Un-denominating Christianity Sects and Denominations Pt. 1

Satan’s Perverting Work Satan is a master at twisting even our greatest and most noble endeavors. Even as we strive to hold to New Testament doctrine and to be holy people, he tries to twist our efforts into denominationalism.

There is a fine line between standing for the truth and self-isolation to defend the truth. How do we stand for Bible truth without becoming sectarian in our approach? How do we disagree with others on doctrinal matters without feeling ourselves to be superior and unique?

Schisms from restoration efforts As restoration efforts in the 1820s moved into the 1830s, the restoration church became increasingly isolated. Primary reason was teaching baptism by immersion for remission of sins. Denominations with Calvinistic and Lutheran backgrounds refused to accept that doctrine.

Why Was Baptism Issue Important? Remember the principles of “Bible things in Bible ways”? The Bible is very clear on baptism. Acts 2:38 -- “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 22:16 – “Now why do you delay Acts 22:16 – “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’” Reasoning is clear. In both cases (and others) forgiveness of sins is tied to baptism.

Shut Out By Denominations Over doctrinal differences Infant baptism Church organization Once saved always saved Plurality of elders

Defining Sectarianism An issue that plagued the early movement was deciding what, exactly, was a denomination and was the movement moving toward yet more sectarianism. SECTARIANISM: the process of dividing into sects, excessive devotion to a particular sect, especially in religion.

Determination Not To Be Another Denomination “But what kind of reformation is requisite to this end? It is not the erection of a new sect, the inventing of new shibboleths, or the setting up of a new creed, not the adopting of any in existence save the New Testament, in the for in which it pleased the Spirit of God to give it.” --Alexander Campbell, 1825

Dead Set Against Creeds “Every sect, with a human creed, carries in it, as the human body the seeds of its own mortality.” – Alexander Campbell Thought that the writing of creeds was at the heart of denominationalism. Strove to call disciples out of the sects.

Christians Amongst The Sects? He believed full well that there were properly saved Christians amongst the sects (denominations). “The true Christian church, or house of God, is composed of all those in every place that do publicly acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as the true Messiah….and are walking in his ordinances and commandments – and of none else.” -- Alexander Campbell

View Of The Nature Of The Church “Hence, there is but one kingdom of Christ, one body of Christ, or one church of Christ on earth. The word church, by reference to its occurrences in the New Testament, indicates the whole Christian community on earth….” – A.C., 1853

1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours….”

Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” One body into which all the saved are called.

Who Withdrew From Whom? Soon accusations were made that the restoration churches had established yet another denomination. One example of such was a letter to Campbell from John Waller early in the development of the movement.

“At the commencement of your career, you lectured much upon the pernicious effects of sectarianism. Your object, you said, was to destroy it….But have you succeeded? Has the monster fallen? Are there fewer sects? Nay, is there not a new sect, composed of yourselves?....I hope to show you that you are as much characterized by sectarian principles as others.” -- John Waller (Years later John Waller embraced those very principles he started out to oppose).

Campbell’s reply “If we are a sect, then, we ask, in the day of judgment at whose door will this sin lie? The first Christians were a sect amongst the Jews. But on which party does the guilt lie!! The Christians or those who made them a sect?....Did we excommunicate the Baptists or did they excommunicate us?... You made us a sect for cherishing catholic principles….We have not a known article in our faith that is not as broad as Christendom, or more catholic than ever was Greek, or Roman, or Protestant denominational catholicism, dead or living.”

Who Made The Church A sect? Acts 24:5, 14 --For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes….But this I [Paul] admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect do I serve the God of our fathers….”

Acts 28:22 “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.” Who called it a sect? Does being rejected by others make one a sect or a denomination if the principle driving one is to unite all into one?

Rejection Of The concepts of sects and denominations Campbell held a view that separated sectarianism and denominationalism. The one was an evil which intends to keep groups separate, the other the result of holding particular views contrary to those held by others. Later those distinctions were challenged.

We are neither! “If the word ‘denomination’ is accepted as a synonym for ‘sect’ and is taken to indicate that we have taken our place simply as one of the many denominations or sects of Christianity – we protest against being called a denomination – we prefer to be considered a movement in the church pleading for the union of all who love our Lord, by a return to the faith and practice of the New Testament Church.” --Benjamin Lyon Smith, 1902

Where are we now? An uneasy stance: separate from denominations without being a denomination. A dream: of one universal church dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ and His will. A hope: that others will abandon manmade creeds, manmade traditions and false doctrines to become just Christians.

Which ultimately means… “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?.... ‘Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord.” Sometimes we must stand alone!