This question could be asked in many ways: one trying to avoid the appearance of self-righteousness, another in existential self-exploration. However, this is the question that I find myself asking in response to the ever-increasing declaration made by many in the Churches of Christ/Christian churches, “We are Christians only, but not the only Christians.” Or more succinctly “We are not the only Christians.”
I ask, who are not the only Christians? Who are the “we” in this statement? The mere fact that some would make such a statement while trying to give homage to the Restoration Movement is quite revealing of the condition of the brotherhood. The RM was merely a pledge to be Christians only according to the Bible only, all else is simply the historical account of the resistance, trials, successes and failures in abiding by that pledge. Therefore, we can see the modern failure of this pledge when those making such, swear off all distinctions except the divine name Christian, then, declare that there are other Christians besides Christians. That is the very denominationalism that we pledged to swear off.
If that were the only malady that declaration revealed in the Kingdom, we might be able to survive. Nevertheless, as the Restoration Movement has aged, it seems she has a bit of the middle-aged spread and has had to loosen her belt of truth to the notch of obscenity. Because the doctrine behind the statement “We are not the only Christians,” is, what a co-laborer termed (with my hearty acknowledgement) the baptism of intent. It is also taught as grace covers doctrinal errors. Others are much more “scholarly” and have termed it, “conscientious response to available light.”
The necessity of grace cannot be overstated, including in matters of doctrine. But, how does God dispense this grace? Surely, it cannot be considered a matter of general grace, which Jesus referenced when He said, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” If that were the case, then salvation could not be by grace through faith, because as Jesus explains, general grace is not a result of personal responsibility, faith, obedience, or covenant and it would not matter if you believed in the Jesus of the Bible or the Allah of the Koran. However, we know the Bible teaches that beyond the blessings of general grace, the special blood atonement of Jesus is given through covenant grace. This, therefore, can be the only grace that makes us a Christian and that covers our imperfect, incomplete understanding of the Word of God.
With this clearly in mind, we must be able to “know” (as John asserts) who God considers a Christian. Now the reaction generally is, “How can we know, only God knows the heart.” True, but we are not told to have a condemning spirit, but a discerning one. Moreover, a discerning spirit cannot fail to reject the doctrine of the baptism of intent, which teaches salvation by grace through sincerity or zeal. Because if we cannot discern with clarity at what point the Bible teaches we receive saving grace and become a Christian, then we can truly never know if we are saved as John insisted we must. If the plan of salvation and faithfulness we preach is not God’s plan of salvation revealed in the Bible, then we must abandon it; but if it is, then we must uphold it and discern the fellowship by no other standard.
Nevertheless, what about the common arguments used to extend the fellowship of Christianity to anyone who professes a love of God and His Son? Oh, how they love to quote Stone and the Campbells ’ writings on “Who is a Christian?” Why is it that we lift up the so-called scholars of the Restoration to the ignorance of the evangelists such as Scott and Smith? I do not hear them quoting the gospel heralds. But in truth, all of that is vanity. Who were those men? Men, whose lives become tutors in their successes and failures. Perhaps men due some respect, but not ones to be revered nor quoted with authority. For that, we must quote inspired teachers like Peter, Paul, and Jesus.
And that brings us to the new proof text for the baptism of intent teaching. I have now heard it quoted so many times it rivals the citation of the thief on the cross from the denominations.
John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you” Luke 9:49 -50.
Mark includes “But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. “For he who is not against us is for us.”
This is it? These are the verses by which we are to discern the body of Christ? However, let us attempt to rightly divide the Word for a minute and put this notion to rest. There are only two possibilities: The ones casting out demons were disciples of Christ or were not. If they were followers of Christ then Jesus is dealing with the elite mentality of those closest to Him, much as Moses did.
“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. So a young man ran and told Moses and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, "Moses, my lord, restrain them." But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD'S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!" Then Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel
Self-righteousness and prideful tendencies have long plagued those nearest to Kingdom leaders. Sectarian and hierarchal thoughts within the body of Christ are arguably man’s greatest failure. However, it does violence to the text to extrapolate a teaching where division within the fellowship is condemned, such as what was found in Corinth, to an application where a division between those in covenant grace with Christ should not be discerned from those who are not. Moreover, it is our responsibility to know who still needs to be evangelized and to whom belongs the right-hand of fellowship.
On the other hand, if these who cast out demons are understood not to be disciples of Jesus, but merely using Christ’s authority, then what does that teach us? First, it reminds us that not all who use the name of Jesus are saved. Jesus made this painfully clear.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS” Matthew 7:21 -23
This is a sobering reminder to encourage and teach those who are seeking Jesus but not yet in His grace. We are not to look down upon them because they are still in the sinking sand and not yet upon the solid rock. We are to reach out our hand, not in fellowship, but in assistance and pull them up. Cornelius was seeking, but he needed to be taught by Peter and obey God or he would have been lost. The Ethiopian needed direction from Phillip and God sent him. Apollos needed to be taught the better way by Pricilla and Aquilla, and the disciples at Ephesus would not have had the Holy Spirit as their covenant seal unless Paul had taught them and they obeyed.
To hold to the view that these verses teach that all who claim the name of Jesus are to be considered Christians abuses the text; being dishonest at best and soul-losing heresy at its worst. It shows that the world’s syncretism, pluralism, post-modernism and spiritual relativism have had their way in the Lord’s church. And with these, she will become nothing more than a de-facto denomination unwilling to stand up for His absolute truth.
Can it not be clearly seen in our church activities today? Claiming that we are among many other groups of Christians is to say that we are but a denomination among denominations. Don’t we see it in our church bulletins listing all the additions to the fellowship, some by immersion and some by mere declaration or intent? Don’t we reveal this shame with our dry baptisteries and baptismal Sundays?
We all learned as children from the story of the three pigs that discerning between building materials is crucial when the hot wind blows. Paul preaches the same spiritual lesson to us:
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” 1 Corinthians 3:10 -15.
We must all take care that we build on Jesus’ foundation with the right materials. For some are consumed in the fires of judgment and others are refined.
Who are we? We are Christians only and therefore the only Christians; not by denominational affiliation, but by being added to the spiritual Kingdom of God with all others who are and have ever been in Christ.
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes will He find the faith on the earth?”
