THE BIBLICAL EXAMINATION OF FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCHES
ABSTRACT
The study used primary data from information obtained from the distribution of research questionnaires to determine if differences in belief are the primary cause of church division. The study included 100 people in total. The study used a sample of 40 people, and the data hypothesis was analyzed using the chi-square method. The study concluded that religious differences are the primary cause of church division. Proper recommendations were made to assist the Pentecostal churches, the Catholic churches, and their members in addressing the factors responsible for church divisions.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
God’s will for us is to be united, which is why Jesus prayed in John 17 for his disciples to be united. He prayed in verses 20-23, “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those alsowho believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father,are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believethat You sent Me. I have given them the glory that You have given me, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me.
and loved them as much as You have loved me”.
This prayer he offered was not only for the eleven remaining disciples, but also for those who would become disciples through their ministry (Britney; 1994). According to the Bible, Christ Jesus credits his disciples with the numbers that will be produced. The primary concern Jesus expresses at this time of his impending death is the issue of disciple unity, as their unity will undoubtedly be a necessary prerequisite for their subsequent mission (Jessica; 2004:497). Disunity and division are threats found among members of the Body, especially as the Church grows in size. As Christ clearly supplicates the Father with references to God and himself, it is clear that the unity described herein is more transcendent than that of the Trinity.
“merely human fellowship or the peaceful interaction of Christians” (Ebere; 1970). The external manifestation of this unity is the evangel of the Church to the world, which attests to the Father’s sending of Christ.
“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment,” Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:10. Unfortunately, Paul himself falls victim to one of these ideological divides. in his friendship with Barnabas. Paul uses the term haireseis to refer to doctrinal differences (1 Corinthians 11:19 and Galatians 5:20), which denotes a difference in sound doctrine, even to the point of being an unjustified group (Accordance 2010). Prior to the prayer in John 17, Jesus established the institution of the Lord’s Supper in light of the Passover celebration, an institution given in large part to demonstrate and foster unity with the Godhead, as well as unity as members of the Body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul affirms that the pinnacle of this desired oneness of communion, or church, is materially displayed in the act of the Lord’s Supper, as it is a “sharing” in the blood and Body of Christ. Mounce believes The word church connotes fellowship, communion, participation, and sharing (Mounce 2006:127, 247). Paul later uses the term only in a religious sense rather than a secular sense to denote something greater than a society, a higher level of fellowship; he also uses this term to express a “religious fellowship (participation) of the believer in Christ and Christian blessings for the mutual fellowship of believers” (Hauck 1983:804). In addition to the communion of the saints, 1 John 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 affirm that church is held with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; however, it is the Holy Spirit alone who brings believers into this fellowship (Prime 2008:105). This church evidence is an external, physical manifestation. of the spiritual fellowship enjoyed by the Body in its union with the Godhead (Hunsinger 2009:347). Thus, church is an internal religious fellowship or participation in the benefits of a relationship with Christ, manifesting itself at times physically through the Body of Christ. According to Schmitz, homothumadon is infused with “togetherness,” such as the visible, inner unity of a group confronted with a common duty or danger; it is a unity, or unanimity, that does not embrace a personal agenda, “but on a cause greater than the individual” (Schmitz 1986:908-909). As a result, it is used in Acts all but once else in the New Testament, in an effort to emphasize the early Church.
- Statement of the problem
The Church of Jesus is becoming more divided rather than more united. This disunity manifests itself primarily through cell division. Churches are splitting, division in church seminars is increasing as reconciliation consultants succeed, and denominations continue to grow in number due to social division as the causal mechanism (Raymond; 1996). Orthodoxy would theoretically admit that unity is possible through the giving of Christ’s glory. The Church as a whole has the right to proclaim theological truths, but it is also expected to demonstrate them to the world through its witness, because declared unity is more than just a position (Carson 1980:201). Today’s Christianity suggests that a proactive separation may be in order, as only sentimental unity exists among major denominations (Christianity Today 2004:23). Bloomberg claims that achieving this unity is difficult. in light of the numerous splintering factions (Bloomberg 2008:224). As a result, the world is witnessing a devastating lack of unity in the Body of Christ.
