Many of you are aware of the many different churches that exist in our society and across the world. All of them cannot be right. Many of them are known as denominations. There are a few of them called denominations but are practicing truth. For example, there are churches called churches of Christ. These churches are independent of each other. They are organized according to the scriptures and they have no head but Jesus Christ. Their practices are decided by the word of God. However, there are some churches of Christ that have denominational practices and are no longer following sound patterns. When a church no longer has Christ as head. The word of God as their rule of faith, they have become a denomination.
It is sad to say, but many honest and sincere people have fallen prey to the deceptions of denominationalism. It gives the appearance of righteousness but is far from the truth of God (2 Timothy 3:5). However, one can escape the clutches of these organizations foreign to the Bible. It will take honesty, courage, sincerity of heart and careful study of the scriptures. And the final decision must be to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
What Is A Denomination?
A denomination is a collection of churches functioning as a unit under the guidance or control of earthly centralized headquarters. These headquarters decide what each of their local congregations teaches and practice. When the central headquarters changes its teaching, so does all the local congregations. This is clearly seen in the many changes in the teachings of the Catholic denomination as handed down by the Vatican.
Once, the Mormon denomination did not accept Afro-Americans. Since this action was discriminatory, and would result in a loss of tax exempt status, Joseph Smith conveniently had a vision to change the laws of the Mormon religion. Guess what, the rest of the Mormon groups soon followed.
The Jehovah’s Witness denomination has been making changes in their doctrine for years. For example, Charles T. Russell, the founder of the Jehovah’s Witness, wrote that Christ would return in 1914. When the prediction failed, the Watchtower Society sent out a “revelation,” the local Kingdom Halls made changes in their doctrines to align with the central head. Just think of how many Jehovah’s Witnesses went about teaching a false prediction. Even to this day, they continue to teach false doctrine.
So, the organizational structure of a denomination is as follows (according to denominational ideas): Jesus Christ – earthly headquarters – (church leaders) congregation.
A denomination is further distinguished by its own set of rules and teachings (also known as creeds). For example, the prerequisite for salvation as taught by the Baptist denomination is different from that taught by the Catholic and the Methodist denominations. The Baptists teach that baptism is not necessary. The Catholics teach that babies are baptized by way of sprinkling. The Methodists teach that you can choose to be sprinkled or immersed. Still, the Presbyterian denomination is different from that of the Jehovah’s Witness denomination and Mormon’s. The distinctions go on and on. If there is no difference, then why are they called by different names? Why do they teach something different? Are they all right? If not, then which one is correct? Confusing?
To further confuse us, the structure within the local congregations (churches) is different to further distinguish themselves. Again this is according to the dictations of the earthly headquarters. Though some are called by biblical terms, their qualifications and practices are different from the teaching of the Bible. For instance, the preacher is called the pastor in the Baptist denomination. Sometimes there are associate pastors under the guidance of the chief pastor. Also, there is a deacon board and some have a junior deacon board. What is ironic about this is, the men and women who hold these offices do not meet the requirements as stated in the New Testament (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
In the Mormon denomination, the term pastor (or elder) is applied to young men in their early twenties who do not even come close to meeting New Testament qualification. Common sense tells us the term elder means an older person. In the Catholic denomination, you have the pope, cardinals, bishops, monks, priests, altar boys and the other members. Now find that structure in scriptures.
The members of those denominations have given them complete control. And whatever they sanction as right, then those members agree that it is. God gave all authority to Jesus (Matthew 28:18). Jesus in turn gave commandments to His apostles by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2). Note how God has authorized only one set of rules & teaching for His people through His apostles (Ephesians 4:4,5; Jude 3).
Each of us should give serious thought to the teachings of the scriptures. When this is done, then the following questions will be answered: Are we practicing what is taught in the Bible? Or, are we practicing what is taught by men? We must take heed to the instructions of Paul: Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
First, Jesus is replaced with man as the head of the church. Man becomes the supreme authority in religion. When this happens, disastrous results are eminent. For instance, our allegiance is transferred from the Lord to man. Adam and Eve did similarly when they obeyed Satan instead of God (Genesis 2:9; 3:4). This resulted in man being driven out of the garden of paradise. It resulted in separation from God that showed spiritual death. Because of this separation from God, who is the source of life, physical death also occurred. No wonder the prophet Jeremiah said what he said about himself and man. “I know oh Lord that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23) Since this is the situation of man, then why place trust in an earthly headquarter?
