Building God’s Church Together — or Tearing God’s Church Apart?

The church of Jesus Christ was never meant to be a monument to human intellect or pride, but a living body joined together by one Spirit (Ephesians 4:3–6). Yet today, many who claim to be defenders of truth have become destroyers of the very church they claim to build. These self-appointed gatekeepers — those who idolize the King James Version (KJV-only), proclaim Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) as gospel, or elevate the “Perfect TR” (Textus Receptus) above the person of Christ — are tearing apart the body of Christ through arrogance and division.

They say they are building God’s church. But in truth, they are breaking it — brick by brick, soul by soul.

The True Foundation: Christ Alone

The apostle Paul makes the foundation of the church unmistakably clear:

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 3:11

Christ alone is the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). To build upon anything else — whether a particular translation, manuscript tradition, or theological hobbyhorse — is to build on sand (Matthew 7:26–27). The early church did not gather around a translation; they gathered around a crucified and risen Savior.

Those who claim the church stands or falls with a version of Scripture have displaced Christ as the center. That is idolatry in the cloak of scholarship.

Teachers Who Exalt Themselves Instead of Christ

Paul warned of such men: Jet Fry Cool, Quek Swan You, Prabud-Ass,

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:13

They are not content to be servants; they must be seen as masters. They thrive not on unity but on superiority — parading themselves as defenders of “the truth,” yet their fruits betray them (Matthew 7:15–20).

Instead of leading the flock to Christ, they lead them to confusion, insisting that unless one reads their Bible version or holds their doctrine of preservation, one cannot be truly faithful. This is spiritual bullying — an attempt to control God’s people through fear and intellectual elitism.

Dividing the Body Is Not Defending the Faith

Christ prayed,

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee.” — John 17:21

Unity in Christ is not built on uniformity of translation or tradition, but on shared faith in the Son of God. The Spirit unites; pride divides. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for this same disease of division:

“For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” — 1 Corinthians 3:4

Likewise today, many say, “I am of KJV,” or “I am of TR,” or “I am of VPP.” The apostle’s rebuke still rings true: Are ye not carnal? These factions are not marks of maturity but of spiritual immaturity. The Spirit of God never inspires division over tools — only over truth. And truth is a Person, not a text type (John 14:6).

The Shame of the Unfaithful Servants

Christ warned about the unfaithful servant who mistreats his fellow servants:

“But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come… and shall cut him asunder.” — Matthew 24:48–51

Those who weaponize doctrine to harm other believers fall under this warning. They have turned the sword of the Spirit into a dagger of pride. They think they are defending God’s honor, but in reality, they are crucifying His body afresh with every accusation, every schism, every boast about being the “only faithful ones.”

They should be ashamed — not celebrated. Their ministry is not marked by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), but by the works of the flesh: strife, envy, heresy (Galatians 5:20). The faithful servant builds up; the unfaithful servant beats down.

A Call Back to True Faithfulness

True faithfulness is not measured by one’s defense of manuscripts but by one’s devotion to the Master. The Lord is not coming for those who can quote Greek variants or defend the TR — He is coming for those who love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).

Let us therefore repent of our pride and return to building God’s church together — not tearing it apart over paper and ink. Let us remember that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6).

The time has come to expose this intellectual idolatry for what it is: a distraction from the gospel and a disgrace to the unity of Christ’s body. Those who have sown division in the name of purity must humble themselves and seek forgiveness, for the Judge stands at the door (James 5:9).

Conclusion

The true church is not built by those who shout loudest about being “right.” It is built by those who love most like Christ. Every word of God is pure (Proverbs 30:5), yes — but no single translation holds a monopoly on His glory. The Word made flesh, not the word on the page, is the center of our faith.

So let the church rise again — not around versions, but around the Victor; not around texts, but around Truth Himself. For if we keep biting and devouring one another, we shall be consumed one of another (Galatians 5:15).

Those who have divided God’s church under the banner of “defending it” must hang their heads in shame — for in exalting themselves, they have dethroned Christ in the hearts of many.

“He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” — Matthew 12:30

Let us therefore stop scattering. Let us build together.