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The apostle Paul wrote, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him (Col 3:17). The phrase "in the name of" simply means to do what is authorized. What we BELIEVE and what we DO in religion is of utmost importance (John 4:24).
One could understand if a child, on the way home from a worship service, asked regarding some particular doctrine, "Dad, what do we believe...?" Children are immature; they feed on "milk" rather than "meat"—the deeper things of God's word (Heb. 5:12, 13). It is not shocking to observe that children often do not know right from wrong. But when a seasoned preacher asserts what "we" believe when referring to various doctrinal issues, I think that man needs to grow up.
When Paul wrote, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15), was he actually saying to ask your father, preacher or mentor what "we" believe about something? If one studies a church creed book or places undue confidence in the teachings of religious journals, which often promote a party spirit, is he obeying the command to study? Obviously, Paul was talking about personal study of the Scriptures.
The "party spirit" that is sometimes displayed by grown men who have preached the gospel for years is without doubt displeasing to our Master (1 Cor. 1:10-13). He wants unity based upon what he has actually told us (John 17:17-21; Eph 4:3-6) rather than on what is purported to be truth but which is nothing more than popular opinion. Aspiring preachers, and anyone else, who endeavor to maintain or promote their party spirit wrapped in human tradition, are injurious to the church. Note and consider their teachings, but be very careful not to fall into the same pit in which they reside.
We (every individual), not "we" (some factional group), need to stop worrying about what "we" (church, family or faction) believe and what "we" are going to allow others to believe and practice. You and I need to do more honest studying of the Scriptures to learn what truth is. Then we can be right and help teach others to be right, and thereby promote and maintain the unity our Lord not only wants but commands us to have.
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