The Problem with Denominations

Church building

Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it’” (Matthew 16:16-18).

In the first century, there were no denominations – only the Lord’s church (Matthew 16:18). Paul said there is just “one body” (Ephesians 4:4), and that body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23).

But today, unlike the first century, there are thousands of denominations. Is this a problem? Many will say “no.” They have been taught to “join the church of your choice” because “one church is as good as another.” But the Scriptures teach that this is a problem. Why? In this article we will notice four reasons why denominationalism is a problem.
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The Preaching Demanded by the Gospel

Preacher

God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Salvation and knowledge of the truth are not two separate desires that God has for man, but are necessarily linked together. Knowledge of the truth is necessary for salvation because “the gospel…is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). When the Lord returns, judgment will come against “those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

God calls us to Him through the gospel. Paul told the brethren in Thessalonica that they were “called…through our gospel” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). The call of the gospel is spread through preaching (Romans 10:14; Mark 16:15).

Understanding the importance of the gospel and the necessity of preaching to spread the gospel, what should characterize our preaching? Let us notice a few characteristics of sound gospel preaching.
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Christ Is the End of the Law

Crucifixion

As the gospel was being preached in the first century, many of the Jews wanted to hold onto the Law of Moses. This was done in two ways. Some rejected the gospel outright, choosing to continue following the old law and refusing to follow Christ (Acts 4:10-11; Romans 9:33-10:4). Others tried to bring the Law of Moses – or parts of it – into the gospel, thus distorting the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7; 2:4-5). In either case, the result was condemnation (Romans 11:22; Galatians 1:8-9).

Despite the fact that the Jews – in large part – rejected the gospel, Paul’s prayer was that they might be saved (Romans 10:1). But in order to be saved, they needed to understand Christ and His relationship to the Law of Moses.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).

Jesus came for the purpose of being “the end of the law.” What does this mean? Many of the Jews did not understand this and, as a result, were not saved through the gospel. In this article, we will notice what it means for Christ to be “the end of the law.
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Can One Be a Christian Without Having Been Baptized?

BaptismThe denominational world has different opinions about baptism. Many believe it is a “work” that is in no way associated with our salvation. Some will call it “an outward sign of an inward grace” – in other words, it is a sign that one has already been saved. Some may practice baptism as an entrance into membership into a denominational body. Though there are many different ideas about baptism, the denominational world generally agrees on one point – they reject baptism as a requirement for salvation. Even though they might practice baptism (at least in some form), they would say that one could be a Christian even without water baptism.

However, the Scriptures plainly emphasize the importance of baptism and its connection with salvation:
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Introducing Jesus

Jesus – Sermon on the Mount

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The gospel of John was written to teach people about Jesus. The first chapter introduces Jesus to us. We learn of Him through the various words and phrases used to describe the Lord, some of which are found in the verses above. The opening chapter of John is a good place to go to learn, be reminded, or teach others about Jesus. Let us briefly consider some of the ways in which Jesus is described in these verses.
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Bringing Up Children in the Lord (Part 6): Raising Children to Be Christians

Bringing Up Children in the Lord

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in truth” (3 John 4).

Though the passage above refers to Christians in general, the principle certainly applies to the relationship between parents and children. As parents strive to “bring [their children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), the ultimate goal is to lead them to the Lord. Naturally, parents will hope that their children enjoy good health and a degree of prosperity in this life. But in the end, what matters most is that their “soul prospers” as they walk “in the truth” (3 John 2, 4). So in this final lesson, we will focus on raising children to be Christians.
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Characteristics of Truth

Man Holding Bible

The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting” (Psalm 119:160).

David affirmed that the entirety of God’s word – the sum, not just some – is truth. This is what we should expect since the word is from God (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 2 Timothy 3:16) and “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18; cf. Titus 1:2).

While it is important that we understand that the word of God is truth (John 17:17), it is also important that we appreciate various characteristics of truth. Certainly there are those who do not accept the Bible as truth; but of those who do (or claim that they do), many simply do not understand the nature of this truth. It is not whatever we want it to be. Truth is from the mind of God whose ways are infinitely higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:25). So let us consider some of the characteristics of truth.
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