Jesus Forbids Sectarianism
The Holy Orthodox Church is not a sect. It is Christ's one and only true Church.
49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”
Christ simply told his disciples not to forbid someone doing a miracle in His name. Don't try to make something more than what it is. He is on Christ's side when he is doing a good work in His name. Now if this individual then goes and preaches heresy he will no longer be on Christ's side, and then he could be rebuked for his false teachings. But this was not specified in this instance.
Recall also what the Savior said:
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23)
Scripture clearly informs us that some people who have done miracles in the name of the Lord will not be saved, and therefore were never part of His Church, because he NEVER knew them.
Do you see how it is possible to prophesy in Christ's name, do many wonderful works, etc. and still not be part of Christ's saving Body, the Church? This is a direct refutation of the notion that all one needs to do is profess the name Jesus with their lips, and they are automatically granted entrance to His Church. Nothing could be further from the truth.
What better example is there than Judas Iscariot? He worked many miracles in the name of Christ, and did Christ forbid him? Of course not. Yet did he have any portion in Christ's Church? The answer is no.
The Orthodox Church does not forbid anyone from doing a good work or miracle in the name of Christ, whether in pretense or in truth.
I'm not saying Roman Catholics and Protestants can't do any good works in Christ's name, and they should not be rebuked for the good works that they do. They ought to be rebuked for the many false heresies they teach however.
Do you see the difference?
If one does a good work or miracle in the name of Christ, and then goes and preaches heresy, then of course every Christian has a right--nay rather an obligation--to defend the truth of the Gospel as the blessed Apostle Paul states.
Hence my complaints are with those who teach falsehood and attempt thereby to subvert the Gospel.
Cyprian |
