38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
What does this mean to you?
To me this basically says to forget about the petty diferences between denominations, as long as you agree on the basics then we as Christians are all on the same team. Am I missing something?
On another forum that I frequent some guys are constantly bashing Catholics or anyone else that doesn't agree with everything that they do. I'm not Catholic myself but I find it kinda silly and disheartening as a new believer to see people putting down fellow Christians.
"I'm not Catholic myself but I find it kinda silly and disheartening as a new believer to see people putting down fellow Christians. " Pike tipper I could not agree with you more on this statement.
Now in regards to answering your question, I feel that there were no true denominations at the time this was said, but there were already "Groups" of Christians who did not know of other groups of Christians and that Christ was pointing out that simply because you do not know them personally does not mean that they are not of Christ. In a way like you I feel this is Christ speaking to us today, letting us know that if it is done in Christ name the denomination matters not, but the heart of the follower of Christ doing Christ bidding. I may not be totally correct, but that is my personal take on it.
__________________
The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Pike,
I like that verse and refer to it alot. We as Christians need to stick with the basics.Many feel that it is their job to cloneothers to think just like they do about the Bible. This is religon ...not Christianity. Where did I learn that? From Hunting.Net. If you are going to be rigid about your beliefs you won't make enjoy this forum very much. Five minutes after I joined I figured it out real fast that I was going to have to be a little flexable. Is that compromising my beliefs.No, I don't think so. After building some valuable relationships/through trust, then you may even trust the other guy enough to do an open minded study. I have rethought a lot of my doctrinal beliefs and have even changed some.But the verses that you posted Pike speaks volumns that their are different Christian circles.I thank God I have not been called to judge. The only situation that I was scripturally told to judge was me, not putting a stumbling block in front of my brother. Most of us God -fearing Christians on here go to different denonminations. Same God, same baptism, same Bible,and the same faith. But it's like hunting. If someone is scoring big and often I will take notice.I noticed there were a handfull of Christians in my early walk that seemed to have constant victory in their lives and joy. I took mental notes of their walk and immitated some of their habits.You win others by your love not by debating scripture.You make others thirsty for a deeper walk by being the salt of the earth. Jesus said it good and simple,"By your love they will KNOW." Sounds too simple doesn't it. I have to do that in school. If you can win them ,they are puddy in your hand. Ready to learn and follow you. Same in this real world of hurting and lost people. Get them to trust you as a friend and their hearts will be more than eager to hear what you have to say. Friendships take time.If Christ Jesus is the center of your heart,your friends will remain.
Chuck
Mark 9 38-41
38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
What does this mean to you?
Denominationalism was never even in the mind of the first century believers, notice the teaching of 1 Corinthians 1:10, "no divisions""denominationalism" was not God 's plan,it wasmen who divided the church, mostly over matters of opinion!
I agree thatthe Apostles did not recognize the guy, and that was nota good reasonfor themto stop him, Jesus said so. But consider the point of verse 41.
Quote:
anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
No Bible believer would agree that"giving water in the name of Jesus" is a condition of the gospel for salvation! The truth is that faith in Christ, whether it is small or big;simple or complex;fearful or proud; faith in Him has it's reward!It maynot be salvation, but rewards of all kindsin this life.When the Iron Curtain fell, and we started to be able to go to East Germany, Russia, Romania, etc. those people were "rewarded" with freedom! They are now rewarded with the opportunity to hear the gospel, to say a prayer and ask God for help, to know thereis more out there than just what the communist government allowed them to know! That is a blessing! A "reward"! There are rewards in this life that aren't salvation, that one can recieve, even though they (the person)may be outside of Christ.
Example: I was door-knocking one time in Atlanta, inviting folks to our V.B.S. and offering tostudy the Bible with anyone. I noticed a guy peeking through thewindow of a house and a little later I got to it and knocked on the door. Opening the door was a hugeman, who was dressed as a woman! He wasa homosexual, told me so, and told me I probably didn't want to talk to him. I didn't let it bother me at all, and continued to tell him all I had prepared to say. He thanked me and said He'd bring his daughter. HE DID (you should have seen the old people at church)! They came every night and then continued to come for sunday school and worship as long as I can remember. The church helped that family through some tough times and it produced good spiritual fruit! You see she (his daughter)loved V.B.S. and years latershe did become a Christian. I do not know if he changed his life, but God's reward was obvious! God will work through people, any people! He used the hedonistickings of the Old Testament and He still uses people today. Glory to God, He is great!
