The Interdenominational Idea: Divine Plan Or Human Substitute?

by G. PRASHER, SR. | Category: General | Jul 1961

What is Interdenominationalisn?

During the twentieth century there has been increasing interest shown by Christian people in the interdenominational movements. Evangelically minded believers from different denominations have co-operated for certain objectives, such as overseas missionary work, or large-scale gospel activity in nominally " Christian" countries. In examining the principles on which interdenominationalism is based we are not sitting in judgement on the heart. motives or devotion in service. But we have a duty to approach this important subject in the light of the word of God, and enquire whether such a basis of association in testimony to the gospel is in fact authorized by the Lord. Or is it a substitute for the scripturally enjoined plan of Christian witness, an expedient to meet the problem of widespread divisions among the children of God?

Is there a divinely revealed plan for the association of Christians in testimony?

Yes, as definitely as God has revealed one way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4.12), He has revealed one way of service in obedience to the Lordship of Christ. The words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 28.19, 20 are as comprehensive as they are mandatory. The preaching of the gospel for the salvation of sinners from divine judgement was not divorced by the Lord from the responsibility of the preachers to baptize obedient disciples, and bring them under the authority of the Lord in all things which He had commanded. The effect of the apostles' faithfulness to the Lord in the proclamation of their message was the establishment of churches of God wherever obedient disciples responded to the Lord's claims. Each church of God in its own locality was responsible to practise and bear witness to all things which the Lord had commanded. All the churches of God were united in their common obedience to the one Lord, obeying the one faith, each individual having acknowledged the claims of the Master in one baptism. In the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles we see the clear outworking of the command of the Lord Jesus, bringing believers together at that time on the divinely revealed basis of Christian witness. The Scriptures do not support the association of believers on other grounds, such as temporary amalgamation for only a limited objective. Nor do we find preachers in apostolic times shrinking from the consequences of preaching all that the Lord had commanded them. Witness the consistency with which baptism was so soon urged upon those who had believed. (See Acts 2.38; 8.12, 38; 9. 18; 10.48; 18.8).

The truth of this is further illustrated by comparison of Galatians 1.12; 1 Corinthians 11.28 and 14.34-39. For to Paul, so mightily used of God in winning souls, the gospel came by divine revelation, as did further truths such as the breaking of the bread, or the place of women in connexion with the public services of the churches of God. He had Spirit-given convictions about all these things, because the Lord had spoken about them. He therefore insisted on obedience to the Lord's will in such matters throughout all the churches of God (1 Corinthians 7.17). It is this conscientious regard for obedience to all that the Lord has spoken which brings believers together in true divine unity.

A pronounced contrast.

The basic principle of interdenominationalism stands in pronounced contrast to that unity of apostolic times. It rather represents a "short-cut" to a union of widely diverse elements by the expedient of agreeing to differ on many doctrinal matters, and limiting public witness to certain agreed objectives. For the purpose of evangelical activity there will usually be broad agreement on such doctrines as the Deity of Christ, the atonement and the need of the new birth. Beyond the truths involved in the gospel, however, no common understanding would be called for. Other doctrines of the Lord, such as baptism, the breaking of bread, the free exercise of spiritual gifts in churches of God (to name only a few) are regarded as unimportant, or they may be left to one's individual judgement The "ordained clergyman," the " pastor" and the " Christian brother" will associate in interdenominational activity without regard to doctrinal positions for which their respective groups stand. Any newly brought to Christ as a result of such gospel activity are advised to choose for themselves some "church home " where they feel they may best receive spiritual guidance and help.

Does it really mater?

Some are disposed to reason that if souls are by this means being saved, it does not really matter that a compromise is arranged in other respects. But our natural reasoning must be subjected to the mind of Christ. To recall again the great importance He attached to obedience to His word will keep our thoughts in truer perspective (see John 14.21-24; 17.6-8, 14-17). Where the Lord has spoken about a matter, and the Holy Spirit has taught us that this is the will of God, dare we compromise that truth in any way? Are we to associate in public testimony with others who do not agree with it? Consider again the weighty warning in Deuteronomy 4.2.

