No Sect allowed
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 40:32
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45,000
45,000
We live in a world that is divided Spiritually. Then even within the divisions there is divisions. Tonight we are going to look at overcoming, scripturally speaking divisions.
Study ending in Feb 2021 shows over 45,000 religions in the world.
(Insert PowerPoint Religious Divisions)
Oh wait, I said that wrong, that is 45,000 so-called Christian religions according to the study that was done by livescience.com
We live in a religiously divided world, there has even been many of wars in the name of God. Some of the major’s are Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism) and within them there are many sects (divisions). As mentioned before within Christianity (Christendom) there is over 45,000.
Jesus said there was to be one church, My church (Mt16:18)
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Jesus prayed for the unity of the believers (Jn17:20-23)
This is important so that we know what the scripture says so that we can make a good biblical defence with gentleness and respect to denominationalism.
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
Paul condemned religious division (1Cor1:10-13)
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, 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. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Despite Jesus teaching, and His prayer. Despite Paul and his admonishment for the church to be simply Christians, non-denominational in any sense of the word.
“The world in which we live wants to define and categorize every group of Christians as a denomination.” Mark Copeland
Now, if we are honest even within what we call “church of Christ” there are divisions, instrumental and non-instrumental, Institutional and non-institutional.
When we hold in contempt, scorn denominationalism and yet we are even viewed as a denomination, what are we to do? So I offer up to you from our verse tonight (and will bring in many others) on how Paul addressed a similar situation.
So here is how we will break it down tonight.
The “Way” which they call a sect (Act24:5)
The “Way” which they call a denomination (Rom16:16)
A proper response to denominationalism
The “Way” which they call a sect
The “Way” which they call a sect
In the first century, in the early church many viewed Christianity as a denomination, a sect of Judaism. And Paul takes issue with that, as should we, but look how he handles it as we go through our study tonight.
(what is denominationalism picture inserted here)
Question: What does denomination mean?
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Wikipedia says it like this:
“A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity, identified by traits such as a name, organization and doctrine. Individual bodies, however, may use alternative terms to describe themselves, such as church, convention, communion, assembly, house, union, network, or sometimes fellowship.”
So, now that we have a general view of what a denomination is.
Question: What is denominationalism?
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Merriam-Webster says this:
1 : devotion to denominational principles or interests. 2 : the emphasizing of denominational differences to the point of being narrowly exclusive : sectarianism.
We have a couple of terms defined now, so now may we go and look at how Paul handled sectarianism (denominationalism) in his day.
Accusation: Paul accused of being a ring leader of a sect (Act24:5)
5 “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Like mentioned before in the early days many Gentiles and Jews considered Christians to be a sect of Judaism.
They were called “Nazarenes” by the enemies, some of the Jews who were against Jesus the Nazarene.
This sect was not self-named, they did not call themselves a sect, they considered themselves to be the fulfillment of Judaism, the law, the promises to Abraham, not a sect or a branch of Judaism.
Defense: Designations of “the church”
The church was called by various terms in the day.
Church of Christ, Church of God (Rom16:16; 1Cor1:2)
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
And add to that
2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
The body of Christ, the kingdom of God (Eph1:22; Col1:13)
Originally was not going to give all the scriptures but we can put them up and use them briefly for it is good for us to see what the scripture says if we are going to be able to make a defense against denominationalism.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
and here is one we have used many times over, just as a reminder.
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
So the church is the kingdom of the beloved Son.
The temple of God, the bride of Christ (1Cor3:16; Rev19:7-8)
Paul told the Corinthians that they were the temple of God and the temple is holy
Now look how John puts it.
7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
One of the things you can notice is that there was no exclusive name used as some official name.
(Transition) So, we have gone from some common biblical terms used to describe the early church now may we look at how some knew the church to be.
People of the “way” as mentioned before (Act24:14)
Paul before Felix confessed the Way, and the God of our Fathers.
Paul persecuted people of the way (Act9:2, 22:4)
Paul got letters to bind any of the way and bring them to Jerusalem (Act9:2)
Persecuted to death, binding them, delivering them, both men and women (Act22:4)
Others spoke evil of them (Act19:9)
(Below scripture not on screen, just quote it)
9 But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
In Ephesus there was a riot because of the way (Act19:23)
Here is a reminder of what we saw way back in chapter 19
23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way.
