Articles
How Some Defend Denominationalism
Many today try to justify or defend denominationalism. Man has tried throughout history to justify or defend their sins, but to no avail with God. Sin is sin. Whatever I may think or say, sin will still be sin. My friend, whatever YOU may think or say, sin will still be sin. The Scriptures plainly teach that denominationalism is sinful (Galatians 5:20; Romans 16:17)! God said it, I believe it, that settles it!
The parable of the vine and the branches recorded in John 15:1-8 has been used by some as authority for divisive religious organizations, that is, denominationalism. If you will notice in the text, Jesus said "man" not denominations. "If a MAN (emp LS) abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered" (John 15:6). The fruit-bearing branches are individual disciples of the Lord, not denominations. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).
Some trying to defend division or denominationalism say that denominations are just different roads to heaven. Notice what Jesus said, "I am THE WAY (emp LS), the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Any other way that man might choose is death, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). Consider this my friend, if man could devise a way to go to heaven, why then did Jesus Christ have to die? "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain" (Galatians 2:21).
Some use the argument to justify denominationalism that all denominations teach some truth. Even if all denominations do teach some truth, what does that prove? The devil tells "some truth". Remember in Matthew 4:1-11 the devil even quoted Scripture to Jesus. Did that make the devil right? To say that denominations teach some truth is to say they teach some error! To teach any error is sinful (Galatians 1:8-9; Romans 16:17; 2 John 9)! Can you not see that my friend?
"There are good people in all churches." There are many good moral people who don't even go to church. So again, what does this prove? Mere human goodness without the blood of Jesus Christ and the Lord's church cannot save anyone! Remember the example of Cornelius in Acts 10:1ff? Was Cornelius a good man? YES! Was he saved before Peter came and taught him the truth of God's Word? No! If he was saved before Peter came, why then did Peter go and preach the Word of God to him?
"One church is just as good as another." One denomination started by man IS just as good as another denomination started by man. However, NO denomination started by man can ever be as good as the church that Jesus Christ built (Please read Hebrews 8:1-2).
Denominationalism verses the Lord's church: just as God's word is so far above the words of men (Isaiah 55:8-9), so is the church of Jesus Christ above any and all denominations started by men! The church of Jesus Christ is bought and paid for by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Who bought and paid for denominations? It wasn't Jesus Christ!