- Objectives of the study
The primary goal of this research is to look into the factors that cause church divisions.
To understand the biblical and theological justifications for fellowship divisions within the Body of Christ.
To understand what divisional tolerances are biblically justifiable or permissible within the scope of Scripture and
To determine whether the Church is actually in accordance with Scripture, and how this should affect Christian behavior today in their role of glorifying God.
1.4 Research questions
What kind of biblical and theological justification exists to justify fellowship divisions within the Body of Christ?
What division tolerances are biblically justifiable or permitted within the scope of Scripture?
What needs to be determined is whether the Church is actually out of step with Scripture, and how this should affect Christians’ behavior today in their role of glorifying God.
1.5 Research hypotheses
Ho: religious differences are not the primary cause of church division.
Hello, the main cause of church division is a difference in beliefs.
Ho: Churches’ inability to align with scripture has no negative impact on Christian behavior.
Hello, the inability of churches to align with scripture has a negative impact on Christian behavior.
1.6 Significance of the study
This study will add to the body of knowledge about Christian obedience in light of Scripture by attempting to identify and then justify the paradigm of acceptable schisms or permissible divisions. It then seeks to answer the question, “To what extent do Christians tolerate separations in the Body of Christ in accordance with Scripture?”
The researcher sought to identify the implications of better understanding so that believers who engage in acts of division can recognize the error or validity of their actions. If church division is permitted by scripture, it must be clearly defined. This study has components that are beneficial on multiple levels: personal, professional, academic, and practical.
1.7 Scope/Limitations of the study
This study focuses on the biblical examination of factors responsible for church divisions in order to find a long-term solution to the problem.
Limitations of study
Financial constraint- Inadequate funding tends to impede the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.
1.8 Definition of terms
Disagreement between two or more groups, usually resulting in tension or hostility
Churches are structures used for public Christian worship.
A Christian is someone who has been baptized in the Christian faith or who believes in Jesus Christ and his teachings.
The state of being joined or united as a whole.
Discord and division within a group are examples of disunity.
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W. Foerster. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel G, 1988).
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EJ Forrester, 1986. Church, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.”
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Vol 1.(rev. ed., 4 vols) (rev. ed., 4 vols).
GW Bromily (gen. ed.). Eerdmans, the Grand pids.
RT France 2007.
The International Commentary’s New Edition
concerning the New Testament:
Matthew’s Gospel.
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids.
K and J Gage, 1984.
Restoring Fellowship through Judgment and Church Discipline.
Moody is a neighborhood in Chicago.
Gangel won the KO in 2002.
Ed. Anders’ Holman Old Testament Commentary: Joshua
Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, Max.
DE Garland, 1999. 2 Cor. The New American Commentary (NAC). Nashville:
Broadman and Holman, Inc.
Getz, Georgia, 1995. Joshua: Be a Consistent Role Model. Broadman, Broadman
Publishers &Holman.
Gill J 1960. Dr. John’s Analysis. Turner Lassetter of Atlanta.
M. Rosenthal and K. Howard 1997.
The Lord’s Supper.
Thomas is from Nashville.
Nelson,Inc.
B Hubmaier, 1989. Balthasar Hubmaier was an Anabaptist theologian. o Classics
No. 5 of the Radical Reformation. H. Wayne Pipkin and JohnH. Yoder translated and edited the work. Herald, Scottsdale.
D. Hunsinger, Practicing Koinnia, Theology Today, 66(3), 346-367, 2009.
ME Isaacs, Sacred Space: An Approach to Theology, 1992.
of the Epistle to theHebrews. International Publishing Group Continuum.
