People today do not have the denominational loyalty and strife that was common a generation ago, but the idea is widely accepted that one cannot be a Christian without being a part of a denomination. Is this premise correct? Maybe we can illustrate the truth by an article that appeared in the Houston Chronicle, June 13, 2008, the World Section:

“Scientists have confirmed that a Judean date palm seed found in the ruins of Masada and planted three years ago is 2,000 years old, the oldest seed ever to germinate.

“The seed has grown into a healthy, 4-foot-tall seedling, surpassing the previous record for the oldest germinated seed, a 1,300-year-old Chinese lotus, researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science.

“…Carbon dating placed the seed at Masada around the Roman siege in 73, when, according to ancient history, 1,000 Jewish Zealots, committed suicide rather than capitulate.”

What kind of tree did researchers grow? A Judean date palm. How do we know? It came from a Judean date palm seed.

Now, is it possible to be a Christian and a Christian only? What made Christians in the first century? Jesus answered this in the Parable of the Soils (Mt 13:1-8, 18-23; Lk 8:4-8, 11-15). This is one of the “kingdom” parables. What would cause the kingdom/church to grow? “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Lu 8:11 ESV). The only acceptable message preached in the beginning was the word of God or the gospel. When this was obeyed it made Christians.

Do we have the same seed today? Some, because of ignorance or partisan reasons, deny that we do. They say men may have tampered with it or it has been translated so many times it is no longer conveying the same message as that given by the Holy Spirit in the first century. These are serious charges. They reflect on the character of Divine Wisdom and Divine Providence and Power. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mt 24:35 ESV). The apostle Peter quoted from Isaiah when he penned these words – “But the word of the Lord endures forever” (Isa 40:8; 1 Pet 1:25). Jesus said, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (Joh 12:48 ESV).

By promise and as a result of research, I believe we have the same seed today. Has it died? It is living. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12 ESV).

Our goal is to preach only the word without addition or subtraction. If we are failing in any way, we kindly ask anyone to show us where we are failing.

When sinners ask what to do to be saved we point them to the Lamb of God who takes away sin (Jn 1:29) and urge them to do what was required in the beginning (Jn 8:24; Lk 13:3; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom 10:9, 10).

In worship we offer reverence and honor to our great God and Savior in the same five avenues we find in the New Testament – prayer, teaching, communion in the Lord’s Supper, singing and giving (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Eph 5:19; 1 Cor 16:1-2).

In godly living and good works we appeal only to what the New Testament says.

Do we have the seed of the kingdom today? If not, why not?

Are we planting the same seed? If not, where are we adding to or taking from it?

Dear friends, you can be a Christian today, nothing more and nothing less. The New Testament did not reveal hyphenated-Christians. Let us walk by faith.

— Robert W. Goodman