The meaning of the word" denominational." "Under the control of a religious denomination." A denomination is any church organization that holds itself separate from the rest of the Church. This division may be on account of a doctrine, a difference of opinion, or any of many various reasons.

The meaning of the word denomination.

a) Denominational principals

b) A denominational system.

c) Acceptance or support of such principal or system.

d) Division into denominations.

And lastly the meaning of the word "divisions."

a) Being divided

b) A difference of opinion; disagreement.

c) A separation into groups.

d) Anything that divides; partition; boundary.

e) anything separated or distinguished from the whole.

 

 

 

 

Splits: "The condition of being divided, as in opinion. "

(Webster’s College Dictionary used for word meanings.)

What does God’s word have to say on this subject?

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1 Corinthians 1:10 through 1:16 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them [which are of the house] of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

Please take note of the fact, that this is the first letter to the Corinthian Church that God has kept for us to learn from. In this letter, in the first chapter of this letter, the Apostle Paul addresses the question of divisions (denominations). To God and the Apostle Paul this is a very serious problem! In the fifth chapter of this book of the Bible 1Corinthians 5:1 the Apostle Paul addresses a different problem "It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife." One would think that a problem such as this would be on top of the list, but to the Lord and Apostle Paul this problem, however bad, was not as important as the problem of divisions (denominations), for you see the Apostle started off in the first chapter verse ten with the problem of divisions (denominations).

As can be seen the Apostle Paul orders "that there be no divisions among you." A denomination is above all things a division of the Church of the living God! Observe how God dealt with the problem " Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (Today you might hear I am "Baptist", I am "Pentecostal", and I am "Church of Christ"!) Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Did the Lord think that division was "OK", No! Divisions (denominations) is a separation of believers, Let the Lord Jesus tell us how the people in the world will recognize His disciples, John 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

If honesty prevails we who have ever had anything to do with a denomination will have to admit that love doesn't cross denominational boundaries very well, not the kind of love God expects from us, "oneness" doesn't cross well either! One distinguishing trait of denominations is an attitude of "our doctrines are correct the other denominations are a little off" etc. The problem of denominations started early in the Church.

Remember the birthing place of denominations is division, and divisions are caused by men who do not allow the Spirit of the living God to lead them. In other words self-willed people getting their own way in a matter, and not seeking and submitting to the will of God! Christian brothers and sisters, not able to agree on some point of doctrine or something of even lessor importance! But instead of seeking the Lord and finding His will in the matter, and becoming of one mind, they let the division become so great that they can’t even fellowship in the same building any longer!

What a pity, the great distinguishing trait of the early Church was this "being of one mind." This is only possible when each member of the Church is truly born of God, and is submitted to God’s Spirit! When carnality (self will) reigns in the Church, division, and strife become evident, listen to Luke's account of the proper way Christians are to be, Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Now listen to the Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Someone might say "That's impossible, no group of people can agree on everything." and I agree with this statement, if you are talking about carnal men, men that walk after the flesh. But the Church is suppose to be lead by God’s spirit, not the flesh! If we are all lead by the Spirit of God, we can be of the same mind, the mind of Christ!

The first denomination.

The first recorded denomination was the Roman Catholic Church. History records that this denomination started in the year 325 AD, the Roman church tells people that it started with the apostle Peter, however history, nor the Bible support this. This subject (the start of the roman church) is not the purpose of this tract, so I will not spend much time on this issue. Before we look at some of the practices of worship in the Roman church, let’s see what the Bible has to say about how a Church service is to function.

Please understand that this portion of scripture, (1 Corinthians 14:26 through 40) is the only place in the new testament that the form of worship (the actual Church meeting) is outlined in a detailed way. 1 Corinthians 14:26 through 40 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If [any thing] be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Please take note of the fact that each member is to participate, not just occupy a seat! "every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation." All believers have Spiritual gifts that are important to the Church meeting, 1 Corinthians 12:4 through 12:12 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: ( But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. ( For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

Notice the word "another" it is used over and over in the preceding Scripture. God never intended for one person, one special person to do all of the preaching or service, but instead "every one of you hath." This practice of one special person doing the preaching came from the Catholic church, where they still have priests, instead of the "priesthood of believers" This may not seem important at first glance, but upon comparing the results of today's believers with that of the early church I believe that even an argumentative person can see the difference!

The second point worthy of notice is the real purpose of a Church meeting and that is this, the Church meeting is to edify the believers; "Let all things be done unto edifying" I believe that since God has taken the time to outline how a Church meeting is to function, that we should conduct our Church meetings the way He outlined! (The reason, I believe God is much smarter than we are!) In the teachings of the New Testament, God has given us a pattern for our Church meetings, and try as we might I don’t think we can improve on God’s pattern! Virtually all denominations have followed the Roman Catholic form of worship. and have completely changed God’s pattern of worship, as a result, many other problems have surfaced.

How were the Churches named in the Bible?

Reference # 1 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians [which is] in God the Father and [in] the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reference # 2 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Reference # 3 Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Reference # 4 Romans 16:1 commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Reference # 5 Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Reference # 6 Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Reference # 7 Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

How do denominations name their Churches?

         Today denominations are named after many things;

 In the Bible, the Church was named or called, by the location, or region, it wasn’t named the Church of Paul, no not even the Church of Christ, but rather "Church of the "Thessalonians." The only difference the Bible used is the geographic location of the Church! The word "Church" means "An assembly of Christian believers" So God in His Bible allows the location of the believers to be the only distinction of His Church. Geographic location is a natural division, and the only one God will sanction. Locations do not leave a feeling of disunity, and believers can still be of one heart and of one soul, even though separated by distance. In the separation caused by denominations, I believe it can truly be said the difference denominations are not of one heart and one soul!

