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Back To The Original Church
The church of the first century as established by Christ through His apostles was not a denomination-but simply and purely the church and spiritual body of Christ upon the earth. On this most all will agree. But on the necessity of returning to that status, and on the means of doing this, few will agree. Divesting ourselves of denominationalism does not come easy. But if we really want to be accepted with the Lord, it is a necessity (John 17:20-22; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-4,17; Ephesians 4:1-6; Galatians 1:6-8). Let us stop trying to justify our denominational organizations and traditions not found in the New Testament. God does not give us the right to believe one thing and our neighbors to believe another. In that Great Day all of us are going to be judged by the same Book, and we know what that Book is. We have no authority from God to form a denomination or invite anyone to join such a denomination (no one has such authority, for it has not been divinely given). In fact, when we truly obey God, we are made one, not a part of any or many denominations (Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 3:15; I Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:38-41, 47). Let us search out the old "land marks." Let us humbly return; yes, let us get back to that one church which has already been established in the first century (against such Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail, Matthew 16). There is much divesting and returning that needs to be done. Are you up to it? J. Gibbons
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