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Has the “Church” Become a Denomination ?. Why I Left The Christian Church. The Christian Church has women Counselors, Directors and Lecturers ; the church of Christ does not ( 1 Tim. 2:11, 12; 1 Cor. 14:34 ). - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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HAS THE “CHURCH” BECOME A DENOMINATION?
Floyd Decker
The Christian Church has women Counselors, Directors and Lecturers; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 2:11, 12; 1 Cor. 14:34).
The Christian Church has Educational Directors, Associate Ministers and Youth Directors; the church of Christ has elders, deacons, evangelists and teachers (Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1).
The Christian Church has Missionary, Benevolent and Educational Organizations to execute the work of the church; the church of Christ does not (Eph. 4:4; Eph. 3:10, 21).
WHY I LEFT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Floyd Decker
The Christian Church celebrates days of heathen worship, such as Easter, Mother's Day and Christmas the church of Christ does not (Gal. 4:10).
The Christian Church fellowships various denominations in their activities, leaving the impression that all are brethren; the church of Christ does not (2 John 9-11; Gal. 1:6-10).
The Christian Church seeks to get crowds with Youth Meetings, Campaigns for Christ, Rallies, Drives and Promotions; the church of Christ does not (Rom. 1:16; Rev. 22:18, 19).
WHY I LEFT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Floyd Decker
The Christian Church emphasizes society and the physical man by appealing to the carnal nature, with church carnivals, bands, plays, choruses, dramatics, church kitchens, church camps, and elaborate fellowship halls; the church of Christ does not (1 Cor. 10:7; Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:22,34).
The Christian Church misuses the name "Christian," which is a noun, by speaking of "Christian nations," "Christian schools," and "Christian Church." The church of Christ does not (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
WHY I LEFT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Floyd Decker
The Christian Church elevates its preachers by using such titles as Pastor, Superintendent, Doctor, and President, but the church of Christ does not (Matt. 23:5–12; Job 32:21–22).
The Christian Church has the denominational "Pastor System" demanding that preachers run after the members and hold the hands of the sick. The church of Christ and God does not expect this from those who have been called to preach the Gospel (Acts 6:2-4).
WHY I LEFT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Floyd Decker
The Christian Church uses unscriptural means such as suppers, property rentals and special collections to raise money for the church; the church of Christ has each member lay by in store on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1–2).
The Christian Church owns and operates Publishing Houses, Radio Stations, Hospitals, and other Benevolent Societies; churches of Christ build nothing but churches (Eph. 3:21).
WHY I LEFT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Floyd Decker
The Christian Church owns, supports and operates schools for secular education; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 3:15).
The Christian Church has a compromising spirit, will not defend its doctrine, has no regard for the authority of the Bible, bases its practice on the silence of the scriptures, and appeals to tradition rather than to the Gospel of Christ.
WHY I LEFT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Lynn Anderson
In 1973 Lynn Anderson affirmed at ACU that the Church had become a denomination.
Worse, in his opinion not a very good one.
Since then he has defended his affirmation in several forums including Wineskins Magazine.
“ONE BIG SICK DENOMINATION!”
Ben OverbyBroad Street Church of
Christ408 Broad Street
Lagrange, GA 30240(706)-884-4482
Ron Thomas wrote: "It is biblically sustainable that ONLY the Lord’s church will be saved."
“Just to be clear one might want to shed light on the myth that the "Church of Christ" and the Lord's church are synonymous
phrases. The "Church of Christ" is part of the Lord's
church, but it is only a fraction of the whole. When we
claim to be THE Lord's church it sounds a little like the exhaust
pipe claiming to be the car.” Ben Overby (Emp. KMG)
“ONE BIG SICK DENOMINATION!”
Savior (Ephesians 5:23) Saved (Act. 2:41, 47)
Purchase Price (Act 20:28)
Purchased (1 Cor. 6:20)
Redeemer (Gal. 3:13) Redeemed (1 Pet. 1:18–19)
Reconciliation (Heb. 2:17)
Reconciled (2 Cor. 5:18)
Head (Eph. 1:22–23) Body (Eph. 1:23)
Filleth (Eph. 1:23) Fullness (Col. 1:19)
“I will build My Church” Matthew 16:18
“There is “One Body” Ephesians 4:4
“He is also head of the BODY, the CHURCH” Colossians 1:18; Ephesians
1:22-23
IS CHRIST THE HEAD OF MANY CHURCHES?
“Church” in the
Universal Sense:
ALL CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE.
Who agree to join in fellowship (Acts 9:26)
Who worship in common assembly (1 Corinthians 11:18)
Who work out of common treasury (1 Corinthians 16:1-3)
Who submit to common oversight ( Acts 14:23)
IS CHRIST THE HEAD OF MANY CHURCHES?
“Church” in the Local
Sense: CHRISTIANS IN A SPECIFIC AREA.
4 : a religious organization uniting local congregations in
a single legal and administrative body
Merriam-Webster
“A group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name
and organized under a single administrative and legal
hierarchy, e.g., Anglicans, Presbyterians, Catholics etc.”
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/FamilyHistory/Glossary
WHAT IS A DENOMINATION?
There are over 1,000 “Christian” religious
organizations in North America alone. Each has their own set of beliefs, policies and practices.
“When discussing such topics as the divinity of
Christ, salvation, heaven, etc. it would be
hopelessly unwieldy to explain the beliefs of
each faith group.”World Christian
Encyclopedia
WHAT IS A DENOMINATION?
