[NYer]

I don’t understand why it is assumed a Christian group is not legitimate unless they can prove they were a “church in exile” during the Apostolic and Ante Nicene era.

According to Scripture, Christ wanted us to be one (John 17:22-23).  We are all as a Church to be of one mind and to think the same (Philippians 2:2; Romans 15:5).  There is only to be one "faith" (Ephesians 4:3-6), not many.  For the Church is Christ's Body and Christ only had one Body, not many.  Also, since the Church is Christ's Bride (Ephesians 5:29), can Christ be married to more than one wife (essentially a spiritual form of the the sin of polygamy)?  No, Christ can only have one wife (i.e., one Church, not many).

[lastchance]

Nyer, Oh I understand and I agree. But trying to prove that a Baptist style church existed before the Reformation is a twisted abuse of history and only makes those who argue for this look like fools.

[Always Right]

There is only to be one "faith" (Ephesians 4:3-6), not many.

Once Christians stop arguing over all these peripheral issues, and realize we all agree on the gospel, there is just one faith.