Why We are Not a Denomination (2)

Intro

Text - 1 Corinthians 1.10

1 Corinthians 1:10 NASB 2020

10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Title - Why we are not a Denomination

Key questions

What is a denomination?

Why are there many denomination within Christianity?

Why are we not a denomination?

Background

Merriam-Webster’s definition -

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) (Denomination)

1: an act of denominating

2: a value or size of a series of values or sizes (as of money)

3: NAME, DESIGNATION especially: a general name for a category

4: a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices

Denominate (v.) - to give a name

In its normal usage -

a denomination is simply a name or a designation given to a an object

ex - money -

in religion -

a denomination is the organization, or the name of the organization, in which its congregations are united in adherence to its beliefs and practices

Examples -

Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches or Eastern Rites

Protestant denominations like Lutheran Church, Episcopalian Church, Presbyterian Churches

Baptist Churches

Facts about Christian denominations

they are more than just names

Christian churches are “divided” by doctrinal positions, not by name preferences

the early church (in the Bible) was not divided by denominations

The beginning of divisions in the church

The church started as one body, no denominations, no divisions

Ephesians 4:1–6 NASB 2020

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Schisms among believers

Paul was concerned that the believers in Corinthi were divided among themselves

1 Corinthians 11:18–19 NASB 2020

18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. 19 For there also have to be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

At first the divisions among Christians were simply “preferences”

Division - Gr. schizma (Eng. schism)

Factions - Gr. hairesis (heresys, sect)

the believers had preferences when it came to preachers - 1 Cor 3.3-4

1 Corinthians 3:3–4 NASB 2020

3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people? 4 For when one person says, “I am with Paul,” and another, “I am with Apollos,” are you not ordinary people?

But was aware that factions are a work of the flesh - Galatians 5.19-20

Galatians 5:19–21 NASB 2020

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Factions became doctrinal issues

Peter warned against “destructive heresis”

2 Peter 2:1–3 NASB 2020

1 But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

by this time, sectarianism was creeping inside churches through false prophets and false teachers

Paul also warned of a similar scenario - Acts 20.29-30

Acts 20:29–30 NASB 2020

29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after them.

The effects of sectarianism in the church

People were leaving the one true faith -

Falling away from the faith

1 Timothy 4:1–3 NASB 2020

1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

sound doctrine becomes intolerable

2 Timothy 4:3–4 NASB 2020

3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

they will separate from the apostles, in doctrine and in fellowship

1 John 2:18–19 NASB 2020

18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us.

Differences in beliefs and practices is not simply a matter of preference. There were preachers/teachers and congregations who DEPARTED from apostolic doctrines and practices.

The need for restoration to true apostolic faith

Post-apostolic age problems

false apostles and false teachers

they were younger, they outlived the apostles

they were educated in the world (Greek philosophies)

they had hidden agenda

doctrinal authority

with the apostles gone, the churches were left without apostolic authority

the New Testament canon was still in development and not available to all churches

Local bishops tried to fill in the shoes of the apostles

they became the theologians of the day

they were influenced by Greek philosophies

they were divided in opinion of matters of doctrine and practices

they had hidden agenda

Christianity was divided

the Roman Catholic Church

ruled from Rome in the western part of Roman empire

developed distinct theologies, esp

the authority of the Bishop of Rome - which became the papacy

the use of images in worship

the Orthodox churches in the easter part of Roman empire

flourished in different places - Constantinople, Alexandria, Africa, Armenia, etc.

developed distinct beliefs

no one bishop above all bishops

no and images in worship

these churches became the first denominations

The Reformation Age

Martin Luther wanted to “reform” the Roman church

Martin Luther’s teachings were the beginning of the

The reformation movement was a coming out

but the coming out was not complete

the Protestant churches were divided among themselves

they produced even more denominations

like Israel -

she came out of Egypt

but she must also return to the land where the forefathers lived - Canaan

The Restoration promise

Acts 3:19–21 NASB 2020

19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times.

repentances - there is a need to acknowledge the errors of Christianity and repent

refreshing - gives new hope for God’s people

restoration - brings the people of God back to where Christianity started: in the apostolic doctrine, practice, and experience

return of Christ - when the church has been restored

Conclusion

We are NOT denomination because

we have been called out of apostate Christianity

we have been restored to the biblical and apostolic doctrine

denominations are not “biblical” because the foundation of their faith are the “creeds” determined by their church

the bible is used only for inspirational, practical purposed, in matters of doctrine they go back to their creed

our statement of faith is the Bible itself

denomination defines Christians to a set of beliefs

we are defined by what the Bible says

they are called “reformed”, baptists, etc. for a reason

denomination forbids Christians from receiving new understanding and revelation from God

some denominations teach there is no more revelation from God

denomination hinders the move of the Holy Spirit

much of today’s so-called moving of the Spirit are in reality “strange fire”

Revelation 3:20 NASB 2020

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Christ is practically outside of many churches today

the real moving of the Spirit leads from truth to more truth!