As I was reading my scriptures this morning I couldn't help but reflect on a number of conversations I've had over the past few years. Recently I was discussing religion with a friend, and he expressed several opinions that I have heard more and more over the past few years. My friend is a staunch member of a nondenominational Christian religion, and as we spoke he expressed his opinion that all Christian congregations are basically the same and will all be saved. On further questioning he amended his comments to exclude salvation for Catholics, and Mormons, and Seventh Day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses, and Unitarians, and any Protestant group that believes in baptism by immersion... the list goes on and on. My soul rebels at the two notions he expressed: the first being that all Christian religions are the same and the second that he would narrowly define Christianity as 'all those who claim to believe in Christ who also agree with me'. In this post I hope to express my opinion on these subjects and place one more opinion on the Internet in the hope that truth will one day illuminate the subject of religion.
The first point I would like to make is that all Christian religions are not the same, and they all cannot be equally correct. As I understand the evolution of Christianity, Jesus Christ left an intact church with a distinct organization on the earth after his Resurrection and ascension into heaven. The 12 Apostles (Mathias having been chosen to replace the deceased Judas) seemed to be at the head of a church organization that included bishops, pastors, evangelists, prophets, the seventy, elders, and teachers. Missionaries were sent out to teach the gospel, meetings that seemed to govern the church were held in Jerusalem by 'the brethren', and tithes were collected and sent to one central location.
As the missionary work progressed congregations of Christians were established across the Roman Empire, and local leadership of those congregations was cultivated by the traveling missionaries under the guidance of the Apostles. Those leaders were given power and authority by the laying on of hands by those who were delegating authority. The Apostles and the Seventy had authority delegated to them by Christ himself, they in turn delegated authority as needed to local leadership. The net effect being the formation of a body of brethren who each had a specific responsibility and the divine authority to carry out specific duties in the Church established by Jesus Christ.
As I understand it, this church collapsed due to internal dissent and external pressure. The persecution of early Christians is well documented historically and need not be covered here- I merely note that most early leaders and members of the church died horrible violent deaths as a determined effort was made to stamp out every living or written testimony of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the New Testament the congregations established throughout the Roman Empire needed guidance and corrections from the Apostles to remain in the true doctrine, or gospel, of Jesus Christ. Most of the New Testament is comprised of letters of counsel sent by leaders in the early church with the clear intent of correcting inaccuracies of doctrine and practice in the congregations established across the Roman Empire. The Apostles worked hard to guide the church down the straight and narrow path that leads to Jesus Christ. Many of the latter epistles warn the early member of the church very clearly of the dangers of their Apostasy, or departure from the truth. John in the book of Revelations sent out a warnings to the seven churches that if they would not repent their light would be taken from them. The light he refers to is the light of Christ- and to my understanding those churches were warned that if they did not repent and return to god that they would loose their testimonies of Christ and be lost in spiritual darkness.
It seems clear that this was the case as for nearly 100 years the early Christian congregations struggled without divinely appointed leadership. Many doctrines, many faiths, and many beliefs about Christ arose around the Roman Empire. These early Christian churches eventually coalesced to form the Catholic Church. Disputes over who had the authority to govern the church led to the division into the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Years latter the early protestant leaders made the claim that the Catholic Church either never had the authority of God (as was originally bestowed by the laying on of hands) or had lost it because of corruption in the Church. Early Protestant leaders believed that, as the church they had been a part of had no divine orgin or authority, that they would be better off following the truths taught in the Bible according to their own conscience than listening to the teachings of an organization that they felt was corrupt.
The purpose of my relating that history was to establish the simple facts that the original church establish by Jesus Christ had a unity of faith and doctrine maintained by teachers instructed and ordained (called to the Priesthood) by Jesus Christ himself or by those the Apostles delegated that authority to. The position of all churches that deem themselves 'Protestant' is that that authority has been lost and now all are best served by following the dictates of the Bible as their conscience sees fit. In 2009 there are between 30,000 and 40,000 christian denominations in the World. That is a lot of faiths, a lot of doctrines, and a lot confusion as to who has the gospel as taught by Jesus Christ. As we all believe that any who teach more or less than the doctrine of Christ are under condemnation- you have to wonder which congregation, if any, is free to cast the first stone at the others.
In my opinion merely the fact that each of those 35,000 or so denominations feels the need to differentiate itself from the others clearly demonstrates that they are not all the same. Investigation into their beliefs shows a broad spectrum of beliefs regarding premortal existence, postmortal conditions, and the character and nature of God. Disagreements abound as to the how, when, and where we should follow Him. Clearly we can't all be right.
The way is straight and narrow. There is only 'One faith, One Lord, One baptism'. I would urge all people everywhere to make a determined search for the truth. Search the scriptures for principles of truth that can guide you in your life. Examine your life for things that are good- (not things that are OK or that everyone does but things in your life that are genuinely good) and hold on to those things. Examine them and cherish them so that when more good things creep into your life you will be able to recognize them. Follow the admonition of Paul, 'if there is anything lovely, praiseworthy, or of good report, seek after these things.' If we all will do this with a spirit of humility and with prayers to our God for guidance I am sure that will guide us down his straight and narrow way.
The second point that I wished to address is the condemnation of one denomination by another. I do not know much- but I do know that God loves each one of us and that he wants everyone to be happy. I do not recall a single instance in the Bible where Jesus Christ or one of his Apostles shouted at or even condemned their worst enemies to hell. What I recall is a God who prayed for the souls of his tormentors from the cross, and a Lord who took every opportunity to instruct the Scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducee's, and every sinner who crossed his path. He taught in a spirit of patience and love. I strongly disagree with those who believe that all members of a congregation different than their own will go to hell. I am pained that street preachers, sometimes frothing at the mouth, condemn all who pass by them to the fiery depths of hell in the name of my God. If we disagree with our Christian brothers, can we not approach them in a spirit of love and patience? Can we not instruct our brothers with humility of spirit and have the chance to be edified together as we speak of Christ?
I end my post with the fervent plea that, rather than condemn those different than us, we speak with them and build bridges of understanding.
I would like to invite anyone who reads this and shares an opinion different or similar to mine to comment below. If you think I made a mistake in the above text please correct me! Few things are more valuable than constructive criticism.
