One or Many

The Mick Questions?

(a.k.a. Finnegan)

Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh: DEUTERONOMY 6:4

And the glory which you have given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; John 17:22

For sometime there has been a movement in the religious world of unlike organizations associating themselves for various purposes.

At one time the reasons given for those associations centered on "opening dialogues" or to consolidate the influence of the individual groups into a unified front for some common cause.

This seemed innocent enough at the time - different groups were enabled to become informed of each other's views, or a united front was presented in order to influence some perceived need or issue.

The individual groups were at that time well aware of their personal histories and doctrines thus resulting in measured co-operation.

This has resulted in an "I'm OK, You're OK" attitude. There are congregations of very different denominations who "exchange" Ministers, laypersons, and some ministers now distrusting anyone claiming exclusivity rather than near blind inclusively. This liberal attitude has deeply penetrated into the Sacred Name movement.

It would appear that many, maybe most, have been worn down by being separated from the world at large to the point of doctrinal compromise, all in the name of "fellowship." Is this acceptable? Can we "fellowship" with just anyone?

Hopefully you have accepted or rejected different belief systems and denominations due to your longing to be in harmony with, and subjugation to, Almighty Yahweh out of love toward Him, and a desire for salvation.

This has led you to study their doctrines and practices and you gravitate toward those in agreement with Scripture. Let us look at the Scriptures and be subject to them.

How many organized bodies of True Worship exist at any one time? The answer has always been NO MORE THAN ONE.

From Adam to Noah worship followed two lines - Cain (murdered of Abel due to issues of worship in Genesis 4 [see also Hebrews 11: 4], polygamy in Genesis 4: 19, revenge murder in Genesis 4: 23), and the Seth line which included Enoch and ended with only eight persons who were deemed worthy of survival in the Great Flood, described in Genesis 7.

This shows that from the Garden of Eden to the Flood Yahweh dealt with only one person or some of the descendents of that person. When there was interaction between the line of True worship and the line of False worship, the result tended toward death of one or of the other. This continues through Shem, Abram and Lot, to Jacob and his family (Sodom and Gomorrah - Genesis 18: 22-19; battles Genesis 14 and 34 as examples) with the first large scale organized false worship evident at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11).

Throughout the entire Bible whenever those in True Worship dealt or "fellowshipped" with those in False Worship the result was less than desirable. (Many times it proved disastrous.)

At the end of the book of Genesis the family of Israel had moved into Egypt where, as shown in various places (especially the Golden Calf incident in Exodus 32) they had assimilated some of the local religion. So where was the True Worship organized? It was with Jethro the high priest of Midian, the one who became Moses' father-in-law. Why was Moses led to this man do you suppose?)

Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. Exodus 2:15

It was here that Moses was re-educated and finally commissioned by Yahweh - Exodus 2: 16 through 4. Once again Yahweh left Himself a witness; when Israel failed He chose a leading family of a relative of Israel until the time was right to transfer His worship back to where He Yahweh intended it to be.

From Genesis to Malachi Yahweh's worship was centered in Israel - Aaronic Priesthood - various judges - various prophets. Anyone who dared to attempt to control or to start an opposing organization (by their own authority) was severely dealt with. Whenever True Worship lost it's cohesiveness (always due to sin) Yahweh had His written word as a witness, allowing a righteous ruler to re-establish it (see Josiah's reform in 2 Kings 22 as an example). At no time was another religion, people, coalition or blending of religion recognized by the Almighty; He recognized only His appointed system.

An argument sometimes put forth for "fellowshipping" with others is the incident of the 7000 "prophets" unknown to EliYah in 1 Kings 19: 18. There are several problems with using this passage in this way:

(1) Nowhere are they called "prophets." Verse 18 reads "Yet will I leave me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him." T.S.S. These are people who are totally loyal to Yahweh.

In fact this goes against the idea of "fellowshipping" with those in false doctrine.

(2) It was a prophecy for the then future.

(3) This does not deal with those at the center of organized True Worship (at the Temple in Jerusalem) but with the actions of True worshippers living away from the center. They remain separate from B--l worship.

