STUDIES OF DIFFICULT PASSAGES IN LUKE

Did Jesus imply that He has some saved andfaitliful people wlto are not in His c/rnrci

(9:49,50)?

Luke 9:49, 50 and the same incident that is recorded in Mark 9:38-40 are an1ong the mo:

misapplied and misunderstood passages in the Bible. These scriptures are perverted. twi

abused in a vain and futile effort to justify the existence of denominationalism. The pas:

read as follows:

"And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out
demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not
with us. But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not
against you is for you" (Luke 9:49, 50).

" John said unto him, Teacher we saw one casting out demons
in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. But
Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no man who shall do a
mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.
For he that is against us is for us" (Mark 9:38-40).

SOME OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING LUKE 9:49, 50

This is a great passage teaching marvelous truth, however not unlike other scriptures it I

been abused, perverted, misunderstood in an effort to make it teach fats~ doctrine whid

of course, if it taught what false teachers claim that it teache~ l} ! :adict other pl,

I.

examples of this are when we are not to fellowship those who teach error. Paul

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even ·
~oe11e1-
them" (Ephesians 5: 11). John wrote, " Who~ transgresseth, and abideth nc

doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he h,
 the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,

him not into your house, neither bid him Go~peed: For he that biddeth him Ge

partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 9-11 ).

2. There are some who draw their fellowship smaller than the Lord does, and that
w_e NOW
~ 1)) is wrong. ho the man wa~ whether one of the seventy that the Lord had sent c

!'/JI(' --- -- -1-0 -: 1--2- 0_)_, or some other discip/unimportant to us in learning the teaching of

9:49, 50. It is certain that the man was a faithful disciple of Christ for the fo llm

reasons.

a. He was casting out demons, a power given to the apostles (Mark 3: 15) a

least seventy others (Luke 10: 1-9, 17).

b. Jesus endorsed and approved his work and instructed John to "Forbid hi

(Luke 9 :50).

c. Jesus indicated that the man had performed "a mighty work" (Mark 9:35

miracle "in my name" i.e. by His authority (Colossians 3: 17).

Paul taught by inspiration that when men bind where the Lord has not bound that is the

of devils ' He wrote;' Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some sh

from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in 1

having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding t

from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which be

know the truth" (1 Timothy 4 :1-3).

NO MIDDLE GROUND

Jesus said: "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the

else he will hold to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (M,
 3

6:24). "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth" ,,----,.
aa_ _ _ _ - - -oo
.
(Matthew 12:30). Jesus said of the man under consideration in Luke 9:49@described in our

Lord's words, "for he that is not against you is for you." Mark's account says, "For he that is not

against us is for us" (Mark 9:40). All people are either for Christ or against Him. We now note

a few of the many who are against the Lord.

1. Those who deny the existence of God are against Christ. The external and internal

evidence prove that God does indeed exist. Paul wrote, "For the invisible things of him

since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that

are made, even his everlasting power and divinity: that they may be without excuse"

(Romans 1:20). "The fool hath said in his heartiere is no God" (Psalms 14: I ). Both

nature and the Bible prove the existence of God. "The heavens declare the glory of God;

and the firmament showeth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night

showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard"

(Psalms 19:1-3).

2. Those who deny the deity of Christ are against the Lord.

Paul was an inspired apostle of Christ, and both the thoughts and the
words of what he wrote were inspired. He wrote, "Which things also we
speak, not m~ words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the
Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words" (I Cor. ~
2: 13).

PAUL AFFIRMED THE DEITY OF CHRIST TO

The basic message of Paul's preaching, an us letter to the Colossians

was the deity of Christ. This included preeminence of Christ over alI
things and in all ways. Christ is relate to every point and passage in the
Coloss1ans epistle, and what~ wrote olossians Christians, was simply
typical of what he taught in every place, for he wrote to the church at
Corinth and said, "For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my
beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance
 of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every
church ( I Cor. 4: 17; Emp. Mine G.E.).
I call attention to three passages in the Colossians epistle: "And I
is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead" (Col. 1:18). "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the
Godhead bodily" (Col. 2:9). "Where there cannot be Greek @ ew,
circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freema
but Christ is all, and in all" (Col. 3: 11 ). Again, I point out that the basic
message of the Colossian letter is most certainly the exaltation of Jesus
Christ as preeminence over all things and in all ways. Three phrases in
these verses sum up the ct that Christ is deity, and therefore is pre-
. hey are: ' ... t in all things he might have the preeminence
(Col 1: 18), " ... in him d e eth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily"
o. 2:9). ... 1st 1s al~1n all" (3: 11 ). Some of the most profound,
sublime, and yet easy to be understood passages are the following verses
from Paul' s inspired pen: "Who is the image of the invisible God, the
firstborn of all creation: for in him were all things created, in the heaver.
and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones o
principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and
unto him; and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. And
is the head of the body; the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead; that in all things he might have the preemirlence. For it
was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fullness
dwell; and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having mad<
peace through the blood of his cross; through him I say, whether things
upon the earth or things in the heavens" (Col. 1: 15-20).

