IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A DENOMINATION???

Text: Various.

Delivered on: August 31, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

1. It is a question that we have all been asked.

2. “Are you a Christian?” to which we answer, “Yes.” Then, “What denomination?”

3. It is another way of asking, “What type of Christian are you?”

4. Denominations are different groups of people who claim to be Christians but who hold different beliefs and therefore, denominate (or name) themselves.

5. This world is full of literally thousands of different denominations.

6. Is the church of Christ just another denomination?

7. Or is it different?

8. There are at least four things that make the church of Christ different from a denomination:

   1. It’s origin.

   2. It’s doctrine.

   3. It’s unity.

   4. It’s destiny.

BODY.

1. ORIGIN.

   1. Time of founding.

      1. During the times of the Roman kings. Daniel 2:44. And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

      2. During the lifetimes of those present during the ministry of Jesus. Mark 9:1. And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

      3. The church started on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Acts 2:47. Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

      4. Try as hard as you like and you will not find a denomination around during the times of the apostles.

         1. Denominations came 1500 years later.

         2. Paul had never heard of a Baptist or Methodist.

      5. Some, in order to attempt to justify themselves, say that the church of Christ was started by Alexander Campbell in the 1800’s.

         1. This is simply not true.

         2. We read about the church of Christ in the Bible! How could Alexander Campbell have started it.

         3. The truth is that he was one of the many men who helped to restore the church.

         4. Most of us knew nothing (or at least very little) of Alexander Campbell when we became members of Christ’s church.

      6. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination based upon the fact that it was around long before denominations.

   2. Founder.

      1. The founder and foundation of the church of Christ is Jesus.

         1. Matthew 16:18. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

         2. 1 Corinthians 3:11. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

         3. The church of Christ has no other founder.

      2. All denominations can trace their roots back to men other than Christ.

         1. Methodists – John Wesley.

         2. Lutherans – Martin Luther.

         3. Mennonites – Meno Simons.

         4. Presbyterian – Thomas Cartwright.

         5. Baptist – John Smyth & Thomas Helwys.

      3. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination because it was not founded by any ordinary man but by Christ.

2. DOCTRINE.

   1. A warning concerning false teachers and false doctrine.

      1. Acts 20:29-31. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ³¹ Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

      2. 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

      3. 2 Timothy 4:2-4. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

   2. Three areas in which doctrinal error is prevalent.

      1. Plan of Salvation.

         1. Hear. Romans 10:17.

         2. Believe. John 8:24.

         3. Repent. Luke 13:3.

         4. Confess. Romans 10:9-10.

         5. Be baptized. Acts 2:38.

      2. Organization.

         1. Elders. 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; Acts 20:28.

         2. Deacons. 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

         3. No councils or conventions or central rule.

         4. Each congregation was autonomous.

      3. Worship.

         1. Pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

         2. Give. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.

         3. Communion. Acts 20:7.

         4. Bible Study. Acts 20:7.

         5. Sing. Ephesians 5:19.

   3. You may find some denominations who observe most of these doctrines but you will not find one that observes all.

   4. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination because of its doctrine.

3. UNITY.

   1. God’s desire for unity.

      1. John 17:20-21. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

      2. 1 Corinthians 1:10. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

      3. Romans 15:5-6. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      4. He wants true unity. True unity comes through obedience to the word. John 17:20.

      5. He wants true believers to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Ephesians 5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

      6. This includes even the works of those who claim to be followers of God but who do not teach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

   2. What denominationalism teaches.

      1. Denominationalism teaches that division is unavoidable.

      2. Therefore, God’s followers “denominate” (meaning to name) themselves, as a form of identification.

      3. The logical conclusion of this belief is that God has asked us to do something that is impossible… and we know that He would never do that.

      4. Therefore, the church of Christ is not a denomination because it teaches Biblical unity based upon the Bible alone and not the teachings of man.

4. DESTINY.

   1. The destiny of the church of Christ is heaven.

      1. Acts 2:47.

      2. Revelation 2:10. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

      3. 1 Corinthians 15:24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

   2. The destiny of man-made churches is Hell.

      1. Matthew 15:8-13. ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. ⁹ And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” ¹⁰ When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: ¹¹ Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” ¹² Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” ¹³ But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

      2. Matthew 7:21-23. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

      3. 2 Timothy 3:5. Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

   3. Let it be said that we take no pleasure in the knowledge that anyone will go to Hell. It is especially sad that many who believe in God are going to be lost. Nevertheless, Jesus said it is so.

   4. Therefore, in regard to destiny, we see that the church of Christ is not a denomination.