Ten Questions You Should Ask About Denominationalism
The material contained in
this tract is offered in the spirit of love and humility. It is presented out
of concern for the souls of all men, especially those who are disheartened and
discouraged by the overwhelming state of confusion in today’s religious world. Our
purpose is not to criticize the religious practices of others, rather it is to
encourage all who have a sincere desire to please the Lord to “test all things”
by the word of God and to “hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Our hope and prayer is that those who read this material will be like the
Bereans of Paul’s day, of whom the Bible says; “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out
whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
The reader is encouraged to examine everything contained in this tract
carefully, paying particular attention to the passages cited from the word of
God. Should any error be found in this work, we encourage you to reject it and
inform us immediately so that we can make correction. Our purpose is to present
the plain, pure teaching of the Bible, so that the doctrines and practices of
men may be identified and abandoned. Jesus himself taught us this important
concept when he said, “But in
vain they do worship me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew
15:9). It was the acceptance of manmade doctrines and traditions that caused
the failure of the Pharisees. Instead of adhering solely to the Scriptures they
followed the wisdom of man, thus, rendering their service to God worthless. In
their zeal for religion they ignored one of the most basic concepts in the
Bible: God’s wisdom is far superior
to man’s.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than
the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your
thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Let us not make the mistake of
the Pharisees. Rather, let us examine every religious practice in light of the
Scriptures. Let us purge our faith of that which is not of God, so that we may
serve the Lord in the purity and simplicity of His word. May God bless you as you consider these
questions.
1. What is Denominationalism?
2. Does Denominationalism Promote Unity among
Religious people?
3. Does Denominationalism Originate With God or Man?
4. Why do Denominational Churches Wear Names that
are Unrelated to Christ?
5. Does Denominationalism Recognize Christ as the
Head of the Church?
6. Why does each Sect of Denominationalism Require
its own Creed?
7. What does Denominationalism Teach about the
Necessity of the Church?
8. What
do Denominations Teach a Person to do in Order to be Saved?
9. Is Denominational Worship Acceptable to God?
10. What is the Purpose of Denominationalism?
1. What is Denominationalism?
Many people today have the misconception that
denominationalism is the church. They
tell us that all the religious bodies in the world collectively form the body
of Christ. However, we know that the
truth doesn’t revolve around what people say or think. Truth is determined
solely by the word of God. Therefore, we want to begin making a brief
comparison between denominationalism and the church we read about in the Bible.
Since the term denomination is not found in the Bible it
becomes necessary to consult the dictionary as to the proper definition of the
word. World Book Dictionary (p557) defines it as follows:
1. A name for a group or class of
things. 2. A religious group or sect.
To illustrate the usage of the word denomination, World Book offers this: Methodists and Baptists are two large
Protestant denominations. The presence of many different denominations and
sects in a society means that the culture is differentiated into many parts,
with differing group interests and view
points. (emp., RK)
The dictionary not only gives us the proper
definition of the term denomination,
it also gives us insight into the nature
of denominationalism. Based on the definition and the statement in World Book,
we must conclude that the nature of denominationalism is to divide into factions or sects where each group promotes it own
particular interests and beliefs. It is obvious that the term denomination, when used in a religious
sense, refers to a named division or
religious sect. Clearly, the entire concept of denominationalism is based on
and rooted in religious division.
As we keep in mind what we have learned about
denominationalism from the dictionary, let us now turn to the word of God and
compare what it says about the unique oneness feature of the church of
Christ. Notice Ephesians 4:4-6.
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are
called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one
baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Notice especially the terms “one body” and “one
faith.” Colossians 1:18 tells us that the “one body” is the “church” (singular)
of our Lord Jesus Christ. And Jude 3 instructs Christians to “earnestly contend
for “the
faith” (also singular) which was once delivered unto the
saints.” Now, think about that for a moment. Does the picture of
denominationalism that we see in the world today reflect any thing close to
what we see in the Bible? Think about it… What we see in the Bible is “one
body” or “church” consisting of many congregations in various
locations, and yet they were all to contend for the “one faith” that we read
about in the Bible. However, when we look at denominationalism what we see is
many different churches, many different religious bodies, each one contending
for its own unique system of faith. If we are truly honest with ourselves we
must admit that this situation does not agree with what is stated in the Bible.
