 What is a denomination? Webster: a “sect,” a “party,” or a “faction.” Webster: a “sect,” a “party,” or a “faction.” Dictionnary.com: a “sectarian spirit or policy; the tendency to divide into denominations or sects.” Dictionnary.com: a “sectarian spirit or policy; the tendency to divide into denominations or sects.” A distinct religious group with a peculiar name, doctrine, organization, terms of membership, etc. A distinct religious group with a peculiar name, doctrine, organization, terms of membership, etc. 2  What distinguishes Lutherans from Roman Catholics? Baptists from Methodists?  Is denominationalism approved by the Bible? Was the church in the New Testament a denomination? NO!!

 Is it ok to criticize the religion of others? Never discuss religion or politics. Never discuss religion or politics. Constitution grants us “freedom of religion.” Constitution grants us “freedom of religion.” In today’s society it is not politically correct”! In today’s society it is not politically correct”! 3  Jesus criticized other religions: Matt. 15:3-14; Matt. 23; 7:15; 24:11; Rom. 16:17; 2 Jn  Old Testament prophets criticized other religions: Ex. 32; 1 Kgs. 18:40; Isa. 44:9-20; Jn. 1:6; Matt. 3:2-12  Apostles criticized other religions: 2 Pet. 2:1; 3:17; Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1; Col. 2:8

 The OT prophets, the apostles and the Lord would not have met untimely deaths if not for their criticism of ‘other religions.’  When it comes to religion nobody should be above scrutiny and criticism given what is at stake: 1 Pet. 3:15; Matt. 7:13-14; 16:26  How would you react? Criticize in return or follow the plea to “search the Scriptures” to determine whether your beliefs and practices are God’s way or man’s way? Acts 17:11 4

 Purpose and spirit of criticism:  It’s all about motive! Ezek. 33:7-9; Jude 3; Matt. 23:37-39; Jude 23; Gal. 4:11  The wise person welcomes criticism and takes it to heart: Prov. 15:32; Gal. 4:16; Psa. 141:5  This is not about whether or not we are the one true church (we’ll get to that in another lesson).  It is simply about “What saith the Scriptures.”  Is denominationalism God’s way or man’s way? 5

The New Testament Church

 No clearer doctrine taught in the NT: Matt. 16:18  The “one body” is Christ’s church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18), built by Jesus (Matt. 16:18) and not by man (Heb. 8:1-2).  It is a spiritual house made up of “living stones” (1 Pet. 2:5), citizens of God’s kingdom (Col. 1:13) saints of God (Col. 1:2).  People “born [again] of water and the Spirit” into God’s family (Jn. 3:5; Eph. 2:19).  Christ’s church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20) not upon the sands of denominational creeds and traditions. 7 Sin of Denominationalism

 Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” (1 Pet. 2:6-7) foundation (1 Cor. 3:11) only head (Eph. 1:22), and “all authority” is in Him (Matt. 28:18) leaving no room for Popes, Presidents, councils or conventions.  Jesus built the church according to the divine pattern given by God (Heb. 8:1-2).  “Except Jehovah build the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Psa. 127:1), leaving those built by Luther, Calvin, Wesley, etc. out in the cold!  Jesus condemned the religious sects of His day and the denominations of today: Mk. 7:6-9, 13; Matt. 15: Sin of Denominationalism

 Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for their division, their sectarianism; the very basis for denominationalism: 1 Cor. 1:10-13  Paul describes such behavior with scathing language: 1 Cor. 3:3; Rom. 8:7  Paul includes “factions, divisions, parties,” sins at the heart of denominationalism, among “the works of the flesh” which will cause one to “not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:20-21).  Our “politically correct” society exalts and extols the ‘virtues’ of denominationalism while God’s Word condemns it! 9 Sin of Denominationalism

 Jesus prayed for unity the night before His crucifixion: Jn. 17:20-21  Jesus’ prayer for unity reveals two critical truths: 1) unity is possible, and 2) unity is God’s desire.  Denominationalism promotes division not unity.  Puts it against Jesus’ prayer, makes it anti-God. 10 Sin of Denominationalism

 Basis of unity is “through their word”: Jn. 17:20-21  “all truth” found only in God’s word: Jn. 16:13; 17:17; Jude 3  Unity can only be achieved by going back to the “Bible alone”: 1 Pet. 4:11  Christians can only be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” when we all humbly abide in Christ’s doctrine and reject all denominational doctrines, creeds and catechisms: 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Jn Sin of Denominationalism

 Paul reveals God’s plan for unity: Eph. 4:1-6  First, unity is impossible unless we all walk “worthy of the calling in which you were called”: Eph. 4:1  Second, unity is something we must work at: Eph. 4:3  Third, unity is not based on human wisdom or human schemes, but upon God’s word: Eph. 4:3  Note Paul’s list of seven “ones”; denominationalism teaches the exact opposite!  All of us should question our “church” in light of God’s plan for unity. 12 Sin of Denominationalism

 When: ~33 AD  Church yet future when Christ on earth: Matt. 16:18  Church to be established “in the latter days” (i.e., “last days”): Isa. 2:2-4; Heb. 1:1-2  Peter associates events of Acts 2 with “the last days”: Acts 2:16-17  Church spoken of as being in existence for the first time in Acts 2:47 13 Sin of Denominationalism

