Church
There are so many churches in the world, each with a different set of traditions, rituals and beliefs. Which one should we join?
Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian... There are dozens of major christian denominations, and many churches often distantiate themselves from other churches, highlighting differences in rituals and beliefs.
Is it good for Christianity to have different churches, so that one can join the church that fits him most?
The separations between Christian started happening early in the days of Apostle Paul. This is what he wrote to the church at Corinth.
Ek bedoel dit, dat elkeen van julle sê: Ek is van Paulus, en ek van Apollos, en ek van Céfas, en ek van Christus. Is Christus verdeel? Is Paulus miskien vir julle gekruisig? Of is julle in die naam van Paulus gedoop?( 1 Korintiërs 1:12-13 )
So, let's ask ourselves if Baptists were crucified on the cross for us? Or, you were baptized in the name of Luther?
Christians keep fighting in debates about details on rituals, definition of the trinity, on the God's name, who can be named an apostle... Many philosophers and wise man read the Bible and argue over the meaning of certain verses and chapters. But what our human wisdom can lead us to?
Waar bly die wyse? Waar bly die skrifgeleerde? Waar die redetwister van hierdie eeu? Het God nie die wysheid van hierdie wêreld dwaas gemaak nie?( 1 Korintiërs 1:20 )
Our human wisdom and the distinguished set of beliefs, even when scraped out of Bible, won't help us.
In daardie tyd het Jesus gespreek en gesê: Ek loof U, Vader, Here van die hemel en die aarde, dat U hierdie dinge verberg het vir wyse en verstandige mense en dit aan kindertjies geopenbaar het.( Matteus 11:25 )
Each Christian denomination embraces its own beliefs, establishes policies and rituals for the churches and their leaders to follow. But that all leads to one thing - separation. And how having separate churches impacts Christianity?
Maar Jesus het hulle gedagtes geken en vir hulle gesê: Elke koninkryk wat teen homself verdeeld is, word verwoes; en elke stad of huis wat teen homself verdeeld is, sal nie bly staan nie.( Matteus 12:25 )
When we walk on a road towards a goal, we do not draw too much attention to the obstacles on our way. We do not focus on discussing the obstacles and different ways of dealing with them. Instead, we keep our eyes on the goal and moving on. The same applies toward discussions about how to cross yourself right, the proper baptism procedure and so on. Do not let these discussions separate us and distract from the main thing.
Maar ek vermaan julle, broeders, in die Naam van onse Here Jesus Christus, om almal eenstemmig te wees, en dat daar geen skeuringe onder julle moet wees nie, maar dat julle verenig moet wees in dieselfde gesindheid en in dieselfde mening. Maar deur Hom is julle in Christus Jesus, wat vir ons geword het wysheid uit God en geregtigheid en heiligmaking en verlossing.( 1 Korintiërs 1:10,30 )
So, should we not join any church at all then? No. Joining a church helps you learn the Word of God trough preaching.
Want aangesien in die wysheid van God die wêreld deur die wysheid God nie geken het nie, het dit God behaag om deur die dwaasheid van die prediking die wat glo, te red;( 1 Korintiërs 1:21 )
Remember, that church is not a building, but church is people. God's people and God's temple
Weet julle nie dat julle 'n tempel van God is en die Gees van God in julle woon nie?( 1 Korintiërs 3:16 )
As a church member, you need to maintain and ensure the right foundation for your own life, heart and soul - Jesus Christ.
Want niemand kan 'n ander fondament lê as wat daar gelê is nie, dit is Jesus Christus.( 1 Korintiërs 3:11 )
And avoid following particular denominations or individual leaders. Do not act like people of this world.
Want as die een sê: Ek is van Paulus; en die ander: Ek van Apollos--is julle nie vleeslik nie? Wie is Paulus dan, en wie Apollos anders as dienaars deur wie julle gelowig geword het? En dit soos die Here aan elkeen gegee het. Ek het geplant, Apollos het natgemaak, maar God het laat groei. So is dan hy wat plant of hy wat natmaak, niks nie, maar God wat laat groei.( 1 Korintiërs 3:4-7 )
And always be mindful to focus on the main thing - the Christ Jesus, the true image of the one and only one living God.
Laat niemand dan op mense roem nie, want alles behoort aan julle; of dit Paulus is of Apollos of Céfas of die wêreld of lewe of dood of teenswoordige of toekomstige dinge--alles behoort aan julle; maar julle behoort aan Christus, en Christus aan God.( 1 Korintiërs 3:21-23 )