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What Creates God’s People? “Common Heritage” or Obedience to the Word?

In moves designed to intermingle us with the Christian Church, many of our own brethren are using the term “our common heritage” to pave the way. Their reasoning seems to be, “if we have a common heritage, we should be together.” There’s no denying the fact that we should be together; in fact, all who propose to follow the Christ should be one, by the Lord’s own plea (John 17:20-21). But we aren’t together – we and the Christian Church – and haven’t been for nearly a century. Back then, when the separation came, there were good and Bible reasons for the separation. Who, then, has received a “latter-day” revelation” telling us that the reasons ago were not sound, and should now be ignored?

One may forget the Bible and what is plainly taught, but that doesn’t change truth. Pleading “our common heritage” merely notes a matter of early history, but means not one thing as far as Biblical basis now for fellowship and unity. After all, there was a “common heritage” in Abraham between Isaac and Ishmael, but God’s line and God’s plan still worked through Isaac, and Ishmael’s descendants became those of idolatry and heathenism. “Common heritage” did not include Ishmael and his descendants in the line leading to Christ. “Common heritage” did not mean that Israel should then, “for old time’s sake,” embrace in unity with idolatry.

The “common heritage” point used to aid us in study with others. Knowing just a little history, the student would be inquisitive about our having that “common heritage” with the Christian Church, and it gave us opportunity to discuss the break, and the Bible basis for it. Now, the “common heritage” is used as basis for joint ventures with the Christian Church in lectures, film work, publishing, teaching, etc. Men deserting the cause for “union” with sectarianism! Pitiful, and sinful!

May we remember, being the people of God does not reside in some “common heritage,” but in obeying the will of the Lord! The Bible reasons for the early break in fellowship was there as the century began, and its still there as we approach the end of the century!

The Southwesterner, May 16, 1990