A CASE STUDY IN CAPERNAUM:
The existence of division in the religious world rightly disturbs many people. The question we have to ask is, however: What can we do about it?
One suggests that acceptance of one another’s religious convictions & foibles is the solution. Basically, let’s “agree to disagree.” But that is not the solution. Coming together on Truth is the solution.
Some use Mark 9:33ff as a “prooftext” in this effort to have unity in the midst of diversity. It is true that the context of Mark 9:33ff is not about “doctrine” or “teaching.” But even in the context of egos, the first answer is to submit to Truth – the truth that all people are inherently valuable before Jesus Christ. The context is not dealing with such differences as exist in the “Christian world,” doctrinal differences.
In the context, the disciples recognize that this man was “casting out demons.” Jesus instructs them that a man cannot cast out demons, “perform a miracle in My name,” who can speak evil of Him (9:39). The man was teaching the Truth! That’s the point of Jesus’ answer and it is a refutation of this modern use of the passage. He wasn’t teaching his own doctrine! He was teaching the Truth! No man can perform miracles unless God is with him, as Nicodemus recognized in John 3:2. God would not empower a man with miracles who would then teach error.
Just because this man was not a part of the twelve doesn’t mean he wasn’t sent out by Jesus (or even John!) at some other point. Jesus had a multitude of followers and even sent out 70 on at least one occasion (Luke 10:1).
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These men were, in fact, teaching the Truth so this passage does not support accepting diversity among denominations today.
One author “praises” the Brazilian Pentecostal, the British Anglican, the Southern Baptist, the Presbyterians, the Catholic, as well as others. This is simply a fallacy. What does all that prove? It proves nothing. So what? Just because a Pentecostal might teach me something does not mean he’s a member of Christ’s Church. That’s not what makes someone a Christian.
Let’s not ignore what Jesus teaches in order to sound pious and godly. It’s dedication and obedience to the Truth that makes one a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27).
We can deceive ourselves so very easily and say that what we are doing “gives glory to God.” But if it’s not obedience then it is vain! Jesus’ words from Matthew 7:21-23 are not hard to understand. But it does take humility to submit to Him.
–Paul Holland
