has the “church” become a denomination ?

HAS THE “CHURCH” BECOME A DENOMINATION?

Floyd Decker

The Christian Church has women Counselors, Directors and Lecturers; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 2:11, 12; 1 Cor. 14:34).

The Christian Church has Educational Directors, Associate Ministers and Youth Directors; the church of Christ has elders, deacons, evangelists and teachers (Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1).

The Christian Church has Missionary, Benevolent and Educational Organizations to execute the work of the church; the church of Christ does not (Eph. 4:4; Eph. 3:10, 21).

WHY I LEFT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Floyd Decker

The Christian Church celebrates days of heathen worship, such as Easter, Mother's Day and Christmas the church of Christ does not (Gal. 4:10).

The Christian Church fellowships various denominations in their activities, leaving the impression that all are brethren; the church of Christ does not (2 John 9-11; Gal. 1:6-10).

The Christian Church seeks to get crowds with Youth Meetings, Campaigns for Christ, Rallies, Drives and Promotions; the church of Christ does not (Rom. 1:16; Rev. 22:18, 19).


Floyd Decker

The Christian Church emphasizes society and the physical man by appealing to the carnal nature, with church carnivals, bands, plays, choruses, dramatics, church kitchens, church camps, and elaborate fellowship halls; the church of Christ does not (1 Cor. 10:7; Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:22,34).

The Christian Church misuses the name "Christian," which is a noun, by speaking of "Christian nations," "Christian schools," and "Christian Church." The church of Christ does not (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).


Floyd Decker

The Christian Church elevates its preachers by using such titles as Pastor, Superintendent, Doctor, and President, but the church of Christ does not (Matt. 23:5–12; Job 32:21–22).

The Christian Church has the denominational "Pastor System" demanding that preachers run after the members and hold the hands of the sick. The church of Christ and God does not expect this from those who have been called to preach the Gospel (Acts 6:2-4).


Floyd Decker

The Christian Church uses unscriptural means such as suppers, property rentals and special collections to raise money for the church; the church of Christ has each member lay by in store on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1–2).

The Christian Church owns and operates Publishing Houses, Radio Stations, Hospitals, and other Benevolent Societies; churches of Christ build nothing but churches (Eph. 3:21).


Floyd Decker

The Christian Church owns, supports and operates schools for secular education; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 3:15).

The Christian Church has a compromising spirit, will not defend its doctrine, has no regard for the authority of the Bible, bases its practice on the silence of the scriptures, and appeals to tradition rather than to the Gospel of Christ.


Lynn Anderson

In 1973 Lynn Anderson affirmed at ACU that the Church had become a denomination.

Worse, in his opinion not a very good one.

Since then he has defended his affirmation in several forums including Wineskins Magazine.

“ONE BIG SICK DENOMINATION!”

Ben OverbyBroad Street Church of

Christ408 Broad Street

Lagrange, GA 30240(706)-884-4482

Ron Thomas wrote: "It is biblically sustainable that ONLY the Lord’s church will be saved."

“Just to be clear one might want to shed light on the myth that the "Church of Christ" and the Lord's church are synonymous

phrases. The "Church of Christ" is part of the Lord's

church, but it is only a fraction of the whole. When we

claim to be THE Lord's church it sounds a little like the exhaust

pipe claiming to be the car.” Ben Overby (Emp. KMG)

“ONE BIG SICK DENOMINATION!”

Savior (Ephesians 5:23) Saved (Act. 2:41, 47)

Purchase Price (Act 20:28)

Purchased (1 Cor. 6:20)

Redeemer (Gal. 3:13) Redeemed (1 Pet. 1:18–19)

Reconciliation (Heb. 2:17)

Reconciled (2 Cor. 5:18)

Head (Eph. 1:22–23) Body (Eph. 1:23)

Filleth (Eph. 1:23) Fullness (Col. 1:19)

“I will build My Church” Matthew 16:18

“There is “One Body” Ephesians 4:4

“He is also head of the BODY, the CHURCH” Colossians 1:18; Ephesians

1:22-23

IS CHRIST THE HEAD OF MANY CHURCHES?

“Church” in the

Universal Sense:

ALL CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE.

Who agree to join in fellowship (Acts 9:26)

Who worship in common assembly (1 Corinthians 11:18)

Who work out of common treasury (1 Corinthians 16:1-3)

Who submit to common oversight ( Acts 14:23)

IS CHRIST THE HEAD OF MANY CHURCHES?

“Church” in the Local

Sense: CHRISTIANS IN A SPECIFIC AREA.

4 : a religious organization uniting local congregations in

a single legal and administrative body

Merriam-Webster

“A group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name

and organized under a single administrative and legal

hierarchy, e.g., Anglicans, Presbyterians, Catholics etc.”

http://library.christchurch.org.nz/FamilyHistory/Glossary

WHAT IS A DENOMINATION?

There are over 1,000 “Christian” religious

organizations in North America alone. Each has their own set of beliefs, policies and practices.

