denominationalism episcopal baptistpentecostal catholic methodist different: names organizational...

Denominational Viewof God’s Church

DenominationalismDifferent:

NamesOrganizational

StructuresDoctrinesPlans of Salvation

WorshipEach group counted a slice of the whole pie! No two

pieces alike!Accepted view by most people.

What Denominationalism Can Never Do

• Find Bible Authority For Its Existence• Question all denominationalists should ask:

The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men? (Matt. 21:25).

The Baptist Church—where was it from? From heaven or from men?

Denominationalism

Denominations have the responsibility to prove they have a right to exist (1 Thess. 5:21).

What Denominationalism Can Never Do

• Trace Its Existence Back to the 1st Century– Christ promised to build his church (Matt. 16:18).– Jesus bought that church with his blood (Acts

20:28).– The church existed in the 1st century with Christ as

Head (Eph. 5:23).• Contrast this with denominationalism:– Denominationalism never promised by Christ.– Christ did not purchase it with his blood.– Christ is not its head (1 Cor. 14:33).

What Denominationalism Can Never Do

• Prove It’s the Body of Christ– Claim to be individual members of the body of

Christ like the Corinthians (1 Cor. 12:20).• But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

– Claim “members” = “denominations”• Who or what are the “members” about which

Paul wrote—denominations or disciples?– Could not be denominations—none existed!– Saved people are members of the body of Christ.• Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of

it (1 Cor. 12:27).• Letter written to church of God at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2).

Bible Picture of Christ’s Body

One Head

One Body

Chur

chChrist

…and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body… (Eph. 1:22-23).

Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23).

Denominational Picture of Christ’s Body

ChristPopeChrist

Denominational

Catholic

Many Bodies One Head One Body – Two Heads

What Denominationalism Can Never Do

• Rightfully claim to help people become saved• Denominations are active, influence many

people, and raise large sums of money.• Jesus wants his people to be:– Active (Tit. 2:14)– Influential (Matt. 5:16)– Benevolent (2 Cor. 9:6-7)

• This isn’t what saves people!• This isn’t evidence that people are saved!

Denominationalism Cannot Help People Become Saved

• Truth sets men free from sin (Jn. 8:32).• Commandments of men turn people from the

truth & make worship vain (Tit. 1:14; Mt. 15:9).• Truth teaches: Believe in Jesus as God’s Son,

Repent of sins, Confess faith in Christ, and be Baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38).

• Denominations teach: Say Sinner’s Prayer and join the church of your choice. SCRIPTURE