Un-denominating Christianity Sects and Denominations Pt. 2

Resisting Denominational Pressures “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” If it looks like a denomination, acts like a denomination and functions like a denomination….is it therefore a denomination?

Two opposing thoughts We are NOT a sect… “These Disciples of Christ, or Christians, claim to be members of the body of Christ – to belong to no other body. We may not know, and doubtless do not, in all cases, who or how many precisely are included in the general body. It, however, includes the whole family, the entire number of the redeemed – all the children of God. Defining the word ‘we’, then, as used by President Pendleton, as meaning the children of God in the aggregate, or the body of Christ, we deny that we are a sect.” -Benjamin Franklin, American Christian Review, 1870

We ARE a denomination “And must we not candidly admit that we have most, if not all, of the earmarks of a denomination? We are a separate people, requiring our members to come out of the other religious bodies if they would join us. We have our own separate corporate existence, with conventions, boards, officers, and secretaries….We have our own press and our own Sunday school literature….Whether we like it or not, the years have seen us driven…in the direction of an out-and-out denomination.” (unattributed – Christian Evangelist, 1937)

So What Is A Denomination – Exactly? “A denomination can be defined as a doctrinally distinct body of professed Christians, but not the only Christians, who believe that they have been saved by grace through faith in Christ apart from any other requirement and who have denominated themselves with a distinctive name by which they distinguish their characteristic doctrine and practice from other denominations.” -- Ed Wharton, The Church of Christ

Or…. “…I think the mistake we make is due to confusing being a denomination (which we certainly are) with being guilty of ‘denominationalism.’ This is defined by RandomHouse as, ‘denominational or sectarian spirit or policy; the tendency to divide into denominations or sects.’ In principle, we oppose denominationalism, although we’ve often been guilty of it. But we recognize and teach that any division within the body of Christ is wrong.” -- Jay Guin, Wineskins.org, May 26, 2007

Right Principle – Wrong Behavior? We do agree that division in the body is wrong. That much is undeniably clear in Scripture. How we teach and practice that truth, however, can be an unintentional foray into denominationalism if we are not aware!

What Did Jesus Mean When He said… “John said to Him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.’” –Mark 9:38-41

Does not necessarily say the unknown exorcist is eternally saved. But does teach against the sectarian idea that only one group can have all things right. “The human temptation to channel all good through our own hands and to despise all groups except our own is evident here.” -- Burton Coffman Commentary on Mark

What Is meant by… Acts 10:34-35 – “Opening his mouth, Peter said: ‘I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” Does NOT say welcome regardless of belief or activity. Does say God knows who are His better than we do.

Who Makes Up The Church? “The sum of it all is that the church of God is one spiritual body in Christ, in which every Christian is a member. No one can become a Christian without also becoming at the same time and by the same process, a member of the spiritual body of Christ.” -- F.D. Srygley, The New Testament Church, 1910

So that… Only God knows who all is in His body. We must neither assume certain groups are not, nor assume beyond doubt that our group is. Rather, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matt. 7:21

Leaving me to…. Philippians 2:12-13 – “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed…work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” I am responsible for Me!

And Also… Luke 16:15 – “And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” Is what we think is important necessarily what God thinks is important?

And What About… 2 Timothy 2:19 – “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.’” God knows for certain what we can only assume to know!

How Do We Avoid Denominationalism? Never think we are saved because we attend a congregation with a certain name on the building. Never assume others are automatically lost because they do not. Never presume to know the eternal outcome of another. Teach truth and leave judgment to God.

Neither More Than nor less than the Church “Christians only by not the only Christians.” Calls those in denominations to come out and be a part of the one church. Preach, teach and practice one church. Let God be the only Judge.