As we study this important issue, I wish to make it plain in the beginning that I am not making a personal attack, nor is it my intent to be offensive. I am, however, striving to logically and scripturally consider this question, as did the apostle Paul in his admonition to the Ephesian elders. “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29-30). We must be willing to lovingly, yet firmly, face the facts in the case.
By "denomination," I am referring to what is generally recognized as a completely organized religious body. In such an arrangement, there is a headquarters, a head (or body of men that comprise a "head"), a stated policy of operation and a defined policy of action. There are hundreds of such organized religious bodies, each maintaining separate identities from all others. To be a member of a denomination, one would accept the peculiar teaching of that denomination. Other denominations do not teach that doctrine. If they taught the same they would no longer be a separate denomination. I do not mean by "denomination" that church which we read about in the New Testament. There is a distinction to be clearly made between "denominationalism" and the called out body identified as the Lord's church.
A denomination is admittedly a part of the whole. To denominate is to divide. It is admitted even by those who subscribe to the denominational concept, that a denomination is not the only avenue of approach to God. In other words, one can be saved and not be a part of any denomination. Therefore, it is a nonessential to the salvation of one's soul.
By contrast, the Lord's church is presented in the New Testament as being the whole thing. The church is "the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23). The church in the New Testament is never spoken of as a "segment" or "part" of anything, as is true of a denomination.
What denomination was Paul addressing when he wrote to "the church of God...at Corinth" (I Cor. 1:2), or "the church of the Thessalonians" (I Thess. 1:1)? Are the churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16) to be viewed as another separate religious organization from these? These are terms designating location or relationship, not denominational affiliation. Did they not all follow the "one faith" (Eph. 4:5)?
A denomination generally is built upon a particular doctrine or philosophy that is stressed above all others. To be a member one would accept the peculiar teaching of that group. Other denominations do not teach that doctrine. If they taught the same thing, they would no longer be a separate denomination. To be a New Testament Christian, on the other hand, one accepts only that which is taught in the Bible without the addition of a particular doctrine or philosophy generated by man's reasoning. Jesus warns: “But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine. the commandments of men (Matt. 15:9).
Something other than or in addition to the word of God is essential to the foundation of a denomination. They exist because someone has disregarded the teaching of I Cor. 1:10, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
A denomination is evidence that the unity for which Jesus prayed is not respected. "That they all may be one..." (John 17:21).
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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