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While I am sure I am not alone; many people wish to follow God and the gospel{Good news} of Jesus Christ, and the grace of God. Many people have many questions that appear not to have been answered in their local church, such as: In response to these questions, some priests, pastors, and ministers make an effort to discount the significance of religious division, saying that the differences between the denominations are not that great. Some even go as far as saying that some religious division is good, enabling people to find a church that suits them personally. There are several reasons why I believe these answers are wrong and do a disservice to the cause of Christ. Let's take a look at the word "denomination" and it's meaning. WHAT IS A "DENOMINATION"? According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: "A large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy." From Webster's: "A religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body a number of local congregations." In simple laymen terms, a denomination is a group of congregations that are joined together under some governing body. The number of congregations can be as few as two or more, but by their tie to a governing body above the local congregation, by definition they are "denominated" from all congregations that do not submit to the same authority Some Examples 1. The Roman Catholic Church is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to the pope in Rome 2. The Eastern Orthodox Church is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to the patriarch of Constantinople 3. The Anglican Church of England is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to the archbishop of Cantebury 4. The Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) is made up of those churches that submit to the synod in Missouri 5. The International Church of Christ is made up of those churches that submit to the Boston Church of Christ -- These are just a few of the thousands of different denominations that now exist! 
For the purpose of this study, I will be applying any approval of the denominational division which exists today. I will also note, that most people are in no way devoted to or even know what their denominational differences are! However, by simple membership in a "denomination" one implies the approval of separation into religious groups. Is denominationalism really all that bad? Am I implying that one cannot serve God faithfully while participating in religious division? The answer to both questions is "Yes!" Why are DENOMINATIONS wrong? First off, they are un-scriptural. There is NO basis for their support in the Bible. Now, if that is what you are using for your spiritual well being, then this fact has to be pointed out! There is no church that can go to the Bible and point out any scripture and say "See that! that is our church. In the New Testament the ONLY authority over the local church was Jesus Christ and His apostles. The apostles, once they died; were not replaced. Throughout the Word of God, Christ's authority continues. Individuals, synods, conferences, organizations, etc., that presume to usurp authority over local congregations today do so without Scriptural authority!
Not only are they "un-scriptural" they go against what the Bible teaches. When Jesus prayed in the garden before His crucifixion He prayed to God that all believers would be "united" as one. In John 17:20-23 in the amplified version 20 Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching, 21That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. 22I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: 23I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. In Paul's epistles to the churches he condemns "denominations" or "divisions" of the church. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 10But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments. 11For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you. 12What I mean is this, that each one of you [either] says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ. 13Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? Denominations oppose Christ's efforts of the Cross. Christ came to knock down the wall of division among us, to reconcile man back to God. In Ephesians 2:14-16 14For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us, 15By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace. 16And [He designed] to reconcile to God both [Jew and Gentile, united] in a single body by means of His cross, thereby killing the mutual enmity and bringing the feud to an end.
In view of Jesus' words it is no wonder that unbeliever's can point to the division among alleged believer's and are slow to accept the words coming from a divided church. It's understandable why other faiths point to the divisions of christians as a reason not to believe in Christ. Denominationalism has led to growth in the cults. Mormonism started in reaction to the denominationalism of Joseph Smith's day. Those who call themselves "Jehovah's Witnesses" use religious division to encourage people to follow their strictly-controlled organization. Martin Luther - Leader of the reformation movement said this: "I ask that men make no reference to my name, and call themselves not Lutherans, but Christians. What is Luther? My doctrine, I am sure, is not mine, nor have I been crucified for any one. St. Paul, in 1 Cor. 3, would not allow Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian. How then should I, poor, foul carcass that I am, come to have men give to the children of Christ a name derived from my worthless name? No, no, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names, and call ourselves Christians after Him Whose doctrine we have." John Wesley, another great reformation leader, among whose followers are Methodists, Wesleyans, etc.: had this to say "Would to God that all party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot and that the very name [Methodist] might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion." Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest Baptist preachers who ever lived said this; "I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be a Baptist living! I hope that the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ's name last forever."
Well, despite many people's wishes denominationalism is alive and well. However, there are more and more people throwing aside their denomination and following God; following Jesus Christ and simply calling themselves "Christians."
Jesus is the example When Jesus came to earth the religious climate of His day was the Israelites were living under the law of God as given by Moses. The law made no provisions for the "division" of His people or sects, or denominations. Yet by the time Jesus showed up the Jews had already formed several different religious parties; such as the Saducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and the Herodians. It was said that if you were serious about God, that you would belong to one of these groups. Now, which one did Jesus belong to? NONE OF THEM Instead, He maintained a "non-sectarian" relationship with God to the very end. As an Israelite, living at a time when the Law of Moses was still in effect, He was simply an "Israelite" In addition, He encouraged all to live by the Law while it was still in effect. In other words, He encouraged all to simply be what the Law of Moses intended them to be "Israelites." With that being said, If Jesus was here on earth today what would He be? A Catholic? A Baptist? A Muslim? A Methodist? If He was simply an Israelite then, would He not simply be a "Christian" today? It was what His disciples were first called. Acts 11 26And when he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year they assembled together with and were guests of the church and instructed a large number of people; and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians In any case, the example Jesus set is clear, just be what God originally intended under the Law which is in effect. Since in the New Testament (the "law of Christ" reigns; the disciples of Christ were called "Christians", so we should be!
With all that is going on in many of the churches today it is no wonder that our generation has turned away from church and unfortunately God. It is my goal to see that God's children turn back to God. Do not let what you see the "organization" of the church sour you towards God. What you see, is not what God had intended! He did not want us divided! Denominations divide the church. 
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