2. Welcome Times of Assembly Sunday Wednesday Sunday Wednesday 9:45 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Bible Study 10:45 am Worship 5:00 pm Worship -Listening assistance devices are available. -Listening assistance devices are available. -Sermons are available on DVD, VHS & Audio tapes -Sermons are available on DVD, VHS & Audio tapes  Free of charge. -Please turn off cell phones and other devices. -Please turn off cell phones and other devices.

3. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5

4. Denominationalism Ephesians 4:4-6

5. Denominationalism World is divided into different theological ideologies. World is divided into different theological ideologies. Denomination: A religious organization uniting local congregations in a single legal and administrative body. Denomination: A religious organization uniting local congregations in a single legal and administrative body. Three aspects to examine: Three aspects to examine: Definition.Definition. History.History. Apply to the first Christian churches.Apply to the first Christian churches.

6. Denominationalism Defined Result from a rallying around men. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 Result from a rallying around men. 1 Cor. 1:10-13 Denominations are bound by: Denominations are bound by: Name.Name. Creed.Creed. Liturgy.Liturgy. Ecclesiastical hierarchy.Ecclesiastical hierarchy. Council, synod, conference, presbytery, papacy. Council, synod, conference, presbytery, papacy.

7. Denominationalism Defined Property is not the local congregations. Property is not the local congregations. Denominational officials are ordained. Denominational officials are ordained. Distinction between clergy and laity. Distinction between clergy and laity. Clergy are:Clergy are: Ministers. Ministers. Priest. Priest. Pastors. Pastors. Bishops. Bishops. Laity is the common member.Laity is the common member. Congregations taxed. Congregations taxed.

8. History of Denominationalism (2 Tim.4:3-4; Gal.1:6-9) Catholicism- (universal church) AD 600 Catholicism- (universal church) AD 600 Organizing the Christian churches. Organizing the Christian churches. Various doctrines associated. Various doctrines associated. Transubstantiation, AD 1215. Transubstantiation, AD 1215. Celibacy, AD 800. Celibacy, AD 800. Purgatory, AD 593. Purgatory, AD 593. Baptism by sprinkling, AD 1311. Baptism by sprinkling, AD 1311. Gave birth to other denominations. Gave birth to other denominations.

9. History of Denominationalism (2 Tim.4:3-4; Gal.1:6-9) Origins of other Denominations: Origins of other Denominations: Mormon, 1830, America, Joseph Smith.Mormon, 1830, America, Joseph Smith. Methodist, 1739, England, John Wesley.Methodist, 1739, England, John Wesley. Baptist, 1607, Holland, John Smith.Baptist, 1607, Holland, John Smith. Presbyterian, AD 1536, Switzerland, John Calvin;Presbyterian, AD 1536, Switzerland, John Calvin; Episcopalian, AD 1534, England, Henry the eighthEpiscopalian, AD 1534, England, Henry the eighth Lutherans, AD 1520, Germany, Martin Luther.Lutherans, AD 1520, Germany, Martin Luther. Catholicism, Italy, AD 600.Catholicism, Italy, AD 600.

10. Micah 4:2 Many nations shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Many nations shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

11. First Century Churches First Century Churches No creeds existed. 1 Pet. 4:11;2 Jon. 9-11 No creeds existed. 1 Pet. 4:11;2 Jon. 9-11 The word of God was the final authority.The word of God was the final authority. No human names used. (Rom. 16: 16, 1 Cor.1:2) No human names used. (Rom. 16: 16, 1 Cor.1:2) Property belonged to local congregations. Property belonged to local congregations. Officials WERE NOT ordained. Acts 18:25 Officials WERE NOT ordained. Acts 18:25 NO distinction between clergy and laity. NO distinction between clergy and laity. Congregations WERE NOT taxed. Congregations WERE NOT taxed.

12. Summary Different Gospels are being taught. Gal.1:6 Different Gospels are being taught. Gal.1:6 First churches were not denominational. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 First churches were not denominational. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Apostle Paul said: Apostle Paul said: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism” Ephesians 4:4-5 “And He is the head of the body, the church, …” Colossians 1:18

13. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33