SECTARIANISM IN THE CHURCH
By W. G. Guy
What is sectarianism? It is dividing a specific entity into separate units; separated by a system of beliefs or practices. Unfortunately, the church is divided into many different sects due a wide, and often divisive, variation in beliefs or practices; thus there is sectarianism in the churches. You would think that the church would be one cohesive unit based on belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and savior of mankind; but not so. In fact some sects of the church appear to be enemies of one another showing a bitter hatred. (For example: Calvinist churches opposing Pentecostal churches.)
Obviously this division, also called schism, is not the result of the truth of the Bible, or the working of the Holy Spirit; it is clearly the work of Satan along with the spirit of antichrist, working within and against the church.
To show how divided the church is, consider that the ministry of the apostle Paul would probably not be accepted in many churches today if he was to try to minister as he did nearly two thousand years ago. Why; because of the carnality of men in leadership positions.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 – For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Carnality refers to the depravity of human fleshly traits that seek to have recognition, control and influence for personal gain and position. Not only did the apostle Paul face such problems in the church, but Jesus also faced the same kind of opposition from the religious leadership during His ministry.
John 11:47-48 – Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Would the same thing that the apostle Paul complained about also happen to Jesus Christ today if He were to come to some of these churches to preach. Would He be rejected by the ministerial elite just as He was two thousand years ago? This happens frequently today with many of those whom God has called and gifted for ministry, but the churches reject them, and will not permit them to minister to their flocks.
Why such rejection of God’s called and gifted ministers; it’s because of sectarianism. Such called and gifted ministers are not a member of “their” sect. The leadership of those sects choose not to recognize the gifting and calling of God on these that God has anointed for His work. They only look at man issued credentials – pieces of paper that have the accepted names attached to them.
The Apostle John gives us an example that he recorded:
3 John 9-10 – I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
This is a form of sectarianism due to carnal behavior. This leads to dividing the church into sects based on what man wants, and not on what Christ ordained for the Body of Christ on earth.
1 Corinthians 12:25 – that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
Sectarianism is a major problem in churches today; but no one will address this issue, or even admit to it. This condition takes “separation” to such an extreme that it causes many of God’s chosen vessels to be shut out of the very places they are needed.
At the same time that we are experiencing sectarianism, there is another problem that the devil has created that is aimed at hindering the spread of the true gospel message. That effort appears to try and counteract sectarianism but introduces another destructive condition. “Ecumenism”, the effort to unify us all into one single entity, but at the same time rejecting the true foundation of who and what the church is. It promotes a coming together for the sake of being unified, not under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and being led of the Holy Spirit, but for the unity of man. This is primarily being orchestrated by the Popes of the Roman Catholic Church, and other liberal clergy, to bring all of the church under a single leadership, that of the Pope.
Many speculate that this is the effort that is designed to lead to a one world religion during the time of a one world government; where the alleged antichrist is in control. Ecumenism is not really about the unity of the church but the unity of man! Under ecumenism the goal is that we all walk together as one - in unity, not in the truth and faith. This contrasts directly with unity of the faith and truth. Under unity of the faith, we all walk in the same direction, not necessarily together as one unit; but all headed toward the same goal. That goal is the kingdom of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, walking in the truth of the gospel of redemption.
Ecumenism is also promoted by liberal theologians who say we need to be united in our diversity. However, they fail to recognize that the family of God, His redeemed children, are the perfect example of diversity. Through Jesus Christ, the redeemed of the Lord are the most diverse group of people that there can be. We come from every race, tribe, language and culture, gathering together unto Him.
Revelation 5:9-10 – And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Conclusion, do not let man, or man’s organization, try to separate you from any other of God’s truly born-again and redeemed people, using their doctrines, control, identification and association to cause division.
Ephesians 2:13-22 – but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. for through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and
are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The church is the Body of Christ on earth, to live and function according to His will, and led by His Spirit. We need to see things as Christ ordained which will allow Him to govern the affairs of the church that is one in unity under Him as we walk in truth and are led by His spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 – For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Therefore, let us not be divided from one another in Christ. It is the work of Satan to destroy our Christian relationship as children of God.
John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Let the life and love of Christ be abundantly seen in every true believer.
1 John 3:1-3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 4:20-21 – If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Sectarianism is a tool of Satan fostering bitterness against others in the faith but who belong to a different congregation. It is a form of hatred that is sin in the church today. This should not be so and needs to be repented of immediately.
