1
Are We Truly Non-Denominational?
2
The Trend to be
Non-Denominational

• In a report on mega-churches, the Hartford
  Seminary Research Institute explained that many
  mega-churches are nondenominational and most
  others often act as such, but that the vast
  majority does belong to a denomination.
  Weekly Standard, June
  19, 2006

3
Why the trend to be non-denom.?

• Many want something different, new, more
  modern, and casual.
• Many seek to be non-traditional and reject the
  denominational church of their youth.
• Many seek to escape the need for authority,
  doctrine, leadership, and organization.

4

• Do we really understand what it
  means to be non-denominational?

5
What is a Denomination?

• 1. A large group of religious congregations
  united under a common faith and name and
  organized under a single administrative and legal
  hierarchy.
• 2. One of a series of kinds, values, or sizes, as
  in a system of currency or weights Cash
  registers have compartments for bills of
  different denominations
• 3. A name or designation, especially for a class
  or group. The American Heritage Dictionary

6
What is a Denomination?

• 4. a religious organization whose congregations
  are united in their adherence to its beliefs and
  practices - Merriam-Webster Online

7
A group of churches that has chosen a specific
name to identify themselves.

• A designated name to separate themselves from
  other religious groups
• There is nothing wrong with choosing a specific
  name in order to make a distinction from other
  religious groups, provided the name is a name
  given by God in the Scriptures (e.g., Rom. 1616
  1 Cor. 12 1 Tim. 315 etc.).

8
A Denomination Therefore is

• A group of churches (two or more) that follow a
  specific tradition, teaching, and practice (which
  is often based on man-made creeds, not the Bible
  alone).
• A group of churches under the authority of an
  administrative body.
• A group of churches united to accomplish a work
  that was meant to be fulfilled by the local
  church or individual Christians.

9
Where did all of the denominations come from?

• Only by sowing the right kind of seed (Gods
  word) will Christians be the result (Luke 811
  cf. Rom. 116).
• Not being content with the teachings of
  Scripture, men went beyond Scripture (1
  Cor. 46 2 John 9) and added to and took away
  from Gods word (Rev. 2218-19).
• Whenever the wrong seed is used, the teaching
  of men instead of Gods word, a denomination is
  formed (Gal. 67-8).

10
Galatians 67 (NASB)

• Do not be deceived, God is not mocked for
  whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

11
WRONG SEED DENOMINATION

• One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church (120 AD)
• Oriental Orthodox Church (451 AD)
• Roman Catholics (1054 AD)
• Lutheran Church (1520)
• The Church of England Established (1535)
• Presbyterian Church (1550)
• The Baptist Churches (1607-1611ff.).
• The Congregational church (1608)
• Episcopal Church (1609)
• The Methodist Church (1729).
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
  (1830)
• Seventh Day Adventism (1846).
• Christian Science (1875)
• The Jehovahs Witnesses (1884).
• Pentecostal Churches The Church of God
  (1880-1914ff.)

12
Denominationalism is the worlds concept of
Christianity.

• The world defines the worldwide church of Christ
  not as strictly Christians only, but as various
  denominational churches.

13
Denominationalism
Gods People (The Saved)
THE WORLD
Adventist
Presb.
Catholic
Nazarene
Methodist
Ch. Of God
Church of Christ
Baptist
Chart by Donnie Rader
14
Whats wrong with Denominationalism?

• Denominational Christianity is foreign and
  contrary to the New Testament.
• Denominations are sinful, simply by the fact that
  there is no authority by Christ in His Word for
  them to exist.

15
Whats wrong with Denominationalism?

• Denominational Christianity is foreign and
  contrary to the New Testament.
• Denominations promote division.

16
1 Corinthians 110 (NASB)

• Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our
  Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there
  be no divisions among you, but you be made
  complete in the same mind and in the same
  judgment. cf. Gal.
  520

17
Denominationalism goes against the desire of
Jesus.

• John 1717, 20-21 (NASB) 17 Sanctify them in
  the truth Thy word is truth 20 "I do not ask in
  behalf of these alone, but for those also who
  believe in Me through their word 21 that they
  may all be one even as Thou, Father, art in Me,
  and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us that
  the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.

18
Whats wrong with Denominationalism?

• Denominational Christianity is foreign and
  contrary to the New Testament.
• Denominations promote division.
• Denominations lead to the establishment of
  man-made creeds.

19
What is a Creed?

• CREED (a confession or rule of faith), is an
  authoritative statement in a precise written or
  oral form that formally and publicly declares the
  beliefs and doctrines of a religious group.

20

• Whenever a denomination is formed, men feel the
  need to establish an official consensus or
  agreement in what is believed by
  their members and
  thus has turned to creeds.

