This question will come up from time to time as we interact with those around us. To many, churches of Christ (labeled by some as “Church of Christ”) are just one denomination among many. This perception can lead them to view the members of churches of Christ as hypocrites – condemning denominationalism while (allegedly) being part of one.
Is the church of Christ a denomination? It is a fair question. Depending on what one has in mind, there could be various answers given – yes, no, maybe, not yet, etc. So let us consider the question about the church and denominationalism.
What is a Denomination?
Before we consider the question, we must first understand what we are trying to determine. We must first know what a denomination is before we can know if the church is a denomination or not. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a denomination as “a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices.”
When we speak of a denomination, we are referring to a collective group of churches or congregations which have banded together based upon a shared system of beliefs and practices (creed). They are connected through an organization or network larger than themselves.
We should be careful to note that a denomination is a group of congregations, not a single congregation. A single, autonomous congregation is not a denomination per the definition above. It may or may not be made up of those who are part of the Lord’s church. It may or may not be engaged in the same works as the churches we read about in the New Testament. But a lone congregation is not a denomination. A denomination is a collective group of congregations.
Denominationalism, at its very heart, is about division. The concept that people promote advocates for a splintered body of Christians. Division is condemned in the Bible. The first problem Paul sought to correct at the troubled church in Corinth was division: “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). In denominationalism, you have people divided over the teachings and practices of men. These divisions or factions are among the works of the flesh that were condemned in Paul’s letter to the Galatians (Galatians 5:20).
Denominationalism is also about pleasing men. People have long been told to join the church of their choice. (They certainly have plenty to choose from!) However, our religious service is supposed to please God. Paul said, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Churches are not to cater to the desires, preferences, or beliefs of men in order to attract and retain members. We are to please God and be faithful to Him, even if that means that no one is interested in hearing the gospel of truth we strive to proclaim.
Jesus Did Not Build a Denomination
Jesus told His disciples, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Notice the singular form of the word. Jesus did not promise to build churches, nor did He ever endorse the establishment of other churches. He built His church. When we talk about the church of Christ as this church that Jesus promised to build, it is not a denomination. It is the one and only church that belongs to Him.
This church is not a physical organization and has no earthly hierarchy or headquarters. It is simply the body of all the saved (Ephesians 5:23). Christ is its head (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). Its capital or headquarters is in heaven where the head of the church is (Colossians 3:1).
Is the church of Christ a denomination? If you mean the church that Jesus promised to build that is the body of all the saved, then no; it is not a denomination.
Local Churches of Christ
People may ask us the question about the church and denominations because we meet with a church of Christ. They try to lump all churches of Christ together as if they are part of the same group (denomination). It has been made into a label – “Church of Christ preacher,” “Church of Christ building,” and Christians being called “Church of Christers.” When we point out that the church has no man-made creed, some respond by saying there is an unwritten creed and that there are various “Church of Christ” traditions.
The Lord’s church (the church of Christ, the one true church) is made up of individuals, not congregations or denominations. The idea that the body of Christ is made up of churches or denominations is a common misconception. People take Jesus’ illustration of the vine and the branches and try to support this idea. They say that Jesus is the vine and the different churches or denominations are the branches. It is true that Jesus is the vine (John 15:1, 5), but Jesus was very clear about what the branches represent: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up” (John 15:5-6). Who are the branches? Individuals. The Lord’s body is made up of people, not churches.
People will sometimes ask, “If the church of Christ is not a denomination, why are there such great similarities between the various congregations?” If there are similarities (we want to be careful not to endorse just any group that labels itself as a church of Christ), there is a reason for that. Similarities will naturally be found when the Christians who make up those congregations follow the same standard – the word of God. Paul told Timothy, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me” (2 Timothy 1:13). Paul told the congregation in Corinth that he taught the same message “everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17).
Anytime you have the same message being taught and practiced, there will be many similarities. This does not necessarily mean these churches have banded together as a denomination. If they are following the pattern found in the New Testament, there will be similarities. But the local churches will also be autonomous (self-governing) just as local churches were in the days of the apostles (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:2).
The Path to Denominationalism
However, it is possible for local churches that wear the name of Christ to be part of a denomination. It is also possible for autonomous churches of Christ to start down the path of forming or evolving into a denomination with brethren and churches from other places. What would it take for this to happen?
- First, there must be a desire by a man or group of men for power and control. The New Testament limits the oversight of elders to a local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2). When some are not content with this, there is the potential for trouble. We should note that it is not necessarily one’s motives that are corrupt when this desire exists. It may be that one would want more power and control over local churches for his own benefit, but it could also be that one believes he is helping his brethren. In either case, regardless of one’s motives, it is wrong to go beyond what God has allowed us.
- There must also be a willingness or tendency for Christians to put their trust in men. Paul warned the church in Corinth about doing this (1 Corinthians 3:4-5; 4:6) as this was a primary cause for the division in that church (1 Corinthians 1:12). Those who want more power and control can only take them if Christians allow them to. If Christians put their trust in a man, no matter how sound they think he is, they set themselves up for apostasy should that man ever stray from the truth.
- Another step on the path to denominationalism is for Christians to have unity based upon some standard other than the word of God. Jesus said that our unity must be based on God’s word (John 17:20-21) without anything added or omitted (Acts 20:27; 2 John 9). When Christians have a standard other than the word of God, it becomes their creed, regardless of whether it is written or not.
Conclusion
Is the church of Christ a denomination? The simple answer is no. It is the church that Jesus died to save. Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord’s desire for unity (John 17:20-21). We must not be part of a denomination, even if it is one that goes by the name “church of Christ.” Instead, we must simply follow Christ as our head in all things.