By W. G. Guy
What is sectarianism? It is dividing a specific entity into separate units; separated by a system of beliefs or practices. Unfortunately, the church is divided into many different sects due a wide, and often divisive, variation in beliefs or practices; thus there is sectarianism in the churches. You would think that the church would be one cohesive unit based on belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and savior of mankind; but not so. In fact some sects of the church appear to be enemies of one another showing a bitter hatred. (For example: Calvinist churches opposing Pentecostal churches.)
Obviously this division, also called schism, is not the result of the truth of the Bible, or the working of the Holy Spirit; it is clearly the work of Satan along with the spirit of antichrist, working within and against the church.
To show how divided the church is, consider that the ministry of the apostle Paul would probably not be accepted in many churches today if he was to try to minister as he did nearly two thousand years ago. Why; because of the carnality of men in leadership positions.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 – For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Carnality refers to the depravity of human fleshly traits that seek to have recognition, control and influence for personal gain and position. Not only did the apostle Paul face such problems in the church, but Jesus also faced the same kind of opposition from the religious leadership during His ministry.
John 11:47-48 – Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Would the same thing that the apostle Paul complained about also happen to Jesus Christ today if He were to come to some of these churches to preach. Would He be rejected by the ministerial elite just as He was two thousand years ago? This happens frequently today with many of those whom God has called and gifted for ministry, but the churches reject them, and will not permit them to minister to their flocks.
Why such rejection of God’s called and gifted ministers; it’s because of sectarianism. Such called and gifted ministers are not a member of “their” sect. The leadership of those sects choose not to recognize the gifting and calling of God on these that God has anointed for His work. They only look at man issued credentials – pieces of paper that have the accepted names attached to them.
The Apostle John gives us an example that he recorded:
3 John 9-10 – I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
This is a form of sectarianism due to carnal behavior. This leads to dividing the church into sects based on what man wants, and not on what Christ ordained for the Body of Christ on earth.
1 Corinthians 12:25 – that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
Sectarianism is a major problem in churches today; but no one will address this issue, or even admit to it. This condition takes “separation” to such an extreme that it causes many of God’s chosen vessels to be shut out of the very places they are needed.
At the same time that we are experiencing sectarianism, there is another problem that the devil has created that is aimed at hindering the spread of the true gospel message. That effort appears to try and counteract sectarianism but introduces another destructive condition. “Ecumenism”, the effort to unify us all into one single entity, but at the same time rejecting the true foundation of who and what the church is. It promotes a coming together for the sake of being unified, not under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and being led of the Holy Spirit, but for the unity of man. This is primarily being orchestrated by the Popes of the Roman Catholic Church, and other liberal clergy, to bring all of the church under a single leadership, that of the Pope.
Many speculate that this is the effort that is designed to lead to a one world religion during the time of a one world government; where the alleged antichrist is in control. Ecumenism is not really about the unity of the church but the unity of man! Under ecumenism the goal is that we all walk together as one - in unity, not in the truth and faith. This contrasts directly with unity of the faith and truth. Under unity of the faith, we all walk in the same direction, not necessarily together as one unit; but all headed toward the same goal. That goal is the kingdom of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, walking in the truth of the gospel of redemption.
Ecumenism is also promoted by liberal theologians who say we need to be united in our diversity. However, they fail to recognize that the family of God, His redeemed children, are the perfect example of diversity. Through Jesus Christ, the redeemed of the Lord are the most diverse group of people that there can be. We come from every race, tribe, language and culture, gathering together unto Him.
Revelation 5:9-10 – And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Conclusion, do not let man, or man’s organization, try to separate you from any other of God’s truly born-again and redeemed people, using their doctrines, control, identification and association to cause division.
Ephesians 2:13-22 – but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. for through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and
are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The church is the Body of Christ on earth, to live and function according to His will, and led by His Spirit. We need to see things as Christ ordained which will allow Him to govern the affairs of the church that is one in unity under Him as we walk in truth and are led by His spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 – For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Therefore, let us not be divided from one another in Christ. It is the work of Satan to destroy our Christian relationship as children of God.
John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Let the life and love of Christ be abundantly seen in every true believer.
1 John 3:1-3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 4:20-21 – If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Sectarianism is a tool of Satan fostering bitterness against others in the faith but who belong to a different congregation. It is a form of hatred that is sin in the church today. This should not be so and needs to be repented of immediately.
