Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:1, 2). The analogy of the vine and the branches was not new. Isaiah used a similar illustration (the parable of the vineyard) to call attention to God's care for Israel, and Israel's failure to honor Him (Isaiah 5:1-7).

According to our Lord, the following analogy is made. Jesus is the true vine. He is not one of many vines. There is one, and only one true vine, to which the branches are attached. HE is the right stock, the true vine (John 15: 1).

The vinedresser is the Father (John 15: 1). The vine is not wild. It was planted and nurtured by the vinedresser. Thus, the vine was no accident, but the result of careful planning, preparation and care on the part of the vinedresser (GOD). HE is the right expert, the one who knows exactly how to prune, fertilize, and care for the vineyard to produce the best crop.

The branches are Christians (John 15:4-6). Though there is but one true vine, nurtured and cared for by the vinedresser (God), many branches spring from the true vine. Contextually, the only allowable explanation is that the branches represent individual Christians drawing life from the one true vine, Jesus Christ.

This illustration is sometimes misused to justify denominationalism. In this perversion of the analogy, Jesus is identified as the vine, but the various denominations are said to be the branches— springing from the vine. This was not the meaning Jesus attached to the illustration.

Modern denominationalism lacks any biblical support. Not a single modern denomination can be identified in the New Testament. I challenge you to find just one. It cannot be done. Jesus' prayer for His disciples was for unity, not division! Here are His words: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:20,21).

It is our goal to be one in Jesus Christ. We can be one of the branches He described if we want to. He demands implicit faith, genuine repentance, and a new birth experience of which baptism is an essential element (John 8:24; Acts 2:38). Obeying His demands will not put us in a denomination, but it will put us in His church where we can be fruitful branches (Acts 2:47).

Orange Street Church of Christ
Ladies’ Day
NEXT Saturday
April 24, 2004
“How Does Your Garden Grow?”
Registration 8:30 am
Speakers:
Heather Howell, Debbie Barber, and Nancy Chambers 

Personal Work Meeting
Visitation Group “B” is scheduled to meet today after the morning services in Assembly Room “B”.

Dishes
Dishes from the Eubanks funeral should be picked up in the annex as soon as possible.

Directory Changes
Please add the following information to your directories (click names for directory info):

WILLIS, George (Buddy)

STEARSMAN, David

Change your directories to reflect the following:

HAIFLICH, Evelyn

GREENE, John & Wanda

One aged Christian said that her favorite passage of scripture in the bible was, "and it came to pass". So whatever the trouble, she thought to herself, "It didn't come to stay, it came to pass." We smile, but there is a grain of truth there.

Don’t forget the weekly prayer session in
classroom #3, each Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m.