Lesson 12

THE CHURCH

Is the Church Denominational?

King James Version (KJV)

A. Introduction

1. The religious make-up of the United States sets it apart from other nations where some single form of belief in Christ predominates. Some countries have a state-sponsored church, and most of the people in those countries are members of it. Norway, for example, is allied with the Evangelical Lutheran church, and Greece, with the Greek Orthodox church. Some other countries do not have a state church, yet most of the people belong to one church. Neither France nor Hungary has a state church, but in France about 80 percent of the population, and in Hungary almost 70 percent of the population, is Roman Catholic. In the United States, however, there are hundreds of types of churches, and no one religious group is in the majority. Each type of church is often referred to as a religious denomination. The belief that the denominational arrangement is acceptable (or even desirable) is called denominationalism.
   
   
2. Do you think God is pleased with this kind of religious diversity? Does the presence of a multitude of denominations fulfill the purpose for which Christ came to earth and died on the cross? Is it a good idea to have a wide range of available churches so that those who wish to worship God can find the one that best suits their temperament or religious inclination? In this lesson we want to determine whether the New Testament supports the idea of denominationalism. First, however, let's become more familiar with the concept of "denomination."

B. What is a Denomination?

1. "Denomination" is not necessarily a religious idea. Generally a denomination can be any sort, kind, category, or class. For instance, the most widely used kinds of paper money in the United States are the one-, five-, ten-, and twenty-dollar bills. Each type can be properly called a denomination. Literature can be divided into denominations: novels, plays, poems, short stories, etc. The word "denomination" stresses the idea that each class making up an overall group has a name that distinguishes it from every other class in the group. In fact, "denomination" is derived from the Latin word nomen, which means "name." Notice that in the examples of paper money and literature, we were able to call each class by a distinctive name.
   
   
2. Of course, "denomination" is also a concept widely used in religious circles. A religious denomination has most or all of the following attributes:
   
   
   • It consists of a body of people.
     
     
   • The people share a set of religious beliefs.
     
     
   • Some of the beliefs are distinctive from the beliefs of other denominations.
     
     
   • The denomination is organized into local congregations.
     
     
   • The local congregations adhere to a written creed that states the common beliefs of the members and may be used as the standard for judging whether members are loyal to the denomination.
     
     
   • The denomination has an agreed upon set of bylaws by which it is governed and by which its affairs are regulated.
     
     
   • The denomination may have a central office at some location from which the denomination's activities are administered.
     
     
   • The denomination has a name that distinguishes it from the names of other denominations.
     
     

   Diagram 1

   
3. Diagram 1 illustrates how denominationalism organizes the people who, in one form or another, believe in Jesus as the Christ. The black dots represent individual believers. The white circles represent local congregations. The larger colored rectangles represent denominations. Denominations A, B, C, and D, which differ in their beliefs and doctrines, are intended in the diagram to be representative of all denominations. In this diagram notice that some believers have not associated themselves with a denomination. Diagram 1 is the denominational view of the universal church. Thus, the "church," according to this view, is made up of all the denominations plus the unattached believers. We will now look at the Bible to see whether such an arrangement is supported by Scripture.

C. Jesus' Prayer For Unity

1. John 17 gives us the prayer Jesus prayed on the night of His last supper with the apostles. In the prayer He repeatedly beseeched His Father for unity among His followers. First, He asked for unity among the apostles: "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are" (John 17:11). Moments later He prayed for the unity of those who would believe because of the apostles' teaching: "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). The standard for the unity Christ desired is the unity between Himself and the Father. Jesus recognized that if His followers were divided, the world would not as readily be convinced He was the Son of God.
   
   
2. How are Jesus and His Father united? Are they united yet differ on what each holds to be the truth? Are they united yet teach different doctrines? Are they united yet sometimes contradict each other? Are they united yet have different plans, intentions, and purposes? Are they one only in the sense that they have agreed to disagree without being disagreeable? The answer to all these questions is an emphatic "No." Jesus taught only what the Father instructed Him to teach (John 14:24). Jesus accomplished precisely what the Father wanted Him to accomplish on earth (John 17:4). They are always in agreement.
   