“When discussing such topics as the divinity of

Christ, salvation, heaven, etc. it would be

hopelessly unwieldy to explain the beliefs of

each faith group.”World Christian

Encyclopedia


USA Religious Stats

Earthly Headquarters

Earthly Headquarters Earthly Headquarters

Earthly Headquarters

Presbyterian (1560)

Methodist (1740)

Baptist (1608)

Pentecostal (1898)

Divided By

Distinction In Belief


Bound together by distinct beliefs




606 Roman Catholic Church

1054 Greek Orthodox Church

1530 Lutheran Church1534 Church of England1536 Presbyterian Church1611 Baptist Church1739 Methodist Church1830 Mormon Church1844 Seventh Day

Adventists1886 Jehovah’s Witnesses1887 Church of God1908 Nazarene Church1911 Christian Church1914 Assemblies of God

Using NT terminology correctly, I must answer the question “No”.

However, speaking accommodative, all know that there is a “Church of Christ Denomination” (Acts 15:24; I John 2:19).

The real question we ought to consider is: “What Tendencies of Denominationalism Are Present Today?

IS THE “CHURCH” A DENOMINATION?

The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Galatians 4:17).

Galatians 4:17

“They zealously court you, but for no

good; yes, they want to exclude

you, that you may be zealous for

them.”

TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM

“The Party Spirit”

The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Galatians 4:17).

“They zealously affect you”— Take a fancy to, or an interest in. They court you, to no good end.

“They would exclude you” —To shut out or exclude. They seek your exclusive fellowship with them as teachers.

“That ye might affect them” — They court you to be courted; they exclude you to exclude others.



Examples of the “party spirit” not so long ago (Gospel Advocate, 12/9/1954).

“I trust that you will not consider me presumptuous if I suggest that the writers of the Gospel Advocate might wisely spearhead a movement to ‘quarantine’ those preachers who today are sowing the seeds of discord among the brotherhood and to thus prevent further divisions.”

“Blacklists,” closed periodicals and meeting cancellations.



Has the party spirit taken up residence in the Lord’s House? (cf. Matthew 12:43-45)

What has happened to our commitment to righteous judgment? (John 7:24,51)

There is a pattern for handling these kinds of controversies (Matthew 5:37)

An open pulpit (Acts 15:4) An open Bible (Acts 15:6) An open dialogue (Acts

15:7)



A promotion of co-operation and better understanding between religious groups or denominations, without aiming at unity.

Used predominantly with reference to (and by) Christian denominations separated by doctrine, history and practice.

Advocates a greater shared spirituality across Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths as part of its core beliefs.


“Ecumenism”

Ecumenism in the New Testament (Galatians 5:11; 6:12)

“If I yet preach…”(cf. Acts 16:3).

“Offence of the cross…” (Galatians 3:26-28)

“Lest they should suffer…” (cf. 5:11)

The “circumcision position” was a compromise position to avoid persecution and isolation in Israel (cf. Acts 22:22).


“Ecumenism”

Examples of compromising ecumenism in among brethren.

“Preach Christ and leave others alone.”

Christianity not “Churchianity”

More about Christ and less about “us”.

“Preach Christ and not the church.”


“Ecumenism”

Apathy toward controversy allows error to spread without any resistance!

Apathy towards a steadfast defense of the faith will produce a denomination every time!


“Ecumenism”

What causes this weakness of spirit?

A hireling caste of preachers

An untaught and unstudied membership

The attraction of “size” and “strength”

Fear of criticism Weariness in well-doing


“Ecumenism”

God is satisfied when we worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24; Matthew 15:7-9)

God is pleased when the Gospel is preached and practiced (Romans 1:16,17; 11:4).

God is glorified when truth is defended and error is refuted! – (Jude 3; Galatians 2:14; Philippians 1:17; 1 Peter 3:15)


“Ecumenism”

Indications of this emerging contempt in the first century

“Certain which went out from us…” Acts 15:25

“That…despise governments…” 2 Peter 2:10

“Who subvert whole houses…” Titus 1:11

“Say they are apostles…” Revelation 2:3

TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local

Church”

Undermining the local church is essential to denominational organization!

A denomination is by definition “an organized group of religious congregations.”

Autonomy, self-government, independence prevent the formation of denominations.


Church”


Church”The local church

properly organized is an impediment to

expanded power, increased realms

of activity, enforced

conformity, etc.

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders

EldersElders

Elders over EVERY CHURCH—no

greater oversight!

TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISM“Contempt for the Local Church”

Strong, vibrant local churches are the best

defense against the spread of

creedalism and development of

sectarian machinery

(Acts 15:25).

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders

EldersElders

Elders over EVERY CHURCH—no

greater oversight!


Church”Is this contempt growing among brethren today?Institutionalism – The social gospel –

The rise and increased acceptance of “Individualism” or “Holtism.”

The rise of the “house church” and the “small group ministry.”


Church”We ought to be concerned with

the growth and development of

the local church, in

particular, qualifying men

to be elders.(Titus 1:5)

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are

lacking, and appoint elders in

every city as I commanded

you.”

Titus 1:5

To prevent becoming a denomination, we must: Thwart the party

spirit Overcome the desire

to compromise Respect God’s

wisdom as manifested in the local church

TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISMCONCLUSION

We will prevail over

denominationalism only to the extent that we “hold fast

the faithful word...as taught.”

(Titus 1:9)

TENDENCIES TOWARD DENOMINATIONALISMCONCLUSION

“Holding fast the faithful word as

he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort

and convict those who contradict.”

has the “church” become a denomination ?

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