Following Jesus without Denominationalism
Part 1: ‘Why is Denominationalism Wrong?’
Let me tell all of you something very unique . . . As from the very first part of even making mention of this type of series, I met some strong rebuttals from a lot of fellow Christians, as well as fellow ministers.
It seems like a series on this type of subject is considered by them to be very ‘judgmental and harsh towards people and their beliefs’ . . .but like I always say . . .
GOD PUTS ON MY HEART WHAT HE WANTS ME TO PREACH . . .
AND I WILL FOLLOW HIS LEAD AS TO WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO!!
So . . . let’s get started . . .
While many people are attracted to the good news of the grace of GOD offered through HIS son JESUS CHRIST . . . there are certain questions that often linger within their minds . . .
The NUMBER ONE question I have heard over and over again from new Christians is: ‘Why are there so many different denominations?’
The NUMBER TWO question goes right along with that: ‘Can’t the followers of Jesus Christ learn to get along?’
NUMBER THREE: ‘What can be done about the religious division that exists today?’
NUMBER FOUR: And this one can really cut to the heart: ‘Is it possible for me to be a simple Christian, following Jesus without being a member of any denomination?’
All in all, these are four very important questions that deserve proper answers.
In the reply to some of these questions, some people make an effort to discount the significance of religious division by suggesting . . .
--- That the differences are not all that great . . .
--- Or that religious division is good, for it enables people to find a church that suits them personally . . .
THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS THAT I PERSONALL BELIEVE THE ANSWERS ARE WRONG!!!
AND THEY ALSO DO A GREAT DISSERVICE TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST!!!
Within this series, it is my intent to share with you several objectives for all to consider . . .
--- To explain why denominationalism is wrong . . .
--- To illustrate how one can simply be a Christian, serving JESUS without being a member of any denomination . . .
--- To suggest how followers of CHRIST might be able ‘to maintain the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace’ . . . (Ephesians 4: 3)
Important topics that we all need be mindful of . . .
I want to start out in this message by giving you two key thoughts:
--- Why denominationalism is wrong
--- Why anyone who truly follows CHRIST will do all they can to avoid participating in it . . .
Perhaps a good place to start here would be:
(1) Defining ‘denomination’ and ‘denominationalism’ . . .
When you think of the word ‘denomination’ . . . what is it that comes to your mind?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language, this word is defined as:
‘A larger group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy.’
Webster’s brings out a similar definition:
‘A religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body a number of local congregations.’
In simple laymen terms, a denomination is a group of congregations that are joined together under some governing body.
The number of congregations can be as few as two or more . . . but it is their tie to a governing body above the local congregation, that by definition that they are ‘denominated’ from all congregations that do not submit to the same authority.
That is so very confusing, Reverend Sam . . . can you give any examples to help me understand a little more?
Fair enough . . . I think I can give you a few examples . . .
A) The Roman Catholic Church is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to The Pope in Rome.
B) The Eastern Orthodox Church is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to the patriarch of Constantinople.
C) The Anglican Church of England is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to The Archbishop of Cantebury.
D) The Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) is made up of those churches that submit to the Synod in Missouri.
E) The International Church of Christ is made up of those churches that submit to the Boston Church of Christ.
Now granted, these are just a few examples of the thousands of different denominations that now exist, but this hopefully will help you understand what I am attempting to teach you.
Now what is unique is how the words ‘denomination’ and ‘denominationalism’ are different, yet they refer back to each other.
Looking at ‘denominationalism’, I refer us back to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language again, as it gives us three distinct definitions . . .
1. ‘The tendency to separate into religious denominations.’
2. ‘Advocacy of separation into religious denominations.’
3. ‘Strict adherence to a denomination; sectarianism.’
Again, Webster’s dictionary gives two definitions it as:
1. ‘Devotion to denominational principles or interests.’
2. ‘Narrow emphasizing of denominational differences . . . aka: sectarianism.’
It is again my intent in this series to show you how I will be applying the term to any approval of the denominational division which exists today.
I will concede that many people in denominations today are not all devoted to their denominational principles or interest.
Yet it is by membership in a denomination that they are by implication advocating separation into religious denominations.
Examining all these notes, you have to ask: ‘Is denominationalism really that bad?’
I have a better question, Reverend Sam . . . are you actually suggesting that one cannot serve Christ faithfully while participating in religious division?
I have a very simple answer . . .
Y E S ! ! ! ! !
I will explain my answer to this as we examine:
(2) Why denominationalism is wrong . . .
Without a doubt, the first and foremost reason that denominationalism is wrong is the fact that IT IS UN-SCRIPTURAL!!!
Anyone and everyone that reads their Bible on a daily basis can tell you that there is no scriptural support when it comes to denominationalism.