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

Judging therefore by the standard of God's word, it is a serious matter for those who have come to the knowledge of the truth to regard that truth as unimportant. The fact that souls are saved through gospel witness is no justification for agreeing to compromise, even by a temporary association, the plainly spoken word of the Lord. Obedience to the truth brought discipline into churches of God in New Testament times. It still does so today. If we have been

privileged to know the Lord's leading into this scriptural position, we should have special regard for the importance of the truth of God entrusted to us. To agree to differ on plainly revealed truths; to limit our testimony to but one aspect of the Lord's commission; to associate in witness with many whose doctrinal views we believe to be unscriptural; these compromising expedients cannot stand the test of Scriptural principle.

"He that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully"

(Jeremiah 23.28).

" To whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required"

(Luke 12.48).

We must surely conclude that it does matter very seriously if we compromise our witness to the whole counsel of God.

What about the blessing?

It has often exercised the hearts of God's separated people that considerable blessing in the salvation of souls appears to result from some aspects of interdenominational activity. If their basis of association is scripturally unsound, why do their efforts so often result in blessing? Can we find guidance in the Word to help with this difficulty ?

Our own narrowed conception might humanly reason that if children of God did not respond to the will of God for our time there would be no divine movement among them in the salvation of souls. God's sovereign wisdom and mercy through the preaching of the gospel are seen in that unique and vast divine purpose of our dispensation - the Church, which is the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1.22, 28). Every born-again one of this age will be a member of that Body irrespective of human weakness or failure, by divine ordination that mighty purpose has developed through succeeding centuries of this age. Nor will God fail to gather in a single member of that Body, through which is being made known to wondering principalities and powers in the heavenlies the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3.10). So that wherever believers have responded to the urgings of God's Spirit to bear witness to the gospel, whether in simple personal testimony, or in collective testimony, and His word has been honoured, souls have been saved, in accordance with the will of God. For which we should glorify God's name, rejoicing with the angels in heaven over every sinner that repenteth.

But is the salvation of souls the only aspect of blessing? Surely not! It is but one aspect, and it should not completely fill the believer's spiritual vision. For beyond salvation from the wrath of God there is much spiritual blessing in the response of disciples to the will of the Lord, as the Master Himself testified during His own earthly experience:

"I am come down from heaven... to do... the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6.38).

"Whosoever shall do the 'will of God, the same is My brother, and sister,

and mother" (Mark 3.35).

"Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the 'word of God, and keep it, "

(Luke 11.28).

In similar strain the Holy Spirit moved John to write:

"I rejoice greatly that I have found certain of thy children walking in truth, even as we received commandment from the Father" (2 John 4).

and again,

"Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth" (3 John 4).

Paul longed that the disciples might "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding" (Colossians 1.9). Epaphras prayed that they might "stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God" (Colossians 4.12).

It is in this respect that the interdenominational idea falls so far short of the divine ideal. The limitation of testimony to the gospel, and the agreement to differ on other truths, tend to condition newly born-again believers from the outset to regard lightly many of the Lord's commands. They tend to regard as inevitable and perhaps unimportant the doctrinal differences among Christians. If those through whom they have been led to Christ are at cross-purposes on such subjects as baptism and church association, is it any wonder that babes in Christ fail to grow in their understanding of the will of the Lord? In this way the prevalent confusion of thought and practice among believers tends to be perpetuated. Rejoice as we do that souls are saved, we cannot but deplore the sad confusion of teaching which is at once encountered by new converts. From this point of view, the blessing which God is able to grant is so much less than would be the case if believers were united uncompromisingly on the basis of God's word. For then the blessing would extend not only to the salvation of souls, but also in new disciples being gathered together in accordance with the one faith, to serve in churches of God as they did in apostolic times.

The value of a separated witness to the truth.

