Is “Denominationalism” Scriptural? Seeking A Simple, Scriptural Relationship With God And His People

Is “Denominationalism” Is “Denominationalism” Scriptural?Scriptural?

Seeking A Simple, Scriptural Seeking A Simple, Scriptural Relationship With God And His Relationship With God And His

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CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCHCHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH

Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave loved the church and gave Himself for her, (NKJV)Himself for her, (NKJV)

CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCHCHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH

Did He give Himself for:Did He give Himself for:- A “Thing?”- A “Thing?”- An “Institution?”- An “Institution?”- An “Organization?”- An “Organization?”- A “Denomination?”- A “Denomination?”

He gave Himself for He gave Himself for PEOPLEPEOPLE

““Church” - Church” - From God’s PerspectiveFrom God’s Perspective

• ““CHURCH” is one of numerous CHURCH” is one of numerous concepts God uses to discuss His concepts God uses to discuss His relationship with His people and relationship with His people and among His people.among His people.

• ““CHURCH” is one of numerous concepts CHURCH” is one of numerous concepts God uses to discuss His relationship God uses to discuss His relationship with His people and among His people.with His people and among His people.• Other such concepts:Other such concepts:–KingdomKingdom–NationNation–FamilyFamily–Body…Body…

• ““CHURCH” is one of numerous CHURCH” is one of numerous concepts God uses to discuss His concepts God uses to discuss His relationship with His people and relationship with His people and among His people.among His people.• Each of the terms carries with it a Each of the terms carries with it a

distinct meaning and emphasis:distinct meaning and emphasis:– For example: Kingdom = Rule…For example: Kingdom = Rule…


• CHURCHCHURCH – expresses the idea of people – expresses the idea of people gathered, assembled…gathered, assembled…

• This may refer to people being gathered This may refer to people being gathered to God spiritually, or it may refer to an to God spiritually, or it may refer to an actual physical assembly. actual physical assembly.



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Reminder: Reminder: Our TopicOur Topic


• CHURCHCHURCH – expresses the idea of people – expresses the idea of people gathered, assembled…gathered, assembled…

• This may refer to people being gathered This may refer to people being gathered to God spiritually, or it may refer to an to God spiritually, or it may refer to an actual physical assembly. actual physical assembly.

““Church” = Christ’s AssemblyChurch” = Christ’s Assembly

Two Two mainmain uses in the New uses in the New Testament:Testament:• ““Universal” or “General”Universal” or “General”• ““Local”Local”

““Church”- Church”- Two Two mainmain uses uses

• ““Universal” or “General” Universal” or “General” –All the saved everywhereAll the saved everywhere–Only oneOnly one•Matt 16:18 – “I will build My Matt 16:18 – “I will build My

church…”church…”• Eph 4:4 – “There is one body Eph 4:4 – “There is one body

(church – Eph 1:22, 23) (church – Eph 1:22, 23) …”…”


• ““Universal” or “General” Universal” or “General” (One)(One)– All the saved everywhere All the saved everywhere

• “ “Local” Local” (Many - not many “types”)(Many - not many “types”)–Saints banded together in a specific Saints banded together in a specific

locationlocation• Rom 16:16 – churches of Christ greet youRom 16:16 – churches of Christ greet you• Rev 1-3 – seven churches of AsiaRev 1-3 – seven churches of Asia


““Universal” - oneUniversal” - one• All the saved All the saved

everywhereeverywhere

• Spiritually Spiritually assembled to Godassembled to God

““Local”Local”• Saints banded Saints banded

together in a specific together in a specific locationlocation

• Literally assembleLiterally assemble

Where does a “denomination” fit into this Where does a “denomination” fit into this picture?picture?

““Church”- Church”- Two Two mainmain uses in the New uses in the New TestamentTestament

• ““Universal” - All the saved everywhere Universal” - All the saved everywhere • “ “Local” - Saints in a specific locationLocal” - Saints in a specific location

• A “Denomination” is a collection of A “Denomination” is a collection of local churches of a specific “type”local churches of a specific “type”–LargerLarger than a “local” church than a “local” church–SmallerSmaller than the “one body” than the “one body”

(“universal”)(“universal”)

• A “Denomination” is:A “Denomination” is:– LargerLarger than a “local” church than a “local” church– SmallerSmaller than the “one body” (“universal”) than the “one body” (“universal”)

–No scriptural references can be given No scriptural references can be given for this use of “church” because it is for this use of “church” because it is nowhere found in scripture.nowhere found in scripture.–““Denominations” also require Denominations” also require

organization and oversight organization and oversight (government) which are not found in (government) which are not found in the Bible.the Bible.


