“And I need to bring this up because each of you is claiming loyalty to different preachers. Some are saying, “I am a disciple of Paul,” or, “I follow Apollos,” or, “I am a disciple of Peter the Rock,” and some, “I belong only to Christ.” But let me ask you, is Christ divided up into groups? Did I die on the cross for you? At your baptism did you pledge yourselves to follow Paul?”(1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
Is Christ divided up into groups? Hmmmm… let’s see what happens if we swap the names Paul, Apollos and Peter with different names.
“I am a disciple of the Assembly of God”, or, “I am a Jehovah Witness,” or, “I am a disciple of Southern Baptists…”
I’m not calling out these specifically, for any reason, these are just the first that came to mind, but the same can be said of all the others hundreds and thousands of “camps” in the current age.
Beloved, Paul gave a warning to the elders in Ephesus, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29-30)
The other thing that is concerning today is people who only listen to one person. I have witnessed time and time again when the pastor announces they won’t be preaching and someone else fills in many in their congregation choose not to come that day. This is dangerous red flag, and reveals idolatry in the works.
Jesus clearly gives His leadership blueprint in Ephesians chapter 4. His leaders carry different aspects and revelations of His nature based on the grace upon their life. This allows the Body of Christ to eat the whole Lamb (Exodus 12)!
“For the time is coming when they will no longer listen and respond to the healing words of truth because they will become selfish and proud. They will seek out teachers with soothing words that line up with their desires, saying just what they want to hear. They will close their ears to the truth and believe nothing but fables and myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
People being discipled in the ways of Jesus will begin to look like Him, not a denominational doctrine, a pastor, or any other individual person!