 Where: Jerusalem  Prophecy identifies Jerusalem as place of establish- ment: Isa. 2:2-4  Coming of kingdom (i.e., church) associated with the coming of Holy Spirit: Mk. 9:1  Apostles promised the Holy Spirit: Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13  Apostles to remain in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit: Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8  All of this unfolds in Jerusalem on Pentecost: Acts 2:1- 4, Sin of Denominationalism

 Who: Jesus Christ  Church according to prophecy and per God’s eternal purpose: Isa. 2:2-4; Eph. 3:10-12  Jesus promised to build His church: Matt. 16:18  He purchased it with His own blood: Acts 20:28  He built it on the first Pentecost after His death, burial and resurrection: Acts 2:47  Church of divine origin, not human! Heb. 8: Sin of Denominationalism

 What: Hebrews 8:1-2  Church belongs to the Lord: Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28  Called “church of God”: 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1  Called the “churches of Christ”: Rom. 16:16  Recall built by Christ and purchased with His blood: Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28 16 Sin of Denominationalism

 Denominations, Catholicism and Protestantism, are unnecessary:  First, if essential they would be found in the Bible with instructions on how to create, sustain, and support them.  Second, not one spiritual blessing can be found in them: Eph. 1:3,  Third, consider the apostles: What denomination(s) did they belong to? Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Mormon, etc.? No denomination today could claim them! 17 Sin of Denominationalism

 Denominational membership unnecessary:  What would a faithful Christian lack by never being a member of one?  If we are saved by Christ’s blood by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10) and we live dedicated to the Lord (Col. 1:21-23); what do we lack by never joining a denomination?  If we are born of water and Spirit (Jn. 3:3-5) and grow up in Christ through His word (1 Pet. 2:2) of what are we deprived if we never become a member of a denomination?  If we believe in Jesus (Jn. 3:16), confess Him as Lord (Acts 8:37), and serve Him faithfully (Rev. 2:10) what do we miss if we never even hear of a denomination?  If it is possible to be saved by Christ’s blood through washing of water by the word (Eph. 5:26); to be baptized by one Spirit into Christ’s “one body” (Eph. 4:4) and to serve the Lord therein (1 Cor. 12:13) and go to heaven (Eph. 5:23); why are denominations needed? 18 Sin of Denominationalism

 Membership in Christ’s church is necessary:  Can’t be saved outside the “body of Christ” the church for Christ “is the Savior of the body”: Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:23  All spiritual blessings are “in Christ”: Eph. 1:3  To be “in Christ” one must be in His; “church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all”: Eph. 1:22, 23; 5:23  There is no salvation outside the body of Christ; one can be saved and go to heaven and never enter a denominational church! 19 Sin of Denominationalism

 Our plea:  Will any claim denominations are necessary?  Will any declare the body of Christ is not?  Why then are so many devoted to these unnecessary, non- essential bodies and not the body of Christ?  If membership in the body of Christ is a Bible doctrine why are so many apologetic or ashamed of it?  Why not follow 1 Peter 4:11 and let God’s oracles make us what it will?  Why not simply be Christians only?  We can by simply following Christ’s doctrine: 2 Jn Sin of Denominationalism

 Not through human schemes:  Recall that church history is the history of apostasy.  Division is so commonplace any truly godly man would be brokenhearted and yearn to restore unity.  Thus, many ecumenical movements arose over the years.  Such plans are doomed to failure: Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12  Only way to achieve unity is via 1 Pet. 4:11  Recall 1 Corinthians 1:10; how could this ever be possible? 1 Pet. 4:11; Col. 3:17  Our opinions don’t matter! Only God’s word! Rom. 4:3; Jn. 17:17; 14:15; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Col. 3:17; Jude 3; 1 Cor. 4:6; Isa. 8:20 21 Sin of Denominationalism

 Example of worship:  The New Testament specifies “singing” as the type of music for worship: Eph. 5:19  All ten NT passages mentioning music limit it to singing, not playing: Col. 3:16  Most denominations add instrumental music to worship.  Recall 1 Peter 4:11: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.”  What do “the oracles of God” say about music? Sing!  Who causes division by insisting on instrumental music?  Are such matters trivial? Lev. 10:1-2; Num. 20:7-12; 1 Cor. 10:11 22 Sin of Denominationalism

 Example concerning God’s terms of forgiveness:  Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…”: Mk. 16:16  Most denominations teach “faith only”; “accept Jesus as your personal Savior” and you are saved!  Recall 1 Peter 4:11: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.”  What do “the oracles of God” say about salvation and baptism? Mk. 16:16  If one desires unity and to abide in “the doctrine of Christ” what will they teach and practice concerning baptism?  Obvious to anyone who truly respects God’s word! 1 Pet. 4:11 23 Sin of Denominationalism

 Denominationalism manifests the spirit of division!  Paul labels this spirit as being “carnal and behaving like mere men”: 1 Cor. 3:3  Possessing a “carnal mind” makes us God’s enemy! Rom. 8:7-8  Denominationalism demonstrates a factious spirit; a “work of the flesh”: Gal. 5:

 Denominationalism is directly opposed to:  Jesus’ prayer for unity: Jn. 17:20-21  Paul’s plea for unity: 1 Cor. 1:10-13  God’s plan for unity: Eph. 4:1-6  Those caught up in denominationalism are transgressing and not abiding in “the doctrine of Christ” and do “not have God”! 2 Jn  They “will not inherit the kingdom of God”: Gal. 5:21 25 The way to unity is simple: Let us reject all denominational doctrines, creeds, and catechisms and “speak as the oracles of God” and “abide in the doctrine of Christ.”