Who among us is unaware of the problem of religious denominationalism? How many different religions are there? It depends on when the count occurs and who does the counting. I'm told that there are at least 1,500 different bodies or sects in the religious world. Most people divide all Christian religions into two groups -- Catholics and Protestants. How are we to know which group is right? I believe the Bible teaches that neither has its origin with God.
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) Did Jesus Christ have anything to do with building all these different, so-called churches? If not, which one, or ones, did He build. How can we cut through the proverbial "religious red tape" to arrive at a proper conclusion? That you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:4) God does want us to know what is right, and He provided opportunity for us to learn what He wants us to know.
The word denominationalism comes from the word denomination. It can be defined as "a large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy." Is this definition scriptural? Another term often heard during religious discussion is Christendom. This term is defined as "Christians considered as a group; the Christian world." I've been unable to find either term -- denominationalism or Christendom -- in the scriptures.
Still, many go to the Bible to attempt to prove the scriptures teach denominationalism. Some go to John 15:1-7 from which they conclude that "Christ is the true vine; and the Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Christian Church, Grace Fellowship, etc., are the branches." The one who examines the text closely can't avoid seeing that our Lord was not referring to churches, but to individuals. He used personal pronouns -- Ye, you, etc. If our denominational friends are correct, Jesus taught, and gave support to, diversity. That's hard to believe.
The Bible refers to the church in two ways -- local and universal. Paul wrote to the local church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2). In Matthew 16:18, Jesus referred to the universal church of which all Christians are members. It is the universal church to which the Lord adds us (Acts 2:47). The concept accepted by the majority of the religious world is quite different from what we see in the scriptures. Surely, there is an easy way to understand this truth as the Bible reveals it.
How many churches did Jesus promise to build? "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." (Matthew 16:18) How many churches is Jesus head over? "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23) How many churches did Jesus die for? "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28) All three questions have the same answer -- ONE!
In this special issue, we examine the reason the Lord's church opposes the world's belief in denominational doctrines. The question you are asked to answer is simple -- did this teaching originate with God or men.