1. THE SIN OF DENOMINATIONALISM
JOHN 17:17-21

2. DEFINITIONS
Unity - The fact or state of being one, together, sameness. Cf. 1 Cor. 1:10
Authority - Right, ability, jurisdiction
Denomination -
n. The act of naming or calling by name. A religious group; a sect.
Denominationalism - A disposition to divide into or form denominations.

3. DEFINITIONS -- continued
Sect - (Greek - hairesis]
Properly denotes choice …
New Testament uses the word to denote a “party” with the suggestion of self-will or sectarian spirit. (W.E. Vines)
Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5; 28:22
It is never used as a designation of the church by the Holy Spirit! Christ is not divided!

4. THESIS
It is the case that all religious groups / bodies existing without the authority of Christ are religious groups / bodies that are sinful; and that all people who enter those groups / bodies sin in so doing.

5. PROPOSITION ONE:
JESUS IS IN AUTHORITY TODAY AND HAS GIVEN US HIS WILL.
John 17:1-5
Matthew 28:18-20
James 4:12a

6. PROPOSITION TWO:
JESUS BUILT ONLY ONE CHURCH AS PROPHESIED AND PROMISED. DENOMINATIONALISM IS NOT A PART OF IT.
2 Sam. 7:11-16
Matt. 16:13-18
Col. 1:18, 24

7. ONE CHURCH All The Saved Are In The One Gal. 3:26-29 Church
The Baptist
The Methodist
The Catholic
The Pentecostal
7th Day Adventist
are not in the CHURCH!
All The
Saved
Are In
The One
Church
Gal. 3:26-29
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

8. PROPOSITION THREE:
THEREFORE ALL RELIGIOUS GROUPS / BODIES EXCEPT THE CHURCH OF CHRIST EXIST WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST.
Acts 20:28-31
1 Tim. 4:1; Gal. 1:6-9

9. CONCLUSION
Proposition One is True: Jesus is in authority today and has given us his will.
Proposition Two is True: Jesus built only one church as prophesied and promised in scripture and denominationalism is not a part of it.
Therefore the conclusion is True: All religious groups except the church of Christ exist without the authority of Jesus the Christ.

10. What Will You Do? Believe the gospel - Acts 15:7
Repent of sins Acts 17:30
Confess faith in Jesus Rom. 10:10
Be baptized for remission of past sins
Acts 2:38
Live faithfully serving God in the Church of Christ
Ephesians 3:21; Revelation 2:10