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How about denominationalism (part 1)?


Introduction. Denominationalism – many different churches teaching many different doctrines – is not taught in the New Testament. I know this is shocking to many, but the Lord only established one church (Matt. 16:18). Paul wrote that there is one body (Eph. 4:4). The "body" is the church (Eph. 1:22,23). Consequently, Paul and other faithful preachers could teach in every church. (1 Cor. 4:17).

In the first century. The first century church did not wear human names, but God-given designations, which glorified her founder, Jesus Christ (cf. Rom. 16:16, 1 Cor. 1:2). This church did not have human creeds (Acts 2:42), but submitted to Christ, her head (Eph. 1:22,23). The early local churches were governmentally independent of one another, each having their own elders to oversee (1 Pet. 5:1,2, Acts14: 23). These elders or bishops existed in each church in the plurality, having met the qualifications (Act 14:23, 1 Tim. 3, Tit. 1). The Lord's church did not allow women preachers, as such (1 Tim. 2:11-15). The church of the New Testament taught belief, repentance, confession and baptism for the remission of sin as requisites for initial salvation (John 8:24, Acts 17:31, Rom. 10:10, Acts 2:38). The early church employed only the human heart as an instrument of praise in their worship (Eph. 5:19).

Division condemned. The closest thing to denominationalism in the scriptures is found in 1 Corinthians 1:12, 13. There were those at Corinth who where rallying around certain men. Paul called this division and rebuked them (vs. 10,11). One reason such division is wrong is because there is only one faith or system of belief. (Eph. 4:4).

Conclusion. Thousands of different denominations in America is a shameful condition. Jesus prayed to his Father for religious unity so "that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:20,21). (continued in part 2)
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