Why is there so much division in the religious world today?  There is not just one answer to that question.  One answer, however, is that too many people do not know who is in charge.  The church is not a democracy, but denominationalism treats it as if it is.  Men and women are formed into boards, committees, and synods where they are given the authority to make new laws for their churches on, not just matters of judgment, but major doctrinal issues.

In the Lord’s church, there are no doctrinal issues to be decided for they have already been decided by the one who is in charge, that, of course, being Christ.  He is the one and only head of the church.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV)
²²  And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, ²³  which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 5:23 (ESV)
²³  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Colossians 1:18 (ESV)
¹⁸  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

The Bible leaves no room for debate about this.  Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and He is the only one that the church needs.  Sadly, many denominations in the religious world today see it differently.  People in those churches have been manipulated into thinking that their leaders have all authority and can make any decision that they want, even if it contradicts the Word of God.  A part of the problem is not understanding the nature of the Bible itself.

The Bible is God’s Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16).  Those who wrote it were writing in God’s stead.  While the Holy Spirit allowed them to use their own vocabularies and styles of writing, the words themselves were chosen by God.  When speaking of the revelation that he received from God, Paul wrote, “And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13).

The Bible, then, is not a book of suggestions, but a book of law, dictating to us what we must teach, preach, and practice.”  In it, the head of the church has spoken, and His words are final.  There is no need for committees to get together and decide on doctrinal issues. The only necessary thing is for us to follow the doctrine of Christ.

Acts 2:42 (KJV)
⁴²  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

If we respect Jesus as the head of the church and the Bible as the Word of God, we will follow the example of the first-century church and abide in the doctrine of Christ.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.