Today we must know that there is something terribly wrong with
denominationalism. Denominationalism by its very nature, by the definition of
the term, is in conflict with the pattern for the church which is laid out in
God’s holy word. Therefore, we ask you consider the question: “What is
denominationalism?” Is it really the church?
Does it fit the picture of the one body of Christ in the New Testament? Does it meet the standards God has set forth
in His word? Or is it simply a
collection of manmade systems of religion, each seeking to promote its own
particular interests and objectives? If we answer these questions honestly, we
will surely conclude that denominationalism is not in harmony with God’s will,
and therefore cannot be pleasing unto Him.
2. Does Denominationalism Promote Religious Unity?
Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for
unity among His followers. John 17:21 records His plea for oneness among His
people. He said, “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.”
The fact that Jesus prayed for unity among His
followers shows that unity is a very important matter in His sight. But the
idea that He would express His concerns about it to the Father, as He stood on
the very threshold of death is especially meaningful. Unity among believers is
obviously something that God expects His people to take very seriously. This
being the case, we are not surprised when we read the instruction of the
inspired apostle Paul in 1Corinthians1:10, which says, “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.”
The fact that religious unity can be accomplished is
apparent in these and many other verses. Jesus would not have prayed for that
which is impossible, neither would the Holy Spirit have commanded it through
inspiration. Anyone who truly believes the Bible knows that unity among
religious people is possible! Unfortunately, one of the greatest obstacles to
religious unity is denominationalism. For as we have already noticed
denominationalism by its very nature promotes division. There are several ways
this can be shown.
1. Denominationalism promotes religious division by
perpetuating the misconception that “there is nothing in a name.” As a result,
the wearing of different religious names is condoned. As we shall see later,
this practice is undeniably linked to division.
2. Denominationalism promotes division by refusing
to accept the Bible as a sole guide in all matters of faith
and practice. This allows for a variety of manmade creeds by which the sects of
denominationalism promote their own particular doctrines. For instance:
Catholicism relies heavily on its catechism. Methodism relies on its manmade
books of discipline. The Baptist organization has its instruction manuals of
church doctrine, etc., etc. Obviously there can never be unity as long as each
sect has its own creed in addition to the Bible.
3. Denominationalism promotes division by teaching
various and conflicting doctrines. Even on such basic Bible subjects as
salvation, there is widespread disagreement among the sects. And yet, there
seems to be no effort toward resolving the conflict that exists in regard to
these doctrines. Denominationalism as a whole seems to ignore the fact that its
doctrines contradict each other as well as the Bible.
Today it is
common to hear those who support denominationalism say things like: “we’re all
going to the same place, (heaven) we’re just traveling different roads?” Such a
statement implies that religious division is acceptable, and that the teaching
of different and opposing doctrines is fine. And yet, the Bible condemns it.
The point is denominationalism is content with what it has, in spite
of what the Word of God teaches. “Join the church of your choice” is the
advice today. “They’re all different, but that’s okay, just pick one that
appeals to you”
Yes, by its actions denominationalism denies the
importance of unity. It promotes the misconception that division, i.e.
sectarianism is acceptable. How long has it been since you heard someone in the
denominational world suggest that all the churches need to speak and practice
the same thing? If such were suggested,
how do you think it would be received? Surely we must admit that there is a
tremendous lack of concern for biblical unity among the denominations, and that
even the plea for unity by our Saviour is virtually ignored. Unity that is
based on the word of God is obviously not a concern among the sects of
denominationalism.
Today, we encourage our readers to consider the
question: Does denominationalism promote unity based on the word of God? Does it think, speak, and practice the same
things? We believe the answer is
obvious.
3. Does
Denominationalism Originate with God or Man?
The Bible teaches that the church of Christ
originated with God. Ephesians 1:3-4 and 2 Timothy 1:9 tell us that God
conceived and preplanned the church of Christ “before the foundation of the
world.” We also know that the church was spoken of centuries in advance by the
prophets of the Old Testament, and that Christ, himself spoke of it during his
brief ministry on earth. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “Upon this rock I
will build my church...” In Acts 2
we see the fulfillment of his promise. Verse 47b says, “the Lord added to the church
daily those who were being saved”(NKJV). These inspired words connect the establishment of
the church of Christ to the Lord and his promise. Thus, the Bible teaches that
the church of Christ, which was established in Jerusalem in AD 33 originated
with God. But what about denominationalism, where did it come from? Is it a
product of God, or is it simply a system of distorted imitations designed by
men? As we think about these questions let us notice three reasons why
denominations could not have originated with God.
