W HY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF C HRIST BECAUSE ITS UNDENOMINATIONAL John 10:14-16

J OHN 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

C HRIST WAS UNDENOMINATIONAL SO H IS CHURCH MUST BE. The Lord did not align himself with any party or division during his earthly work. What the Lord did…

C HRIST WAS UNDENOMINATIONAL SO H IS CHURCH MUST BE. What the Lord did… Our Lord prayed for unity " I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. – John 17:20-21

C HRIST WAS UNDENOMINATIONAL SO H IS CHURCH MUST BE. What the Lord did… Our Lord paid for unity and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. – Ephesians 2:16

C HRIST WAS UNDENOMINATIONAL SO H IS CHURCH MUST BE. What the Lord did… Our Lord pleaded for unity Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. – 1 Corinthians 1:10

C HRIST WAS UNDENOMINATIONAL SO H IS CHURCH MUST BE. What the Lord did… Our Lord planned for unity I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

C HRIST WAS UNDENOMINATIONAL SO H IS CHURCH MUST BE. What the Lord did… Our Lord planned for unity There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. – Ephesians 4:1-6

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church is divine in origin And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. – Matthew 16:18

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church is divine in origin. And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. – Daniel 2:44

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM Denominationalism is man made without divine origin For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. – 1 Corinthians 14:33

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord’s prayer for unity. " I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. – John 17:20-21

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church is designated by Bible names Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. – Romans 16:16 Also consider: Acts 20:28 & 1 Corinthians 1:2

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM Denominations are named after men, forms of church government, and virtues. Yet we are to speak as the oracles of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:11

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church began in the first century. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. – Acts 2:47

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church began in the first century. Catholicism began in the 7th century and Protestantism had its beginning in the 16th century.

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church has heavenly headquarters And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. – Ephesians 1:22-23

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church has heavenly headquarters Denominations have earthly headquarters; some in Rome, or Salt Lake City, or Independence Missouri, etc.

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church; its members are added to it. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. – Acts 2:47

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church; its members are added to it. Denominations – members JOIN – you do not join the family of God; rather, you are added to that congregation.

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church: its members enter by believing, repenting, confessing, and being baptized. Acts 2:37-74 Acts 8:26-40

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM Denominationalism-members enter by following: human laws of entrance, members may be voted in, members may have to have “a religious experience, or experience the Holy Spirit”, may have to sign a written agreement concerning how much they will contribute each week, etc.

T HE CHURCH OF THE N EW T ESTAMENT VERSUS D ENOMINATIONALISM The N.T. church began in Jerusalem: Zechariah 1:16 Isaiah 2:1-4 Mark 9:1 Luke 24:46 Acts 1:1-4

A RE DENOMINATIONS UNITED ? Denominations press unity among themselves. Unity in diversity.

A RE DENOMINATIONS UNITED ? What this plea really means – we will ignore our differences. We will ignore the fact that each: - teach differently concerning salvation - teach differently concerning the Holy Spirit. - teach differently concerning worship - teach differently concerning the Lord’s Supper - and the list goes on and on.

S HOULDN ’ T EVERYONE WANT TO BE PART OF A CHURCH THAT IS NOT A DENOMINATION ?