CONCLUSCON

1. Paul wrote about Christ and said, "Who existing in the form of God,
counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped , but
emptied himself taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness
men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself becomin
obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:6-7).
2. In a single verse Paul described Christ in a beautiful way, when he wrote
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who wa:
manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached
among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory" (I
Tim. 3:16).
3. One of the greatest, of the numerous passages that Paul wrote relative tc
the deity of Christ is, "Who was declared to be Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; ev,
Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 1:4).

3. Those who practice and defend Denominationalism are against Christ.

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 One of the worst curses ever promoted in this world is the terri
sin of denominationalism. A study of denominationalism is most cruc
Denominationalism has been defined as "a class, kind, or sort designat
by a specific name; ecclesiastically, a body or sect holding the peculia1
distinctive." Denominationalism in the religious sense refers to all the
sects or parties that make up Christendom, each sect or party built up c
around some error. Most denominationalists admit that one does not t
to belong to that particular denomination in order to be saved and that
does not contain all the redeemed. Catholic and Protestant
denominationalism differ on this point because the Catholic denomina
contends that to be saved everyone must be a member of their
denomination, while most Protestant denominations admit that it is no·
necessary to be a member of their particular denomination in order to !
to heaven. The truth of it is that both Catholic and Protestant
denominations are sinful and unnecessary, as we shall show later.
Denominationalism is based upon division, and since the New
Testament condemns division, denominationalism, therefore, is wrong
(John 17:20-21; Jas. 3: 14-16). Since denominationalism exists withou
divine authority, a denomination is of human origin and is a human
institution. The church of Christ is not a denomination, and those who
attempt to prove that it is signally fail in their efforts. Question: Whe1
people obeyed the gospel as taught by the apostles, did that make them
members of a denomination? If people now should do just what the go
requires- no more and no less- would that make them members of a
denomination? Another question: Would it be possible for a group of
people to get back to the New Testament church without establishing a
denomination?
The three thousand people who obeyed the gospel on the day o1
Pentecost simply obeyed the gospel, and by that obedience they becam
Christians. They entered no denomination. Since they were members
no denomination and we do exactly what they did, then we enter no
denomination. We stand on the original ground on which they stood a1
therefore, compose no denomination. How did the congregations of th
first century get started? Since these simple gospel acts of obedience
made men members of the New Testament church in the days of the
apostles, would not the same gospel obedience make men members of
same church today? Would it make them members of any other church

AFALLING AWA Y WAS PREDICTED I~ ~v.r-c

In his farewell address to the elders oft ~ Ephesus Pa

said, "I know that after my departing grievo wolves shall enter in am
you, not sparing the flock; and from amon your own selves shall men
arise, speaking perverse things, to dra y the disciples after them"
(Acts 20:29-30). To the Thessalonians. or that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first, d that man of sin be revealed,
 ff
son of perdition" (J Thess 2:3). The "day" referred to was "the day of
Christ" (v.2). Before it could come to pass, there would be "a falling
away." He showed how this would result in the man of sin, and it had
already begun, for he said, "The mystery of iniquity doth already work"
(v.7).
There is no evidence that the apostasy did result in the complete
destruction of every member of the church. However, if there was ever
time when no members lived on earth, that would not destroy the churcl
for the seed (the word of God) is that which produces the church (Lk
8: 11 ). The seed, the word of God, must be destroyed before the church
Christ, the kingdom of God, can be destroyed, but men cannot destroy t
word of God. They have tried to destroy it, but they have always failed.
and they will always fail in such futile efforts. Jesus said, "Heaven and
earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matt 24:35).
Peter wrote, "But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the
word of good tidings which was preached unto you" (1 Pet. 1:25). The
apostasy, the falling away, did come. This apostasy led ultimately to th
establishment of the apostate Roman Catholic denomination, which du1
many centuries held sway over the world. That denomination put to de.
hundreds who would not renounce their faith and bow to the authority c
the popes.