1. Denominations could not have originated with God because they generate
confusion about religion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “God is not the author
of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” Today, it is common knowledge that modern
day denominations do not agree on many of the very basic concepts of
Christianity. Regarding such basic doctrines as: the deity of Christ, His
bodily resurrection, the essentials of salvation, the existence of Heaven and
Hell, and method of worship; denominations are in a continual state of conflict with
the Bible and with each other. The fact that such confusion reigns among
these organizations makes it evident that they cannot all be following the will
of God, neither could they have originated with Him.
2. Denominations could not have originated with God because they are never
mentioned in the Bible. The fact that denominations are never mentioned in
the Scripture speaks volumes about their origin. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tell us that
the Holy Scriptures “thoroughly furnish” the man of God unto “every good
work.” Now, if God has equipped us for
every good work, without the mention of denominations that should tell us
something. Denominations are not mentioned in the Scripture because they are
not a part of God’s glorious plan. They did not originate with Him and neither
do they exist by His authority.
3. Denominations could not have originated with God because history proves
otherwise. A brief search of any good encyclopedia will reveal the true
origin of denominations. The Handbook of Denominations is also a good reference
for this purpose. Anyone who will take
the time to do a minimal amount of research will find that every denomination
is indisputably of human origin. Many of them came into existence during the
period known as the reformation, when certain men pulled away from the apostate
church in search of the truth. Unfortunately, what began as good intentions
somehow became very distorted. For instead of adhering solely to the word of
God, those who broke away from Catholicism began to follow after certain
prominent men and their philosophies. Evidence of this is still with us today,
for many denominations still wear the names of their human founders. And so, in
regard to the origin of denominations history reveals when, where and by whom
they came into existence.
Conversely, the church that Jesus built was not
conceived in the mind of any man. Close attention to 1 Corinthians 2 shows that
God revealed the entire scheme of redemption including the pattern for the
church, to the apostles.
1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “Eye hath not seen, nor
ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath
revealed them unto us by his Spirit…”
Yes, God is the one who designed, prepared,
and revealed all the things
that pertain to the church of Christ. He designed its manner of worship, its
plan of salvation, its doctrine, and even the standards by which its members
live. This is what makes the church of Christ unique and distinct from the
denominations. Therefore, when one examines the evidence, both
biblical and historical, it becomes obvious that denominations did not
originate from the same source as the church of the NT. Their chaotic state,
their absence from the Scripture, and their human design prove that they could
not have originated with God.
4. Why do so Many Churches Wear Names that are
Unrelated to Christ?
Martin
Luther is documented as saying: Do not call yourselves after me; I am but a
miserable bag of dust. (Hugh Thomason Kerr, A Compend of Luther's Theology, The Westminster Press, 1943, p.
135).
The legendary Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, once said: I look forward to the day when there is not a “Baptist” living.
May the name “Baptist” soon perish, but let the name of Christ continue for ever.
(Spurgeon Memorial Library, Vol. I., p. 168)
The popular Methodist preacher, John Wesley, put it this way: “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 [Methodist] might never be mentioned
more, but be buried in eternal oblivion.” (John Wesley, Universal
Knowledge, A Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Arts, Science, History, Biography,
Law, Literature, Religions, Nations, Races, Customs, and Institutions, Vol. 9,
Edward A. Pace, Editor (New York: Universal Knowledge Foundation, 1927, p. 540)
Although these men were wrong in many points of
doctrine, they were exactly right about the wearing of religious names.
Today, I would not even venture to guess how
many different religious names are in use among denominational
churches. The number would surely reach into the tens of thousands. Based on a
recent survey of the local telephone directory, out of a listing of more than
300 churches, less than five percent of those listed wore a name that is found
in the Bible. The same survey also showed that less than 15 percent of the
churches listed wore a name that was in any way, even remotely,
connected to the name of Jesus Christ. Obviously, the name of Christ has not
been given a place of prominence within the denominational world. Think about
it, the vast majority of prominent, “mainstream” churches do not wear the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead, they wear the name of some man, or some method,
or some system of worship. More often than not, the name that they wear is
found nowhere in the Bible. Surely, that alone should be cause for concern in
the mind of any thinking person.
