Song Numbers

The church of Christ is not a denomination

“The church of Christ is undenominational in that it is not a denomination and in that it stands opposed to denominationalism.” (Leroy Brownlow)

Our Lord did not align himself with any party or division while here upon the earth 4 Divisions among the Jews: Pharisees Sadducees Herodian's Essenes Christ belonged to none of these

Let’s study a two-fold contrast between the church of the N. T Let’s study a two-fold contrast between the church of the N.T. and denominationalism

1. Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Divine in origin Is. 2:2-4 Mt. 16:18 Dan. 2:44 Manmade – without divine origin

Is. 2:2-4 [2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

[3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Mt. 16:18 [18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Dan. 2:44 [44] And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

2. Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Began in the first century Acts 2:47 Began in the 7th century and onward

Acts 2:47 [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

3. Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Began in Jerusalem Is. 2:2-4 Mk. 9:1 Lk. 24:46-47 Acts 1:8 Acts 2:1-4 Began in various places

Mk 9:1 [1] And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Kingdom of God would come with power

Lk. 24:49 [49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Kingdom of God would come with power Power would come while apostles were in Jerusalem

Acts 1:8 [8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Kingdom of God would come with power Power would come while apostles were in Jerusalem Power would come after the Holy Spirit came upon them

Acts 2:1-4 [1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Kingdom of God (church) would come with power Power would come while apostles were in Jerusalem Power would come after the Holy Spirit came upon them They were baptized in the Holy Spirit on Pentecost of Acts 2 Church began in Jerusalem on Pentecost of Acts 2 (1st century)

Lk. 24:46-47 [46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

4. Church of the N.T. Denominationalism The apostles were members of this church Acts 2:41 No apostles who were members of denominations – they did not exist

Acts 2:41 [41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

5. Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Bible only Acts 2:42 1 Pet. 4:11 Gal. 1:6-9 Rev. 22:18-19 Jude 3 Creeds Manuals Disciplines Catechism – (basic teaching of a particular religion in the form of questions and answers)

Acts 2:42 [42] And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1 Pet. 4:11 [11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;

Gal. 1:6-9 [6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

[8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Rev. 22:18-19 [18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: [19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Jude 3 [3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

6. Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Entered by believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized Acts 2:36-38 Acts 8:36-38 There are human laws of bringing one into a denomination

Acts 2:36-38 [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. [37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:36-38 [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [37] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

[38] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

More contrasts

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Will last forever Dan. 2:44 Heb. 12:28-29 Will be rooted up Mt. 15:13

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Designated by Bible names Rom. 16:16 Acts 20:28 1 Cor. 1:2 Named after men or forms of church government, etc.

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Heavenly headquarters Eph. 1:22-23 1 Pet. 3:22 Earthly headquarters

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism The Lord adds the saved to the church Acts 2:47 Men join denominations

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Essential to salvation Eph. 5:23 Acts 20:28 Man teaches that one can be saved and never be a member of a denomination

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Purchased by the blood of Christ Acts 20:28 No such price paid

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism The church of Christ’s choice Mt. 16:18-19 Col. 1:24 The church of man’s choice

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism One church 1 Cor. 12:20 Mt. 16:18 Many bodies or churches

Church of the N.T. Denominationalism Walk by the same rule Phil. 3:16 Walk by different rules