Jesus is head over all things to the church and all things are put under His feet (Ephesians 1:22,23). He reigns in heaven on the throne of David. Therefore, the true people of God are ruled by heaven. Those who subject themselves to the rule of Christ are denominated as His people (Ephesians 2:10).
Second, denominationalism hinders the truth of the gospel. People are deceived and confused by the different teachings of denominations. They think they are doing the will of God but in fact they are not recognized by the Lord. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Paul taught the Galatians that if anyone taught any other gospel than what they taught, then let that person be accursed (Galatians 1:6-8).
Third, it replaces the purpose of God’s people. His people are not conforming to this world, but transforming by renewing their minds after Him. They are living sacrifices (Romans 12:1,2). In denominationalism the purpose is to gain somewhat of a social-economical status. With some denominational churches, you cannot tell them apart from a day care center or country club. All this is done in the name of Christ.
Friends, denominationalism is the broad road that leads to destruction and damnation. The strait and narrow road is the one that does only that which the Lord authorizes. It is on this road that the main goal is to carry out the desires of God. Also, ones allegiance is to Him only.
Finally, it maligns the true plan of salvation. Jesus told His disciples to preach the gospel. If that person believes and is baptized, he shall be saved (Mark 16:16). Denominations deny the demands of the gospel. They replace them with demands of their own. As mentioned previously, the Baptists teach that baptism is not necessary. Some also teach belief in Christ and prayer of acceptance of the Christ are the conditions for salvation. Or, the moment a person believes he is saved. Baptism for the remission of sin taught in Acts 2:38 is rejected and denied. Therefore, many honest and sincere souls are under the illusion that they are saved. Communion every first day of the week is not practiced. However, the collection plate is passed around every Sunday. Sometimes it is passed around three and four times.
My friend, do not be deceived by the false teaching of denominationalism. Anyone of a denomination is on the broad path of destruction. It is disobedience to the command to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). Follow the way of Christ for it is the only way that you will find true rest as promised to those who love the Lord. Keep in mind what Paul told the brethren at Colossae: “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
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To call the Latin Church -i.e., the RCC- a denomination is cheeky, at best. And not only, nor mainly, because it encompasses the huge lion’s share of Christians, some 1.2 billion. ‘Denominations’ are a Protestant fallout initiated in the sixteenth century and periodically revisited with the spinning and coinage of more Protestant denominations, all characterised by the typical Protestant traits: intentional religious-cultural amnesia (a huge vacuum in memory and appreciation of the European Christian experience through the so-called Dark Ages and of the Middle Age), iconoclasm, “sola scriptura”, and “sola fide.” “Katholicos”, not Protestantism, is the historical, highway of Christianity. It includes the Orthodox, the monophysite Orthodox of the Middle East and of Aethiopia, the Apostolic Church of the Georgians and the Armenians, the ancient and venerable Church of St. Thomas in India, and, of course, the Latin Church. In total, some 1.7 billion souls. The “Katholicos” (i.e. ‘universal’) way affirms Scripture and Fide, but not “sola Scriptura” and “sola Fide,” for “Katholicos Christianity also affirms the living, substaining testimony of Tradition, near two-thousand years of the Christian Faith without radical, Protestant revisionism. “Katholicos” Christianity is not iconoclast, it is iconophile. “Katholicos” Christianity advances “dulia” -veneration- to the saints, “hyperdulia” -highest veneration- to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and “latreia” -adoration- only to the Triune God. “Katholicos” Christianity is sacramental: it recognises the Eucharist as a veritable miracle, the body and blood of Christ, and not merely a token of remembrance. “Katholicos” Christianity requires a special priesthood, and not only a priesthood of believers. I suggest that your contributors study and go beyond the parameters of their parochialism, particularly when they discuss Christian matters beyond the Protestant manifold.