The question that we want to encourage our reader to
ask today is, why? Why do most churches choose to disassociate themselves with the name of
Jesus Christ? Aren’t Jesus Christ and His message what the church is all
about? Do we really think that names
don’t matter? If that is what you’ve been
led to believe please notice a brief sampling of what the Bible has to say about the name of our Lord.
It was in the name of Jesus Christ that NT
Christians believed Acts 10:43.
It was the name of Jesus Christ that NT
Christians confessed Matt.10:32.
It was in
the name of
Jesus Christ that
NT Christians were baptized Acts 2:38.
It was by the name of Jesus Christ that they were
saved Acts 4:18.
It was in the name of Jesus Christ that NT
Christians preached the gospel Acts 9:27.
It was for the name of Jesus Christ that NT
Christians suffered Acts 9:16.
It was for the name of Jesus Christ that they risked
their lives Acts 15:26.
It was by the name of Jesus Christ that they glorified God Rev.15:4.
It was the name of Jesus Christ that NT
Christians magnified Acts 19:17.
It was by
the noble name of Christ that NT Christians were
called Js.2:7.
Certainly, the Bible teaches that the name of Christ
is an exalted name.
Like names today the name of Christ is used to show
possession. When attached to the church it is indicative that Christ is
its possessor. The church belongs to
Him. That’s why in Matthew 16:18, Jesus
referred to it as, “My Church.” In Acts 20:28 we are told that he “purchased”
it with his own blood. Romans 16:16b says, “…The churches of Christ salute you.” Yes,
names show possession, and the church that Jesus built belongs to Him. That’s why the NT never attaches the names
of people, or things, to the Lord’s church.
In 1 Corinthians1:10-17 we find problem of religious division addressed. In verses 11&12 the source of the contention is revealed. Notice…
“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. Now this I say, that every one of you says, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1Cor.1:11-12).
The source of the division at Corinth was much like
the situation today. Some were following after men, whose names they proudly
displayed. But notice the words of the inspired apostle as he corrects their
misplaced affections. In verse 13, he says, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were you
baptized in the name of Paul?”
The point of his words is obvious. Paul did not die
for our sins. Neither were we baptized in the name of Paul. Christ
is the one who died for us. It is His name and His name alone that we must
profess. He is the one we follow, and it is under His name that all religious
people must unite. Luther, Spurgeon, and Wesley were right to condemn the wearing
of religious names. Therefore, the question remains. It is a serious question
and one that anyone who is a member of a denomination needs to consider in
light of the Bible. Why do denominational churches wear names that are unrelated to Jesus Christ?
5.
Does
Denominationalism Recognize Christ as the Head of the Church?
In Colossians 1:18 the
Scripture says: “And He (i.e. Christ) is the head of the body, the
church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in
all things He may have the preeminence.”
Ephesians 5:23b says,
“Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body.”
Ephesians 1:22 says, “And
hath put all things under his feet,
and gave Him to be the
head over all things to the church…”
These and other passages
indisputably state that Jesus Christ is the head over His church. Since the
term head signifies authority, we understand that the
function of a head is to give direction or instruction to those of lesser
rank. As head of the church Jesus is
our source of authority in all matters of religion. He is the one to whom the
church looks for spiritual instruction. We would do well to remember that God
has given Christ preeminence, or superiority “in all things” regarding
the church.
However, since Jesus is not with us in the flesh, the denominational world has concluded that an earthy head or headquarters is essential in order for the church to function properly. These organizations apparently believe that God, although infinite in wisdom, failed to make provision for Christ to lead His church from His position in Heaven. As a result denominational organizations have taken it upon themselves to create unscriptural and unauthorized forms of church government within their particular denomination. Some have created a succession of popes, presidents, presiding Bishops, etc., by which to govern their organization. Others have appointed conferences, associations or boards of directors which design and implement “church policy” regarding matters of faith. Whichever the case, we must know that these offices are outside the bounds of Scripture. Like so many other areas of denominationalism, this is in conflict with the word of God regarding Christ’s headship over the church. These organizations have taken it upon themselves to establish a position of authority over the church which belongs only to Christ
Although these systems of church government are
widespread throughout denominationalism, one needs to remember that they
are
not authorized by God. The creation and existence of such manmade
offices is at best presumptuous. Furthermore, those who hold such offices
inevitably make decisions regarding matters which Christ, through His word, has
already spoken. This not only shows a lack of faith in God’s arrangement, but it
also assumes
a position of superiority over Christ. Such things are clear
evidence that denominationalism does not truly recognize Christ as the head of
the church. Therefore, despite the fact that many denominations claim to
acknowledge Christ as the head of the church, their actions prove otherwise.
