Protestants often claim authority and doctrines based on scripture alone, so-called sola scriptura. In reality, though, most people’s beliefs about God are determined by the geography and culture they’re born into—not by a careful examination of truth. This reality alone casts a long shadow over the certainty with which many religious institutions declare their exclusivity. The frameworks people are handed from birth are frequently designed to reinforce belonging to a system rather than connection to the divine. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well stressing that a new system he was introducing had not locality but the Holy Spirit, spirit and truth, as its basis. Why do the Protestant churches not comply truly with this? Probably it is because the Holy Spirit brings people into the one Body of Christ. It is not about going off and starting a new body of Christ. You have to be united not only with the Head, but with the Body also. Fellowship with Jesus is integrated with fellowship with the Father and with all the Father’s children too. If you want Jesus to raise you when he comes or rapture you if you live to see it, you need to let the Holy Spirit unite you with the Body of Christ, one in spirit and truth, one in worshipping voice, one in Christ’s blood shed on the cross, one in discipleship to Jesus Christ’s teachings. Only in these wedding clothes can you stay and celebrate at the wedding.
