"When...no differing denominations existed..." WHY?

The Baptist Manual - Edward T. Hiscox, in his book, Standard Manual For Baptist Churches, says on page 22, under the heading of “Church Membership,” “It is most likely that in the Apostolic age when there was but ‘one Lord, one faith, and one baptism’ and no differing denominations existed... WHAT????

WHEN NO DIFFERING DENOMINATIONS EXISTED???

NOW THAT'S A REAL CONFESSION! What's more, it's the truth!

Where then did they come from? When did "differing" denominations begin?

They began AFTER the APOSTLES! They began as a result of men preaching differently from what the apostles preached! That's why denominational preaching differs from the apostles' doctrine [Acts 2:42]

The early church continued steadfastly in the "apostles' doctrine" because that was the ONLY doctrine that was preached for a few years. It can and must still be preached today.

In order for a church to be a church "of Christ"; the same "form of doctrine" that the apostles preached in the book of Acts must be preached on how to "call upon the name of the Lord".

That preacher will teach that in baptism, a sinner puts on Christ (Gal. 3:27). He will teach that baptism is in order to receive remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19). The reason is because that is what the apostles taught.

Jesus prayed in John 17 for all of His disciples to be ONE, not DIVIDED!

If the same doctrine is preached, that division will end and unity will grow.

Preachers have a responsibility to teach what the apostles of the Lord preached - - - ON EVERY SUBJECT!

Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus:

1 Timothy 1:3 - As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they TEACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE...

1 Timothy 6:3-5 - If any man teach otherwise, and CONSENT NOT TO WHOLESOME WORDS, EVEN THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND TO THE DOCTRINE WHICH ACCORDING TO GODLINESS; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF.

Titus 1:10-11 - For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: WHOSE MOUTHS MUST BE STOPPED, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Titus 1:13 - WHEREFORE REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, THAT THEY MAY BE SOUND IN THE FAITH...

"Differing" churches exist because "differing" doctrines are preached.

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