For, if they were truly seeking guidance from Him they would have no need of
earthy heads and headquarters to guide their organization.
This raises a question to which we have already alluded: Since Christ is in Heaven, how does He guide the affairs of His church today? The answer is found in the words of Jesus as He sent forth His disciples with “The Great Commission.” In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said, “…All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” From this we learn that those who were baptized, were also taught to “observe all things” whatsoever the Lord had commanded. In other words, those who became members of the church placed themselves under obligation to submit to the authority of Christ. In doing so they acknowledged him as the head of the church.
After Jesus’ ascension the apostles, through Divine
guidance of the Holy Spirit, continued to proclaim His teachings throughout the
world. As the apostles preached from city to city, people heard and obeyed the
gospel, and churches of Christ were established. The fact that Jesus was in
Heaven did not release these churches from their responsibility to submit
to His authority. Neither did it give them the right to go outside the bounds
of Divine inspiration and create their own manmade systems of government. The
churches of the first century did not select a Pope, or a president, or a board
of directors as their head. Had they done so they would not have been in
submission to the authority of Christ.
Obviously, it was the “teaching”
of Christ’s commandments by the inspired apostles that enabled the churches of
the first century to function under the authority of Christ. When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth he
said: “If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the
commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor.14:37). Based on these words, one can
only conclude that to abide within the teaching of the inspired apostles, was
to abide under the authority of Jesus Christ. To submit to the commands of the
apostles is to submit to the headship of Jesus of Christ. On the other hand, to
step outside the teaching of the apostles is to step outside the authority of
Jesus Christ.
Here, then, is the point of the whole matter.
Through Divine inspiration and preservation of the Holy Scriptures, we today
have the instruction of Jesus Christ in written form. Just as the inspired
words of the apostles were sufficient to guide the church during the first
century, they are also sufficient to guide the church today. As head of His
church Jesus guides us in all matters of faith, through
His written word. This is God’s plan for the church throughout the
ages.
Today, there can be no doubt that those who operate
under self-appointed governing authorities are in opposition to the authority
of Jesus Christ. For in doing so, they deny Him preeminence in all things to
the church, and declare plainly that He is not the head of their organization.
6.
Why
Does Each Sect of Denominationalism Require its Own Creed?
That most denominational organizations have their own individual creeds in addition to the Bible is a well-established fact. For instance, the Mormons have the Book of Mormon; the Seventh-Day-Adventists have the writings of Ellen G White; the Methodists have their Doctrines and Disciplines; the Catholics have their Catechism, and the list goes on and on. Of course each of these creeds is different from the other, and most importantly, different from the Word of God. To the average person who just wants to know how to serve God, this must be extremely confusing. Surely, such confusion cannot be pleasing to the Lord.
But the question that we have before us today is,
why? Why does each sect, or
denomination, insist on its own separate set of guidelines and
precepts in addition to the Holy Scriptures? Please consider, if you will, the origin
of denominational creeds.
History shows that the creeds of denominationalism
can almost always be traced back to some prominent person or persons within a
particular organization. Such creeds are often the product of the founder or
leader of the group. These leaders nearly always claim to be led by the power
of God; therefore their work is viewed by their followers as authoritative and
sometimes even prophetic. However, the question every thinking person needs to
ask is: Would God impart different and contradictory information to each
denomination? Would He lead one denomination in one direction, and another
denomination in another direction? Would He give one creed-book to some, and
another creed-book to others? Surely,
we know that God would never do such a thing, for this would contradict
everything the Bible teaches about the importance of religious unity. (See
Jn.17:20-21; 1 Cor.1:10)
Based on the evidence, both biblical and historical,
the only conclusion that we can come to is that denominational creeds are
solely of human origin. They did not come from God neither do they have His
blessing. As a matter of fact, in Mark 7:6-13 Jesus, himself, condemned the
Pharisees for their adherence to the “traditions of men” which made the word of
God ineffective. In Matthew 15:9, he warned that those who teach the “doctrines
and commandments of men” worship God in vain. Based on these and other
passages, we know God is not pleased when manmade creeds are intermingled with
Christianity. This should cause serious concern for any person who
has embraced any form of denominationalism. So why do denominations insist on
the use of human creeds? The answer is so obvious it may surprise you.
