The month of September means the beginning of the college football season. We cheer our favorite teams, and anticipate winning seasons. Each college and university participating in intercollegiate football will have one varsity team. Only one group of players is authorized to wear the official uniform of the team and participate. In fact, penalties would be exacted if another group of players or even if a couple of players not listed on the official roster were to be dressed out for the game.
Is it narrow minded that each college or university has only one varsity team? After all, there are always young men on campus who played high school football players, and perhaps were star players. There are also young men enrolled as students who dreamed even in their youth of playing college football. Maybe there is an undiscovered football talent, who with some training could be a star player. If such a young man came to the dressing room on Saturday desiring to be given a uniform, he would be denied a uniform.
Simply put, each college and university has only one official varsity team. No one would seriously consider that close-minded or arrogant. It is accepted because of the rules of the governing athletic authorities.
The idea that the Lord has only one church is in the minds of many people very arrogant and narrow minded. As Jesus said in response to Peter’s confession that He was the Christ, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The apostle Paul emphasizes that the church is the body over which Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22,23), and he also stresses, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). It is certainly significant that Acts 2:47 records, “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” This is the church referred to as being “According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11).
As set forth in the New Testament, the church is a unique and distinctive body. To accept as authentic other religious groups which are styled as “churches” is to accept that which does not have the Lord’s authority. The one church is a part of God’s plan for saving mankind. As the apostle Paul exclaimed in praise to God, “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:21).
Is it narrow minded that each college or university has only one varsity team? After all, there are always young men on campus who played high school football players, and perhaps were star players. There are also young men enrolled as students who dreamed even in their youth of playing college football. Maybe there is an undiscovered football talent, who with some training could be a star player. If such a young man came to the dressing room on Saturday desiring to be given a uniform, he would be denied a uniform.
Simply put, each college and university has only one official varsity team. No one would seriously consider that close-minded or arrogant. It is accepted because of the rules of the governing athletic authorities.
The idea that the Lord has only one church is in the minds of many people very arrogant and narrow minded. As Jesus said in response to Peter’s confession that He was the Christ, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The apostle Paul emphasizes that the church is the body over which Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22,23), and he also stresses, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). It is certainly significant that Acts 2:47 records, “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” This is the church referred to as being “According to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11).
As set forth in the New Testament, the church is a unique and distinctive body. To accept as authentic other religious groups which are styled as “churches” is to accept that which does not have the Lord’s authority. The one church is a part of God’s plan for saving mankind. As the apostle Paul exclaimed in praise to God, “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:21).
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