Speaking of the last days, Jesus said, "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matt 24:10-12)

This passage shows the trouble we are to expect from within our own ranks in the end times. We can certainly testify to such problems in some areas. Yet we know, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism," (Ephesians 4:4-5)

We don’t disagree with the fact of there being just "One Body" and "One Spirit." It also seems we have the "One Lord" part down pretty good. If there is anything we know, it is the fact of One Lord! There is not a trinity of persons, but One God.

We also do well with the "One Baptism" part. There is no doubt in our minds, or in Scripture, that baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is the Only Baptism of merit. So far it looks pretty good: One Body, One Spirit, One Lord and One Baptism. But we seem to fall a little short when it come to "One Faith."

The Apostle Paul gives us a little insight into the struggles of the early church in his letter to the Romans, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom 16:17-18).

The meat of this verse is in the words, ". . . contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned." The shallowness of some think this means what they were taught by old pastor So-and-so, but Paul was writing to Apostolics who had been taught by the Apostles.

Old pastor So-and-so may have been right, and he may have been wrong! That is why we must always fall back on the Apostles’ doctrine for the true message. If the Apostles taught it, we are obligated to believe it and teach it. What the apostles opposed, we must also stand against.

Paul also dealt with similar problems among the Corinthians, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Cor 1:10)

Notice that we never say the Apostles’ doctrines (plural), but always, Apostles’ doctrine (singular).

What the Apostles taught is one doctrine, undivided, not several doctrines collectively bound together, but one doctrine that covers the entire system of belief. Baptism without repentance negates the doctrine, etc.

We seem to accept that we will always have differences among us. After all, isn’t that what these verses of Scripture indicate? So do we just take it at face value, or should we try to improve the situation? The intent of this article is not to attempt to solve all the problems, but just to make us think about what we are doing and about what we should be doing.

I will toss out the gauntlet and see if anyone picks it up. Have you ever heard the statement, "It is okay to disagree, as long as you are not disagreeable"? That sounds good, doesn’t it? We know it’s hogwash, but it sounds good anyway. Just saying, "It’s okay to disagree...." makes one feel somewhat sophisticated. In reality it’s a flimsy diversion to avoid dealing with the real issue.

Where is the Scripture that says it’s okay for us to disagree? Many try to use Ephesians 4:13 as a smoke screen, but they do so in error. The simple fact is: We need to know the Apostles’ doctrine and follow it. We do not have license to disagree and still fellowship with those who do not follow the Apostles’ doctrine.

I know this sounds a little radical. It is supposed to. I want to make you think! Can we disagree and still fellowship with those who teach serpent seed? Or spiritual communion? Or trinity?

The Apostles doctrine: Nothing more and nothing less. When we have one who causes division among us, we have Scripture to instruct us on how to properly, biblically deal with the situation. But when there is refusal to follow the Word of God, there is no recourse but to break fellowship.

It is not okay to disagree. To do so is to say we can have "Two Faiths." We are to strive to attain "One Faith."

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism." Sandwiched between "One Lord and one baptism" is "One Faith." There is to be unity in our faith. Our faith is not our feelings, or our ideas. Our faith is the Apostles’ doctrine, not doctrines.

The plan of salvation found in Acts 2:38 is the Apostles’ doctrine. Holiness is the Apostles’ doctrine. To have love one for another is the Apostles’ doctrine. These are not different doctrines, but are part and parcel one with another.

To resist the devil is the Apostles’ doctrine. Possessing the fruit of the Spirit is the Apostles’ doctrine. The blessed hope of the return of Jesus Christ is the Apostles’ doctrine.

If one baptizes in the name of Jesus Christ but does not resist the devil, he has not the Apostles’ doctrine. We must strive for, and attain, "One Faith."

To all who say that we will never see everything the same, let me remind you of Luke 18:7-8, "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

The Lord is coming back for His bride. Can one be part of that bride without following the Apostles’ doctrine? There are so many differing opinions it is very unsettling. Who is right? How can we know?

The Word of God is forever settled. Jesus Christ is the same and He never changes. Jesus ordained that we follow the Apostles’ doctrine. Can we be saved any other way?

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8)

Now here’s the kicker: Is one’s belief in whether the Second Coming of Christ is pre, mid or post trib a, "Heaven or Hell issue?" Don’t answer too quick!

The return of Jesus Christ is the central theme of the Apostle’s teachings. Without that, nothing else matters. The Second Coming of Christ is the Apostles’ doctrine. It is not a subject that can be laid aside as unimportant.

Jesus Christ is coming back just as He and the apostles said. All who believes that He is coming again, teaches that He will return AFTER the Tribulation. Even those who teach the Trinitarian pre-trib rapture also teach that Jesus will actually return after the Tribulation. So the question is not when does Jesus return, but when do we rise to meet Him? We need to know because there is only "One Faith." [][][][]