Denominational creeds are written and widely used
because men fail to honor the all-sufficiency of the Scripture. Regardless
of what they say, their actions show that they do not believe that God’s word alone
is sufficient to guide us in all matters of faith. Instead, they believe the world should have
their creed. They believe the world should have the writings of their leader in
order to modernize or clarify the inspired word of God. But what does the Bible
say? Contrary to the ideas and theories of denominationalism, the Bible
declares itself to be all-sufficient regarding the
spiritual needs of man. Please
notice:
In light of these and many other verses we ask the
following questions: Is the Bible all- sufficient in regard to man’s spiritual
needs? Is it the “perfect law”? Does it
equip man for “every” good work? Does it supply us with “all things” that
pertain to eternal life? If the answer to these questions is in the affirmative,
if the Bible is what it claims to be, then what possible benefit can be derived
from the creeds of denominationalism? What can they tell us about truth,
righteousness and eternal life that the word of God hasn’t already told us?
In light of the above evidence, and for the
following reasons, we must conclude that the creeds of denominationalism are in
opposition to the will of God.
-Denominational creeds are of human origin.
-Denominational creeds are an obstacle to religious
unity.
-Denominational
creeds confuse and hinder sincere people in their pursuit of Truth.
-Denominational creeds deny the all-sufficiency of
the Scripture.
Despite the good
intentions of those who promote human creeds, their works are in opposition
to the will of God. Our plea today is simple. We humbly and prayerfully ask the
religious people of our day to accept what the Bible says about itself. Trust
in the all sufficiency of the word of God, and cease to cling to the creeds and
disciplines of denominationalism.
7.
What
does Denominationalism Teach about the Necessity of the Church?
As we have already seen in the course of this study,
denominationalism views the church from a perspective not found in the Bible.
The name
the church wears, the doctrine it teaches, the head
it is supposed to honor, none of these things are deemed worthy of serious
consideration as far as denominationalism is concerned. So what about the
church herself? If the name, the
doctrine, and the head of the church aren’t important, then perhaps the church
isn’t all that important either. Maybe the church isn’t really essential.
Would it surprise you to learn that apart from a few
isolated exceptions, denominationalism takes the position that membership in
the Lord’s church is precisely that, nonessential. That’s right, most denominationalists will
tell you that a person does not have to be a member of any church in order to
be saved. They believe it is possible to have a relationship with Christ separate
and apart
from the church. But what does the Bible teach about this? Is the Lord’s church
essential, or can a person make it to Heaven without it?
In Acts 20:28, the Bible teaches us that Jesus
poured out his own precious blood in order to purchase the church. Do we really
believe that the Saviour would have suffered such a cruel and agonizing death
if the church he purchased was not absolutely essential? Ephesians 5:25 expresses the same idea. There,
we are told that “…Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.” Obviously
the church was very important, even special to the Lord. He loved it. He laid down His life in order
to bring it into existence. If the church is nonessential, Jesus died in vain.
From Ephesians 2:11-12 we learn that before
the Ephesians were in Christ, (i.e. in His church) they were…
However, upon becoming a part
of the body/church, they received…
Notice the connection in
these verses between, forgiveness of sins, salvation, spiritual life, and being in
the church. These things are inseparable. He/she who is in the Lord’s
church is “saved”. He/she who is outside the Lord’s church is “without God” and
“without hope”. This correlates fits perfectly with the picture that we see in
other passages, such as Acts 2:47, where as a result of obedience to the
gospel, “the Lord added to the church those who were being saved”. And so today, when denominationalists
say that you don’t have to be a member of their church in order to go to
Heaven, they say more than they intend to. For you see membership in any
manmade organization is without merit in the sight of God.
Let us remember that the church of the NT is not a
denomination. Neither did it originate with any man. The church of Christ
belongs to the Lord. It exists to call forth praise unto him. Every spiritual blessing, including
salvation, is in the Lord’s church, for Ephesians 5:23 tells us distinctly
that Christ
is the Saviour of His Body.
