Divisions in Christianity?

Why are there so many divisions in Christianity? Answer: Probably because there are so many different kinds of people who profess Christianity. Different people have different experiences and prefer different types of music, rites and rituals. Of course, many of the divisions have been political in nature.

Some Christians view the word “doctrine” as almost a curse word. The thought process is essentially “doctrine is to be avoided because doctrine causes division among Christians, and God desires Christians to be united as it says in John 17:21.” While it is true that doctrine does cause division, if the division is due to a disagreement over an important biblical teaching, division is not necessarily a bad thing. Paul declares, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3). Titus 1:9–2:1 proclaims, “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it…But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

Romans 16:17-18 New International Version (NIV)

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. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.

The Christian faith, more than any other, is based on doctrine. The doctrines of the deity of Christ (John 1:1, 14), the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:17), and salvation by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) are absolutely essential and non-negotiable. If any of these doctrines is removed, the faith is empty and void. There are other doctrines in the Christian faith that are very important, such as the oneness of God, the inspiration of Scripture, and the reality of the eternal state. If Christian doctrine is causing division on any of these points, so be it, as those who deny these doctrines need to be separated from.

It is sinful for the believers of Christ to follow different teachings and wear different names. Jesus prayed that all who believed in Him would be one ( John 17:20-21). Let us give up the names and doctrines of men, and follow Jesus Christ only!

Sin of Division.

However, there has also been a tremendous amount of division in the Body of Christ due to doctrines that do not, or at least should not, have “crucial” status. Examples include the timing of the rapture, young-earth vs. old-earth creationism, charismatic vs. non-charismatic, premillennialism vs. amillennialism, etc. These Christian doctrines are important. Every Christian doctrine carries some importance. But these doctrines are perhaps not ones worth dividing/separating over. There are dedicated, Christ-loving believers on both sides of these issues. We should not divide over non-essential issues, at least not to the extent of questioning the validity of another person’s faith.

Paul wrote the first letter to the Corinthians because he had learned of the problems in the church. The family of Chloe had told him that the church was divided (1:11). Paul had also received a letter from the Corinthians asking him several questions (7:1). Earlier, he had written a letter to them which the Holy Spirit did not include in the New Testament (5:9).

Paul addressed his letter to “the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1:2). The church is called “the church of God” because it was planned by God and belongs to Him. In other places, it is called “the church of Christ” because it was built by Jesus Christ and paid for by His blood (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Romans 16:16).

Those who are members of the church are “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” The word “sanctify” means to “set apart from others.” Those who are set apart are called “saints,” which means “holy ones.” Christians are called by the Gospel (II Thessalonians 2:14). They are set apart from sin and the sinful world. They must live holy lives of service to God (I Peter 1:13-16).

The family of Chloe had told Paul of the division in the Corinthian church. Different groups had been formed in the church. Three of the groups claimed men as their leader. Some said they followed Paul. Other said they followed Cephas (Peter). Still others claimed to be disciples of Apollos. There were those who said they followed only Christ. They were correct, if they were not guilty of having a wrong spirit, and regarding Christ as if He were a mere human leader.

Paul showed the Corinthians how wrong they were by asking several questions. First, he asked, “Is Christ divided?” The answer is clearly, “no.” If Christ is not divided, neither should His followers be. Then, he asked, “Was Paul crucified for you?” Of course not; Christ, not Paul, died on the cross for our sins! Why should we claim to follow a man like Paul? It was Christ who died for us.

Paul next asked, “Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” The phrase “in the name of” means “by the authority of.” All that Christians do must be done in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17). Since the Corinthians had been baptized in the name of Christ, why did they claim to follow Paul?

Paul preached and practiced baptism (Romans 6:1-4; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 16:15, 33; 18:8). But he did not always perform the act of dipping in water the people he had taught. This was probably done by his helpers such as Timothy and Titus and others. There were a few at Corinth whom Paul had baptized with his own hands. He was glad there were not many, because some might think they were baptized in his name. Paul’s work was to preach the Gospel. If he did that, then those who believed and repented would be baptized.

It is wrong for us to follow men or women today. We must follow Jesus Christ. It is sinful for the believers of Christ to follow different teachings and wear different names. Jesus prayed that all who believed in Him would be one ( John 17:20-21). Let us give up the names and doctrines of men, and follow Jesus Christ only! Let us honor Him by wearing His name, and following His teachings which are found in the New Testament.

There are degrees of division, however, that are appropriate even in regards to non-essential Christian doctrine. A church is to be united and like-minded in regards to focus, priorities, and ministry. If there is a doctrinal issue that prevents a united ministry focus, it is better for a person to find a different church rather than cause conflict and division within a church. These sorts of divisions have been the cause of many of the divisions/denominations within the Christian faith. Some joke that church splits are the easiest way to plant a new church. But if division due to a non-essential doctrine is necessary to prevent disunity and conflict, then division is what needs to occur.

If everyone would throw aside preconceptions, biases, and presuppositions and just accept the Christian doctrines the Bible teaches, division would not be a problem. But we are all fallen and sin-infected beings (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23). Sin prevents us from perfectly understanding and applying God’s Word. Not understanding and submitting to Christian doctrine is what causes division, not doctrine itself. We absolutely should divide over disagreements regarding the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Sometimes, division over non-essential matters is necessary as well (although division to a lesser degree). But, the blame for division should never be placed on doctrine. Christian doctrine, in reality, is the only way to true, full, and biblical unity within the Body of Christ.