21
The problems with creeds are abundant!

• They are not inspired (2 Tim 316) and thus are
  imperfect, grossly insufficient, and always
  needing to be revised.
• Creeds cannot build genuine saving faith, only
  Gods word can (Rom 1017)
• Creeds often add mans wisdom, traditions, and
  philosophies (Col. 28) and take away from Gods
  word (Rev. 2218-19).

22
The problems with creeds are abundant!

• Creeds have been used as divisive instruments,
  teaching people how others are wrong and how they
  are right discouraging Bible study with those who
  differ.

23
Whats wrong with Denominationalism?

• Denominational Christianity is foreign and
  contrary to the New Testament.
• Denominations promote division.
• Denominations lead to the establishment of
  man-made creeds.
• Denominations create followers of men, not
  Disciples of Christ.

24
1 Corinthians 111-13 (NASB)

• 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my
  brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are
  quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each
  one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of
  Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."
  13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not
  crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized
  in the name of Paul?

25
Whats wrong with Denominationalism?

• Foreign and contrary to the N.T.
• Promote division.
• Lead to the establishment of creeds
• Create followers of men
• Destroys the autonomy (self-govern) and
  independence of local churches

26
Church Autonomy

• The New Testament teaches that each local church
  must be independent and autonomous from one
  another.
• This is not to say they cannot help each other
  when in need (e.g., Benevolence Acts 1127-30
  2 Cor. 8)

27
1 Peter 51-3 (NASB)

• 1Therefore, I exhort the elders (i.e. pastors,
  overseers ML) among you, as your fellow elder
  and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a
  partaker also of the glory that is to be
  revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you,
  exercising oversight not under compulsion, but
  voluntarily, according to the will of God and
  not for sordid gain, but with eagerness 3 nor
  yet as lording it over those allotted to your
  charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
  cf. Acts 2028

28
Denominational leaders unlawfully extending their
rule over many congregations.

• EXAMPLE Methodists are governed primarily
  through a series of conferences ranging from the
  General Conference which meets every four years
  and which is described as The one lawmaking
  body, through Jurisdictional, Annual, District,
  Quarterly, and Church Conferences. Methodists
  have bishops elected by the Jurisdictional
  Conference which oversee work in a broad
  geographic area. They appoint District
  Superintendents to assist with the work in each
  district.
  
  from Church History by John D. Cox

29
Not even the apostles
ruled in this way!

• 2 Corinthians 124 (NASB) Not
  that we lord it over your faith, but are workers
  with you for your joy for in your faith you are
  standing firm.

30

• Denominational churches often
  sacrifice their independence and free will to
  think and stand on their own for the Lord and His
  word!

31
Autonomous churches safeguard against widespread
destruction (e.g., false doctrine)
A stone thrown at this window would only break
one pane. Without each window in sections, just
one stone could destroy it all!
32
The One Church of Christ is Comprised
of Christians, not Churches.

• There is only one Body or Church.
• There are not many bodies as taught by
  denominationalism.

33
Denominational Viewof Christ as Head of Many
Bodies
Many Bodies One Head
Christ
John 15!?!
Chart from Andy Alexander
34
John 155 (NASB)

• I am the vine, you (My disciples ML) are the
  branches he who abides in Me, and I in him, he
  bears much fruit for apart from Me you can do
  nothing.

35
Christ is Head of One Body
Christ
ONE BODY / ONE CHURCH
One Body - Eph. 44 216 36 523 cf. Rom.
124-5 1 Cor. 1212-13, 20
36
ONE CHURCH
There is one body (Eph. 44) Body Church
(Eph. 122-23 Col. 118) Therefore, ONE CHURCH
37
John 1016 (NASB)

• And I have other sheep, which are not of this
  fold I must bring them also, and they shall hear
  My voice and they shall become one flock with
  one shepherd. cf. 1 Pet. 225

38
Matthew 1618 (NASB)

• And I also say to you that you are Peter, and
  upon this rock I will build My church and the
  gates of Hades shall not overpower it.

39

• There was just ONE church purposed (Eph.
  310-11), prophesied (Dan. 244-45 Heb. 1223,
  28), and promised by God (Mat. 1618).

40
The One Church of Christ is Comprised
of Christians, not Churches.

• There is only one Body or Church.
• Every person who is saved (becomes a Christian)
  is added to His church.

41
Acts 241, 47b (NKJV)

• 41 Then those who gladly received his word were
  baptized and that day about three thousand souls
  were added to them. 47 And the Lord added to the
  church daily those who were being saved.

