True Worship Why Denominationalism Is Wrong. Letting The Bible Teach Us The True Understanding Towards Worship

Introduction Last week we presented many scriptures and exposed the denominations as being wrong in view of the scriptures. We want to continue this study today and wrap up this segment of lessons. Tonight we will look at some of the arguments in support of denominations, and the scriptural responses.

True Worship Matthew 15:13-14 (NKJV) But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. {14} Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." It has been shown that man has introduced these hundreds of religious bodies. The Bible teaches that God does not accept this division. Those who follow the teachings and doctrines of these false ways are being lead into destruction. Psalms 127:1 (NKJV) Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. In view of this statement, why not search for the True Church which is found in the New Testament?

True Worship To know whether or not a particular religious organization was planted by God, all one needs to do is to study the New Testament. If the divine word expressly authorizes an organization, then we can be assured that God established it. But a cautious and careful examination and investigation of the New Testament will not reveal a single reference to any denomination existent in the world today. We can carefully conclude that God did not plant or establish the denominations, therefore, they will be rooted up by God and cast into the fire. The most tragic result of denominationalism is that many precious souls will be lost no matter how right they may have been to their own denominational laws.

True Worship Matthew 17:5 (NKJV) While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!“ The context reveals that the law, represented by Moses, and the prophets, represented by Elijah, was to be replaced by the words of Jesus. Matthew 28:18 (NKJV) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Jesus did not say some authority or most authority, but all authority. Every decision made to serve Him must be done in His way which He has authorized.

True Worship John 12:48 (NKJV) "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. Man rejects Christ and God when he does not receive and accept the teaching that is given to us in the Holy Bible. As a result, we will be judged by the words that teach us how to live righteous lives in the sight of God. Romans 16:17-18 (NKJV) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. {18} For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. Every denomination exist because of division. Because some could not agree as to the meaning of certain scriptures or beliefs. Or because some became tired of the old ways and needed something new. Or because some influential person swayed them. Or out of a conviction that something was amiss, they started another denomination.

True Worship 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 (NKJV) For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. {12} Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." {13} Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Some failed to realize that we should be serving Christ, and not some man or hold to what some man taught. Many religions have taken upon themselves the name of a person or a practice as their identity. Mark 7:8-9 (NKJV) "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men; the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." {9} He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. Some just outright reject God's commandments. Some for selfish purposes, others because they follow traditions of parents or others they love and respect. Some will hold to their traditions even when shown that those traditions are wrong in the sight of God.

True Worship Mark 7:13 (NKJV) "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." For these people, the word of God means nothing. They do not respect the Bible and the authority that it holds. Thus their own conscience becomes their own guides, and anything goes in their beliefs. Colossians 2:8 (NKJV) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Those who will be rejected by God on judgment day will try to blame these con-artist, but they have no one to blame but themselves, for allowing themselves to be led away from God's truth.

True Worship Matthew 15:9 (NKJV) And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' " These people are worshipping God in vain. God does not pay any attention to a prayer prayed by an unrighteous person, no matter how sincere they may be. All the good that may be done by these religious organizations bring glory upon themselves and not God. Colossians 2:22 (NKJV) which all concern things which perish with the using; according to the commandments and doctrines of men? Oh! But their doctrines sound so comforting and simple. These doctrines are leading the simple minded and the arrogant away from God, not toward Him.

True Worship 1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, Friends, we are in the latter times. If you cannot think that some will depart from the faith, just look around at the many various doctrines taught as truth. Matthew 10:37 (NKJV) "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Tough decisions have to be made. An individual must leave past traditions that are still being held by those they might love. If we are to be worthy to Christ, we must devote ourselves to Him. We must obey Him.

True Worship Matthew 24:11 (NKJV) "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Who is the false prophet? For most, anyone who does not teach their beliefs. But in light of the Bible, anyone who does not teach the Bible. Galatians 1:8-9 (NKJV) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. {9} As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. How can people be pleased with gospels other than what was given in the New Testament? These people allow laws to be made where God has not made laws. The making of laws has necessarily produced the need for creeds, dogmas, and written works of rules, by-laws, doctrines, or legislation. These creeds necessarily have more than the Bible or they have less than the Bible. Because it is obvious that the Bible is not acceptable to these people as a source of authority.

True Worship Colossians 2:8 (NKJV) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Many in trying to keep their separate identities will compromise with error. Jesus on the earth warned against false teaching. Later the apostles warned against false teaching and error. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NKJV) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: {2} Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. {3} For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; {4} and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. People will not endure sound doctrine, which is the truth, and will always find teachers of their own desires. If you do not like one persons teaching, then you can always find someone else who will say the things you want to hear. They will turn from the truth and be turned to fables.

True Worship 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. Acceptance of any doctrine not found in God's word, will bring destruction. 2 Timothy 2:12 (NASB) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; We deny Him every time we fail to keep His word.

True Worship 1 John 4:1 (NKJV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. How are we to test the spirits? Well, there is only one standard that is constant and sure. The Bible! In view of all this, there are still gullible people who do not think that there are any false teachers, even though Christ, the apostles and the Holy Spirit said that there are. Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 12:30 (NKJV) "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. The Bible also teaches that there can be no compromises concerning the truth. Many today trying to bring about unity, will compromise the truth in order to have unity. This is not acceptable to God.

True Worship Acts 20:29-30 (NKJV) "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. The first digression from the truth in the primitive church resulted from the apathy of the Lord's followers toward false teachers and the erroneous teaching. Indeed, every original departure from the word of God has been the result of compromise with the forces of error, the divisions of denominationalism being the final result.

Conclusion No denomination was ever made from strict adherence to the authority of Christ, the New Testament; for people never divide over what the New Testament teaches but over what it does not teach. As has already been expressed, the only cure for religious division, as well as for all other sins, is the New Testament, the authority of Christ. This is the only standard that can bring unity out of division, order out of chaos. Since religious division is basically caused by departure from the divine standard, then the only way of transition from division to unity is for those in the denominations to forsake the doctrines and practices of men and come to the New Testament.

Conclusion Since all the denominations claim to look to Jesus Christ as their leader, let them put this claim into practice by implicitly following the revelation of Christ as revealed in the New Testament in all that they believe, teach, and practice. No one is asked to give up the truth in their doctrines, only the error of their doctrines. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB) "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,"says the Lord...... There can be nothing wrong with separating from denominations and coming to the true church.