January 08, 2014
Identity
The lines between various Christian denominations
are getting more blurred all the time. There are some leadership-types who
would have believers compromise away our differences, all for the sake of their
version of a unity. I like the fact that during the foundation of the Church Peter
and Paul were sent to different audiences; Peter to the Jews, Paul to the
Gentiles. These pillars of the church didn’t ask their respective followers to
give up their own culture or history for one another. For instance, Paul would
not let the Jewish believers impose their practice of circumcision on the Gentiles.
Maybe rather than having a “denominational demolition derby” we should take a
page from the early church and realize we can have unity in Christ without giving
up our identity in fellowship.
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2 comments:
Gail;
-----Then, if all our identities are different, what is this “unity” stuff all about? How can different things be the same? How can unity be without sameness? Difference makes for chaos, doesn’t it? Aren’t we all to die to ourselves and become more and more like Jesus? So, how many identities did He have?
-----I’m not sure if anyone will ever know exactly who the Lord meant by “Nicolaitans” in Revelation 2:6 and 15. Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret are most often called upon to link an antinomian sect to Nicolaus of Acts 6:5. That there was such a sect known as Nicolaitans around at the time John penned Revelation is attested by many early writers. But the earliest of these, Ignatius of Antioch is not often mentioned. He was a disciple of John the Apostle. His information is a bit first hand, then. And of the Nicolaitans, he says they are falsely called such. In other words, poor Nicolaus has been falsely charged with misguiding an antinomian sect. Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of St. John. Irenaeus crossed paths with Polycarp early in his life, late in Polycarp’s. And it is primarily through Irenaeus that the “Nicolaus the heretic” concept blossomed. Hippolytus was Irenaeus’ student, Epiphanius followed in the idea nearly one-hundred years later, and Theodoret yet after another hundred years. The insights of these latter guys are all rather second hand.
-----While Ignatius and Clement of Alexandria both blame the inception of Nicolaitanism upon the complete twisting of something Nicolaus’ said, it is yet interesting that the term “Nicolaitan” is the combination of two Greek words together meaning “people conquerors”. Some thought, then, has followed an idea that Nicolaitanism refers to the beginning of the clergy/laity division of the Lord’s body. Ignatius, who had the best opportunity to know John’s referent by John’s own teaching, implied they were Gnostics, but definitely referred to their penchant for calumnious speech. That is, they said and preached rotten things about people who didn‘t agree with them, tearing them down and ruining their reputations. Now, does the combination of antinomianism and tearing down everyone who doesn’t agree with you while thinking you have some inner connection with the knowledge of what’s right remind you of anybody we know?
-----So, I don’t think the Nicolaitans’ antinomianism, only, was at the seat of their works hated by Christ and the Ephesians, but held by some at Pergamum. Beyond the cursing they cast upon anybody not of their ilk is the flip side of that attitude, blessings pronounced upon those in agreement. In other words theirs was the error of group bias, “We are right, you are wrong. Get in my line or get slandered!” Some point out that the Hebrew components bala’ and ’am of Balaam, also equate to “people conquerors”. And a good set of bookends these two make, both insisting upon their own ways, both striking out for followers, both ending up in lechery.
-----Actually, I think one of the most profound of the Word’s slightest mentions is at Revelation 2:17, “To him who conquers I will give…a white stone, with a new name written on [it] which no one knows except him who receives it.” This promise was to those at Pergamum, where some held the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. This stone received is quite the opposite of these teachings which demanded their own way or condemned. In as much as a ”name” to the ancients was the equivalent of a character, we are to receive a anew character quite unique and completely our own. There will be no denominational bowing to group bias! And note that when He returns for us, He also has a new name written on His forehead which He alone knows. All our different identities are unified in being made entirely free to be entirely what they are in perfect righteousness, like is His. And righteousness is very much a unity.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
PS
-----It’s interesting to note that of Scripture’s most numerous, imperatively stated commands are those such as: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials…” (James 1:2), “My brethren, show no partiality…” (James 2:1), “ Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8), “Do not grumble, brethren, against one another,” (James 5:9), “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philip 1:27), “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others…Do all things without grumbling or questioning,” (Philip 2:4, 14), “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” (Philip 3:1), “ Let all men know your forbearance.” (Philip 4:1), “And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds,” (Titus 3:14), “But avoid stupid controversies,” (Titus 3:9), “…show perfect courtesy toward all men.” (Titus 3:2), “He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!” (Ps 50:23) I am not saying there is no doctrinal issues in Scripture, nor am I saying doctrinal issues are not very important. I only say the the Bible is as filled with these sparkling little gems as is a pirate’s treasure chest. You can randomly turn to almost any New Testament page and find them. I think it has to do with something written on the heart.
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