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by Mike Wilson

I recently heard a denominational pastor say, "I am a Lutheran Christian. That means my historic and theological roots go back to Germany." When I heard that, I thought, "I am a New Testament Christian. That means my historic and theological roots go back to Zion."

Unfortunately, however, sectarian concepts are oozing into the vocabulary of Christians. Progressive-minded preachers often speak of "our brotherhood" and "our fellowship." Yet they would hardly speak of "our faith" in a partisan sense, or "our church" as one denomination among many. There is only "one faith" (Eph. 4:5), and the "church" belongs to Christ (Matt. 16:18). Likewise, we are commanded to "love the brotherhood" (I Pet. 2:17), and apostles have left us a permanent record of inspired documents, "that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (I Jn. 1:3). If there is only one faith and one body of Christ, then there is only one fellowship of saints at large. And there is only one brotherhood -- unless someone claims a fatherhood other than God.

New Testament Christians are members of the universal body of Christ, which includes all Christians, and they should strive to be members of a faithful local congregation. Beyond this, the New Testament contains no instructions or authorization for membership in any other religious body. A coalition of local churches into a larger sect or denomination occurs without precedent in Holy Writ.

The problem with denominationalism is that it seeks to organize a consortium of churches "of the same faith and order" around its own distinct sub-categories, its own human traditions, its own bureaucratic agencies and its own power structure. The exclusive ties that bind believers to this particular faith tradition are not found in the New Testament -- otherwise, they would be the shared property of all true Christians. Consequently, there is no need for the human power and vainglory -- not to mention doctrinal compromise -- that denominational partisanship inevitably perpetuates.

As a New Testament Christian, I am not a member of a quasi coalition of "Churches of Christ." I have been baptized "into one body," the church of our Lord (I Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:18). This includes all people who have been saved by Jesus Christ, who "knows those who are His" (II Tim. 2:19). I am also a member of a local "church of Christ" (cf. Rom. 16:16), a group of "saints" in one geographical locale, "including the overseers and deacons" (Phil. 1:1). Through association with others, I know and recognize faithful churches in other places, and I am willing to offer my help and prayers for them. This recognition of other churches, notwithstanding, never reaches the point of official sanction. The churches that belong to Christ are in His hands, not mine (Rev.1-3).

I will never promote or defend a brotherhood of churches. Our task is to preach the gospel, and to promote loyalty to Jesus and His truth. The former approach leads to denominational thinking. The latter approach leads to heaven.