Quote:
Originally Posted by kisstheson
Dear ones,
OK. I admit it. I need help. About a year ago I read a marvelous statement by TAS: "Simply gather together outside of all known divisions and center on Christ alone". I was only one year out of the LC at that time, and TAS's statement became a real rhema word, a real shining light, to me. Obviously TAS's words are not the Bible, but I strongly believed he captured the essence of the apostles' hearts regarding the practical outworking of the spiritual oneness we already possess.
Now, I am not so sure anymore. While participating in the recent discussion on this thread, it is like my brain is in a "fog" regarding this whole matter of oneness. I just can't get clear. It seems so deceptively simple, and yet it eludes me . . .
Please help! Whatever you can share from the Word or from personal experience would be appreciated. Or, at the very least, please pray for me!
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Dear Kisstheson,
TAS is right on as far as I am concerned.
I would add that as we take the Lord’s Table we should examine ourselves to see if we are properly judging or discerning the Lord’s Body. 1 Cor 11:28-29, But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. NASB
It is not that we need to discern whether the table itself is a divisive table aka a table of the So. Baptist etc but we must discern ourselves. Are we, the person, in anyway practicing division?
The oneness of Christ’s Body is a reality. We are members one of another. The oneness of the Body of Christ must first of all be realized in the S/spirit. Since we believers have such a problem with division, it seems the Holy Spirit would have given specific formulas in the New Testament to help us preserve the oneness. But no, when we focus on the proper prescription for oneness it escapes us.
Here in North Carolina, the brothers and sisters with whom we gather refer to themselves as the church in Raleigh, church in Durham or the church assembly in Raleigh or in Durham. The phrase is seldom used. I would think we go months on end without making any declaration in a meeting using that phrase. I doubt if I use it once a year in conversation or fellowship.
Rather, what and how should we practice? Are we centered on Christ and looking to Him directly to head us up? Are we bestowing more abundant honor on the member who lacks? Are we seeking to bear the one who has no strength? If we are in the reality of the above, we probably are okay regarding discerning the Body and keeping the oneness.
The problem with the majority of the Christian assemblies goes far beyond the issue of oneness. Oneness is not the whole story. What about the function of the members of the Body of Christ? Paul introduces us to the fact and vision of the Body of Christ. The first mention in the New Testament is Romans chapter 12. There the stress in not on oneness but on the function of the members. The goal of God’s salvation and the perfect will of God is to have a fully functioning Body of Christ on the earth.
When we consider the church, we must consider the Headship of Christ.
Eph 1:22-23, And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. NASB
Eph 4:15-16, but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. NASB
Col 2:19, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. NASB
I strongly consider many matters regarding the church and not just the issue of oneness. Perhaps the fog comes in when we zero in on the oneness at the expense of so much else. Oneness is a characteristic of the church, the Body of Christ but is not the goal. Christ’s headship, authority and life manifested in reality in a practical local setting is the goal on which to focus.
Here is a little typology. Ezekiel chapter 37 has the event of the valley of dry bones. Bones came together. Each bone was joined to his bone. Thus the oneness is achieved. I guess we can go home now. Not so fast. The goal is that there be an army standing up for the Lord’s interests on the earth.
When I hear the LSMers shouting about the oneness etc, it is so much like children playing. They remind me of my little three year old grandson playing pirates. He has a plastic sword and an outfit and can say ARRGH.
Dear brother Kisstheson, TAS made the matter of oneness seem so easy and simple. IT IS SIMPLE. The oneness of the Body of Christ is a spiritual reality. We have it right now!!! You and I have it and as I type this post I know in my spirit that we are one. In spite of my poor utterance, I know we are communicating and there is a common life pulsating through our spiritual veins.
Maybe we knew each other in the past maybe not. But that experience is not our oneness. Do you remember the supplement song which had the line “Hallelujah for the Lord has made us one?” It is based on the Bible. Eph 2:14, For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; KJV
May you, brother, be richly blessed in the sweet fellowship we share that is the fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Hope, Don Rutledge
A believer who is seeking to become a true disciple.