Why Christ's Church Is Not A Denomination
WHY CHRIST'S CHURCH IS NOT A DENOMINATION One of the most difficult concepts to explain to people is the undenominational nature of the Lord's church. The basic reason for this difficulty is that most have never considered the identifying marks of a denomination, and how that differs from the New Testament church. So, in this article, we shall attempt to do that. The Lord's church is not a denomination because it does not claim to save. By contrast, some denominations view the church as a saving body, and mankind's only link to God. Consider this statement from The Catholic Encyclopedia: "Only by entering the Church can we participate in the redemption wrought by Christ" (Vol. III, p.752). Further, "It is to the Church that Christ has committed those means of grace through which the gifts He earned for men are communicated to them. The Church alone dispenses the sacraments. It alone makes known the light of revealed truth. Outside the Church these gifts cannot be obtained." But the Bible does not teach that the church saves; instead, the Bible teaches that the church IS the saved (~Ac.2:47~). In other words, CHRIST is the Savior, and mankind's only link to God (Jn.14:6; Ep.5:23; 1Tm.2:5)! The Lord's church is not a denomination because it has no legislative power. By contrast, denominational churches often meet in synods and councils to discuss and vote on doctrinal matters for their church. What they "vote in" becomes embodied in their "creed" as the official doctrine of that church. But in the Bible, the church has NO legislative power! There is only "one Lawgiver," and His name is Jesus! (Jm.4:12; cf. Mt.28:18; Col.3:17; 2Jn.9). Instead of making laws, the NT church submits to the law of Christ (Ep.5:24). In fact, the creeds of men continue to divide men religiously, because they constantly change to suit the whims of man. The Lord's church is not a denomination because it is not an organization of congregations. By contrast, a denomination is "a religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body a number of local congregations." (Webster). In other words, local churches are tied together organizationally. This organizational structure manifests itself in the form of Conventions, Synods, Councils, Associations, etc. It is a means of maintaining institutional control over the various congregations of that denomination, and of activating the "universal" church in an organized fashion. But Bible reveals that each local church was organized alike (Ac.14:23), with the overseeing body of each church being LIMITED to that "flock" alone (1Pt.5:1-3). Each church made its own decisions (Ac.6:1- 6; 11:27-30). Each raised and controlled its own funds (1Cor.16:1-3). Thus, NT local churches were independent and autonomous bodies. The ONLY form of cooperation among faithful churches of Christ is by concurrent independent action toward a common end (1Cor16:1-3; 2Cor.11:7-8). The Lord's church is not a denomination because it rejects sectarianism. By contrast, denominations encourage sectarianism, based on their own creeds. The definition of denominationalism is "the emphasizing of denominational differences to the point of being narrowly exclusive; sectarianism." Notice that, by definition, "denominationalism" IS "sectarianism." Indeed, it is the very essence of denominationalism! A "sectarian" is a divisive man; he seeks to divide groups of believers into "sections." Sectarianism is a sinful work of the flesh, which will send one to Hell (Ga.5:19-21; Tit.3:10-11). The words, "heresies," and "heretic," in these passages denote this sectarian mentality. This concept is rank error, and is a key mark of distinction between the church of Christ and a denomination. However, the NT church includes all saints who are devoted to the search for truth (Ph.1:27). The Lord's church is not a denomination because it rejects ecumenical Christianity. By contrast, the ecumenical movement seeks "the general unity of Christians above sectarian differences" (American Heritage Dictionary). The ecumenical movement was brought about when the denominations realized how shamefully divided the so-called "Christian world" had become. So, they tried to "fix" the problem with a phony "band-aid" approach. As a result, they ignore the REAL problem (disrespect for the Bible), and play with pretty words like "love," "tolerance," and "unity." They think they will fool people with their phony "unity meetings." But be not deceived; their divisions remain, and the problem is unsolved. True Biblical unity can only exist on the basis of God's revealed truth (Jn.17:20-21; Ep.4:1- 6; 1Cor.1:10; 1Pt.4:11). By the way, if you try to point this out to them, these same "loving" people will forget all about all the "tolerance" they profess, and turn on you like a rabid dog (cf. Mt.7:6)! You will be seen as the worst kind of bigot for daring to point out their phony unity. Nevertheless, ecumenism is an erroneous concept, and is a fundamental difference between the church of Christ, and a denomination. Briefly put, these are some of the reasons that the Lord's church is not a denomination. If you have further questions about this matter, please contact us. --Lanny Smith