   
3. The unity of the Father and the Son is not like the "unity" of denominationalism. It is the nature of denominationalism for doctrines of one denomination to contradict those of another. Denominations came into existence in order to preserve their own distinctive beliefs, doctrines, and practices. They continue to exist for the same reason. If there were no differences among denominations, there would be no good reason for the denominations to exist. Similarly, if the differences among denominations were trivial and unimportant to the members, there would be no good reason for the denominations to exist. To truly believe in the unity for which Christ prayed while defending the division represented by denominationalism is inconsistent. Some have felt the inconsistency so strongly that they actively promote the ecumenical movement (the effort to bring denominations together into a single, united body). Because denominations tend to be steadfastly devoted to their distinctive doctrines, the movement has not made much progress.

D. Paul's Teaching About Division

1. Paul heard that there was division in the church at Corinth. He responded with these words: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10). He also wrote to the Romans about division: Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6). He wrote to the Ephesians: Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).
   
   
2. Paul demanded that there be no divisions, but today those who pledge allegiance to Christ are divided into hundreds of denominations. Paul demanded that Christians be of the same mind and same judgment, but denominations thrive on defending their distinctive doctrines. Each denomination represents a different mind and a different judgment. God is glorified when believers are of one accord and speak with one voice. Denominations are the epitome of disunity and speak with many voices. Denominationalism by its very nature is a violation of Paul's teaching.
   
   
3. In view of Paul's teaching on unity, it is not surprising that there were no denominations in the time of the apostles. When new ideas and doctrines arose, the apostles moved quickly to oppose and defeat them. In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he spent most of his time showing why the doctrine being taught by the Judaizing party was false and urged the Galatians to have nothing to do with it. He told them there are no such things as different gospels (Galatians 1:6-7) and that anyone who pervered the gospel or introduced a different gospel would be accursed (Galatians 1:8-9). If the Judaizing teachers had come along in the religious culture of today with its ready acceptance of religious division, the Judaizers could have started a new denomination to promote, and insure the preservation of, their distinctive beliefs, and few would object.

E. Arguments Sometimes Offered In Support Of Denominationalism

1. The Importance of Sincerity
   
   
   1. Argument : What people believe doesn't matter as long as they are sincere. There are people in every denomination who hold their beliefs with the utmost sincerity. God will judge them on the basis of their zeal and honesty--not on the basis of what they believe.
      
      
   2. Response : It is possible to be sincere in a belief that is wrong. Jacob sincerely but incorrectly believed that his son, Joseph, had been killed by a wild animal. The belief colored the disposition he displayed and the decisions he made for years to come (Genesis 37:31-35; 42:29-38). Saul of Tarsus sincerely but incorrectly believed that he was carrying out the will of God when he persecuted the church (Acts 26:9). If sincerity is all that really counts, why did Saul abandon the law of Moses to become a Christian? Most of us would not think of using the "sincerity" argument in any field except religion. People have died from eating tainted food, sincerely believing the food was wholesome and nourishing as they ate it. People have lost fortunes in the stock market, sincerely believing that their investments would make them millionaires. Jesus did not say, "Be sincere, and your sincerity will make you free." He said: "... and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Those who do not love the truth and cling to it will be lost (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
   
   
2. The Impossibility of Understanding the Bible Alike
   
   
   1. Argument : People do not all think alike and interpret things alike. Denominations are merely reflections of the fact that people cannot understand the Bible alike.
      
      
   2. Response : Is God capable of revealing a Bible we can all understand alike? Yes, being all wise, all knowing, and all powerful, God is capable of producing a book we can all understand. Was God willing to reveal a Bible we can all understand alike? Yes, God knew that we would need to be saved and loved us so much that He gave His Son to make salvation possible. If God is both able and willing to give us an understandable guide, why would He give us one that is impossible to understand in only one way? To say that God has done so is to impugn either the power of God or the love of God or both. God did not intend for His word to be understood in many ways but in one way. Truth is not self-contradictory. The differences we see in the denominations can largely be accounted for either by a failure to thoroughly study and learn God's word or by the distortion of bias in which one brings to a study of the Bible preconceived notions about what the Bible ought to say. If we really want to know the truth and do God's will, we will be able to separate truth from error (John 7:17).
   
