Yes! By definition a denomination is a religious sect that was founded usually around the teachings of one man. For example, Baptist doctrine was formed around the beliefs of John Smith and Roger Williams; Lutheran doctrine from Martin Luther; Presbyterian doctrine from John Calvin; Episcopal doctrine from Henry VIII; and Methodist doctrine from John Wesley. The teachings of Martin Luther and John Calvin have greatly influenced most of these denominations.

Jesus said, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Ephesians 4:4 says that all "religious plurality" today is wrong, for there is only "one body" or church (cp. Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9, Paul said that the coming of the Lord would not happen until the church fell away. We know from history that the Lord's church, in later centuries, did develop into something not found in the New Testament. Doctrines such as holy water, penance, mass, extreme unction (last rites), purgatory, instrumental music, transubstantiation, celibacy, indulgences, auricular confession, and sprinkling for baptism began to flourish in churches. If all denominations are the eventual result of this apostasy and if their doctrines do not reflect the contents of the New Testament, then they are wrong. If they are wrong, then one denomination would be as good as another.

In all fairness, denominations were the outgrowth of the Reformation which tried to correct the doctrinal error of the Catholic Church. But they did not go far enough. They brought with them doctrines derived from the Catholic Church or doctrines which were at the extreme opposite end of the Catholic Church. One can appreciate the effort to change doctrines which are wrong, but above everything else, one needs to fully follow the truth that is revealed in the Bible.

The Gospel Teacher, 3/15/15