42
1 Corinthians 1213 (NASB)

• For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one
  body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or
  free, and we were all made to drink of one
  Spirit. cf. Col. 118 Heb. 1223

43
The Church is comprised of Christians, not local
churches or denominations.
THE WORLD

ONE CHURCH
One Christian
44
The One Church of Christ is Comprised
of Christians, not Churches.

• There is only one Body or Church.
• Every person who is saved (becomes a Christian)
  is added to His church.
• Individual Christians (who already belong to the
  Lords church), then have a duty to work and
  worship with other Christians, establishing local
  churches of Christ.

45

• Christians are authorized by Gods word to
  organize themselves into local churches of
  Christ to collectively
  worship God and carry out the work of the church.

46
Romans 1616 (NASB)

• Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the
  churches of Christ greet you.

47
Are we Behaving as Non-denominational
Christians Should?

• Do you have a non-denom. mindset?
• Do you refuse to speak in denominational ways of
  your faith?
• Do you lead people to Christ or merely to the
  local church of your choice (regarding the
  church like a denom. preference)?
• Do we expose or condone error of denom.?
• Dont confuse being non-denominational with being
  interdenominational.

48
How Can a Local Church Be Non-Denominational?

• Indepedence and autonomy are essential, but not
  everything.
• Respect Christ as Head over the church by obeying
  His Word.

49
Ephesians 122-23 (NASB)

• 22 And He put all things in subjection under His
  feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the
  church, 23 which is His body, the fulness of Him
  who fills all in all. cf. Mat. 2818 Col.
  118 317

50
How Can a Local Church Be Non-Denominational?

• Indepedence and autonomy are essential, but not
  everything.
• Respect Christ as Head over the church by obeying
  His Word.
• The Faith is taught (Eph. 45 Jude 3 Acts
  165), not something different.

51
1 Corinthians 417 (NASB)

• For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who
  is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and
  he will remind you of my ways which are in
  Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every
  church. cf. 1 Cor.
  717 161 1 Pet. 411 Luke 2220

52
How Can a Local Church Be Non-Denominational?

• Indepedence and autonomy are essential, but not
  everything.
• Respect Christ as Head over the church by obeying
  His Word.
• The Faith is taught, not something different.
• Non-denominational does not mean not standing for
  anything!

53
False!

• Members of non-denominational churches often
  consider themselves simply "Christians", and many
  feel at home when visiting any number of other
  denominational churches with compatible beliefs.
  Yet the acceptance of any particular doctrinal
  issue, for example accepting the doctrine of the
  Trinity, establishes a de facto denomination.
  
  - Wikipedia, the free online
  encyclopedia

54
1 Timothy 315 (NASB)

• but in case I am delayed, I write so that you
  may know how one ought to conduct himself in the
  household of God, which is the church of the
  living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

55
How Can a Local Church Be Non-Denominational?

• Indepedence and autonomy are essential, but not
  everything.
• Respect Christ as Head over the church by obeying
  His Word.
• The Faith is taught, not something different.
• Non-denominational does not mean not standing for
  anything!
• Let law be defined by the word of God, not by
  church leaders.

56
James 412 (NASB)

• There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One
  who is able to save and to destroy but who are
  you who judge your neighbor?
  cf. John 1248

57
How Can a Local Church Be Non-Denominational?

• Indepedence and autonomy are essential, but not
  everything.
• Respect Christ as Head over the church.
• The Faith is taught, not something different.
• Non-denom. does not mean not standing for
  anything!
• Let law be defined by the word of God
• Practice the word of God just as the first
  century Christians did (Acts 242 cf. 1 Pet.
  123-25 Heb. 412).

58
How Can a Local Church Be Non-Denominational?

• By claiming not to be more than a local church.

59

• To visit the exhibit halls of ACU during their
  yearly lectures, one would certainly think the
  Lord's church to be a denomination. The booths in
  the exhibit halls advertising various "Church of
  Christ" homes for children, unwed mothers, the
  elderly, Churches of Christ For Scouting, etc.
  will state "This is a work of THE church of
  Christ." "Really?" I ask them, "Which one?" They
  cannot answer, as they believe it is the work of
  THE churches of Christ as a "whole" rather than
  of any local congregation

60

• The very wording shows they believe the
  denominational concept that the church of Christ
  is made up of all local congregations uniting
  around this project (like the Southern Baptists
  around the Southern Baptist Convention), thus
  seeking to enact the church universal.
  - Is the
  Church of Christ a Denomination?
  By Wayne Goforth

61

• A non-denominational church understands her
  God given purpose
  and respects the
  spiritual mission that the Lord has given her
  (Acts 242 Phil. 415-18 Eph. 416
  Acts 1127-30).

62

• Christians Can Truly be
  Non-Denominational When
  They Commit Themselves to being Only Christians
  Who Belong to the
  Church of Christ.