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I drive an SUV. It is called a “crossover.” I noticed many of the “crossovers” that are made by different companies in the same year as mine look very similar. If you were to put them all side by side, it would be difficult to tell what company made which vehicle. If you took the company logo off it would be very difficult. Mine has push button start as do some of the others. Mine has a feature where the engine shuts off if I am at the stoplight for a short period of time. So, it looks like others. Its exterior design is very similar. The engines are the same. Yet all these “crossovers” are different.
In our world of “Christianity” there are a lot of groups that are similar, and to the outsider might be considered the same. Many have a sign in front of their building that identify them as a “church;” yet they are very different.
Many churches teach something about Jesus. Their buildings are filled with a lot of good people. There are a lot of good works being done. Communities are better because of many of these groups. They look the same to many, yet they are not the same.
Many churches teach something about salvation. One group would say grace only saves. Another would indicate the “sinner’s prayer” is all that is needed to be saved. Others teach something about baptism. Many teach a person is to be baptized as an outward expression of already being saved. Others would say baptism should occur because Jesus was baptized, but you can be saved without it. The Bible teaches baptism precedes salvation and is necessary to be saved (Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21). To many this might be considered similar, but they are not the same.
When we look at the New Testament, we find a big difference between the church we read about and the other religious groups of that day. The church was different. There was no mistaking it. On one occasion it was said of some Christians, “These who have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). There was no mistaking the early church. It was not the same as the religious practices of that day. It was different.
Paul told the church at Corinth to be different. In a context where a religious emphasis is placed, he stated,” What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Cor. 6:16) Then he adds this: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 Cor. 6:17) The emphasis here is that the church is to be holy, separate, and distinct. Too many today want to be like the present culture. The Bible indicates the church is to be different and distinct.
Bill Brandstatter
Marion church of Christ
Marion, IL