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WHY CHRIST'S CHURCH IS NOT A DENOMINATION One of the most difficult concepts to explain to people is the undenominational nature of the Lord's church. The basic reason for this difficulty is that most have never considered the identifying marks of a denomination, and how that differs from the New Testament church. So, in this article, we shall attempt to do that. The Lord's church is not a denomination because it does not claim to save. By contrast, some denominations view the church as a saving body, and mankind's only link to God. Consider this statement from The Catholic Encyclopedia: "Only by entering the Church can we participate in the redemption wrought by Christ" (Vol. III, p.752). Further, "It is to the Church that Christ has committed those means of grace through which the gifts He earned for men are communicated to them. The Church alone dispenses the sacraments. It alone makes known the light of revealed truth. Outside the Church these gifts cannot be obtained." But the Bible does not teach that the church saves; instead, the Bible teaches that the church IS the saved (~Ac.2:47~). In other words, CHRIST is the Savior, and mankind's only link to God (Jn.14:6; Ep.5:23; 1Tm.2:5)! The Lord's church is not a denomination because it has no legislative power. By contrast, denominational churches often meet in synods and councils to discuss and vote on doctrinal matters for their church. What they "vote in" becomes embodied in their "creed" as the official doctrine of that church. But in the Bible, the church has NO legislative power! There is only "one Lawgiver," and His name is Jesus! (Jm.4:12; cf. Mt.28:18; Col.3:17; 2Jn.9). Instead of making laws, the NT church submits to the law of Christ (Ep.5:24). In fact, the creeds of men continue to divide men religiously, because they constantly change to suit the whims of man. The Lord's church is not a denomination because it is not an organization of congregations. By contrast, a denomination is "a religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body a number of local congregations." (Webster). In other words, local churches are tied together organizationally. This organizational structure manifests itself in the form of Conventions, Synods, Councils, Associations, etc. It is a means of maintaining institutional control over the various congregations of that denomination, and of activating the "universal" church in an organized fashion. But Bible reveals that each local church was organized alike (Ac.14:23), with the overseeing body of each church being LIMITED to that "flock" alone (1Pt.5:1-3). Each church made its own decisions (Ac.6:1- 6; 11:27-30). Each raised and controlled its own funds (1Cor.16:1-3). Thus, NT local churches were independent and autonomous bodies. The ONLY form of cooperation among faithful churches of Christ is by concurrent independent action toward a common end (1Cor16:1-3; 2Cor.11:7-8). The Lord's church is not a denomination because it rejects sectarianism. By contrast, denominations encourage sectarianism, based on their own creeds. The definition of denominationalism is "the emphasizing of denominational differences to the point of being narrowly exclusive; sectarianism." Notice that, by definition, "denominationalism" IS "sectarianism." Indeed, it is the very essence of denominationalism! A "sectarian" is a divisive man; he seeks to divide groups of believers into "sections." Sectarianism is a sinful work of the flesh, which will send one to Hell (Ga.5:19-21; Tit.3:10-11). The words, "heresies," and "heretic," in these passages denote this sectarian mentality. This concept is rank error, and is a key mark of distinction between the church of Christ and a denomination. However, the NT church includes all saints who are devoted to the search for truth (Ph.1:27). The Lord's church is not a denomination because it rejects ecumenical Christianity. By contrast, the ecumenical movement seeks "the general unity of Christians above sectarian differences" (American Heritage Dictionary). The ecumenical movement was brought about when the denominations realized how shamefully divided the so-called "Christian world" had become. So, they tried to "fix" the problem with a phony "band-aid" approach. As a result, they ignore the REAL problem (disrespect for the Bible), and play with pretty words like "love," "tolerance," and "unity." They think they will fool people with their phony "unity meetings." But be not deceived; their divisions remain, and the problem is unsolved. True Biblical unity can only exist on the basis of God's revealed truth (Jn.17:20-21; Ep.4:1- 6; 1Cor.1:10; 1Pt.4:11). By the way, if you try to point this out to them, these same "loving" people will forget all about all the "tolerance" they profess, and turn on you like a rabid dog (cf. Mt.7:6)! You will be seen as the worst kind of bigot for daring to point out their phony unity. Nevertheless, ecumenism is an erroneous concept, and is a fundamental difference between the church of Christ, and a denomination. Briefly put, these are some of the reasons that the Lord's church is not a denomination. If you have further questions about this matter, please contact us. --Lanny Smith
