When we speak about denominations, it is with reference to the system, not the people involved. We do not question or doubt their sincerity and love for God. But we also must remember that if we truly love God with all of our being, we will honor him by complete obedience to his word. Jesus said, "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments" (John 14:14 ASV).
In Eph. 4:4 we read, "there is one body." In Eph. 1:22-23 we read where that one body is the church. Of course, this has reference to the church Christ said he would build (Matt. 16:18). The church the saved were added to (Acts 2:47). That church is not a denomination. In fact, Christianity existed centuries before the start of denominationalism. There is no scriptural, New Testament idea of a denomination.
Is denominationalism necessary, if so, on what grounds? Is it necessary for the existence of Christianity? Christianity came into existence on the Pentecost after the Lord's resurrection. No denomination existed (Acts 2). Christianity can and has existed without denominations. Since the scriptures were completed in the first century, denominationalism exists without divine sanction.
One might ask, "Would Christianity exist if your denomination ceased to exist?" Since no denominations claim to have all the Christians in them, then the answer would be, "Yes, Christianity would exist without their denomination." Some say theirs is only a "branch." "I am the vine, ye are the branches" (John 15:5). But when we study the context, we understand that "ye" has reference to individual Christians. Since denominations did not exist in the first century, then how would Jesus be referring to denominations as branches?
Is proclamation of the gospel dependent upon a denomination, and if so, which one? If that denomination ceased, would Christianity cease? Jesus commanded, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). When that gospel was preached, it produced Christians. When that gospel is preached today, will it produce a denomination, and if so, which one?
When we study the parable of the sower we learn, "the seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11). We know every seed shall produce "after his kind" (Gen. 1:12). We understand the word or the seed is the gospel. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation... (Eph. 1:13). Paul said, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you. . .by which also ye are saved. . ." (I Cor. 15:1-2). Peter said the saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47). There was no denomination in the first century. Therefore, it is not possible that the seed could have produced a denomination, only Christ's church. If we plant that same seed today, it is not possible that it can produce a denomination (Gen. 1:12). If the Lord adds all the saved to the church, (and he does) how can there be saved in a denomination?
Paul said, "And gave him [Christ] to be head over all things to the church" (Eph. 1:22). If "the head" means one head, why does not "the church" mean one church? One cannot get any more churches out of that passage than he can get heads out of that passage.
Christ built only one church. He prayed that his followers would be one (John 17:21). Paul taught that we "speak the same thing," then he condemned division, ...that there be no divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (I Cor. 1:10-13). Denominationalism by definition is "division, one or many. We conclude that not only is denominationalism not necessary, but in fact it is condemned.
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11)
Don H. Noblin
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