Tibni and Dividing

Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned. 

1 Kings 16:21-22

Is anybody surprised when people divide after dividing? At the outset of the northern kingdom, we understood that Jeroboam divided from King Rehoboam of Judah and assisted in breaking the unity of Israel. Afterward, there was a series of idolatrous practices, war, and discord within the rebel nation. It would only be logical that after an origin in division that division could come again. We have seen it in history repeatedly, and the most obvious is within the religious landscape of Christendom.

When man decided to build churches that were not the church that was built by Jesus, (cf. Matt 16:18) this was obviously a division. In math we understand that the denominator is the one that sits below the numerator in a fraction and it functions as the divisor of the whole. So we see that the very function of a denominator is simply to divide that which was once whole. Now some will say that that they are non-denominational to take away the stigma of being a source of division. However, they have simply divided from denominational Christendom. Simply put, anything other than one-whole is a divided and denominated group.

The Inspired Apostle Paul spoke of it this way, There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 4:4-6. How can all of the various religious groups be one if they all teach doctrines contrary to first the Bible and then in regards to one another. If there is more than one body, Paul is wrong. If a church’s catechism is superior to the Word of God, can God be above all? If one teaches baptism is by immersion because of the remission of sin and another teaches baptism is by sprinkling for the inherent sinful nature of an infant, can there be one?

Over and over again, we have seen divisions from the Church of Rome, the Church of Eastern Orthodoxy, The churches of Protest, and the churches created by the “visions” of men in our community and around the globe. If we earnestly seek God, we will find Him, and he is not hidden. His will is not subject to our feelings, our status in life, our time that we live in. His will is revealed in His Word and from it we learn the will of our Lord is that His people will be one (cf. John 17:21-23). His will is that we speak the same thing and that no divisions be named among us (cf 1 Cor 1:10). It was only a matter of time that some would follow Timbni and others Omri; division will continue to occur until everyone will walk by the same infallible standard. The church of Christ is not a denomination; it is not a non-denominational church. The church of Christ is the first century church that follows the Word of God in all matters. We encourage you to study with us, and work to live in unity with the Lord and His body under His revealed pattern.

Grace and Peace,

Ryan