- There is no biblical support to show that different churches are members of the body of Christ. Rather the believers are members of Christ’s body (Eph 4:12) and the body is the church (singular; Eph 1:22-23: 5:23; Col 1:24).
- The church holds only one faith (Eph 4:5). Today different churches proclaim different or even conflicting beliefs about salvation. They cannot be of the same body.
- The church believes in one baptism (Eph 4:5). Many churches, however, disagree on the importance, efficacy, and mode of baptism. So they cannot be of the same body.
- The church receives only one Spirit (the Holy Spirit; Eph 4:4; 1Cor 12:13). Many churches do not even believe that believers need to pray for the Holy Spirit, with speaking in tongues as the evidence. How can they be of the same body with the true church, where believers pray for and receive the promised Holy Spirit?
- For the church to unite and become one, members of different denominations must remove their differences in faith, become one under the name of Jesus (Jn 17:11), and unite in the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:3-4; 1Cor 12:13) and in truth (i.e. common faith; Eph 4:5).
|
| |