A KINGDOM IS REPRODUCED BY ITS SEED

In the creation of the world God gave the immutable law of

reproduction when He decreed that everything should bring forth after i
kind. The germ of life by which a plant or living thing is reproduced w
placed in the seed. The complete destruction of a plant would require f
destruction of the seed by which it was reproduced. If one set out to
destroy all wheat, what would be necessary in order to accomplish that
goal? Every stalk of wheat in the world might be destroyed without
destroying the kingdom of wheat. In order to destroy the wheat kingdo
it would be necessary to destroy every life-possessing grain of wheat. I
even one good wheat seed remained, one would not have completely
destroyed the wheat kingdom. This grain of wheat could be planted in
soil, and the wheat kingdom would be reproduced. It would produce tb
same kind of plant, which that type of seed had always produced. It we
not produce barley, rye, nor oats, but only the wheat plant. Neither wot
it make any difference who planted it or where it was planted; the prod,
of the seed would always be wheat.
Suppose people determined to destroy the oak kingdom. In ord,
to accomplish this, it would be necessary to destroy all life possessing
acorns as well as all oak trees. Every oak tree might be cut down and
burned without destroying the oak kingdom. If somewhere there is left
even one seed of the oak- the acorn-oak trees can be reproduced. Tl·
acorn can be planted in the soil, and the immutable law of reproductior
 will produce an oak tree. It will not produce a poplar, ash or locust tree.
The acorn seed will produce the same kind of tree that type of seed has
always produced- the oak, nothing more, nothing less. Again I
emphasize that it makes no difference who or what or where it may be
planted. That seed will always reproduce the oak tree. If a blac~bird
should pick up the acorn seed, fly across the country, and drop it into a
plowed field where it becomes covered, germinates, and begins to grow
will not produce a blackbird but rather an oak tree! A bird might be
instrumental in planting an acorn, but an acorn never produces a blackb
Since a seed always brings forth after its kind, the only thing that it can
produce is the oak.
These principles are just as true concerning the church, which is
the kingdom of our Lord. Daniel prophesied of this kingdom and decla
that " it shall never be destroyed," but "it shall stand forever" (Dan. 2:44
As I have previously pointed out, in order to destroy any kingdom, the
seed by which it is reproduced must be destroyed. Question: What is tl
seed of the kingdom? In the parable of the sower, which represented th(
kingdom of the Lord, Jesus said, "The seed is the word of God" (Lk.
8:11). This seed (the word of God) must be destroyed before the churcl
or kingdom is destroyed. Try as they have and will, men can never
destroy the word of God (the seed of the kingdom), for "the word of th,
Lord endureth forever" (1 Pet. I :25). Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shi
pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matt. 24:35). Therefor<
men will never be able to destroy the church of the Lord.
Just supposed that every member of the church were killed, othc
members would be produced by simply planting the seed. When the w,
of God was planted in the hearts of men in the days of the apostles, it
produced Christians-members of the church of our Lord. When it is
planted in the hearts of men today, it will not produce denominations-
Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, or any other kit
t did not produce such in the days of the apostles, and it will not prodi
such now!
I emphasize again that it does not matter who plants it. The wo
of God will produce nothing but Christians-members of the church o1
Lord. urther, 1 in any century since the first number of Christians liv
upon the earth, Christians could be reproduced by planting the
unadulterated word of God. If Barton Stone should plant that seed in ti
hearts of men, it would not produce Stoneites, but Christians. If
Alexander Campbell should plant that seed, it would not make
Campbellites, but Christians. The true word of God, when plante by
---->r-..=bell, Stone, G land Elkins, or anyone else, would ce nothi
but Christians- members o the church of the Lord e word of the L
the seed of the kingdom, produces now what
Christians- members of the Lord's church.

DENOMINATIONALlSM IS SINFUL
 I use the word " denomination" in the sense in which it is use
religion to refer to a sect or a party. Lei it be plainly stated that no n
who belongs to a denomination now, nobody belonged to one in the.
century. Paul was accused of being a member of a sect (Acts 24:5).
denied that he belonged to a sect and said that such a false charge co
not be proved (Acts 24:13-14). There is nothing denominational in
Christianity. People must be something more than Christians to be i
denomination. It is clear that one can be a Christian without belongi
a denomination. Denominationalism rests upon division!
1. Denominationalism repudiates the teaching of the ap,
Paul wrote, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the narr
our Lord Jesus C · that ye all speak the same thinf
that there be no divisio - ong you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the
judgment" (1 Cor. 1: 10).
2. Denominationalism makes unbelievers. Jesus prayed
believers may be one "that the world may believe that
hast sent me" (John 17:21). Unity among believers~
lead others to believe, division would (and does) prod
unbelievers.
3. Denominational teaching implies that God contradict
Himself. Paul said, "For God is not the author of conf
but of peace, as in all churches of saints" (1 Cor 14:3:
The Lord's church existed in the eternal purpose c
(Eph. 3:10-11). It existed in promise (Gen 12:1-3; Gal. 3
It existed in preparation (Matt 3 :5-6; Mk 1: 15-16). It exii
completion (was established) on the first Pentecost follov.
the resurrection of Christ from the dead (Acts 2:1-47).
No denomination can teach anything that is worth
learning which the word of God does not teach, nor is the:
all the Bible a single one of the blighting errors each
denomination mixes with the truth it holds. "I charge thee
the sight of God and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the I
and the dead and by his appearing and his kingdom; preac
word" (2 Tim 4: 1-2). Surely no one believes that Christia
the first century belonged to different sorts of churches aft
the manner of these modern times. All Christians of the fl,
centwy belonged to the same church and it took all of the
constitute the church. When Christians organize or belon
denominational churches, they do something which Chris1
in the New Testament did not do. There were no
denominations in the first century, and there could be nor
now ifnobody preached or practiced anything that was nc
preached or practiced in ew Testamen ,mes If 1st1
now will preach and practice nothing ut w at Christians