Generation To Generation

 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)

 The key word to the Apostle Paul's statement concerning Christian doctrine is the word "One". There are not several standards of Christian doctrine of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ - Restoration Movement. There is only ONE. And it is found in our text today.

My question is: why do we have a problem standing on these seven blocks of Christian doctrine? I will go ahead and answer my own question. Christian leadership in the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ-Restoration Movement, have not stood firm on this [one] standard of doctrine. And because we haven't stood firm, we have had disunity, division, and destruction. We have not been holding to what we have believed, and practiced for generations. How do we expect to pass down our church doctrine to the younger generation, if we will not hold true to it today?

Our enemy Satan is gutting our churches today, because we allow other beliefs and practices to take precedence over our standard belief and practice.

The one block of Christian doctrine that is controversial is that of Christian baptism. Why should it be with us? The Christian Church/Churches of Christ-Restoration Movement, has always held that it is an essential step of faith, in the process of salvation. (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-4) Why are we allowing other doctrinal ideas to override what we believe Scripture to say, concerning this step of faith?

It's time to become accountable. And we in Christian leadership, had better take our stand on Christian doctrine seriously. Read Ephesians 4:14. I don't believe we want to answer to the Lord, for why we were deceived, and destroyed. GP

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Hold The Line

"...that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—..." (Ephesians 4:14-15) 

As Christians, why is it important to hold to Christian doctrine?

The Apostle Paul teaches the Christians at Ephesus seven blocks of Christian doctrine they were to hold to. And we are to do the same: There is:
One Body: The Church.
One Spirit: Holy Spirit.
One Hope: Our Resurrection.
One Lord: Jesus Christ.
One Faith: Trusting God for all things.
One Baptism: A Cleansing for sin, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
One God: Creator, Redeemer, and Keeper of our souls. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

 And even if we as Christians do not agree on the interpretation of these blocks of Christian doctrine; we are not to argue, or be involved in various disputes over them. The important thing is to stand together in love, and not let Satan (our enemy) divide us, and destroy our unity.

 It is important that we know the truth of God's Word, so we can stand on it, and testify to the world concerning it. As the saying goes: "You cannot lead a person to a place you have never been."

And Christian leadership has an important responsibility to help the church, "hold the line" (sort of speak) regarding Christian doctrine. See the Apostle Paul's words of encouragement to the elders of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38)

 The tragic occurrence in many New Testament churches is a infiltration of distorted doctrinal ideas and practices. Two things are vital for a church to grow in maturity, and effective Kingdom work.
1. A knowledge of the Truth of God's Word.
2. A commitment to stand firm upon God's Truth. (GP)

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