There is also no basis within the Bible for local churches being divided up into various denominational bodies, just as there is no denomination that can go to the Bible and say something like: ‘You see that passage there? There is our church (denomination)!!!’
When we take a closer look, we see that in the New Testament, local congregations were independent, as well as, self governing.
Church organization was limited to within the local congregation, with elders being better known as pastors, bishops, overseers, presbyters, as they were appointed to oversee only the congregation of which they were members . . .
Acts 20: 17 & 28:
“And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.”
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
1st Peter 5: 1 – 2:
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”
And when you really look at it . . . the only authority above the local church in the New Testament was CHRIST and HIS apostles . . .
One the church began, apostles were not replaced after they died but through the Word of GOD, the authority of CHRIST and HIS apostles continues.
Individuals, synods, conferences, etc. that presume to usurp (to use something without the right to do so) authority over local congregations today do so WITHOUT SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY!!
Another reason denominationalism can be considered wrong is where it is actually anti – scriptural.
Is this not what you just went over, Reverend Sam?
Similar . . . but not exactly the same as what I was talking about earlier . . .
To this note, denominationalism is not only without scriptural support . . .
IT IS CONTRARY TO WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES!!
It is contrary to the prayer of JESUS for unity among HIS believers that we see in John 17: 20 – 23:
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 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.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
It is also condemned by Paul in his epistle to the church of Corinth in two ways . . .
FIRST --- There are to be no divisions among believers . . .
1st Corinthians 1: 10 – 13:
“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.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
SECOND --- Sectarianism is a sign of carnality . . .
1st Corinthians 3: 3 – 4:
“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”
Denominationalism also opposes the efforts of CHRIST on the cross!
Ephesians 2: 14 – 16:
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”
JUST AS SINNING WORKS AGAINST THE EFFORTS OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS, AS HE DIED TO PUT AWAY SIN . . .
SO IT IS WITH DENOMINATIONAL DIVISION!!!
One other point to consider about denominationalism is to where it is harmful to the cause of CHRIST.
I say this because of how JESUS knew that the unity among HIS disciples would be ‘the final apologetic’ . . . and I base this on what I have seen and read in John 17: 21:
“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.”
Now in the view of JESUS’ words, we should not be surprised when unbelievers are slow to accept the gospel coming from a divided church.
Many people point to the divided condition of those professing to follow CHRIST . . .
The Atheist and Agnostics love to and often do use religious division as an excuse not to believe GOD.
Adherents to non – Christian religions, such as Islam, Judaism, etc. will often use denominationalism as a reason not to believe in CHRIST.
What makes things even worse is where denominationalism has even given support and encouragement to the various cults . . .
I am not trying to start an issue or confrontation when I mention these next two denominations, but I want to attempt to make a point.
Mormonism started in reaction to the denominationalism of Joseph Smith’s day . . . just as the Jehovah Witnesses use religious division to encourage people to follow their strictly – controlled organization.
Understanding that denominationalism is wrong has led to these interesting and profound statements made:
“I ask that men make no reference to my name, and call themselves not Lutherans, but Christians. What is Luther? My doctrine, I am sure, is not mine, nor have I been crucified for any one. St. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 3, would not allow Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian. How then should I, poor, foul carcass that I am, come to have men give to the children of Christ a name derived from my worthless name? No, no, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names, and call ourselves Christians after Him whose doctrine we have.”
(From Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation Movement)
John Wesley, another great reformation leader, among whose followers are Methodists, Wesleyans, etc. said:
“Would to God that all party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot and that the very name of Methodist, might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion.”
Charles Spurgeon . . . one of the greatest Baptist preachers who ever lived made this dynamic statement:
“I look forward with pleasure to the day when thee will not be a Baptist living! I hope that the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ’s name last forever!”
I will close with these final thoughts . . .
Well . . . that day has not yet come and denominationalism with its religious division seems to be as strong as ever.
BUT DON’T LOOSE HEART!!!
For throughout the world, more and more people are throwing aside their denominational shackles . . .
They are following JESUS CHRIST in the freedom of gospel liberty that comes with simply being a Christian.
And yet what may be a surprise to some, they are able to do so by putting the words of Philippians 2: 2 in place:
“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
Some people ask just how this is all possible?
Well dear friends . . . this is what I hope to accomplish in the next message . . .
But it all begins with just two things . . .
(1) A strong desire to follow JESUS CHRIST and HIS prayer for unity as seen in John 17: 20 – 23:
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 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.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
(2) An understanding of the carnal nature of division, and why denominationalism is wrong as we see in 1st Corinthians 3: 3 – 4:
“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”
Wouldn’t it just make since for all us to simply want to be a true Christian, and a true follower of the LORD JESUS CHRIST?
I love you all!!
Reverend Sam
