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