The Lord's Church and Denominationalism (Part 2)
By Glendol McClure

In last month's issue, we began this study by discussing the concept of denominationalism. We also looked at four important facts about the Lord's church.

  1. The Lord's church has the right builder and head and wears His name.
  2. The Lord's church began at the right time and place.
  3. The Lord's church has the right doctrine and practice.
  4. The Lord's church has the right organizational structure.

In this issue, we will consider parallel points regarding denominationalism.

Denominations

Denominational churches have the wrong builders, and they wear the wrong names. The denominations already mentioned--Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Pentecostal--and many others we could mention, were founded by men and wear names that are NOT Bible names. In Matthew 16:18, Christ said: "I will build my church." He did not build churches with differing names, heads, origins, doctrines, and creeds. He built His church! The confusion of denominationalism is the result of man's tampering with God's plan. The apostle Paul said: "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Denominational churches began at the wrong times and places. For example:

These and all other man-made religions wear the wrong NAMES, began at the wrong TIMES and PLACES, and were built by the wrong BUILDERS. Therefore, contrary to their claims, they are NOT the Lord's church. In the last Great Day, the Lord will root up and cast away all false religions (Matthew 15:13; 7:21-23).

Denominational churches follow the wrong doctrines and practices.

Denominations have man-made creeds and manuals.

It is not difficult to see that denominationalism places men's doctrines and commandments ABOVE the authority of Christ and the Bible. During his personal ministry, Christ condemned such practices, as did His apostles during the first century. Their condemnation rendered denominationalism and its worship vain (Matthew 15:9; 1 Corinthians 4:6).

Denominational churches are organized unscripturally. They have governing boards, district councils, bishops who rule over dioceses, the pope, cardinals, synods, and universal ruling bodies of men who rule and reign over a plurality of churches. The New Testament says nothing about such organizational structures. Christ is head of His church (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:12; 5:23). He is now reigning, and will continue to reign, until He subdues all enemies, the last enemy being death (1 Corinthians 15:25, 26).

Conclusion

After this short comparison of the Lord's church and denominationalism, it becomes evident to any honest person that denominationalism originated from men, NOT from God. In Hebrews 8:1-2, the Hebrew writer summed up well the truth we are to follow concerning true religion: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, Who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Are you a member of the church the Lord built, or are you a member of a denomination that a man built?