1 CORINTHIANS 1:10                                        POWERPOINT

Have you ever had a religious conversation with someone and they asked "what denomination are you?"  This morning we will look at denominationalism.  A brother in the Lord by the name of Roger Hendricks once wrote "to those who respect the teaching of the New Testament the present religious division (denominationalism) among professed followers of Jesus Christ is appalling.  God neither approves of this divided state nor of those who encourage or perpetuate it.  Denominationalism is sinful."  We will examine why it is sinful.

1)  IT MAKES GOD CONTRADICT HIMSELF!
     a.  Denominations disagree with each other, yet God is supposed to be pleased with each?  If He approves of such then He is the Father of Inconsistency, Contradiction and Division.
     b.  With God that's an impossibility.
     c.  What does the bible say about the Son?  Hebrews 13:8  

2) DENOMINATONALISM NULLIFIES THE PRAYER OF JESUS AS RECORDED IN JOHN 17: 20-21
     a.  It's contrary to what Jesus prayed for.
     b.  Condemned elsewhere in the New Testament -
          1.  1 Corinthians 1: 10-13 - there were to be no divisions
          2.  1 Corinthains 3:3-4 - carnal in nature
          3.  Jesus died on the cross to break down division and to reconcile man to God in ONE body!
               Ephesians 2: 14-16
         4.  We are to maintain the spirit of unity in the bond of peace - Ephesians 4:3
    c.  Christ prayed for unity, denominationalism perpetutates division!

3)  IT HELPS PRODUCE INFIDELS
     a.  Notice, please, the reason for unity which Christ prayed."..that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."  Unity assists in producing faith.  Division fosters infidelity!
     b.  The Faith (Gospel of Christ) produces faith in an individual.
     c.  Let's examine what happened in the New Testament -
         1.  We are "called" by the gospel - 2 Thessalonians 2:14
         2.  Acts 2: 38-41  -  the result on Pentecost to those who were accepted the "calling"
         3.  Those who responded in faith , repentance and baptism were "added."
         4.  vs. 47 - the Lord added
         5.  At first the church only existed in Jerusalem, but the Gospel was spread and groups of saved people met in various cities
         6.  Each group became known as a church in the "local" sense, but all the saved making up the church in the "universal" sense.
        7.  Many churches were established early on (i.e. Acts 14: 21-23)
        8.  Teaching was done by the apostles or other emissaries 1 Cor 4: 17
        9.  Sometimes teachingwas done through letters or epistles  1 Tim 3:14-15 2 Thess 2 :14-15
    d. Dnominationalism is without Scriptural support - local churches were independent and self-governing
      Local elders oversaw only the congregations which they were members Acts 20: 17,28; 1 Pet 5:1-2
     The ONLY authority in the New Testament above the local congregation was Christ and the apostles(after the apostles died, they were not replaced).  
      Any organization today that usurps authority over a local congregation do so without scriptural authority. 
    e.  The Word teaches us how we are to think - Romans 15: 5-6
    f.   Philippians 3:16 - we are to walk by the same rule and mind the same thing!
    g.  Philippians 2:2 - please carefully note this
    h.  Jesus promised to build His Church - Mt 16:18

4)  IT COMPLETELY REPUDIATES THE INSPIRED MEN OF GOD!
      a.  See point 3

Conclusion:  The Word was delivered by inspired men through the Holy Spirit and was totally consistent and without error. It was un-denominational in nature and to violate the Word of God by forming separate organizations not found in the New Testament is wrong and frankly sinful.  Those who do such will not be saved.