Are There Christians In Denominations

Are There Christians In Denominations?

Introduction: This question occasionally arises when talking about people in denominations. Carl Ketcherside spoke of fellowshipping those in denominations. To answer this question we must understand what a Christian is, what a denomination is, and what conflicts arises. A little background is needed. The Bible warned of a falling away and history records the formation of the Catholic Church. From 606 AD to around 1500 AD there was the Catholic Church and no denominations. Then certain men saw abuses in the Catholic Church and a departure from the Bible. They wanted to "Reform" the Catholic Church. Eventually they were forced to leave the Catholic Church and denominations formed. In this country denominations were prevalent. Then in the late 1700's and 1800's men saw the abuses of denominations and departure from the Bible. They wanted to go back to the Bible and do only what was authorized. At this time denominations stressed the differences between them and did not fellowship those in other denominations. The "Restoration Movement" said let us go by the Bible and be the church of the New Testament. Over the last 50 or so years many denominations have said it does not matter what one believes and they started to fellowship each other. Some have advocated the Lord's church should do the same. Rebuel Shelly believes churches of Christ as simply another denomination.

I) Denominationalism Defined

A) Denominate -- to designate, to name.

B) Denomination

1. a religious group, usually including many local churches, often larger than a sect: the Lutheran denomination.

one of the grades or degrees in a series of designations of quantity, value, measure, weight, etc.: He paid $500 in bills of small denomination.

a name or designation, especially one for a class of things.

a class or kind of persons or things distinguished by a specific name.

the act of naming or designating a person or thing.

II) The Church Christ Established

A) Was foretold in the Old Testament and established on the Day of Pentecost, 30 AD in Jerusalem, Acts 2.47.

1. Before the Day of Pentecost the church was spoken of in the future tense, Matthew 16.18.

2. After the Day of Pentecost the church was spoken of in the present tense.

B) Was composed of individuals who: Heard the Gospel, believed, repented of their sins, confessed Christ, and were baptized for the remission of their sins, Acts 2.38.

1. How did one become a member of Christ's body at Corinth? The same way they did in Jerusalem.

2. Being saved equals having one's sins remitted, Mark 16.16.

C) Those who did (B) were added to the body of Christ, Galatians 3.27.

1. What church were the people added to in Jerusalem? What church were they added to at Corinth? Acts 18.8

2. The church and the body of Christ are the same.

D) Was designated as: church of God (1 Cor. 1.2), the family of God (Eph. 3.15), churches of Christ (Romans 16.16), church of the first born (Hebrews 12.23).

E) As individuals they were called: saints (Romans 1.7), disciples (Acts 6.1-2), Christians (Acts 11.26).

F) They worshipped by: singing (Ephesians 5.19),praying (Acts 2.42), giving (Acts 4.32ff; 1 Corinthians 16.1ff), teaching/preaching (Acts 2.42), and observing the Lord's Supper (Acts20.7).

G) They had only one faith (doctrine), Lord, baptism, Ephesians 4.4-6.

** Point of agreement -- Whoever does the will of God will be saved, Matthew 7.21

Observation: It is possible for: 1) a Christian to leave a congregation and join a denomination, 2) a person to have studied and learned the truth, obeyed the gospel plan of salvation, and then join themselves to a denomination.

III) Denominations Are Different For the Following Reasons:

A) A different origin -- date, place of establishment, founder.

1. Example of founder. Bill Gates founded Microsoft, Steve Jobs founded Apple.

2. Microsoft did not exist before Bill Gates, and Apple did not exist before Steve Jobs.

B) A different means of entrance -- voting, handshake, infant baptism, emotional experience, etc.

1. Almost all groups practice some form of baptism, i.e. sprinkling, pouring, immersion.

2. They do so to make one a member of their group, or some other reason, but not for the reason stated in the Bible.

3. They also do so by some other authority. Example: Mormons

C) Makes a distinction between being in the body of Christ and being a "member" of their denomination.

1. They all say you are saved first and then become a member of their church.

D) A different doctrine or creed

E) A different name

F) A different organization

G) A different form of worship -- instrumental music, testifying, speaking in tongues, hand clapping, shouting, etc.

H) A different work -- social gospel, entertainment, etc. Rainbow coalition with Jesse Jackson.

** A side question: Can a person be saved, in fellowship with God, in a denomination?

If so, then we should accept them into our fellowship. Who are we to draw lines of fellowship when they are in fellowship with God?

If not, then we should not accept them into our fellowship.

1. Denominationalism conflicts with the prayer of Jesus, John17.20-21

2. Uses man made names to create divisions, 1 Corinthians 1.12-13

3. Creates vain worship, Matthew 15.8-9

4. Abides not in the doctrine of Christ, 2 John 9

5. Has the wrong foundation, 1 Corinthians 3.11

6. We are told to not fellowship error, Ephesians 5.11

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