In John 15:1-11, our Lord compared the relationship between Himself and His disciples to the relationship a vine has with its branches. Before continuing to read this article, it would be a very good idea to take the time to locate those verses and read them carefully. It seems to me that the Lord set forth for us a very clear and concise explanation. However, as the title of this article indicates, it often doesn't come across that way. Few Scripture passages are as misunderstood, misused, and abused as these eleven verses.
I encountered an old excerpt from Peloubet's Select Notes, which I would like to quote. I want us to notice this short excerpt because what it teaches is still a very prevalent view. Those who hold to this view will find it difficult, if not impossible, to understand the importance of the Lord's blood-bought church and the concept of true Scriptural fellowship. The quote follows:
"We see clearly by this picture of a great vine or tree what is the real unity of the church. Each twig and each branch has its individuality, and is really a miniature vine. No two are alike. They are of different sizes and shadings, in different positions, some higher and some lower, some bear larger clusters than others, forming a bough, and there are many of these boughs formed into a number of larger branches--individuals, organizations, individual churches, societies, great denominations--all separate, and yet all one in Christ, the true vine--one because they are Christ's, because the same spirit and life and loyalty and love run through them all, and they all bear the same heavenly fruit."
WHAT? How anyone, after reading these verses, can arrive at this interpretation is beyond me. It is the exact opposite of what Jesus taught. We cannot stress strongly enough just how deadly it really is. It can keep one from going to heaven. Let's examine why this position is so dangerous.
Did you notice what Peloubet wrote--"organizations, societies, churches, great denominations--all separate, and yet all one in Christ." Obviously, varying organizations, societies, churches, and denominations are separate from one another; no one would question that. But how can anyone in his right mind claim that all of them are somehow "one in Christ?" The teachings of these varying groups covers the entire spectrum, and many are as opposed as possible to one another.
One of the branches, according to the foregoing interpretation of our Lord's words, is the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Church forbids its priests and other high officials to marry. When we contrast the Catholic branch with a different branch--the Mormon Church, we see that the Mormons teach that their "apostles," "prophets," and "elders," at least in theory, have the right to a plurality of wives. Are we to believe that these are "one in Christ?" But let's go on.
On one branch, there are those who teach the Calvinistic view of predestination, claiming that God predestined salvation for specific individuals, regardless of their lifestyles or conduct, and that only those specific individuals can be saved. But on another branch, we have the Universalists, who claim that ultimately everyone will be saved. Are these "one in Christ?" According to this interpretation, Paul missed the mark by miles when he said that God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
"Each twig and each branch has its individuality, and is really a miniature vine. No two are alike." Let's use some common sense here, brethren. If you see an apple tree producing apples, oranges, pears, and maybe a watermelon or two, do you think that nothing is wrong? Would you reason that each twig and branch is just demonstrating its own individuality? Of course not! My grandfather was an avid gardener, and he got to be very good with vegetables and plants, but he certainly never came up with anything like that. No one has. Yet, this is what many of today's "religious leaders" would have us believe. For them, it's apparently no stretch of the imagination to envision Christ as the Vine, and on this Vine to find Mormon Christians, Baptist Christians, Catholic Christians, and any other "fill-in-the-blank" Christian you can imagine.
Our Lord intended for everything to bear fruit after its own kind (Genesis 1:11). That is why we do not see apple trees bearing oranges or potato plants bearing watermelons. Yet, as is so often the case, many want us to believe that, in the spiritual realm, things are somehow different. Let's be honest.
- Are we ready to believe that the Divine Universal Planner, Who designed our bodies in minute detail and set in motion atoms and molecules so organized and ordered that scientists marvel, sanctions and accepts one branch that enforces celibacy and at the same time, approves of another branch that, at least in theory, teaches polygamy?
- Are we to believe that God endorses one of His branches preaching that baptism has nothing to do with salvation, while at the same time endorsing another branch that preaches that remission of sins takes place in the waters of baptism?
This theory does nothing more than sanction a conglomeration of error that is not in harmony with our Lord's position. If it is, Paul was sadly mistaken when he wrote Galatians 1:6-9. And John was somewhat confused when he penned 2 John 9-11. Consider the fact that the Scriptures were "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3: 16-17), and we begin to see the seriousness of the consequences of this interpretation of our Lord's words.
So, what did the Lord mean in John 15? I do not know of anyone who doesn't believe that Jesus is the Vine, so let's talk about the branches. Was Jesus referring to denominations, societies, etc., in this passage? This is very simple. In verse 5, Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches." Who is the "you" in the verse? Obviously, it is His disciples. How many Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, etc., were present at this gathering? Obviously, there were none. The disciples, as individuals, were the branches. Do you need more proof? Notice the remainder of verse 5, "Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." Obviously, this deals with the individual man. Brethren, God did not architect "organizations," "societies," and "great denominations." These have sprung up from vines other than the "true vine." They also sprang up long after the Lord planted the "true vine."
Not only is each individual Christian a branch, but those who are not Christians can not be branches. The true test of a Christian is whether or not he bears good fruit. Fruit can be good only if it is in accordance with our Lord's will. My friends, the truth is right there. Take the time to read it.
Brother Litmer has done a masterful job of showing the weaknesses in the misapplication of John 15. If you plant, tend, and bring to fruition a tree like the one he described-take a picture. One thing is for sure: you'll become famous! We know that, in the physical sense, such a feat is impossible-so it is in the spiritual sense, for the same reason. Isn't it simple? (KMG)