Everywhere Yahweh instructs His worshippers to separate themselves from, make no covenant with, make no marriages with, have no fellowship with those in false worship (a.k.a. "Babylon") especially those who claim to be in the Body:

(Deuteronomy 7: 3, 17: 2-7; Numbers 16: 20; Jeremiah 51: 6; Romans 16: 17; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15; Revelation 18: 4 for a few examples). Amos 3: 3, asks us if we can walk (commune, fellowship) with those with whom we disagree; the answer being "No." If we "fellowship" with people we are supporting them and therefore are as one of them.

One example of worshipping Yahweh with a blending of True and False worships is shown in 2 Kings 17 especially verses 32 - 41. No doubt these people felt good in their worship and could "fellowship" with each other without major problems; they were rejected by the Almighty as both Bible and history show.

To save time let us go to Paul's writings. If anyone should have been open to fellowshipping with those of differing viewpoints it should have been him. However, his letters were to, and concerning the workings of, the Apostolic Assemblies, the developing new center of True Worship. In his letters he admonishes those who would "fellowship" with those in false or pagan worship: 2 Corinthians 6: 14-18. Yes, even to the point of not associating with "evil companions": 1 Corinthians 15: 33.

OK, this will separate us from those who are "evil" within True Worship, and from those outside (except for witnessing and the necessary interactions of everyday life), but what about "fellow believers" who just (?) have somewhat "different understandings" of the Truth?

We know that in any group some are "further advanced" than others, and that those weaker members (but growing) in the Faith must be supported by the stronger. This does NOT mean we are to allow just anyone into our fellowship or to allow just anything to go on!

No!

"Straight is the way and narrow the gate": Matthew 7: 14. Paul had terrible problems with people coming in and doing as they saw fit, even at the Memorial Meal of the Messiah's Sacrifice, even to the point of causing schisms: 1 Corinthians 1: 13; 11: 17-34 for examples. No, even the doctrines of headship and of head coverings had to be addressed first, in 1 Corinthians 11: 1-16.

This brings us to today. Look at the websites for some Sacred Name groups, their statements of faith (if you can find one!) and their pictures, they tell a story. Can the ONE Body, ONE Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12: 12-31 be in a group in which some insist on head coverings while others refuse?

Some allow women to wear pants to services while others feel it is wrong? Some shave, some don't? Some men or women have long hair while some have short? Some are "charismatic" while some reject it? Some wear tzith-tizth while some don't? some ...; well you get the picture. In the name of "fellowship" joy- popping chaos reigns, rather than Yahweh's word:

1 Corinthians 14: 33.

In such a setting will Yahweh be pleased? Will He bless? Will His Spirit reside at such an event? No! There is no unity; and if Yahweh's Spirit is not there then Satan's spirit must be a possibility considered.

In conclusion: - through all of time as we know it, there has been only ONE true Body, ONE true worship; all others being false by default. Yahweh always leaves Himself a witness in One person, or ONE family, ONE group, or if all else fails in His written word for later revival.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Master, one faith, one baptism, one El and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

At no time are there two or more equally recognized groups with divergent doctrinal views; Yahweh is one: Deuteronomy 6: 4 and He needs only ONE group/family/person at a time.

Those who claim that all is well if we only use the Sacred Name forget Matthew 7: 21-23, and that only a little leaven will leaven the whole lump; they have their reward now; but know this - they cannot be the One True Body; theirs’ is a dysfunctional, Schizophrenic body that only leads to death.

Since there is only ONE True Body, it will be the one that worships Yahweh in truth and in spirit; it will not be well received by weak personalities who desire only companionship and the feeling of being a part of a larger non-judgmental group; but, will strive to remain separate from "Babylon." UNITY in the Truth will be evident everywhere in it; not acceptance of "it can't be wrong if it feels so right."

What I question is this fact! You have only one Bible and from that one source of information there are how many denominations? Almost more than you can count! Should this be the case? You tell me!