A Bapto-metho-palian-congre-presby-gationalist

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16

No matter what background you come from, whether you grew up non-denominational, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, or something else, if you've lived long enough, you've probably noticed some of the strengths found in each of those traditions. My mentor, Dr. Bill, used to call himself a Bapto-metho-palian-congre-presby-gationalist. He felt affinity to some of each of these traditions and denominations. He collected the best of each denomination he studied and recognized the unity that existed in major doctrines.

Now, this isn't unity for unity's sake. There are differences and convictions we hold as believers. But sometimes we separate over really small issues. We go all in on a doctrine that has nothing to do with anybody's salvation, and instead of tolerating a difference of opinion or preference, we draw hard lines.

For example, take the subject of the end-time events prophesied in many places, like Daniel or the Book of Revelation. There are many different ideas, even in one congregation, about what is going to happen, and everybody is using the same Bible. We're committed to the Word, look at the same texts, and arrive at different conclusions. These convictions matter, but they do not keep one out of heaven. Disagreements abound on that subject.

Another example is how we interact with the Holy Spirit. Different denominations understand His work differently. I was not raised Southern Baptist. I chose to be one as an adult. What I found among Southern Baptists was a strong commitment to the Word of God and a passionate focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was drawn to their proclamation of God's Word being without error, in the original manuscripts, and infallible. I appreciated their desire to be guided by God's Word above other sources of authority (like personal experiences, which can be subjective and easily manipulated by emotions). I loved their desire to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, expanding God's kingdom through evangelism and missions. These were two reasons I chose to be a Southern Baptist.

But I'll be honest. For a time, I couldn't fully tell whether Southern Baptists had missed something important about the power, ministry, and Person of the Holy Spirit. The context I was raised in had a strong emphasis on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is very real to me, and His work is vital in my life.

Dr. Bill Bennett helped settle that for me. He had grown up Southern Baptist, gone to a Southern Baptist seminary, but he had also understood the reality of the Holy Spirit, which he said he did not learn from Southern Baptists. He blended a head full of Bible with a heart full of passionate zeal for the ministry of the Holy Spirit, depending on Him as a Person, not an influence, not a power, not an "it."

He would make statements like, "The Holy Spirit is RESIDENT in your life at salvation, but He wants to be PRESIDENT through His infilling." He said, "All Spirit and No Word, you BLOW UP. All Word and No Spirit, you DRY UP. But with both the Spirit and the Word, you GROW UP." He showed me that the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the infilling of the Holy Spirit are two sides of the same coin. You show me somebody who is fully in love with Jesus, fully submitted to His Lordship, and I'll show you somebody who is filled with the Holy Spirit. You show me somebody truly filled with the Holy Spirit, and I'll show you somebody living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

So, I realized if Dr. Bill was a Southern Baptist, so could I. I feel like my background has influenced me. I, too, feel like I am a Bapto-metho-palian-congre-presby-gationalist. I'm proud of what Southern Baptists have taught me, but I also understand that I can learn from anyone who holds God's Word as final authority and seeks to be guided by the Bible. I have learned from biblically faithful Presbyterians (like R. C. Sproul), non-Southern Baptist Baptists (like John Macarthur), Christian Church (like Bob Russell and Max Lucado), nondenominational (like John Ortberg, Jim Cymbala, Tony Evans, and Chuck Swindoll), and the list goes on and on. I can also collect the strengths God has put in His people wherever I find them.

The Bible is our common ground. We can hold our convictions and lock arms with others to expand the kingdom of God. We don't have to wait until we have enough of our own crowd behind us to get something done for the gospel. We have more that unites us than divides us.

Reflection Question: What strength has God placed in another believer's denomination or tradition that you have learned from?

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word and for those You have used to help me grow. Please keep me from dividing over minor issues and teach me to learn from others. I am grateful for Your Word, which is my ultimate authority. I desire to honor You and guide others to You. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Check out: The Seven Pillars of Christian Unity (Ephesians 4:4-6): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/gcssrmc/14-seven-pillars-for-christian-unity-eph-4-4-6

Note: I found this image through a Google search, but I couldn't find the source, so I can't properly direct someone to it. I like it, though.