   
3. The Unimportance of the Differences
   
   
   1. Argument : It is true that denominations differ in some of their beliefs, but the differences are only over matters that are not essential. They agree on the really important matters, such as the fact that Christ is the Son of God.
      
      
   2. Response : To say that the differences among denominations are unimportant is to misrepresent the facts. The denominations themselves consider their distinctive doctrines so important that they are willing to let those doctrines be a source of division. If a matter is important enough to cause division, it cannot be dismissed as unimportant or non-essential in view of what the Bible teaches about the importance of unity and the tragedy of division.
   
   
4. The Plurality of Roads to Heaven
   
   
   1. Argument : It is true that there are hundreds of denominations, but the sincere people in any denomination are going to the same heaven. They are simply taking different roads to get there.
      
      
   2. Response : The Bible does not give even the slightest hint that there are many roads to heaven. Whenever the idea of going to heaven is depicted as being a journey, the Bible speaks of only one road or way. Jesus told the apostles: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Jesus did not describe Himself as "a" way but "the" way. His use of the definite article "the" indicates that the way is unique. In His sermon on the mount Jesus spoke of the way that leads to life. He said that it is narrow and that few people find it. It is hard to find not only because it is narrow but also because it is the only one. Pointing to a road map showing many roads leading to Chicago proves only that there are many ways to get to Chicago. It does not prove there are many ways to get to heaven. A road map is not the Bible, and Chicago is not heaven.
   
   

F. Conclusion

1. The gospel of Christ is a message intended to unite rather than divide. When Jesus died on the cross, He removed the barrier (the law of Moses) that separated the Jew from the Gentile. Now both races can be united in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16). Salvation in Christ ignores differences in race, social status, economic condition, and sex (Galatians 3:28). There is only one body, hence, only one church; there is only one faith (Ephesians 4:4-5). In a peaceable manner we must strive to maintain the unity revealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3).
   
   

   Diagram 2

   
2. In contrast to Diagram 1, Diagram 2 shows how the Bible depicts the church. The church consists of the people of God in Christ. It does not consist of a collection of organizations (denominations). The church is made up of people and people alone. The dots represent individual Christians in Diagram 2 just as they did in Diagram 1. Notice the absence of any humanly devised organizations. Individual Christians are subject only to Christ, who is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18).
   
   
3. As we learned in Lesson 11, the Bible refers to local churches, but the universal church does not even consist of the collection of all local churches. Local churches are merely the mechanism God has authorized for the collective action of members of the universal church who live in the same area. Let us repeat for emphasis. The Bible nowhere teaches or implies that the church in its universal sense consists of organizations. It consists of people--the people of God in Christ.
   
   
4. Why be a member of an organization that the Bible knows nothing about? Why be a member of an organization that by its very nature stands as a monument to division rather than to the unity Jesus prayed so earnestly would be characteristic of His followers? You can be an undenominational Christian, for that is precisely what the Christians in the first century were. As individuals they served Christ and directed their steps by His word. Collectively they worshiped God and built each other up in the faith in local churches
   
   
5. We urge you to repudiate any religious organization for which there is no Bible authority. Simply as a Christian you can serve the Lord. For worship and mutual teaching and for collective evangelism and benevolence, you should associate yourself with those who live in your area who have the same mind and same judgment. You should associate yourself with those who base their faith and actions solely on what is taught in the Bible rather than on what is taught in denominational creeds and implemented in denominational bylaws. May God bless every effort you make to divorce yourself from humanly devised religious organizations and to embrace Christ as your spiritual head, unencumbered with any intervening structure or arrangement not authorized by the word of God.