Where did the Church meet?

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• Reference # 1 Romans 16:5 Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

  Reference # 2 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

• Reference # 3 Colossians 4:15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
• Reference # 4 Philemon 1:2 And to [our] beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house

It is easy to see that the pattern God has given us is for the Church to meet in someone's house! Not for us to go into debt, and buy expensive property and build fancy buildings, which are used twice a week. Instead our money can go for the furtherance of the gospel, and taking care of the needy! Both of these needs are found in the Bible pattern. Also, organizations (denominations) like to grow and maintain some type of authority, this is easy when large property holdings and debt are incurred. God’s authority doesn’t depend upon such things, He depends on the freewill obedience of His believers.

Who do we imitate?

Why is it that almost all denominations conduct their Church service in a similar manner as the Catholic Church, I believe the answer to this question is simple, denominations, for the most part, came out of the Catholic Church. Look at Martin Luther he was a Roman Catholic Monk, and became incensed at the teaching of indulgences, and other Catholic teachings that were wrong. Resulting in his leaving the Catholic Church and starting the denomination called The "Lutheran Church." When Martin Luther Left the Roman Catholic Church, he left out all of the practices that were objectionable, as far as he understood. The only problem with this, is that he left in many other things that were wrong also, but he didn’t see the wrong. If Martin Luther had looked into the Bible form of worship, and copied only that, it would of been very good, but he copied many of the Roman Catholic practices, without questioning them. And so we now have two versions of the Roman Catholic Church, with a few differences, but many of the same old problems!

Now let us look at the birth of another denomination. The Methodist church. John Wesley was a very good organizer, as well as a very dedicated man of God. When he saw problems with the Church of England, he didn’t start out to establish another new denomination. Instead, he went about preaching God’s Word, and called the people to his weekly meetings to learn how to grow in grace and be useful to the living God. while continuing to go to the Church of England. John recognized the growing problems of the Church of England, the meetings on Sunday were all but dead, and very boring, not very instructive in the way of Christ. John’s group were called "Methodists" a title not very complimentary, in the eighteenth century the name "Methodists" was intended as an insult! John Wesley had accomplished the same thing that Martin Luther had. Eliminating the bad and encouraging the good. But in the end, after all of John’s many attempts to remain in the Church of England, a new denomination had been born. Let us not forget how the Church of England came about. The King of England saw the harm in a Pope in Italy dictating Church as well as political conduct in England! enter a new denomination . . the Church of England. which imported most of the heresy of the Roman Catholic Church, with this one very important difference, the King of England, not the Pope was in charge of this new denomination. None of the heresy was challenged, but most of it was imported into this new denomination, God’s Word wasn’t consulted, and so we have another split in Christendom.

We can continue on and on but haven't the space in this little work, but if you are interested, there are many books that present a very thorough view of this subject. Please take the time and look into the difference splits.

A brief list of the results of denominations

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While each denomination may differ in many ways, the similarities are evident.

• A practice of following the teachings of man instead of the "God’s Word" This is the greatest harm, control of the Church (the individual members) by mere men instead of the Holy Spirit! We can see the fruits of this now, look around you, no matter what someone believes, they can find a Church that will support that belief, no matter how strange or ungodly! Churches that admit homosexuals in good standing without repenting of their sin!

• Bible reference; Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Instead of conforming to the will and ways of God, they substitute the teachings of men and ignore the teachings of God!

• Bible reference; Mark 7:7 Through 7:9 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
• Buying or building expensive buildings, and incurring debt.
• It is shameful, to see expensive land bought, and expensive buildings built, for the denomination to meet in! The early Church assembled in the member's houses. In this way money was available to further the Gospel, and help the needy saints.
• The necessity of teaching the law of Moses, to the gentile Church.
• When we do things our way, instead of God’s way, we find that more and more inventions of men start to be born and used, instead of the will and ways of God! What a shame
• Some Churches ordain women as elders!

Bible reference; 1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop (elder) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Timothy 3:12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.   

1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. if a Church elder (pastor) is to be "apt to teach" and woman are to not allowed to teach men, then how can Woman be elders (pastor)? I admit today this seams like a hard saying, but this only allows us to see how far our society has drifted from the will and ways of the Living God!

Why not conduct the Church service according to God’s pattern in 1 Corinthians 14:26. Remember strength is in unity! God wants His Church united His people of one mind and one heart. I know that with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. The early church was of one mind and heart, and when this condition failed to be, God sent a reproof to the Church.

If you are in a denominational Church now, challenge the "teachings of men" that are in conflict with the teachings of God in His Bible. If the denomination responds well and good, but if not get yourself up and out of that place and find an assembly of believers that respect the will and ways of the living God! But above all things don’t, please don’t start another denomination!

I believe things would be different now if Church splits were not the rule of the day. Remember a small handful (Peter John, Paul etc.) of dedicated believes turned the world upside down, what would be happening now? Would the world be converted to Christ even now? Could the Lord’s return have been accomplished already?

Denominational Churches are made up of all sorts of people, some truly born again, others just religious. Do not lose sight of the fact that the problem is divisions (denominations) not the people in them!

What is the difference between a born again believer and someone who is pretending to be born again?

How To Find The Lord

• Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from here you shall seek the LORD your God, you shall find [him], if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
• 2 Chronicles 15:12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;
• Jeremiah 29:13 And you shall seek me, and find [me], when you shall search for me with all your heart.

My purpose in writing this tract and all of the tracts that I have written is to alert believers as to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles.

Dear friend, if you have any questions about any of the scriptures listed above, or need further help, please contact us.

You may contact us on the internet at; chwright@earthlink.net

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