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Isn’t “Denominationalism” Just About Isn’t “Denominationalism” Just About “Names?”“Names?”

• The answer is “NO”: The answer is “NO”: See previous slidesSee previous slides• But does it matter what “names” we But does it matter what “names” we

use? Does God care what His people use? Does God care what His people call themselves?call themselves?

• Isn’t it true that “there is nothing in a Isn’t it true that “there is nothing in a name?”name?”

Biblical “NAMES” for the churchBiblical “NAMES” for the church

• No single No single exclusiveexclusive name/title is given name/title is given for the church(es) in scripture.for the church(es) in scripture.

• The terms that are used to identify the The terms that are used to identify the “church” or “churches” are “church” or “churches” are descriptive descriptive designationsdesignations. .

• Some examples: church(es) of God; Some examples: church(es) of God; churches of Christ; churches of the churches of Christ; churches of the saints; church of the Thessalonians…saints; church of the Thessalonians…

““Denominationalism” versus UnityDenominationalism” versus Unity

• John 17:20 "I do not pray for these John 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone alone (the apostles)(the apostles), but also for , but also for those who will believe in Me those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 "that they all through their word; 21 "that they all may be may be oneone, as You, Father, are in , as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may Me, and I in You; that they also may be be oneone in Us, that the world may in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (NKJV)believe that You sent Me. (NKJV)


• Ephesians 4:3 endeavoring to keep Ephesians 4:3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. NKJV through all, and in you all. NKJV


• I Cor 1:10 - Now I plead with you, I Cor 1:10 - Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same in the same mind and in the same judgment. judgment.

• 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." 13a Is of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." 13a Is Christ divided? NKJVChrist divided? NKJV


• Denominational “NAMES” based on:Denominational “NAMES” based on:–Some person of influenceSome person of influence–Type of organizationType of organization–Doctrinal points of emphasis, etc.Doctrinal points of emphasis, etc.

• Biblical designations indicate that Biblical designations indicate that we belong to the Lord, and that we we belong to the Lord, and that we are simply His people.are simply His people.


• What about denominations that use What about denominations that use a scriptural designation?a scriptural designation?–The denomination and its The denomination and its

organization, etc. still exists without organization, etc. still exists without Biblical authorization.Biblical authorization.

““Proof texts” for “Denominationalism”?Proof texts” for “Denominationalism”?

Some claim to find authorization for Some claim to find authorization for different denominations in: different denominations in:

• I Corinthians 12:12 ¶ For as the body is I Corinthians 12:12 ¶ For as the body is one and has many members, but all the one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. (NKJV)are one body, so also is Christ. (NKJV)

• The context shows that the “many The context shows that the “many members” are individual saints.members” are individual saints.

““Proof texts” for “Denominationalism”Proof texts” for “Denominationalism”

Some claim to find authorization for Some claim to find authorization for different denominations in: different denominations in:

• John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (NKJV)you can do nothing. (NKJV)

• Again, “the branches” are individuals, Again, “the branches” are individuals, not “churches” or “denominations.”not “churches” or “denominations.”

What “NAMES” should we use?What “NAMES” should we use?

1 Peter 4:11a - If anyone speaks, let him 1 Peter 4:11a - If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles speak as the oracles (utterances)(utterances) of God. of God.

• Since God has not given a single Since God has not given a single exclusive exclusive titletitle for His people, we can use for His people, we can use any of the scriptural terms and ideas any of the scriptural terms and ideas that say who we are to describe that say who we are to describe ourselves (both individually and ourselves (both individually and collectively).collectively).

What “NAMES” should we use?What “NAMES” should we use?

1 Peter 4:11a - If anyone speaks, let him 1 Peter 4:11a - If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles speak as the oracles (utterances)(utterances) of God. of God.

• There is no scriptural basis for using There is no scriptural basis for using terms that honor humans instead of terms that honor humans instead of God, or contribute to division instead of God, or contribute to division instead of the unity of the Spirit.the unity of the Spirit.

• Denominational structure and Denominational structure and organization are not found in scripture.organization are not found in scripture.

Can We Be Simply Disciples Of Jesus?Can We Be Simply Disciples Of Jesus?

• Remember, Remember, “church” “church” in scripture refers in scripture refers to the gathering of to the gathering of PEOPLEPEOPLE. .

• ““Church” may refer to people gathered Church” may refer to people gathered to God in the “one body.”to God in the “one body.”

• ““Church” may refer to people gathered Church” may refer to people gathered with one another in a local assembly.with one another in a local assembly.

• The structure know as a The structure know as a “denomination” is not in scripture.“denomination” is not in scripture.



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Is “Denominationalism” Scriptural? Seeking A Simple, Scriptural Relationship With God And His People