Nana Yaw Aidoo
It is a fact of nature that like begets like. One who plants an apple seed would expect nothing to grow other than an apple tree. Also, no one would expect a man and a woman who “know each other” to bring forth anything other than a human being. This principle originates from God, who created the heavens and the earth. The Bible says; “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so” (Gen. 1:11). This is one of the reasons why I cannot accept the theory of organic evolution. Anyone who believes that non-living matter gave rise to life can easily be sold the sun.
Paul also taught this principle when he wrote, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). It is evident that we reap what we sow. Apple seeds do not give rise to mango trees and neither do watermelon seeds give rise to orange trees. Thus, an apple seed from 2000 years ago, would bring forth the exact same thing today, if that apple seed were planted today. Is this not true?
In explaining the parable of the soils, Jesus Christ made this statement; “…The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). In the first century, the disciples of Christ went about sowing this seed on all sorts of soils, which is the human heart. Luke wrote, “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). In spite of the persecution, the disciples went about sowing the seed of the kingdom, which is the word of God. As has already been noted, it is the case that every seed brings forth after its own kind. It is also the case that we reap what we sow. Thus, since the word of God is the seed of the kingdom and since it was sown in Bible times, we need to ask ourselves, “What did this seed bring forth?”
When Christ gave the great commission, He noted that through preaching disciples were to be made of all nations (Mark 16:15). Thus, all who obeyed the word preached became disciples of Christ. The Bible further says these disciples were called “Christians.” Listen to Luke; “…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Therefore, we see clearly that when the seed of the kingdom, which is the word of God, was sown 2000 years ago through preaching, it brought forth nothing but Christians. Notice that it did not bring forth Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Catholics, Adventists, Mormons etc. The seed, which is the word of God, brought forth nothing but Christians only. Not a hyphenated Christian but a Christian and a Christian only.
Everyone (except the one who is willing to be wrong) agrees that an apple seed even from 2000 years ago would bring forth the exact same thing today, if the apple seed were planted today. Would this principle not apply to the seed, which is the word of God? If in Bible times, this seed when sown brought forth nothing but Christians only, then rest assured, if that same seed were sown today, it would bring forth the exact same thing it brought forth 2000 years ago, which is nothing but a Christian only. The argument that seeds cannot last that long is erroneous for gospel seed is incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:23).
Denominations claim they are sowing the exact same kind of seed and somehow this seed is not bringing forth the same thing it brought forth 2000 years ago. When those from the Catholic Church sow the seed, it brings forth Catholics. When those from the Seventh Day Adventist Church sow the seed, it brings forth Adventists. When those from the Baptist Church sow the seed, it brings forth Baptists. When those from the Methodist Church sow the seed, it brings forth Methodists and so on. How can this be, when the seed brought forth Christians only in the 1st century? Is it not then evident that either something has been added to the seed being sown or it is not the seed being sown at all?
The truth is that the Catholic Church is sowing the seed in addition to Catholic doctrine hence the reason why Catholics and not Christians are being brought forth. Baptists are sowing the seed in addition to Baptist doctrine hence the reason why Baptists and not Christians are being brought forth. This applies to all the denominations. The disciples of old sowed the seed alone and so Christians only were brought forth. That cannot be said of the denominations who take pride in calling themselves Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians, etc.
If anyone claims that all in denominations are Christians, then what were Peter and Paul? Were they Baptists? Or perhaps Episcopalians? No! They were Christians and nothing but. The burden of proof is on anyone to show where these denominational churches can be found on the pages of inspired writ.
The Bible further says the body of Christ is the church (Col. 1:18) and that there is only “one body” (Eph. 4:4). Thus, there is only one church. I do not believe “one” means “many.” Take note that there is only “one church/body” just as there is only “one God” (Eph. 4:4-6). Thus, to say that all churches make up the “one church” is like saying all the false gods like Allah and Krishna make up the “one God.”
We see then that when the seed of the kingdom, which is the word was sown in the first century, it brought forth nothing but Christians only, who were members of the Lord’s one true church, which He built (Matt. 16:18) and purchased with His precious blood (Acts 20:28). Thus, to be something other than a Christian only and to be part of a church other than the Lord’s church and yet claim to be saved is claiming to be saved apart from and outside the blood of Christ (Eph. 1:7).
Finally, since every seed brings forth plant and the seed, which is the word when sown, brings forth nothing but Christians only who are in the Lord’s church, listen to the Master; “…Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (Matt. 15:13).
The one question that no one who is a member of a denomination will be able to answer on the day of judgement is this: Is Christ divided? (1 Cor. 1:13). “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8:8).
