Bless the Lord, O my soul,   
And all that is within me,   
bless His holy name.   
Bless the Lord, O my soul,   
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- Psalms 103:1-2   
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The Sin Of Denominationalism

     Perhaps you have never thought about whether the concept of denominationalism is right or wrong.  If this be the case, now would be a good time to make that consideration.  Did you realize that denominationalism is not supported by Scripture?  In fact, the Bible condemns the idea of denominationalism.  Denominationalism is sinful because:

                                             1) It Divides Rather Than Unites

               The Lord prayed that all disciples would be on (Jn. 17:21).  This is hardly the case today as many are divided concerning what they believe, teach, and practice.  This division is condemned in the Bible.  Paul wrote:  "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 Cor. 1:10).  Paul taught the Christians at Philippi to "walk by the same rule" (Phil. 3:16).  Doing that will ensure we have the unity which God expects (Eph. 4:3).  The notion that one can believe what he wants to and another can do the same is not sanctioned in the eyes of God.  There is one faith (Eph. 4:5) and we must be established in that faith (Ac. 16:5).

             Denominationalism promotes the idea that it is a faith of your choice and whatever faith you choose is okay.  Any person who desires to see the truth can know better than that.  How can it be a faith of your choice when there is but one faith (Eph. 4:3)?  We can be a unified people if all will leave the precepts and teachings of men and obey the doctrine of the Lord.

                                                     2) It Is Of Human Origin

               If denominationalism be of God, let someone produce the passage that so says.  When you read about the church in the New Testament, that church was a denomination for such did not exist at that time.  The concept of denominationalism as seen today did not occur until years after the establishment of the Lord's church in Acts chapter two.

               The church was in the eternal mind of God (Eph. 3:10,11).  How could denominations be of divine origin when they did not begin until after the church built by Jesus (Mt. 16:18; Ac. 2:47)?  Clearly denominations are of men for each of them can be traced to their human founder.

                                             3) It Is Contrary To Scripture

               Again, if denominationalism be sustained by Scripture, where is the passage?  You can search over and over throughout the pages of the Bible and not find God's endorsement of denominationalism.  If we are going to be please to the Lord, we are going to have to do things His way without addition or subtraction (Dt. 4:2; Rev. 22:18,19).  Why be a member of something that is not found in God's revealed plan?  If you haven't already, why not determine today you will become a Christian and a Christian only?  One cannot be walking in the light if he is not walking according to truth (Jn. 17:17; 1 Jn. 1:6,7).  When one does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, he does not have God (2 Jn. 9).  Denominationalism is contrary to Scripture and is not in harmony with New Testament Christianity.

                                                    4)  It Does Not Save

               Reader, you need to be made aware that there is no salvation outside the Lord's body, the church (Col. 1:18,24).  When individuals obey the Gospel they are added to the church by the Lord (Ac. 2:47).  Salvation is located in the church belonging to Jesus.  Jesus purchased the church with his blood (Ac. 20:28).  The church belonging to Him is the one he will deliver unto the Father when he comes again (1 Cor. 15:24).  Denominationalism will not save for it was not promised, established, nor endorsed by the Lord.

               You can become a Christian today by:  Hearing the truth (Ro. 10:17), believing that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), repenting of your sins (Lk. 13:3), confessing your faith in Christ (Mt. 10:32,33), and being baptized for the remission of your sins (Ac. 2:38).  Upon doing this, the Lord will add you to his church (Ac. 2:47).

                                                                                                                - Donnie Oliver



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