What about you? Are you in the body of Christ, or
are you a member of a denomination? Remember, manmade organizations are not
equivalent to the Lord’s church. As we have shown already in this study, they
have a different origin, they wear a different name, they
honor a different head and they follow a different creed.
Regardless of what denominations teach, the Bible teaches that the Lord’s
church is absolutely essential.
8.
What
do Denominations Teach One Must do in Order to be Saved?
Would it surprise you to learn that most
denominations teach a plan of salvation that is not found
in the Bible? “Pray the “sinner’s
prayer” and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour” This statement
has been repeated so often that many people actually believe it to be a part of
God’s word. But the truth of the matter is, these words are not found anywhere
in the Bible.
Two of the most commonly misused passages are the
parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14) and the account of the
thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43).
Please notice
the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican-
Luke18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who
trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men
went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. “The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not
like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' “And the tax
collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven,
but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' “I tell you,
this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
exalted.”
In verse 13 of this parable we find what is commonly
referred to as the “sinner’s prayer.” It is often used by the proponents of
denominationalism, as a model for those who are “being led to the Lord.”
Although this parable teaches us many wonderful and valuable lessons, among the
things it does not teach is how to obtain forgiveness of sins, i.e. how to be saved, under the terms
of the New Covenant. We will
notice more about this in a moment. But first, please notice another passage
that is often misused and misapplied. This one is found in Luke 23:39-43. Here,
we read the account concerning the thief on the cross.
Luke 23:42-43 “Then he (the
thief) said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”43
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you,
today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Like the prayer of the publican, denominationalism
places a great deal of emphasis on the manner in which the thief was saved.
Both of these passages are frequently used in an effort to support the
denominational doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Proponents of this
doctrine teach that since the thief and the publican were saved without
baptism, so it is with those who approach God today. That this reasoning is in
error can be illustrated in many ways. However, in the interest of brevity we
will limit our comments to one very basic argument. Again, we call your attention
to the obvious fact that neither of these individuals were living under the
terms of the New Covenant. Please notice that the context of each of
these incidents occurs under the setting of the Old Law. Both the Publican, of Luke 18, and
the
thief on the cross were living under the terms of the Old Covenant.
Therefore, the standards and ordinances of the New Covenant could not have
bound them. Hebrews 9:16-17 explains that a covenant goes into effect after
the testator is dead.
Notice: “For where there is a testament, there must also of
necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while
the testator lives” (Heb.9:16-17).
Did the incidents with the
publican and the thief occur before the death of Jesus?
Absolutely! Therefore, these individuals could not have been bound by the
ordinance of Christian baptism, for the New Covenant which contains it was not
yet in effect. This clarifies why those who lived before the death of
Christ could receive forgiveness of sins apart from Christian baptism.
Since Christian baptism is an ordinance of the New
Covenant, this also explains why Jesus, after his death, sent forth his
apostles with the command to baptize. In Mark 16:15-16 He said, “Go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature. “He who believes and is baptized
will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Notice the great emphasis placed on baptism after
the death of Christ. Jesus said, “He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved.” Also notice what the apostles and evangelists
of the first century taught concerning baptism under the New Covenant.
Yes, baptism is given a very prominent place in the
Scripture. It is absolutely essential to salvation. This explains why every
case of conversion after the death of Jesus was consummated by the act
of baptism, i.e. immersion in water for the remission of sins.
Therefore, in answer to the question; what must one
do in order to be saved? The
Bible says we must…
1. Hear the
gospel (Rom.10:17)
2.
Believe
on Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37a)
3.
Repent
of your sins (Acts 17:30)
4.
Confess
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
(Acts 8:37b)
5.
Be
baptized for the remission of sins
(Acts 2:38; 22:16)
Surely, every person needs to study these verses and
ask: What does the Bible say about salvation, and why does denominationalism
refuse to teach it?
9.
Is
Denominational Worship Acceptable to God?
Worship has always been a very important part of
man’s relationship with God. Down though the ages, God has made it clear that
there are acceptable and unacceptable ways to worship Him.
Sometimes the line between that which God accepts, and that which he rejects,
is very narrow. A good example of this
is seen in Leviticus 10:1-2, when the sons of Aaron offered unauthorized
fire upon the altar of the Lord.
