Mark 9:38-41, implications for relationships between Christian bodies?

[Nominefili]

I was reading this passage this morning and it seemed to ring true with a lot of what I’ve seen on the boards. So much hostility, especially between Catholics and Protestants.

Mark 9:38-41 (NIV)

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

This text seems to support the notion that people outside of the apostles were able to perform miracles in Jesus’ name with his approval. Does this have any relevance today? Just looking for thoughts.

 

[Big_Ro]

It has always been my understanding that there were many who were calling themselves messiah around the time of Christ. Also, I’m not sure that the scripture exactly says that Christ approved of their actions, but I think he certainly was willing to tolerate it. Why he would or would not toelrate it or approve of the activity might not be for us to know. I’m saying maybe it has to with the scriptural assertion that the ways of God are “inscrutible”. I hope I spelled that right.

 

[Love_is_Patient]

Christian “bodies?”

There’s only one Body of Christ.

Love is Patient

 

[spoiltvictorian]

Curious wording: “anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will not lose his reward.”

It reads like the person does the good work or miracle in Christ’s name, and because the apostles belong to Christ, that person will not lose his reward. That can’t be right.

 

[rev_kevin]

V.38> See the disciples were jealous of a man who healed in Jesus’ name becaues they were more concerned about their own group’s position than in helping to free those troubled by demons. We do the same today when we refuse to associate with Christians from other denominations because 1} other people or groups are not afiliated with the denomination that you are affilated with 2} their projects do not involve the kind of people with whom wer feel most comfortable 3} others don’t do things the way we are used to doing things 4} our efforts won’t receive enough recognition.

V. 40> Jesus was not saying that being indifferent or neutral toward him is as good as being commited. As he explained in Matthew 12:30, “Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is acturally working against me.” In both cases, Jesus was pointing out that neutraliy toward him is not possible. Nevertheless his followers willl not all resemble each other or beling to the same group of building the Kingdom of God, and they should not let their differences interfere with this goal. Those who share a common faith in Christ should cooperate. People don’t have to be just like you to be following Jesus.

V.41> Luke 9:48 states, “Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” In Jesus’ eyes whoever welcomes a child welcomes Jesus, now giving a cup of cold water to a person in need is the same as giving an offering to God. By contrast, harming others or failing to care for them is a sin. evenif they are unimportant people in the world’s eyes. It is possible for thoughtless, shelfish people to gain a measure of worldy greatness, but lasting greatness is measured by God’s standards.