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The Church is Undenominational “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.” Rom.16:16

The Early Christians were Undenominational Were the Apostles members of a denomination? Did they join the denomination of their choice? They were members of the church and did not belong to any denomination ! No “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1

“Religious Denomination” What is a Denomination? “Religious Denomination” “A religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body a number of local congregations.” [Webster’s] “a distinct religious body identified by traits such as a common name, structure, leadership and doctrine.”

What is a Denomination? Word denomination is not in N.T. Sect of Jews = Pharisees & Sadducees Acts 5:17 “(which is the sect of the Sadducees,)” Acts 15:5 “the sect of the Pharisees” Sect “a party or disunion, heresy” Acts 28:22 “this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.” The Church Was Not a Jewish Sect !!!

The Church was Undenominational No person in New Testament times joined a denomination. Christianity is undenominational. It is not inter-denominational It is not conglomerationalism

The Church was Undenominational Did the Apostles tell others to join the church of their choice ?? All the apostles were members of the same church. All the people they converted were members of that same church. NO

The Church was Undenominational Pentecost – Acts 2 - Peter preached People asked what to do Acts 2:38 – repent and be baptized Acts 2:41 - 3,000 were baptized Acts 2:47 – Lord added them to the church Which church ?????

The Church was Undenominational They were all members of the same Church Did the apostles want them to divide into small units or denominations? They had plenty of people to organize several denominations. 3,000 - Acts 2 5,000 - Acts 4:4 “believers were the more added to the Lord” Acts 5:14 “number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly:” Acts 6:7 NO

The Church was Undenominational Acts 2:42 “They continued in the apostles doctrine.” They did not teach contradictory doctrines. Denominations today teach contradictory doctrines. Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul.” Phil. 1:27b “... that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

The Church was Undenominational Paul Apollos Cephas Christ The apostles discouraged dividing... 1 Cor. 1:10-17 - they had 4 groups “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” v.10

The Church was Undenominational “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:20-21 Unity of believers Example = Jesus and the Father Reason = that the world may believe

The Church was Undenominational The apostles did not join any denomination, but were members of the church which Jesus built. We teach people what to do to be saved. They obey the gospel. And the Lord adds them to the church. We become Christians “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11:26

I Am a Christian “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Acts 11:26 People ask: “What are you religiously?” “I am a Christian. ” “What kind of a Christian?” “Just a Christian.”

I Am a Christian “What denomination do you belong to?” “I do not belong to any denomination.” “You mean you are not a member of any denomination?” “No. I have never joined a denomination in my life.” “I obeyed the gospel and the Lord added me to His Church.”

The Church is Undenominational Accounts of conversion in the book of Acts show that they heard and obeyed the gospel and were added to the church. They did not join a denomination Denominationalism was unknown to the New Testament writers Let us simply be Christians following and practicing the things in the New Testament

The Church is Undenominational “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.” Rom.16:16

Nelson Chapel Church of Christ 5039 Six Mile Road Maryville, Tn. 37803 www.nelsonchapelchurchofchrist.org March 4, 2018 Sermon by Arthur Pigman 2705 Druid Hill Dr. Maryville, Tn. 37804 art65ann@gmail.com CCL11325562