The
Way of Christ Without Denominationalism-
Can This Be Possible?
(Part 2)
by Jerry Vinson
The
Present Situation
Today,
those who profess to believe in and follow Jesus Christ call themselves
by other religious names instead of just wearing the name "Christian."
Today, there is no unity in faith, doctrine, and practice, seeing
that denominations teach and practice different things that contradict
one another, as well as things that contradict "the apostles'
doctrine." Today, there are over 1,000 different denominations
which claim to belong to Christ. Denominationalism has become
the accepted way of honoring and following Jesus Christ. We are
told, "The church doesn't matter", "Join the church
of your choice", "Different strokes for different folks",
etc. The question is, "What happened to the biblical precedent
of the way of Christ without denominationalism?" Perhaps
your reply is, "What difference does it make?" That
is a good question. Does it really make a difference?
Look
At The Fruit
Countless numbers
of people have been assured that denominationalism is a good thing,
and different reasons are given for why it is good. We need to
understand a crucial lesson. Just because we think something is
good or bad, that does not make it so. How can we determine whether
or not denominationalism is a good thing or a bad thing? How can
we determine whether or not Denominationalism" or "The
Way of Christ Without Denominationalism" really matters?
The answer is, "Look at the fruit." Jesus said, "...every
good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A
good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good
fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know
them" (Matthew 7:17-20). Let's apply this principle to the
"tree" of denominationalism to help us see whether denominationalism
is "a good tree" or "a bad tree." Remember,
"a good tree cannot bear bad fruit" according to Jesus.
The
Fruit of Division
In John 17, Jesus
prayed to the Father, first for His apostles, then "for those
who will believe in Me through their word" (John 17:20-21).
Faith in Jesus was established through the teaching (doctrine)
of the apostles. His prayer continued, "that they all may
be one." This was a prayer for unity among believers - unity
in faith, doctrine, and practice based upon "the apostles'
doctrine" - nothing else. This prayer was realized in the
first century when Christians followed the way of Christ without
denominationalism. The apostle Paul commanded, "let there
be no divisions among you, "(I Corinthians 1:10) and he specifically
condemned factions and divisions as "works of the flesh"
(Galatians 5:19-21). By definition, "Denominationalism"
is "The tendency to separate into religious sects or denominations"
(American Heritage Dictionary). To separate is to divide rather
than unite. Denominationalism, by its inherent nature, is factious
and divisive. It is clearly a violation of Jesus' prayer for unity,
as well as a violation of "the apostles' doctrine" against
division. Friend, division is just one bad fruit on the "tree"
of denominationalism! That's not good!
The Fruit of Atheism
In Jesus' prayer
for unity, He realized that great harm would result if His disciples
failed to be united in faith and practice. He prayed, "That
they all may be one ... that the world may believe that you sent
me" (John 17:21). Jesus knew that without this unity among
believers, the world would deny that He was sent by the Father.
Unity among believers, based upon accepting and following only
the "apostles' doctrine" is a compelling force that
helps conquer disbelief in God and Jesus Christ. But, division
among believers generates unbelief and skepticism in the world.
Jesus knew it when He prayed for unity!
Denominationalism
(division) necessarily results if men use and bind religious standards
and creeds other than, or in addition to, "the apostles'
doctrine." Examples can include such writings as the Standard
Manual for Baptist Churches, the Catholic Catechism, the Philadelphia
Confessions of Faith of the Presbyterian Church, Luther's Small
Catechism, the Methodist Discipline, the Book of Mormon, etc.
Each of these is a different religious standard from the other,
not to mention a different religious standard from "the apostles'
doctrine."
(To be continued in the next issue)