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Is the church of Christ a
denomination? The answer is "No" if you correctly define and understand
the subjects of this question. Let's start with the term "denomination."
Denominations, as defined in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, are "associations
of congregations...that have a common heritage. Moreover, a true
denomination does not claim to be the only legitimate expression of the
church" (Tinder,p.310). The Dictionary of Religious Terms defines "denominationalism" as "a term for the continuation of organizations, and emphasis on the divisions and distinctions, of Protestantism" (Kauffman, p.147).
What do these definitions tell us?
(1) A
denomination is an organized collectivity of congregations (churches);
that explains why some churches select "representatives" to send to a
"national convention" to elect a "president."
(2) There are denomination(s) which are DISTINCT and DIVIDED from one another; that explains their need for different names and creeds.
(3) A denomination DOES NOT claim to be the WHOLE of
the church, but an authorized and distinct PART of it; which explains
why people in denominations believe the Lord's church is composed of differing denominations and say you can "join the church of YOUR choice."
Now we are ready to define
"the church of Christ" and we can use our Bible to do it... Did you
notice I didn't in the above definition for "denomination"? Why not?
Well, the word "denomination" is not found in the Bible. And why is
that? Because as Billy Graham has correctly stated: "God did not invent denominations, man did" (Facing Death and the Life After, p.230, bold type mine for emphasis, kc).
But now let's define "the church of Christ ." And we begin with the term "church" itself.
Jesus said, "I will build MY church,..." (Matthew 16: 18).
The word "church" literally means "the called out" (check any New
Testament Greek/English Dictionary). It is a collective noun used to
refer to "a people for God's own possession,...called out of darkness into His marvelous light,... the people of God" (1 Peter 2:9,10). So what the Lord "built" is a PLURALITY of people that belong to God (1 Peter 2:9,10; Ephesians 2:19-22). Individually, they are called "Christians" (1 Peter 4:16; Acts 11;26), and collectively, whether in the universal or local sense, "the church of Christ" (Romans 16:16).
What do I mean by "universal or local sense?" Good question! Answer: In the NT, "church" is used two ways: (1) To speak of ALL Christians everywhere (i.e., universal); e.g. "I will build My church,...Christ is the head of the church, the Savior of the body" (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23); and (2) A collectivity of Christians in a specific place (i.e., local); e.g., "Unto the church of God which is AT Corinth" (1 Corinthians 1:2). This explains how the Bible can teach "there is ONE body" [church] in Ephesians (cf., 1:22, 23; 4:4) and speak of the "church(es) of Christ" in Romans 16:16.
Now, our question again: Is the church of Christ a denomination? The answer is "No" for three (3) Biblical reasons.
REASON NO. 1: The church of Christ and a denomination are OPPOSITE in composition and organization. Remember, unlike the church of Christ, a denomination is an organized collectivity of churches.
For example, take the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Reportedly the
largest denomination in America, it is composed of over 37,000 local
Baptist churches with respective county, state and national "offices."
The SBC has an elected "president" who appoints committees
that, in turn, select chairpersons that exercise direct control over
the convention's "seminaries," "mission boards," and other "agencies."
QUESTIONS: Where in the BIBLE can we find the SBC? What scripture shows that "the churches of Christ" (Romans 16:16) were collectively organized like the SBC? Where does the BIBLE teach "the churches of Christ" elected a "president" like the SBC? Who "built" the SBC, the Lord or man?
In contrast to ALL denominations, the Lord Jesus Christ presides over His church (Matthew 16:18; Eph.5:23). And His church is composed of individuals, called "Christians" (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 27; Acts 11:26). And the ONLY earthly organized collectivity of Christians to be found in the NT is the local church (Acts 11:26; 1Corinthians 1:2). Never did "the churches of Christ" collectively organize to create "offices" and appoint a hierarchy BEYOND the level of the local congregation (cf., Acts 14:23; 1Timothy 3:1-13; Philippians 1:1).
REASON NO. 2: A denomination promotes and advocates religious DIVISION; the church of Christ promotes and advocates UNITY.
Remember, the very word "denomination" is a "term for...the emphasis on the divisions and distinctions of Protestantism."
In his book, Facing Death and the Life After,
Billy Graham wrote, "In heaven there will be no sectarian worship, no
denominational differences, no church creeds...I was brought up a
Presbyterian and later became a Baptist. But in later years I have felt
that I belong to ALL churches..."God did not invent denominations, man did" (p.230, caps & bold type for emphasis mine, kc).
QUESTION: Since God is NOT the author of denominationalism and will
NOT tolerate it in heaven, what reason is there in the Scripture to
believe He accepts it now on earth?
In Matthew 6 Jesus instructed His disciples to pray that the Father's will "be done on earth as it is in Heaven" (v.10) What is Heaven's will to be done on earth? In John 17 the Lord prayed in prospect of His disciples "that they ALL may be perfected in UNITY" (vv.20-22). Jesus NEVER prayed for denominational differences.
In Acts 2, "the Lord added" those being saved "to the church" (v.47), NOT to "all churches" (denominations).
In Acts 11, "the disciples were called Christians" (v.26), NOT "Presbyterians" or "Baptists" (denominational names).
In 1 Corinthians, Christians were commanded to "speak the SAME thing" (1:10), which the apostle Paul did "in every church" (4:17), i.e. "the churches of Christ" (Romans 16:16), NOT denominations.
Finally, the church of Christ is NOT a denomination because, REASON NO. 3: "God did not invent denominations, MAN did" (lbid., p.230, caps & bold type mine for emphasis, kc). As proof, answer these fill-in-the-blank questions:
In Matthew 16:18"I will build My ______ (denomination, denominationS, church).
Acts 2:47 says, "the Lord added to the _____ (denominations, church) those who were being saved."
Acts 20:28 says the Lord "purchased the ______ (denominations, church) with His own blood."
Ephesians 3:21 says God is "glorified in the _______ (denominations, church) by Christ Jesus throughout all ages."
Ephesians 5:23 says Christ is the "Head of the _______ (denominations, church); the Savior of the body."
Ephesians 1:22-23 says the ________ ____ (denominations are, church is) the body of Christ. And therefore, as Ephesians 4:4 says, "There is one _______ (denomination, church).
1 Corinthians 12:12 says "the body is one and has many ______ (denominations, churches, members).
According to the above scriptures, Billy Graham is _____ (correct, incorrect) when he says, "God did not invent denominations, man did."
In the NT you read
people obeyed the Lord without inventing denominations. With faith in
Jesus, they repented of their sins, confessed He was God's Son and were
baptized in water for remission of past sins (cf., Mark 16:16; Romans 10:10; Acts 2:36-38). "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47).
Following the apostles' teaching they collectively worshipped and
served God in local churches, without creating denominational
differences (cf., Acts 2:42; 11:26; 14:23; 1 Corinthians 1:10-12; 4:17; 14:33). Is anyone doing the same today? YES! Now, as then, "the churches of Christ salute you" (Romans 16:16).
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