and embracing of diverse doctrines. After all, “Can two walk together unless they be agreed?” (Amo 3:3).
Love and Fellowship
So, where does this information leave us? Is it our intention to point out that we (churches of Christ) are the chosen people of God and everyone else is eternally lost? Is it our intention to waive our finger at all that do not worship in a building with the sign “Church of Christ” on the door and consign them to hell? Aboslutely not, brethren!
We are, however, compelled to recognize the error of our neighbors and condemn such as the “doctrines of men”. We must be dilligent in “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15) and try to persuade all men to become Christians; in the purest, scriptural sense. We should preach the Word when it comes to marriage, divorce and remmariage, worship, gender roles in the church, government of the body, autonomy of the local congregation, essentiality of baptism, mode of baptism, authority of the scriptures, and the list goes on and on and on. We must “contend for the faith”(Jude 3)!
It is not our intention to judge anyone’s soul. We cannot see whether someone is saved or not, except by their deeds (Jhn 15:8). We cannot look into someone’s heart and arrogantly declare “he is saved” or “he is lost”, as if we have the authority to judge our neighbor. At the same time, we must persist in recognizing error to discern who is “of the truth” (Jhn 18:37) and who is teaching ”damnable heresies” (2 Pet 2:1)
If we truly love our neighbor and percieve that he could be in a lost state, it is our duty to teach him the truth and not to partake in his error by pursuing unity with him.
As the apostle Peter clarifies, ” Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God “ (Acts 8:21). This must be our warning sometimes but this cannot be understood as a spirit of judgmentalism. This is simply a warning and should be recognized as an example of how we are to treat our erring neighbor.
Conclusion
At the beginning of our study and discussion I asked two questions that we should be able to answer now.
#1) How can we, Christians, be united and what is the basis of our unity?
#2) Also important for us to ask is how can unity be lost and sectarianism result?
Answer to #1: Christians can be united by conforming to the will of Christ and not to human doctrines. Our solid basis of unity is God’s Word and God’s Word alone.
Answer to #2: Unity can be lost and sectarianism result when we embrace diversity in doctrine and forsake the teaching of Christ as our absolute authority.
Christians, we can recognize that we are the exclusive, one, true body of Christ and not a sect if we are heeding to the commands of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is our only way to attain unity. I pray that this study has been a blessing for you.
-Mike Hildreth