LESSON QUESTIONS

Using the above lesson text and your open Bible please answer the following questions

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PART 1--Fill in the blanks

Look up the following verses in the Bible, click on the blank and type your answer

1. John 7:15-17 And the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never ? Jesus answered them, and said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man his , he shall know of the , whether it be of , or whether I speak of myself

2. Galatians 1:6-7 I that ye are so soon from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would the of Christ.

3. Galatians 1:8-9 But though we, or an from heaven, preach any gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be . As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be .

4. Ephesians 2:14-16 For he is our , who hath made both , and hath broken down the wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain new man, so making peace; And that he might both unto God in body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

5. Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one , and one , even as ye are called in one of your calling; One , one , one , One and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

6. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that ; because they received not the love of the , that they might be . And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a : That they all might be who believed not the , but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

PART 2--True or False:

Select "True" if the statement is correct or "False" if incorrect.

True False 7. Believing sincerely is more important than believing the truth.

True False 8. Christ encourages religious diversity.

True False 9. Denominations are united in the same sense in which the Father and the Son are united.

True False 10. The Bible does not speak of an organization that includes local churches and is smaller than the universal church.

True False 11. When the New Testament refers to the journey to heaven, it describes numerous ways for getting there.

True False 12. Generally speaking, a denomination is a class within a larger group that has a distinctive name.

True False 13. Denominationalism fails to achieve the kind of religious unity Paul describes in his first letter to the Corinthians.

True False 14. The gospel of Christ emphasizes unity rather than division.

True False 15. Jesus and His Father are united in their plans, intentions, and purposes.

PART 3--Multiple choice

Select the phrase or phrases that correctly complete each statement.
PLEASE NOTE: SOME statements have MORE THAN ONE correct completion.

16. Which statements best describe the religious situation in the United States?:

    a. The Federal government operates a state-sponsored church.

    b. No single denomination or religious group is in the majority.

    c. Eighty percent of the population are members of the Roman Catholic church.

    d. Denominationalism is the prevalent religious arrangement.

17. Which statements best explain why the Bible is interpreted in so many different ways?:

    a. God could not produce a book in which each subject has only one meaning.

    b. Some people do not study the Bible carefully.

    c. God wanted the Bible to be understood in many different ways.

    d. Some people already have in mind what they want the Bible to teach when they study it.

18. According to the denominational arrangement, the universal church consists:

    a. Only of individual Christians.

    b. Only of local congregations.

    c. Only of denominational churches.

    d. Of denominational churches plus Christians who are not members of any denomination.

19. Which of the following statements express the New Testament's teaching about religious unity?:

    a. Christians should not be divided.

    b. Christians should be of the same mind and same judgment.

    c. Christians should be of one accord and speak with one voice in glorifying God.

    d. Christians should strive to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

20. A religious denomination has the following characteristics:

    a. It is made up local congregations.

    b. It has a name that distinguishes it from other denominations.

    c. Its set of beliefs is identical to that of the other denominations.

    d. It rejects the idea of having a written creed to express its distinctive doctrines.

21. When Jesus prayed after the last supper with His apostles:

    a. He prayed that the apostles would be united.

    b. He stated that He and the Father were united.

    c. He prayed that all those who believed on Him would be united.

    d. He acknowledged that division among believers would impair the world's ability to recognize Him as the Son of God.

22. Which of the following statements best describes the universal church?:

    a. It consists of denominations.

    b. It consists of local churches.

    c. It consists of the people of God in Christ.

    d. It consists of everybody in the world.

23. The differences in the beliefs of denominations:

    a. Are unimportant.

    b. Create religious division

    c. Are the basis for the existence of denominations.

    d. Are acceptable under the terms of Christ's prayer and Paul's plea for unity. (Ref. C1, C2, D1, D2)

24. In Christ, differences that are not important are those involving:

    a. What the people of God believe and practice.

    b. The differences in the economic conditions of God's people.

    c. The distinction between being a Jew and a Gentile among God's people.

    d. The differences in social standing of God's people.

25. Paul wrote to the Galatians telling them that:

    a. There is only one gospel.

    b. Some people distort the gospel.

    c. Those who favor unity in the church ought to be accursed.

    d. When their religious ideas strongly differ from those of their fellow Christians, they should start a new denomination.

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