Unity and Denominationalism

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• Unity and Denominationalism
• What is Wrong With Denominationalism?

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What is Denominationalism?

• The word is NOT found in scripture!
• NOR is the concept!

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What is Denominationalism?

• Denomination, 1. A large group of religions
  congregations united under a common faith and
  name and organized under a single administrative
  and legal hierarchy.American Heritage Dictionary

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What is Denominationalism?

• Religious denomination, a subgroup within a
  religion that operates under a common name,
  tradition, and identity. (Wikipedia)

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What is Denominationalism?

• Denominationalism, 1. The tendency to separate
  into religious denominations. 2. Advocacy of
  separation into religious denominations.
  American Heritage Dictionary

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What is Denominationalism?

• The general consensus is that each denomination
  is a part of the universal body of Christ.

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What is Denominationalism?
Denominational Concept of The Body of Christ
SO . . .

• Catholic (606)
• Lutheran (1517)
• Presbyterian (1560)
• Baptist (1608)
• Methodist (1740)
• Mormon (1830)
• Pentecostal (1898)

10 Pennies 3 Dimes 2 Nickels 2 Quarters
The church of Christ
From 65th Street Church of Christ,Little Rock,
AR, w65stchurchofchrist.org
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What is Denominationalism?
Denominational Concept of The Body of Christ
Earthly Headquarters
Earthly Headquarters
Presbyterian (1560)
Baptist (1608)
Bound together by distinct beliefs
Earthly Headquarters
Earthly Headquarters
Methodist (1740)
Pentecostal (1898)
From 65th Street Church of Christ, Little Rock,
AR, w65stchurchofchrist.org
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What is Denominationalism?

• Those who teach this might appeal to 1
  Corinthians 1212-27 or John 151-8(NOTE A
  study of context deals clearly with individuals)
• Were all going to heaven, but by different
  routesAttend the church of your choice

Is this the pattern the Bible teaches about the
church? NO!
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Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

• It is Unscriptural
• NT churches were autonomous and independent.
  They taught the same thing
• Denominations appeal to earthly bodies larger
  than the local church (bound together by HQ,
  creeds, councils, conventions, satellite
  campuses, etc.)

WHERE in the Bible is such organization found? IT
is NOT there!
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Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

• It violates Biblical unity
• John 1720-21 that they all may be one, As You,
  Father, are in Me, and I in You
• 1 Corinthians 110-13 no divisions1 Cor. 33-4
• Ephesians 214-16 He broke down the wall of
  separation

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Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

• It perverts the teaching of Gods word
• Gods word is truth John 1717, 831-32We can
  understand it Eph. 517, 1 Cor. 1433
• 1 Peter 122-23
• Denominationalism implies that Gods word cannot
  be absolutely understood
• Will we be judged by different standards? John
  1248

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Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

• It elevates traditions of men over teachings of
  God
• Tradition 1 Cor. 21-5, Matt. 158-9
• The church of the Bible is NOT a denomination!
  Every denomination has its origin with some man
  and his teachings

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Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

• It voids the exactness of Gods word
• Biblical authority 1 Cor. 46, 2 John 9-11,
  cf. Rev. 2218-19
• Many deal with generalities and ignore the
  specified details
• Division is the result of NOT respecting Gods
  boundaries
• Fellowshipping error Eph. 511, Gal. 16-9, 2
  John 9-11

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Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

• It hinders the cause of Christ
• John 1721, that the world may believe that You
  sent Me.
• John 1334-35, the world knows us by our love and
  unity
• Religious division turns people away from the
  truth. It causes doubt, ridicule, etc. It
  minimizes the importance of Bible accuracy!

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Why is Denominationalism Wrong?

• It hinders true Christianity
• With denominationalism, one is free to find a
  church on his terms instead of Gods terms.
• Community churches have capitalized on this and
  claim to be non-denominational. In reality
  they are INTER-denominational.
• 2 Timothy 215, Matt. 2820

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Let us strive to be the church of Christs
choice!