by Tom Wacaster
In 1940 brother Granville Tyler wrote the following words: "It is as important for gospel preachers to stand uncompromisingly against error as it is for them to stand for truth." Some of those who would lead the church into denominationalism identify themselves as modern apostates by the things they DO NOT say as much, if not more, than what they DO say (though we do not suggest for a moment that blatant error is not taught at all). When preachers and teachers do not teach the distinctive nature of the Lord's church, they are guilty by default of failing to proclaim the whole counsel of God. We are warned that it is just as serious to "take away" from the word of God as it is to "add to" that word (Revelation 22:18-19). Any proclamation or practice that would leave a wrong impression regarding the nature of the Lord's church is sinful, and falls short of preaching and teaching "all" that our Lord commanded (Matthew 28:18-20).
There is an ever increasing practice among many of our brethren to seek fellowship and participation with the denominations. This is taking the form of joint worship assemblies, unity meetings, joint prayer services, etc. All such practices compromise the distinctive nature of the church, and leave the impression that one way is just as good as another, that unity can be had in the face of doctrinal differences, or that God hears the prayers of those in error as He does the prayers of those who are His children. E.G. Sewell was once ased, "Will you give your views on the church of Christ uniting with the Methodists, Cumberland Presbyterians and Baptists?" He responded thusly: "The disciples of Christ cannot afford to enter into any sort of compact or connection with denominations that will recognize them as being all right in their names, their claims and practices, without imposing upon and dishonoring in some measure the word of God, which does not name or recognize any of them as such. That they all teach and practice some things that are in the Bible, we presume no one will deny; but that they all teach and practice some things that are not in the Bible is equally certain. This being true, disciples of Christ cannot make an indiscriminate compact with them in anything that will recognize them as all right when they do not believe they are... Christians must be frank and conscientious before God in all things; and when they really think others are wrong in any matter involving the plain word of the Lord, they ought to say so, and enter into no compact that will silently ignore errors and act as if they were not errors, and thus involve themselves in the errors of others by publicly recognizing them as right in the sight of God and men" (Questions Answered, pages 700-700).
We recognize that brother Sewell's comments are those of an uninspired man, but we also believe they are based upon, and adequately express the sentiments of inspired Scripture: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Romans 16:17). "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11). Why in the world one of our "sister" congregations would even entertain the idea of sponsoring an interdenominational, "community wide men's prayer group" is beyond comprehension, especially in light of heaven's adomnition that we turn away from, avoid, and reprove those in error. I ask point blank: Do we think for a moment that God will answer the prayers of those who are in error? "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination" (Proverbs 28:9).
Do we no longer believe the scriptures? Are the prayers of those who are in error, and who deceive the multitudes as effective as the prayers of the righteous? Or, perhaps it is the case, that some no longer believe in the distinctive, undenominational nature of the Lord's church? Perhaps it is the case that some believe there are Christians in all of the denominations and that "one church is as good as another." Have we arrived at the point in time that we think joining with the forces of error is the road that we should travel? I fear that this is the case in view of the continual increase in such practices as those mentioned above. With every ounce of energy that is in me, I plead with those who love the truth, and who love and respect the Lord's church, and in view of all that is holy and right in the sight of God, "Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). How long will ye halt betweeen two opinions? If what we have been taught is true, and if those great and courageous soldiers of the cross who so valiantly fought and sacrificed to bring us to this present point in time were correct, then let us not render their labors vain.
Those who would seek to turn again to the beggerly elements of this world, and turn again to the error out of which our forefathers sought to escape, I plead with you to repent, and turn again, and do the first works. Therein is the only hope for victory in Christ and ultimate life in His name.