Trae
Goose,
Thanks for bringing that up. I presumed that the reward was something spiritual but you are right.It does not specifically say what the reward is. We do know they were not stopped like the one following Paul around. The disciples had ill feelings toward this group but not Christ. Very interesting. The reward thing now has me stumped. I looked up the Greek word but it just defines it to be a wages for services done.
Chuck
PS Here is something from John Gill. a commentator. Mark 9:40 For he that is not against us, is on our part.
] Many copies read, "he that is not against you, is for you"; as this man; he was not against either Christ, or his disciples; he was doing the same work, promoting the same interest, and destroying the kingdom of Satan: and therefore, though he did not follow them, and had not his commission immediately from Christ; yet, inasmuch as he was opposing the same common enemy, and did nothing against them, he ought to be reckoned as one for them, and on their side. It is a proverbial expression, signifying that all that are not against a man, and take not the part of his enemy, are to be accounted his friends.
"On denominations", I feel that the term "denomination" didn't exist in the early church as far as distinguishing one believer from another. But that does not mean that they didn't have serious disagreements between themselves. I'm sure that they felt as many of us do today in that when we are talking about the word of God we are dealing with something that we should take with utmost seriousness. If this causes dissention among us then after a point we will associate ourselves with like minded believers for the purpose of gathering with the saints in one accord. This is how denominations are born. Where I see a problem in all this is when we become so pious in our understanding that we think that everybody else is going to hell if they are not of our denomination. I personally believe that we will be surprised when we reach heaven and see who is and is not there. However there are some groups that go under the name of God that are just way off and even tho I will withhold making a judgmental statment towards them, I would not be able to fellowship with them.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
I was just thinking ,could these fellows who were casting out demons of been part of the 70 disciples who were authorized to caast out demons but stopped following Jesus?
Chuck
There has been much discussion on the subject of miracles and gifts lately. I don't recall this man being mentioned at all. Where, when, and how did he come about having such power over the devil? I am just wondering how this fits into those discussions.
Goose,
I sincerely love it when you do that. I love it when in love you say sorry....but can you please show me that in scripture. Why? Because there is a chance I'm just passing down imformation that is false or maybe I presumed something while reading.
OK I found it. Goose .Thank you. You folks keep me on my toes. And I'm glad. There is safety in the multitude of counselors. Now if it's a difference of interpretation that is another story. Then one has to agree that we don't agree and go in love.The word authority is not there...but here is how I came up with what I said.
Luke10:1 After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. { There are the 70}
10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Even...yes the Lord had not evil mentioned casting out devils, the "devils being subject unto us through Thy name. seemed to be an added benefit. You were right Trae..the Lord did not tell them the 70 in this situation to scast out demons. However; we can imagine if they were subject to us through thy name that they were using Jesus name to cast them out. We only see one work between demons and Christians in the New Testament and that is casting them out.
10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. And he said unto them"¦
In order to abate their surprise, and reduce their transport of mind: I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven;
meaning, that this was no news to him, nor any surprising event, that devils should be cast out of men, and be in a state of subjection; for as he existed as the eternal Son of God before his incarnation, he was present, and saw him and his angels fall from heaven, from their first estate, their habitation of bliss and glory, down to hell, upon their sin and rebellion, as violently, swiftly, and suddenly, as the lightning falls from heaven to earth; and when he sent out these his disciples, as soon as they began their work, and all along in it, he, by his divine omniscience, saw the powers of darkness falling before their ministry and miracles; and he also foresaw how Satan hereafter, in a more conspicuous manner, would fall before the preaching of his Gospel by his apostles, not only in Judea, but especially among the Gentiles, where he, the prince of this world, would be cast down from his throne, and out of his kingdom; so that what they related, as it was what he knew before, it was but little in comparison of what he himself had seen long ago, and of what he foresaw would be; and even he would give them power to do other miraculous works besides these.
10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Now that Goose sounds like authority to me. And it also appears they knew it in advance because the demons were already subject to them through His name. This scripture makes it clear now"I give you power over ALL the power of the enemy,"
10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. This verse shows yes they were ordering demons around.
These were the verses I was thinking about.
Chuck
Goose,IMHO I believe demons are around in great numbers today and are still subject to believers. Key word here..believers
A little help please...
