DENOMINATIONALISM
Denominationalism is popular. Folks even thank God for it and consider it a blessing. Years ago when religion was more politically correct you would often hear radio personalities on Saturday say, “Tomorrow is the Sabbath. Attend the church of your choice.” Pick out one you like and go to it. Denominationalism
is not a Bible concept. As a matter of fact it is wrong, because it teaches everything contrary to the teachings of Christ and the Bible. The following are its teachings.
IT TEACHES DIVISION. That is the meaning of the word; “an act of denominating” (Webster); hence, division. Notice this definition: “a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices” (Webster). What do they do? They are, “united in their adherence
to its beliefs.” Their beliefs, not the Bible’s beliefs. Christ taught unity and prayed for it. In his prayer he prayed, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21).
IT TEACHES ITS OWN PLAN OF SALVATION. Denominationalism says, “You select your own plan of Salvation. You can select the sinners prayer, faith only, baby baptism, sprinkling, pouring or simply just believe in your heart, and Christ will save you. The only way to be saved is in Christ. Paul
wrote, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). The only way to do that is through baptism as is stated in these words, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27) and the only way to accomplish this is by being immersed (Rom. 6:1-4).
IT TEACHES THAT WORSHIP IS A MATTER OF TASTE RATHER THAN BIBLE TEACHING. If you don’t like the worship in one church, then find another one. Worship is not based on what man wants. Cain worshipped God as he choose, and God was displeased (Gen. 4:1-16). Nadab and Abihu
elected to put fire in their censer rather than on the altar as God had directed and fire came down from heaven and devoured them (Lev. 10:1-2). The Bible states, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Including instrumental music in the worship or not partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week is man’s idea and not God’s. We must worship God in his way.
IT TEACHES THAT ONE CHURCH IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER. The Bible teaches there is one church when it records, “There is one body” (Eph. 4:4). We know that the body is the church (Eph. 1:22 -23).
Denominationalism must be rejected.