The Scripture says, “Then
Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it,
put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.
So fire went out from the Lord
and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.”
Is God serious about how his people worship?
Absolutely! He has always insisted that we worship Him according to His instructions.
Obviously, Nadab and Abihu should have paid closer attention to the manner of
worship that the Lord had prescribed. Had they taken their worship more
seriously they would not subjected themselves to this terrible punishment.
Another incident that serves to illustrate this
truth is seen in the worship of Cain and Able.
Notice
Genesis 4:3-5. “And in the process of
time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground
to the Lord. Abel also brought of
the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect
Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.”
Please notice the contrast in God’s attitude regarding these two very similar acts of worship. Despite the fact that both men apparently offered their sacrifices in sincerity, only Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable. Obviously Cain’s offering was outside the bounds of that which God had authorized.
These incidents, along with many others, prove that
God is meticulous concerning the manner in which we worship Him.
He is not obligated to accept whatever we may decide to offer Him. He will not respect
the worship of those who offer Him that which he has not authorized. When He specifies what we are to do in our
worship that is precisely what He expects us to do.
Nadab, Abihu, and Cain all had one thing in common
with the religious world today, they were presumptuous in their worship unto
the Lord. They reasoned like a lot of people reason about worship today. Fire’s fire, it won’t matter. An offering’s an offering as long as it’s
from the heart. As long as your sincere, that’s all that matters. However, one
of the great lessons we learn from the Bible is that God doesn’t reason according
to human reasoning. Neither does He accept whatever man may decide to offer
Him in worship.
Now, back to our question: Is Denominational Worship
Acceptable to God? In order to answer
this question let us notice what the New Testament teaches about worship.
Remember, just as God was specific in the Old Testament about worship, so it is
in the New Testament. For instance:
Concerning the manner in which these acts of worship
are carried out, 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “Let all things be done decently and
in order.” John 4:24 tells us that we
must worship God in spirit and in truth.
God has seen to it that we know how to worship Him.
Everything we need to know about worship has been given to us in His word. The
question is, are we content with what He has said? Are we willing to submit to
His instructions? Apparently, most people are not. For, today, you will find
the masses engaged in just about everything imaginable regarding
worship.
You see, in recent years worship has been replaced
with whatever will draw a crowd. Many religious organizations have now replaced
what used to be a solemn time of reflection, praise and adoration to the God of
Heaven, with big stage productions. Today it is common to find churches engaged
in everything from instrumental music to dancing and shouting, to laughing and
rolling on the floor. Concerts and comedy routines have taken the place of
singing and preaching. Skits and dramas have replaced prayer and communion. The
average person has never seen the Lord’s Supper observed the way Jesus
instituted it. Solemnity and reverence are a rare commodity in religion today.
In short, worship has been replaced by entertainment and most people don’t
seem to care what the Word of God has to say about it. Man presumes to know
more about worship than God does.
How can denominational
worship be acceptable to God when it follows in the footsteps of Cain? How can
it please Him when it offers that which he has not authorized? Surely it
cannot. For in John 4:24, Jesus said, “God is Spirit,
and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
There is a correct and acceptable manner in which to worship God. But there is
also a manner that is unacceptable.
Those who step outside the form/pattern of worship that is authorized in
the Bible place their souls in serious jeopardy. Realizing the punishment that God sent upon Nadab and Abihu for
failing to follow His instructions in worship, the thought of God’s judgment of
denominationalism should cause men to shudder.
Is
denominational worship acceptable to God? Will he accept whatever man decides
to offer him in worship? Based on what we read in the Bible we must conclude
that the answer to both questions is a definite, no.
10. What is the Real Purpose of
Denominationalism?
Or to put it another way, why does denominationalism
exist? Although it is impossible to have a perfect understanding of all the
things that motivate the various sects of denominationalism, it is obvious
that many churches today are treating religion like a commercial business. As a
matter of fact, if you think the sins of the moneychangers which Jesus drove
out of the temple (John 2:13-16) were bad, you should probably educate yourself
about the business dealings of many of the religious institutions of our day.
Many denominations are into just about every kind of business you can imagine. Many of them are big in real estate. Some own stock in large corporations, others own and operate businesses like carpet mills, clothing manufacturers, and so on. Some religious organiz