While listening to an interview of a man who said he was raised Baptist, became Catholic as an adult, remaining so for years, and eventually became Orthodox, I was intrigued to look up the meaning of the word. The meaning of the word orthodox is “conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved.” (This actually sounds like every believer in Christ. But why the label? Because that is what we do! But I digress.)
This sounds like a very safe place. We all are looking for a safe place where we can be sure we are “right”. It can seem to our intellect that this place will be a bit tricky to find. But like the wind blowing wherever it will, the Spirit of God cannot be contained or confined to the “right” denomination. And the scriptures tell us over and over that when we believe, we actually believe INTO Christ. He is the place of safety, whether in life or death.
Someone may argue, “but this is the group established from the beginning and can’t be put into the category of a denomination.” Let’s listen to the words of the Apostle Paul speaking to the earliest believers and all who would come after:
“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the Ekklesia. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” Has Christ been divided into factions? 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
Every believer in Jesus Christ has the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them. And the Spirit of Christ has united all of God’s scattered children into one, according to John 11:51-52: “Jesus would die … to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.”
The Sprit of Christ in us will continually draw us together in love, without the assistance of any leader. (Leaders tend to draw followers after themselves, as referenced above.) No matter where we “go to church” or whether we don’t “go to church” we can fellowship with each other and celebrate Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished for us. Speaking to one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Ephesians 5:19) is key, and not confined to place or time.
The Truth will set you free. John 8:32