R. Jamieson, 1945. A Critical, Experimental, and Practical Commentary on the
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids. The Old and New Testaments, Vol. 1.
Jeremias was born in 1966. Jesus’ Eucharistic Words. Norman is the translator.
Perrin. Scribner & Sons, New York.
Jeremias was born in 1983.
Douglas JD (ed.) 1978, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel G, ed.). The New International Christian Dictionary
Church(rev. ed). (rev. ed.). Regency Reference Library, Grand Rapids.
Leviticus as Literature, Douglas M. 1999.
Oxford: University of Oxford
SR Press.Driver 1904.
Genesis is the first book of the Bible. Methuen & Company, London. JDG Dunn, 1977. The Character of Early Christianity: Unity and Diversity in the New Testament. Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Y Eckstein, 1984. What Christians Should Understand About Jews and Judaism.
Word Books, Waco.
J. Edwards, 2000. Jonathon Edwards’ Works.2
Vols., Great Britain, 1834.Reprint, Hendrikson, Peabody, MA, 1834.
MJ Erickson 2001. Theological Dictionary for Evangelicals. “Separation”.
SecondEdition.
Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, ed. Walter A. Elwell.
M. Erickson, 2003. Theology in the Christian sense. Baker Books, Grand Rapids.
Errico, R.A., 1991-1991. Matthew’s Message: An Annotated Parallel Aramaic-English Version
Mathew’s Gospel in English.
The Peshitta-Aramaic text has been annotated and translated.
Noohra Foundation, Irvine, California.
Evangelical Convictions: A Theological Exposition of the Evangelical Free Church of America’s Statement of Faith. 2011. Free Church Publications, Minneapolis.
AR Fausset 1945. A Critical, Experimental, and Practical Commentary on the
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Vol. 3 of the Old and New Testaments.
Fee G 1987. First Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New York Times
Testament.
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI.
When Christians Collide: How to Prevent and Resolve the Pain, Fenton, Jr.
ofDivision. InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove
W. Foerster. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel G, 1988).
ed. ; GW Bromily, tr., vol. vii). Eardmans Publishing, Grand Rapids.
EJ Forrester, 1986. Church, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.”
Government”.
Vol 1.(rev. ed., 4 vols) (rev. ed., 4 vols).
GW Bromily (gen. ed.). Eerdmans, the Grand pids.
RT France 2007.
The New International New Testament Commentary: The
Matthew’s Gospel.
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids.
K and J Gage, 1984.
Restoring Fellowship through Judgment and Church Discipline.
Moody is a neighborhood in Chicago.
Gangel won the KO in 2002.
Ed. Anders’ Holman Old Testament Commentary: Joshua
Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, Max.
DE Garland, 1999. 2 Cor. The New American Commentary (NAC). Nashville:
Broadman and Holman, Inc.
Getz, Georgia, 1995. Joshua: Be a Consistent Role Model. Broadman, Broadman
Publishers &Holman.
Gill J 1960. Dr. John’s Analysis. Turner Lassetter of Atlanta.
M. Rosenthal and K. Howard 1997.
The Lord’s Supper.
Thomas is from Nashville.
Nelson,Inc.
B Hubmaier, 1989. Balthasar Hubmaier was an Anabaptist theologian. o Classics
No. 5 of the Radical Reformation. H. Wayne Pipkin and JohnH. Yoder translated and edited the work. Herald, Scottsdale.
D. Hunsinger, Practicing Koinnia, Theology Today, 66(3), 346-367, 2009.
ME Isaacs, 1992. Sacred Space: A Theological Approach to the Epistle to the Hebrews. International Publishing Group Continuum.
R. Jamieson, 1945. A Critical, Experimental, and Practical Commentary on the
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids. The Old and New Testaments, Vol. 1.
Jeremias was born in 1966. Jesus’ Eucharistic Words. Norman is the translator.
Perrin. Scribner & Sons, New York.
Jeremias was born in 1983.
Kittel G, ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
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