3. On the ranches of the west, cattle are given
different brands, but they are still the same thing--- just cattle. In like
manner, the members of the various denominations have different designations,
but they are still the same thing--just christians.
The fact that cattle are branded differently indicates that they have
diffrerent owners. Each owner brands the cattle he possesses with his own
particular and peculiar brand. And so, the fact that members of the
denominations are branded differently indicates that they do not belong to the
same owner.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in
you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? {20} For you were bought
at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are
God's.
The Lord has purchased us, and has the right to place His particular
brand on us.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV)
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or
gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, {19}
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot.
Acts 20:28 (NKJV)
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He
purchased with His own blood.
What is the brand that Christ places on us? Something that denotes the rightful
ownership of the individual. As a brand will declare to everyone who the owner
is, so our names will declare who our owner is.
Acts 11:26 (NKJV)
And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a
whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And
the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
We can be certain that no responsible rancher would place different brands on
his cattle, so Jesus does not brand His true followers with different religious
names. Those who wear such brands of different names are claiming ownership by
someone other than Christ. Someone else is their leader.
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