Imagine if you would the effect it would have upon the current religious world if people would abandon their denominational and sectarian practices, and make the earnest commitment to contend solely for the pure and simple “faith which was once and for all delivered unto the saints” in the pages of God’s word, the Bible. Think of the radical changes for the better which would occur in the teaching and practice of Christianity in our land.
Such a commitment would require a thoughtful and humble re-examination of every tenant of every denominational creed. It would require a reconsideration of long-held church traditions and practices, and an abandonment of same whenever they cannot be found in the Bible. It would require each of us to review carefully what we are teaching and binding upon others in the name of Jesus Christ.
A commitment to pure, New Testament Christianity would require us to thoroughly familiarize ourselves with what the Bible teaches, rather than taking someone else’s word for it. Like the noble Bereans of long ago, we would find ourselves “examining the Scriptures daily” to
determine whether the things being taught are so. If what is being taught bears out upon Scriptural examination, our commitment would require us to accept and adopt it without hesitation, discarding anything to the contrary. In other words, a commitment to pure, New Testament
Christianity would involve a vigilant awareness as to the accuracy of whatever teaching we hear and choose to accept.
A commitment to pure, New Testament Christianity would require a great deal of humility. All would be content simply to become and be Christians, and that alone, without those things that differentiate them, those things that are not mentioned in the Bible. It might involve giving up a great many distinctive practices in which we currently take pride. The focus of attention would be
returned to Jesus, rather than upon ourselves.
A commitment to pure, New Testament Christianity would eliminate the hesitation of me coming over to “your” side, or you coming over to “mine.” Each of us would take up ranks with the Savior, Jesus Christ. We would march forward in His kingdom under His banner, rather than
under our own. We would give up all creeds, names, appellations, and titles of “our” churches. All of the things which tend to elevate men above other men, and in which many religious people currently delight, would be forgotten. We would each take our stand on God’s book and eliminate all things that are not plainly taught therein.
A commitment to pure, New Testament Christianity is really a commitment to Jesus Christ. A “Christian” is simply a follower of Christ, so when our Lord tells us to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24), He is simply commanding us to deny our own religious preferences in favor of New Testament Christianity. He is telling us to abandon the various systems and organizations of men, “seek the old paths” and come back to His way. It follows that we should not expect His favor and blessings if we pursue any other course of action.
A commitment to pure, New Testament Christianity demands a healthy respect for the original plan, rather than an adoption of new systems and innovations which might in our lack of wisdom seem to be better. This comes harder for those who think they know best in religion, or
who may be engaged in what the Bible calls “will worship,” (Colossians 2:23). They are doing what they want, worshiping as they please, and practicing in religion that which makes them feel good. But such a standard is faulty and dangerous.
Finally, A commitment to pure, New Testament Christianity would thwart Satan’s efforts to create disbelief among those outside the church. Jesus prayed for unity among his followers so “that the world might believe” that the Father had sent Him, (John 17:23). When Christians unite around the Bible and follow our Lord together in a solid phalanx, the world is enabled to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. But so long as religious division exists, so long as creeds and denominational doctrines multiply, Satan prevails over the faith of many. This consideration alone should be enough to make the blessed commitment!