USA Religious Stats
Earthly Headquarters
Earthly Headquarters Earthly Headquarters
Earthly Headquarters
Presbyterian (1560)
Methodist (1740)
Baptist (1608)
Pentecostal (1898)
Divided By
Distinction In Belief
WHAT IS A DENOMINATION?
Bound together by distinct beliefs
Bound together by distinct beliefs
Bound together by distinct beliefs
Bound together by distinct beliefs
606 Roman Catholic Church
1054 Greek Orthodox Church
1530 Lutheran Church1534 Church of England1536 Presbyterian Church1611 Baptist Church1739 Methodist Church1830 Mormon Church1844 Seventh Day
Adventists1886 Jehovah’s Witnesses1887 Church of God1908 Nazarene Church1911 Christian Church1914 Assemblies of God
Using NT terminology correctly, I must answer the question “No”.
However, speaking accommodative, all know that there is a “Church of Christ Denomination” (Acts 15:24; I John 2:19).
The real question we ought to consider is: “What Tendencies of Denominationalism Are Present Today?
IS THE “CHURCH” A DENOMINATION?
The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Galatians 4:17).
Galatians 4:17
“They zealously court you, but for no
good; yes, they want to exclude
you, that you may be zealous for
them.”
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“The Party Spirit”
The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Galatians 4:17).
“They zealously affect you”— Take a fancy to, or an interest in. They court you, to no good end.
“They would exclude you” —To shut out or exclude. They seek your exclusive fellowship with them as teachers.
“That ye might affect them” — They court you to be courted; they exclude you to exclude others.
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“The Party Spirit”
Examples of the “party spirit” not so long ago (Gospel Advocate, 12/9/1954).
“I trust that you will not consider me presumptuous if I suggest that the writers of the Gospel Advocate might wisely spearhead a movement to ‘quarantine’ those preachers who today are sowing the seeds of discord among the brotherhood and to thus prevent further divisions.”
“Blacklists,” closed periodicals and meeting cancellations.
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“The Party Spirit”
Has the party spirit taken up residence in the Lord’s House? (cf. Matthew 12:43-45)
What has happened to our commitment to righteous judgment? (John 7:24,51)
There is a pattern for handling these kinds of controversies (Matthew 5:37)
An open pulpit (Acts 15:4) An open Bible (Acts 15:6) An open dialogue (Acts
15:7)
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“The Party Spirit”
A promotion of co-operation and better understanding between religious groups or denominations, without aiming at unity.
Used predominantly with reference to (and by) Christian denominations separated by doctrine, history and practice.
Advocates a greater shared spirituality across Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths as part of its core beliefs.
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“Ecumenism”
Ecumenism in the New Testament (Galatians 5:11; 6:12)
“If I yet preach…”(cf. Acts 16:3).
“Offence of the cross…” (Galatians 3:26-28)
“Lest they should suffer…” (cf. 5:11)
The “circumcision position” was a compromise position to avoid persecution and isolation in Israel (cf. Acts 22:22).
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“Ecumenism”
Examples of compromising ecumenism in among brethren.
“Preach Christ and leave others alone.”
Christianity not “Churchianity”
More about Christ and less about “us”.
“Preach Christ and not the church.”
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“Ecumenism”
Apathy toward controversy allows error to spread without any resistance!
Apathy towards a steadfast defense of the faith will produce a denomination every time!
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“Ecumenism”
What causes this weakness of spirit?
A hireling caste of preachers
An untaught and unstudied membership
The attraction of “size” and “strength”
Fear of criticism Weariness in well-doing
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“Ecumenism”
God is satisfied when we worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24; Matthew 15:7-9)
God is pleased when the Gospel is preached and practiced (Romans 1:16,17; 11:4).
God is glorified when truth is defended and error is refuted! – (Jude 3; Galatians 2:14; Philippians 1:17; 1 Peter 3:15)
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM
“Ecumenism”
Indications of this emerging contempt in the first century
“Certain which went out from us…” Acts 15:25
“That…despise governments…” 2 Peter 2:10
“Who subvert whole houses…” Titus 1:11
“Say they are apostles…” Revelation 2:3
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local
Church”
Undermining the local church is essential to denominational organization!
A denomination is by definition “an organized group of religious congregations.”
Autonomy, self-government, independence prevent the formation of denominations.
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local
Church”
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local
Church”The local church
properly organized is an impediment to
expanded power, increased realms
of activity, enforced
conformity, etc.
Elders
Elders
Elders
Elders
EldersElders
Elders over EVERY CHURCH—no
greater oversight!
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local Church”
Strong, vibrant local churches are the best
defense against the spread of
creedalism and development of
sectarian machinery
(Acts 15:25).
Elders
Elders
Elders
Elders
EldersElders
Elders over EVERY CHURCH—no
greater oversight!
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local
Church”Is this contempt growing among brethren today?Institutionalism – The social gospel –
The rise and increased acceptance of “Individualism” or “Holtism.”
The rise of the “house church” and the “small group ministry.”
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local
Church”We ought to be concerned with
the growth and development of
the local church, in
particular, qualifying men
to be elders.(Titus 1:5)
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are
lacking, and appoint elders in
every city as I commanded
you.”
Titus 1:5
To prevent becoming a denomination, we must: Thwart the party
spirit Overcome the desire
to compromise Respect God’s
wisdom as manifested in the local church
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISMCONCLUSION
We will prevail over
denominationalism only to the extent that we “hold fast
the faithful word...as taught.”
(Titus 1:9)
TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISMCONCLUSION
“Holding fast the faithful word as
he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort
and convict those who contradict.”
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