Why Is Denominationalism Wrong?

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Why Is Denominationalism Wrong?

While many people are attracted to the good news of the grace of God offered through His Son Jesus Christ, certain questions often linger in their minds. Why are there so many different denominations? Can't the followers of Jesus Christ learn to get along? What can be done about the religious division that exists today? Is it possible for me to be simply a Christian, following Jesus without being a member of any denomination? In reply to these questions, some make an effort to discount the significance of religious division, suggesting that the differences are not all that great. Or that religious division is good, for it enables people to find a church that suits them personally. But there are several reasons why I believe these answers are wrong and do a disservice to the cause of Christ. In this series of lessons, I have several objectives in mind. One is to explain why Denominationalism is wrong. To illustrate how one can simply be a Christian, serving Jesus without being a member of any denomination. And then to suggest how followers of Christ might be able "to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" - Ep 4:3. In this particular lesson, I wish to explain why Denominationalism is wrong and then why anyone who truly follows Christ will do all they can to avoid participating in it.

First, perhaps a definition of terms is in order as they are used in this lesson by defining the words "Denomination" and "Denominationalism". First, let’s define what a religious denomination is. 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 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 would be:
The Roman Catholic Church is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to the pope in Rome.
The Eastern Orthodox Church is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to the patriarch of Constantinople.
The Anglican Church of England is a denomination made up of those churches that submit to the archbishop of Cantebury.
The Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) is made up of those churches that submit to the synod in Missouri.
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!
Second, let’s define what religious "denominationalism" is. Here again, according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, it is: "The tendency to separate into religious denominations". "Advocacy of separation into religious denominations". "Strict adherence to a denomination; sectarianism". Again, Webster's dictionary defines it as: "Devotion to denominational principles or interests". "Narrow emphasizing of denominational differences: SECTARIANISM"

For the purpose in this series of lessons, I will be applying the term to any approval of the denominational division which exists today. I concede that many people in denominations today are not all that devoted to their denominational principles or interests. But by membership in a denomination they are by implication advocating separation into religious denominations. But is Denominationalism really all that bad? Am I suggesting that one cannot serve Christ faithfully while participating in religious division? The answer to both questions is "Yes!"

To understand the reason for saying this, let's examine why Denominationalism is wrong. First, it is un-scriptural. That is, it is without Scriptural support. There is no basis in the Bible for local churches being divided up into various denominational bodies. There is no denomination that can go to the Bible and say, "See that passage? There is our church (denomination)!" What we do find in the New Testament is local congregations that were independent and self-governing. Church organization was limited to within the local congregation, with elders (also known as pastors, bishops, overseers, presbyters) appointed to oversee only the congregation of which they were members - Ac 20:17 "And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church."(ASV), 28 "Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock that he bought with the blood of his own Son."; 1 Pe 5:1-2 "Church leaders(elders in other translations), I am writing to encourage you. I too am a leader, as well as a witness to Christ's suffering, and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us. Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money." The only authority above the local congregation or assembly in the New Testament was Christ and His apostles. Once the church began, apostles were not replaced after they died. But through the Word of God, the authority of Christ and His apostles continues. Individuals, synods, conferences, etc., that presume to usurp authority over local congregations today do so without Scriptural authority.

Second, it is anti-scriptural; not only is it without scriptural support, it is contrary to what the Bible teaches. It is contrary to the prayer of Jesus for unity among His believers - Jn 17:20-23 "I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me. I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me." It is condemned by Paul in his epistle to the church at Corinth. There are to be no divisions among believers - 1 Co 1:10-13 "My dear friends, as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg you to get along with each other. Don't take sides. Always try to agree in what you think. Several people from Chloe's family have already reported to me that you keep arguing with each other. They have said that some of you claim to follow me, while others claim to follow Apollos or Peter or Christ. Has Christ been divided up? Was I nailed to a cross for you? Were you baptized in my name?" Sectarianism is a sign of carnality - 1 Co 3:3-4 "because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world. Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn't that how ordinary people behave?" It opposes the efforts of Christ on the cross! - Ep 2:14-16 "Christ has made peace between Jews and Gentiles, and he has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. Christ gave his own body to destroy the Law of Moses with all its rules and commands. He even brought Jews and Gentiles together as though we were only one person, when he united us in peace. On the cross Christ did away with our hatred for each other. He also made peace between us and God by uniting Jews and Gentiles in one body." Jesus died to break down the wall of division. Jesus died to reconcile man to God in ONE body. -- Just as sinning works against the efforts of Christ on the cross (for He also died to put away sin), so it is with denominational division!

Third, it is harmful to the cause of Christ. Jesus knew that unity among His disciples would be "the final apologetic", cf. "that the world may believe" - Jn 17:21. In view of Jesus' words, we should not be surprised when unbelievers are slow to accept the gospel coming from a divided church. Many people point to the divided condition of those professing to follow Christ. Atheists and agnostics often use religious division as an excuse not to believe in God. Adherents to non-Christian religions (such as Islam, Judaism, etc.) will often use denominationalism as a reason not to believe in Christ. Denominationalism has also given support and encouragement to 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.

Let’s now look at some of the statements made by those of the reformation cause, but yet their followers did not heed their words.
Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation Movement:
"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." - Hugh Thomason Kerr, A Compend of Luther's Theology (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1943, p. 135)
John Wesley, another great reformation leader, among whose followers are Methodists, Wesleyans, etc.:
"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." - John Wesley, Universal Knowledge, A Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Arts, Science, History, Biography, Law, Literature, Religions, Nations, Races, Customs, and Institutions, Vol. 9, Edward A. Pace, Editor (New York: Universal Knowledge Foundation, 1927, p. 540)
Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest Baptist preachers who ever lived:
"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." - Spurgeon Memorial Library, Vol. I., p. 168.

Well, that day has not yet come, and denominationalism with its religious division seems to be as strong as ever! But all is not lost. For throughout the world, more and more people are throwing aside their denominational shackles. They are following Jesus Christ in the freedom of gospel liberty that comes from being simply Christians! And what may be a surprise to some, they are able to do so "being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" - Ph 2:2 How is this possible? That is what I hope to demonstrate starting with the next lesson. But it begins with two things:
A strong desire to follow Jesus Christ and His prayer for unity - cf. Jn 17:20-23
An understanding of the carnal nature of division, and why denominationalism is wrong - 1 Co 3:3-4.

Dear friend, don't you want to be simply a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ...?

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
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