Quote:
Originally Posted by UntoHim
This part really perplexes me (not that this is too hard to do:rollingeyes2 How does one practice the church "individually"?
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From my point of view, the only way to practice the church is individually. So long as we insist that others agree with us and take our way, we sow the seeds of division among ourselves. But if I on my part take the stand before God that I will not be divided from other believers, I believe God may have a way to produce a practical testimony:
John 17:20--21 Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.
Eph 4:2--4 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; giving diligence to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body...
Rom 12:18 If it be possible,
as much as lieth with you, be at peace with all men.
On my part I recognize that all the believers in my locality (heck, within reasonable driving distance) are the church here. I don't insist that all of them come to meet together -- that is ecumenicism and isn't gonna happen.
Rather I make the stand that I will not be divided off from any saint because of any action of my own. Further, I endeavor to make my stand known to those around me and attempt to bring others to this understanding (and perhaps even to meet with me).
Of course, many will not take this way. Others will begin to take this way but will get distracted due to doctrines, teachings, preferences, etc. Some will usurp our practice in order to carve out a little kingdom for themselves. This should not prevent me, individually, from opening my heart to be one with every believer I meet.
This is what has happened among us. We began by taking the stand that we are in fact one. Recognizing that many will not take this way does not have to be a deterrent for us to begin to meet on this ground of oneness. The beginning was frankly glorious. It seemed as though God both honored and blessed our stand.
Only later did division come in due to the insistence of some regarding "one with the ministry". That which had begun so well had -- for many -- turned into just another denomination. We shouldn't be surprised: the same thing happened for Martin Luther, George Fox, John Wesley, Count Zinzendorf, John Darby (not to mention Paul, Barnabas, Cephas, and James).
The question remaining for us is "Do we just give up hope for practical oneness, and go back to meeting with the denominations and free groups, or do we start over, learn from our mistakes, and try again"? On my part, individually, I struggle to keep my heart open to be one with all believers. I continue to explain the principle of oneness with every believer that I meet, and hope that an expression of this oneness may be built up in my city, so the world may believe that God has sent us His Son.