Sunday, February 4, 2018 am
The New Testament Church (45)
Unity (3)
What is Wrong with Denominationalism?
We have devoted
considerable time to identifying what the church is and noted various
characteristics we should consider to help us identify THE church that
is TRUE to God’s word.
Our two previous lessons have identified the unity God wants us to have
and why division is wrong (including noting some things we can do to
avoid division). Yet, in the
religious world (so-called Christendom), there is great differences of
belief and divisions. We
KNOW this is not what God had in mind, yet many today advocate that
denominationalism is acceptable to God.
But is it? In this
lesson we want to show why denominationalism is wrong.
NOTE: I realize this
lesson is not comfortable for some because of its implications,
especially with friends and loved ones.
But as is always the case, I encourage you to consider whether or
not what is said is true to the teachings of God’s word.
I this lesson I am NOT questioning the sincerity of anyone, nor
do I see myself (or us) as superior to anyone, nor do I intend for this
to sound arrogant, condescending or hateful.
As with every subject we study, we simply want to ask,
What does God want us to do?
So let’s get started.
a.
Denomination
- 1. A large group of religious congregations united under a common
faith and name, usually organized under a single administrative and
legal hierarchy.
2. One of a series of kinds, values, or sizes, as in a system of
currency or weights: Cash registers have slots for bills of different
denominations. The stamps come in 40¢ and 70¢ denominations.
3. A name or designation, especially for a class or group.
(American Heritage Dictionary)[1]
b.
Denominationalism
– the tendency to separate into denominations.
c.
In this lesson, we
define denomination as a group
of congregations that are joined together under some governing body.
Typically, they acknowledge that this governing body is only PART
of the whole body of Christ.
So when we speak of denominations it with the usual acknowledgment that
there are many denominations that make up the body of Christ.
“A denomination is a part of a larger whole. Religious groups of
this classification see themselves as "saved" in God's eyes, but they do
not believe their group is all the saved. They believe that
there are "saved" persons in many other religious groups as well.”
Roger Blackwelder, Huntsville, AL (reference unknown)
d.
It is a
term not found in the Bible, nor is the concept of denominations found
in the Bible. That is our
lesson today.
a.
It
is unbiblical –
i.
It is
NOT the pattern for the NT church
– in our study of the church, we have sought to define and identify the
church based upon the pattern found in the New Testament.
Denominationalism confuses God’s pattern and redefines what the
church is. It strikes at the
very core of autonomy and independence of congregations.
It makes the pattern in virtually every area (how to establish
authority, its organization, work, worship and doctrinal teachings)
arbitrary.
ii.
It is
NOT the Biblical pattern of unity
– John 17:20-21 – Jesus wants unity like that He has with His Father.
1 Corinthians 1:10 – Paul’s pleading – that there be no divisions among
you, but that you be perfectly joined together.
iii.
It is
NOT the Biblical pattern for TRUTH
– John 17:17, etc. In John 14:6 Jesus noted that He is the ONLY way to
heaven. In Matthew 7:21-23
He noted it is not enough to simply call Him Lord.
We must do His will.
b.
Denominations are the product of men
i.
God has
never been pleased with the religions of man –
Exodus 32:1-10 – the golden calf; 1 Kings 12:26-33 – the religion of
Jeroboam;
Perversions to the gospel – Galatians 1:6-9, 2 John 9, etc.
ii.
Many
warnings about false teachers and false teaching – 2 Peter 2:1-3; cf.
Acts 20:28-31 – where Paul warns of savage wolves entering in).
iii.
Denominations can trace their origins back to specific men teaching
specific doctrines. They
amassed a following based upon their teachings.
c.
It
is divisive – by its very definition it.
i.
1
Corinthians 1:10-13 – the closest thing we read of to the concept of
denominations, and it is condemned.
Christ is NOT divided! Furthermore, Paul said that we ought not
to say, “I am of Paul” or “I am of Apollos” or “I am of Peter” or even,
“I am of Christ” (in a divisive fashion).
ii.
Ephesians
2:14-16 – Jesus came to break down walls of division.
Denominationalism either builds walls or ignores the division.
d.
It
implies that we cannot understand God’s pattern
i.
Ephesians
3:3-4 – Paul wrote so that we may understand God’s will.
In Ephesians 5:17 he even commanded it.
ii.
It
promotes ignorance (whether
intentional or not) – Acts 17:30-31
NOTE: When we are taught not to challenge the beliefs of others, or that
it doesn’t matter, it often leads to our failure to challenge our own
beliefs (e.g. Is what I believe the truth?)
iii.
It
confuses many – 1 Corinthians
14:33 – God is NOT the author of confusion.
He has written in such a way that we CAN understand what we need to do.
But the idea of denominationalism confuses many.
How many see all the denominations and say, “How do I know which one is
right?”
Others use it to reject following God, Jesus or any faith system all
together (except their atheism or agnosticism).
Recall our emphasis on John 13:34-35 and how the world has the right to
judge us by our love. Recall
John 17:21 how the world will believe when we are united!
e.
It
makes the church about what we want rather than what God wants.
i.
Denominationalism is man centered.
“Join the church of your choice” is the mantra of many.
If you don’t like what one church teaches or does, just find
another one that will accept what you want.
When we do that it makes it about us rather than about pleasing
God.
ii.
If
often appeals to what make you feel good
– emotional driven (subjective) rather
than truth driven (objective).
iii.
BUT, we
read in scripture,
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of
death. (Proverbs 14:12);
And “For My thoughts are not your
thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)
iv.
Romans
10:1-3 says, Brethren, my heart’s
desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I
bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to
knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking
to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the
righteousness of God.
v.
Look at
where we are today in the religious world because of ecumenicalism.
Change almost always veers toward a more progressive and accepting
mentality.
And no wonder, IF you teach that the Bible is unclear in doctrinal
matters (such as salvation, the church and relationship with God), how
can you expect people to accept it as clear in matters of morality?
In conclusion, as
you study your New Testament you will find NOTHING similar to the
denominational concept of faith.
Ideals such as
denominationalism almost NEVER lead one back toward God’s pattern.
The next generation always progresses further away from God’s
strict standards and pattern.
We even have some in the denominational world today advocating
and defending the persecution of those who disagree with them (such as
defending those who destroy bakeries and photo studios for taking moral
stands against homosexuality; OR churches that resist the ever-expanding
feminist movement, etc.).