The Body?
"If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be."
-St. Paul
Something happened recently that caused me to sit down and evaluate the body of Christ. What is the body of Christ? Most Christians would answer, "the Church." I would have to agree with that answer. The problem is I don't think most Christians actually know what they're talking about when they say it.
What is the church? Is it the local congregation I attend? No, it has to be more than that. Is it the denomination's district that my church is in? No, it must be more than that. Is it the denomination's region that my church is in? No, I must be more. Is it my denomination? No, that's just arrogant thinking. Up to this point most would be agreeing with me undoubtedly. Is the Church all protestant churches? Is it? Is that the body of Christ?
It can't be. I mean, after all Episcopalians are going Hell, they allow homosexuals in their churches.
What about those Baptists? We all know they're theology just isn't sound.
What about those Calvinists? They don't believe in the real attributes of God.
What about those Wesleyans? They think you have to be perfect.
What about those Pentecostals? They think they're better than everyone else. They believe in speaking in tongues, when they're most likely possessed.
Is the Church all churches? It can't be.
What about those Catholics? They pray to Marry and think that the communion bread is real flesh. They believe in infant baptism. They believe that you can get drunk on Friday and be forgiven on Sunday. I mean who really believes God will forgive them?
What about Orthodox churches? They light candles and pray to saints. They worship Icons. They can't make it to heaven.
If this is true, if this is how I believe then I'm only left with one answer.
There is no body of Christ.
~
Friday, September 08, 2006
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