Believers who have been led by God's word to separate from unscriptural associations in order to carry out the Lord's will in churches of God, will find themselves in a small minority compared with those who favour the interdenominational idea. There is the temptation to look around at much large-scale activity on interdenominational lines and enquire whether the effect of separation to the whole counsel of God has been unduly restrictive. Does it deprive one of opportunities in soul-winning? Is it worth while to pay such a price for the sake of truths governing collective service? The answer to such questions will be determined by each believer's estimate of the value of revealed truth. It was the Lord Himself who said,

"To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world. that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice" (John 18.37).

Also we are solemnly warned in Proverbs 23.23 to buy the truth and sell it not. Whatever price may be paid for the truth is well worth while; whatever we imagine we may gain by selling the truth is but loss. The devotion of our lives to obey the truth of God for its own sake is well worth while, irrespective of consequences which may appear to limit our influence. What we see to be the will of God we should put into effect. With equal earnestness we should refuse to associate with what we know to be contrary to the truth. Can we possibly be the losers in the day of Christ by being faithful to. His word today?

Moreover there will be more than enough to engage our spiritual energies within the framework of the way of the truth:

"I have seen an end of all perfection;

But Thy commandment is exceeding broad" (Psalm 119.96).

In the furtherance of the gospel, in contending earnestly for the faith, in prayerful exercise on behalf of God's people, in the maintenance of good works towards the saints and towards all, we shall find our energies fully absorbed.

It is helpful to consider that God has worked to bring together a people according to the truth. Some of these disciples were saved through movements run on interdenominational lines. They served awhile among them. Then why are they now found in separated witness to the truth in churches of God? Because in their former associations they were" vexing their righteous souls from day to day," as they recognized the unscriptural confusion of teaching and practice. To understand from the word of God that it is disciples who should be baptized by being dipped under the water, makes it vexatious to see infants, who have no sense of responsibility to the Lord, being "baptized" by sprinkling. To have seen that believers should be separated from the politics of this world causes deep concern when Christians share in political activity. To know that the quiet place of women in connexion with public spiritual service is a commandment of the Lord, makes it impossible to acquiesce in women publicly praying or preaching. To have appreciated that the divine will involves salvation, baptism, addition to a church of God and steadfast adherence to the apostles' teaching, gives rise to concern when unbaptized and unseparated believers are encouraged to take part in the breaking of the bread. Beset by such contradictions against the word of God, many believers have sought the Lord's guidance as to where they may serve Him in freedom. Guided by the Holy Spirit through the Word, they have been led to see the positive ideal of churches of God patterned according to the Scriptures. In order to give effect to this, they have left associations where contrary teachings obtained. Standing in united witness to the truth, the churches of God form a rallying point towards which the Holy Spirit can constrain others who are exercised about giving effect to the Lord's word, and who long for rest of spirit from doctrinal compromise.

The wider interdenominationalism.

We have dealt particularly in this article with the evangelical aspect of the interdenominational movement. To assess the wider implications of interdenominationalism, however, it should be remembered that there is a growing tendency towards the union of different denominations in our time. The formation of the United Church of Canada is a typical example. Ultimate accommodation even between the Church of Rome and Protestant groups in this country is envisaged by some ecclesiastical leaders, while plans for the co-operation of certain Protestant groups are now in process. The inevitable effect of this tendency is to minimise the importance of doctrinal principles which in past generations were seen to be vital. Such is a major religious trend of our time. Amalgamation, compromise and "broad-mindedness" are upheld as the evidence of spiritual progress. Yet the effect has been that much dearly held truth has been dismissed as a barrier to union. As we witness this submerging of principle beneath a flood-tide of human expediency, let us apply the lesson to the effect of the interdenominational idea among evangelical groups. Has any single factor been more powerful in our generation in causing believers to lose a right sense of perspective regarding the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ as they affect scriptural collective testimony?

G. PRASHER, SR. | Jul 1961
General