THE END OF RESTORATION
Lesson 3
"THE END OF NON-SECTARIANISM"
Sand Creek became the defining moment in the history of the Restoration Movement. First the plea for congregational autonomy ended. A powerful brotherhood preacher could demand that free congregations practice what he believed "or else." Elders and representatives could meet and vote on what others were to believe and practice. Thru the years preachers have defended Sand Creek by focusing on the issues that were raised instead of the actions that were taken. The delegates believed that their opposition to "innovations" justified drawing a line between themselves and the offenders. But this not only ended congregational autonomy but it also ended the plea for non-sectarian service of God. For those who have not studied our series on sectarianism let me give you the simple dictionary definition of the word sect:
Go back and read the "Address and Declaration" and you will see that a sect was created that day but not just one sect. The represented churches voted to create a sect that accepted all of the listed innovations as sinful. That is they started a "faction united by a specific doctrine." There were other elders among the thousands present that agreed that pie sales, church fairs and the Missionary Society were sinful but did not agree on the issue of a located preacher. They followed the doctrine of separation taught by Sommer and became a group "united by a specific doctrine" but not part of Sommer's. Now we have two groups that will not "fellowship" the other because they are "false teachers." When the issue of instrumental music was added to the mix the sectarianism was unstoppable. This perversion of congregational autonomy and the resulting sectarianism continues unabated to this day.
So
the second sin committed at Sand Creek was to use actions being taken by other
congregations as a reason to divide the brethren into parties or sects. The issues that were raised by Daniel Sommer and the
congregational delegates to this meeting did not divide "the brotherhood"
sectarianism did! As we have seen the N.T. pattern for the organization of His
body is one of congregational autonomy. The actions of one congregation do not
affect the others. If one eldership demands that all women wear an artificial
covering in their assembly and yours disagrees, is the body of Christ divided?
No, not unless you are a member of something more than what is revealed. In
other words it is impossible to divide something that does not exist!
The sin committed at Sand Creek not only destroyed the Restoration Movement but also started a new movement that believes that they must divide if anyone disagrees with anything they believe! What they believe is the truth and their application of Biblical principles becomes God's law for everyone. Nothing can be left up to another individual or congregation to decide or believe differently and still be their brethren. It is now "our way or the highway." Brethren, sectarianism is sinful regardless of the issue, even instrumental music. It is sad that the false doctrine that we must separate and form groups in order to stand for the truth is now applied to every difference we have. In our second lesson on "Sectarianism" there is a long list of Church of Christ sects. Since it was written many of you have called or e-mailed with others so sadly the list gets longer. I believe with all my heart that there is not any issue that justifies starting a sect!
Remember the old Restoration adage "In matters of faith, unity. In matters of opinion, liberty. In all things, charity?" What then are the matters of faith that identify membership in the 1st century church? First what we believe about Diety. This is the basis of who we are.We must believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We must believe that Jesus was His son and was resurrected after dying for our sins etc. The New Testament repeatedly says that this faith in the Godhead is the basis of our fellowship with each other and with Him. (1Jn. 1:1-3; 4:1-3; 5:1-13) Second, since brotherhood is based on fatherhood only those who He has made His children are my brothers in Christ. This is our faith about Deliverance. The Scriptures are clear that immersion for the remission of sins puts one into Christ, into His body and a part of His family. (Acts 2:38, 47) If you believe in giving book, chapter and verse for what you believe then find the scripture that gives you the right to establish any other conditions of brotherhood. Again, what passage authorizes a congregation to separate from others? Did Paul tell Ephesus to "withdraw fellowship" from Corinth because they were not faithful? It is impossible to separate something that has never been bound together.
There are only two matters of faith, deity and deliverance, which establish brotherhood. All other matters of faith and opinion must be handled on the local level. Elders must oversee the flock that is among them. (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2) They will determine the truth and the practice of their congregation and their congregation only. Hopefully they will know the difference between matters of faith and matters of opinion and stand for the truth but regardless, the belief or actions of another congregation of God is not their concern. They will respect God's plan and not go beyond the limits placed on them. They must "endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3) in the only place it can exist: Their congregation. This may not be enough for you, as was certainly true with the brethren at Sand Creek, so you could start or join a denomination to show the world that you "stand for the truth". They did and you may have already!
To be continued
The Parson