Quote:
Originally Posted by leastofthese
Ah I see, that's why I was so confused! Because I WAS personally warned - experiencing this live, in person, by multiple people, from multiple localities. Come on Evangelical, come back to reality bro.... You know its deeply embedded in the culture.
"I was only a part of your denomination for a year and I heard it from multiple people from different localities and different states. Outside of these direct statements of being "poisoned", I heard countless other people share this same message indirectly."
When I said I heard "it", I was referring to people telling me not to read stuff online lest I be poisoned. I've also shared this personal experience on the forum in the past.
|
Well, I don't know what bible you have but my bible says this:
Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.
So we may say that warnings about being "poisoned" , was actually
deeply rooted in the culture of the New Testament church.
Some people may think this applies only to their own particular denomination or fellowship of their
own choosing. But it doesn't. It is written not to denominations, but to every Christian in a locality, to avoid those who cause divisions. At the time, the only people who would have been causing divisions were those who were looking to divide, and create denominations, according to "I follow Paul, I follow Apollos" (1 Cor 1:12-13). And Paul asks the question in verse 13 "is Christ divided and has your denomination been crucified for you?"
Why would Paul write this to groups within groups within groups within groups in a locality? He is not talking about not having division just in your own family, between husband and wife, but between whole groups of Christians, who we might call denominations today.
In other words if you are in a division /denomination, and think that you are not divisive because you get along with everyone in your denomination happily, think again.
You see, the bible is consistent on these matters.
Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.
Jude 1 : They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
There is a full list of scriptures here:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/division