By Earl Robertson
The Holy Spirit moved Paul to write, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6). There have always been enemies of these statements denying them to be true, and we today have the same class. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, saying, “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God . . .and one Lord Jesus Christ. . .” (1 Cor. 8:5, 6). Some accept the Bible doctrine of “one God,” but deny the same Bible that says “one body.” And the perplexing aspect of it all is they think they believe the Bible-the word of God!
Why is it so difficult for supposed Bible believers to accept the word of God which says “there is one body”? Is it not because of the fact that the Bible says the “one body” is “the church” (Eph. 1:22, 23)? People seemingly cannot accept the truth of God which- declares there is one church. They somehow think churches are like hats; just select the one you like and that will be best for you! Friends, if man had left things as God created them, there would not have been differing churches (denominations) to choose. The Lord built only one, and He called it “mine” (Matt. 16:18). Denominationalism denies the unity of the followers of Christ, though Jesus prayed for unity (John 17). Denominationalism is no part of the church established by Christ; it is to a large degree a conglomeration of the various dissidents to the authority of Jesus. Human churches rest upon human authority; hence, their very existence depends upon a rejection of what the Lord says. When one does what the Bible says, the Lord “adds” that one to the Lord’s church (.Acts 2:47). Everyone whom the Lord adds to His church have obeyed Him. The Lord never adds to two churches, but only to one. This makes for unity-the unity Jesus prayed for; the creeds of men make for human churches (denominationalism), and this is the opposite of what the Bible says! The Bible says, “There is one body. . .”
With utmost sincerity we beg you to give up whatever prejudice you might have that prevents you from fully accepting the Bible doctrine which says, “There is one body.” Life in rejection to eternal truth is really no life at all. Give up denominationalism and obey Christ today; He will then add you to His church!
Truth Magazine XXII: 26, p. 429
June 29, 1978