A silversmith named Demetrius riled up an angry mob against Paul.
We looked at Paul and the way, but even Felix acknowledged knowledge of the way
22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”
Question: OK maybe a little subjective, why do you think they were called “the way”?
(Pause, let there be answers given before putting up this.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Paul’s response (Act24:5) to be called a sect.
He acknowledges the accusation and that is how He worshiped God (Act24:14)
He did not find it necessary to explain
Explain to them to those with sectarian mindset that he was not a member of any sect, that the Way was not a sect
Instead of explained he used the opportunity to confess, so let’s look at his confession in context (Act24:14-16)
Oh, wait, before I put the passage up, open your bibles to it and be ready for our usual question afterwards.
14 “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you? `
I think maybe we see that Paul’s focuses his response on the gospelof Christ rather than some form of sectarianism, denominationalism, which would feed onto their misconception of this so called sect called the way, a sect of Judaism, which it is not.
(Transition) - Paul helps lay some groundwork for us today when someone wants to call us, label you a denomination.
There are many Churches of Christ (Rom16:16)
All are disciples of Jesus and are simply Christians (Act11:26)
26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
They are autonomous and independent (Act20:28, 1Pt5:1-2)
Each congregation is a flock (Act20:28)
Each flock is to have overseers, shepherds, elders (Act20:28; 1Pt5:1-2)
They all follow the same doctrine and pattern (Act2:42; 2Jn1:9; Jude1:3)
Study, break bread, fellowship, prayers
Abides in the teachings of Christ (2Jn9)
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
Common Salvation, Common faith that needs to be earnestly contended for.
Yet many in the denominational world view such churches as just another denomination. And I’m sure you can agree it is concerning that we are known, called that at times when we are not a denomination.
Designations of the Church today
Many terms not just one exclusive name
Church of God is scriptural, but not expedient
Expression Church of Christ is both scriptural and expedient
Oftentimes used by denominations to refer to the universal church
Churches using this term are oftentimes non-denominational
Again, may I bring to mind that many within the churches of Christ have adopted a denominational mindset, that is one reason many in the denominational world can call us a denomination and not get an effective, truthful response, defense to that claim. So next we better look at how we can respond to the claim.
A proper response
A proper response
To make a proper response to something you need to have an understanding of the matter you are going to respond to. We have looked at the matter. We have looked to how Paul handled a similar situation, now let’s look together for how we can (so it’s the application section).
Designations so not to be misunderstood
Designations such as church sign “Christians meet here.”
Designations as “the church” - like oftentimes I personally emphasis Westside Church more than I do Church of Christ.
(insert Christian fish picture here)
In the first century the fish, aka the Christian fish designated this is the place that the Christians would meet.
Our signs that says “Christians meet here” is the equivalent today. People looking for a N.T. Church would see that designation and know.
Both are scriptural, but are they expedient today in giving a response to denominationalism and identification?
Our response does not need to be a defense but an opportunity to teach and proclaim faith and hope in God.
(Insert Christians meet here picture here)
Paul did not find it necessary to explain how he was not part of a sect.
Paul used the opportunity to teach and proclaim faith and hope in God
You do not find Paul or others in N.T. preaching the church, you find them preaching Jesus, they proclaimed the gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Once people obey the gospel then, and obey the gospel now then they are taught what it means to be a Christian (follow the commands) as noted in Mt28:20. What it means to be a member of the body of Christ. A part of the kingdom of the beloved Son.
It is in the Epistles that Christians learn about the identity, the worship, the work and the organization of the church.
A biblical example of a proper response (Act18:24-28)
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;
26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,
28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Like Paul who was bold, confident, serving God with a clear conscience everything changed along the way. But look how it happened, not by telling him he was wrong, but teaching more accurately.
(Insert we are not a denomination slide here)
(Transition to conclusion) -WE are not a sect, we are not a denomination, we are the church, the body of Christ, the church of Christ, the church of God, the kingdom of Christ, the temple of God, the bride of Christ.
We live in a world where it is hard not to have a denominational mindset, even within the church. Don’t argue with others, arguments won’t change hearts, scripture does. So be prepared with scripture and patience in explaining “the church” it’s not a name, it is a people and the church is the fulfillment of Jesus words.
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
(prayer) (exit)