The apostle Paul made a very special appeal to the brethren at Corinth "by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among y o u but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in t h e same judgment" (1Cor. 1:10). That division does exist oftentimes is an undeniable fact. In searching for an answer as to responsible for it we must notice a few facts.

The apostles of Christ were sent to preach the Gospel to every creature regardless of consequences. Teachers of God's word today must declare the whole counsel of God without compromise, addition or subtraction; otherwise they cannot be "pure from the blood of all men" (Acts 20:26). They must declare the whole counsel of God to churches and groups united in error as well as to those divided by error.

He, who teaches anything but the apostolic word, the gospel, is accursed in the sight of God (Gal. 1:8,9). Paul left Timothy at Ephesus to "charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine" and warned of the consequence that would result by teaching or practicing that which was "contrary to the sound doctrine." All must abide in the teaching of Christ for "whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ bath not God" (II John 9).

Judiazers or Anti-Judiazers

He who advocates that which is not taught in the Scriptures is the one responsible for division and certainly not the one who teaches the truth of God's word. Let us illustrate:

When some in Paul's day taught that the Gentiles must "be circumcised after the custom of Moses" and division followed, who were responsible, the Judaizers or the antiJudaizers? Should Paul and Barnabas have remained silent, lest there be division? Paul said of those advocates of Judaism, "To whom we gave place by way of subjection not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you" (Gal. 2:5). Where would the truth of the gospel be today if the anti-Judaism teachers had chosen to be silent? Error prevails always in every place where the truth is not preached and defended without compromise.

A Century Ago

When missionary societies and instrumental music were introduced into the work and the worship of the church, between those who favored these unscriptural practices and those who "would give no place to them" division ultimately resulted. This is always the source of division and from whence it once came it can come again.

Words Fitly Spoken

In Lard's Quarterly, volume 2, page 251, there is a splendid article from that well-known preacher of the past, on the subject "The Work of the Past -- Symptoms of the Future"; he expresses himself in a way so applicable to our present situation.

"He is a poor observer of men and things who does not see slowly growing up among us a class of men who can no longer be satisfied with the ancient gospel and the ancient order of things. These men must have changes: and silently they are preparing the mind of the brotherhood to receive changes. Be not deceived, brethren, the devil is not sleeping. If you refuse to see the danger till ruin is upon you, then it will be too late. The wise seaman catches the first whiff of the distant storm, and adjusts his ship at once. Let us profit by his example."

Today some of the most capable men among us are playing loose and fast with the Scriptures to bring in and do the things that have caused division in other areas and will cause division here. Already it is later than we think. The same strategy and pressure tactics that have been resorted to in other areas upon the part of those who are bent upon having the benevolent organizations and cooperative evangelistic combines to do the work God authorized the church to do are slowly but surely being forced in. Those that are willing to stand up and be counted along with the ones who are opposed to all unscriptural practices are the ones who are being accused of causing division. But we need not be surprised at this for Paul, reviled and reproached and defamed and in perils of his own brethren, yet was able to say, "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

Again quoting from Moses E. Lard:

"The spirit of innovation is a peculiar spirit. While coming in it is the meekest and gentlest of spirits; only it is marvelously firm and persistent. But when going out, no term but fiendish will describe it. It comes in humming the sweet notes of Zion; it goes out amid the ruin it works, howling like an exorcised demon. At first it is as supple as a willow twig; you can bend it, mold it, shape it to anything; only it will have its way. But when once it has fully got its way, then mark how it keeps its footing. It now calls for reason, for argument, for Scripture; but no more has it an ear for reason, argument, or Scriptures than the image of Baal."

"I know I am accused of writing too severely in these matters. It is idle to so accuse me. I cannot change. Others may do as they see fit; but by the Lord's help I will never tamely submit to these innovations. My whole mind and soul and strength shall be spent to check them. It is high time that manful and outspoken voices were raised against them. They are the insidious leaven of Satan, and for one can get no countenance from me. If I go down, if my humble paper goes down, be it so. I am immovable. Defeat with truth is better than victory with error. Give me the Saviour and a cross rather than the Enemy and a crown."

We Are Encouraged

Brother Lard's words should instill courage into us. If there ever was a time when we need men who will think for themselves, to search God's words and search their own souls and know exactly where they stand and not just simply followers of the herd, it is now. It is no time for half-way men or half-way work but men of zeal who will stand up against their very own family if they dare to bring in aught, or countenance that which the Bible does not teach.

We conclude with another quotation from brother Lard. "Though we thus speak, and though we see the future not in the most enchanting light, we yet have hope. Many true hearts are still ready to be offered on the altar of one Book, a pure faith and a faultless practice. In God and these we put our trust."

Truth Magazine VIII: 10, pp. 5- 6 July 1964