INTRODUCTION (Part 2)
IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A DENOMINATION?
The term denomination conveys the idea of part of a whole. It is
easily understood when related to money. One pesa is a portion of
a rupee. The pesa is a denomination. In American money, a dime is
one-tenth of a dollar. Therefore, the dime is a denomination, i.e. a
part of the larger. The concept that God has established a church
with different portions, denominations, is not a scriptural concept.
Many hold a false notion that there are many choices of churches
on earth today and that men can choose as they wish, according to
their preference. This false impression reminds us of a restaurant
buffet. The customer can pick and choose as he like, according to
his own taste. But as we observed in the introduction (part 1), the
only authority in the church is that of Jesus Christ. His words will
judge all men in the last day (John 12:48). Jesus is the builder (I
Cor. 3:11). He is the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:11).
To help us get a clearer picture, consider a laborer hired by a
cement mason. The mason knows exactly how he wants the wall to
be built. He has drawings, and in his mind he has a complete
imaginary picture of the finished product. The assistant has
different ideas. He wants the wall to be shorter. In his own mind,
he also has a picture. His picture includes stones layed carefully on
the surface of the wall. Though he may bring the stones to the
mason they will be rejected. He may attempt to build the wall
higher, but his ideas will not be part of the plan. He must yield to
the plans of the master mason. The laborer needs to carefully study
the drawings of the mason and assist in building according to the
plan. The mason has the authority. The mason is the builder.
Our story illustrates the very roots of denominational division, men
who are unwilling to succumb to the authority of the Master
builder, Jesus Christ. They build man-made churches of all types,
according to the desires of men, never thinking to stop and consult
the Bible, the blueprint as provided by Jesus. The church’s builder
demands full obedience. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). This is the
reason why Paul admonishes, “But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereon” (I Cor. 3:10). God will not accept men who
attempt to build the church recklessly, according to their own
desires. “…Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not
planted, shall be rooted up” (Matt. 15:13). God planned the church
(Dan. 2:44). He paid the price for the church (John 3:16). He
established the church (Acts 2:41), and she is his possession (Eph.
1:14). Any church, other than his church, will be rooted up and
destroyed.
In Acts 2:47 we read, “…And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.” To which church were men added? They
were added to the Lord’s church. Men did not wonder at which
church they might wish to be joined. There was/is only one, and
Jesus calls it his church. “…Upon this rock I will build my church”
(Matt. 16:18). The church does not belong to Luther, Calvin or
South India. She belongs to Christ. She is the church of Christ
(Rom. 16:16).
Considering how Jesus is the Master-builder and the Bible is his
blueprint, this study in denominational doctrines is so valuable. We
have to know the church which Jesus built. Furthermore, we have
to be able to see and expose counterfeit churches who claim to
exist in the name of God. The only way to do such is through
knowledge, as set forth in the Word of God. Like a sculptor who
chips away pieces of marble which should not be part of the image,
we must chip away those portions which do not belong. Three-
dimensional artists first study in great detail the image they wish to
mold. After looking at the finished product the subject can be
easily recognized. So it is with the Lord’s church. We must first
study carefully the image which God has given us of his church.
Carefully, we carve away the pieces not included by God. In the
end we see clearly the image of the institution God intended.
In Ephesians 4:4 we read, “There is one body.” Paul further
explained in I Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether
we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one
Spirit.” Romans 12:4 reads, “For as we have many members in
one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being
many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of
another.”
Consider the prayer of the one who gave himself for the church.
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word; That they may all be one; as
thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in
us…” (John 17:20, 21). Is denominationalism the will of our
Master-builder? Divisions in the church are definitely not in Jesus’
will. How many bodies (churches) are there? There is one church.
Is the church divided into denominations? There are no
denominations in Christ’s church. We are one.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of your Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye 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” (I Cor. 1:10).
MEMORY VERSES: I Cor. 1:10; 4:17; 12:13
QUESTIONS
1. Define the term “denomination.”
2. The only authority in the church is that of
.
3. What is the “root of denominationalism?
4. Who is the “Master builder of the church?
5. What will be the fate of one who does not obey the will of the
Lord (Matt. 7:21) ?
6. What will happen to all plants not planted by the Lord (Matt.
15:13)?
7. Give a reference which shows that God planned the church.
8. What was the price God paid for the church?
9. The church is the possession of . Give
reference
10. How are men added to the church (Acts 2:47)?
11. How many churches did Jesus build?
12. Since the church belongs to Christ, she is called the
of (Rom. 16:16).
13. How do we “see” and “expose” counterfeit churches?
14. From Ephesians 4:4, “There is body.”
15. List three references which teach there is one body.
16. Give the reference where Jesus prayed for unity of believers.
