Complimentary Story
I recall visiting a church one day with my husband. The teacher of Sunday School came up and asked me what I was. I said, “I am a Christian.” Then he said, “No! Like what church do you belong to?” I replied, “Oh, I belong to God’s Church.” More emphatically, he asked, “No! What denomination do you belong to?” I replied, “Oh, I don’t! I am a Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ.” He shook his head and walked off throwing me a wave off of the hand.If not shunned at that point, I will often hear that one “shouldn’t forsake the assembly.” To which I reply, “Oh, I have a few believers with whom I fellowship and study the Word of God.” It is important to properly apply Scripture and not use it to shame someone into staying under a false religion, just for the sake of being with “the brethren.”
Hebrews 10:22-25 references very clear points to the Acts 2 church disciplines from which they had strayed and they are being reminded to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering.
Much like the Pharisees and Sadducees of Biblical times, man continues to take God’s Word and mold for himself a set of standards to rule the people. At its root, Denominationalism is division and is contrary to examples found in Scripture of believers being “united,” or “in one accord, in one place.” In Acts 2 we read of the evidence of the Holy Spirit falling on believers and it wasn’t because they were separated and divisive, but because they were “in one accord,” that the Spirit appeared.
According to world religion studies, all religions believe in a god, even an atheist who believes “self” is god. For the sake of this article, I shall focus on what has been called, “Christianity” and the belief that Jesus Christ is the Sacrificial Lamb of God. “Christianity” has been divided by man into many different organizations called “churches.” The first and only Church body was established in 33AD and is the very Body spoken of throughout Scripture. Those who adhere to the teachings of God and obey His Word are those who belong to this Body. Despite the pride of denominationalism and each one’s declaration that they are the chosen ones, Scripture does not support such.
Many consider the first Christian organization to be the Catholic Church, which eventually broke off in the early 1500s into denominations through the influence of men such as Martin Luther and John Calvin. Through the studies of these influencers, the “Church” was further divided into Eastern and Western theology for which each has six branches with the West identifying as Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, Oriental Orthodoxy and Assyrianism.
Then, other splits occurred through time with the Protestantism being best represented by Adventists, Baptists, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals and Presbyterians. These denominations have experienced further splits all evolving around dissention. As of 2017, a study indicates that there are, now over 200 “Christian” denominations with 1.3 billion categorized as “Catholic.” After healing one possessed by a devil and being called one Himself, by the Pharisees, Jesus responded, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Matthew 12:25).
2 Timothy 3 describes the days in which it shall be difficult to find Scripturally-sound believers who have “not been carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” (Hebrews 13:9). It summarizes the consequences of generations of people who have denied God and followed after other gods as, “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:5). It is easy to turn away if you know the Word and rely on the Holy Spirit to teach you, but we seem to have a need for “Jesus, plus.” “Jesus plus”… the newest “Christian” book, the thickest commentary, the best coffee bar, the loudest music, or the most animated preacher.
John further describes the apostate church as “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth.” (vs 7). With technology readily at our hands, we boast that we are much smarter than our predecessors, yet I contend we are not. We have lost the ability to have open, honest conversation about real life issues… using Scripture as our foundation. For many, what is found on the internet bears more authority than the One Who wrote the Owner’s Manual for His creation. Non-believers now heavily influence our daily behaviors and cause us to deny Christ, as Peter did in the midst of the villagers as Christ was being beaten.
This situation we find ourselves in was prophesied: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom; PREACH THE WORD; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall hey heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the Truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4: 1-4).
Jesus Himself instructed His Disciples that when they preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, people are set free from sin, sickness, disease and death. Disciples of Jesus Christ obey His commands, hear His voice and will not follow another. They know the importance and power of the spoken Word to be heard through the Spirit of God and desire to see the captives set free.
Paul understood that Christ sent him “not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:16-18). Paul, who formerly persecuted Christians, now was deeply burdened when he found those who had compromised the Truth.
Paul let the people in Galatia know their responsibility and wasn’t so gentle about it. Love speaks Truth and after a kind and loving greeting, he held them accountable for what they allowed to happen under their watch, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1: 6-8).
It’s easy to blame the world for all our woes, but instead of keeping watch and praying, we have been asleep and the Enemy has crept in. We will be held accountable for what we have done with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s time for those of us who say we believe in the Gospel to live it, before a lost and hurting world. We must stop mistaking judgment for discernment and preach the Gospel Christ instructed us to preach, which cannot be sold. His Gospel isn’t one of denominationalism, doctrines and, decrees but rather, a message that points people directly to Him and nothing more.
It’s time for those of us who say we believe to assess in what and whom we believe. Do we truly believe in the Scriptures and that Jesus is enough? People are hurting and longing for the Truth of the Gospel, not some other gospel devised of man and impressed upon the people as gospel truth. All denominations were started by men and add to the finished works of Jesus Christ. It is important that we each ask ourselves in what or whom we believe.
People are very loyal to their denomination and some get extremely upset with the mere mention that it is not of God. If anyone finds they are upset with this notion, please stop and pray… asking God to reveal to you the Truth of His Word. Do research and most importantly ask yourself if you have governed your life around doctrines and creeds of men, or the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The only way for one to know, is to compare everything to Scripture. We are told in 1 John 4:1 to, “try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
In Matthew 12: 24-26 Jesus responded to the Pharisees who were murmuring amongst themselves about His Truth. They claimed He was possessed of a devil because He was disclosing Truth about their religious positions. I have heard this spoken many times when one defends their denomination rather than listening to Truth. Jesus impressed that anything divided cannot be sustained. “Knowing their thoughts, He said unto them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’”
In the end, denominationalism shall not stand. Paul urged the Body of Christ to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17). He isn’t talking about avoiding one because they speak against denominationalism. He was speaking about those who teach another gospel beside that of Jesus Christ which he had taught and lure people away from the True Gospel.
Jesus instructed those closest to Him to “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). Those who KNOW Christ know the Gospel and its power to set the captives free. We don’t decide who gets the Gospel preached to them by going to a building, but by going out into the world to the lost and hurting. When you preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, miracles happen and people are set free.
Jesus Christ is our only Hope and I wonder why it is that we are unable to grasp the simple Truth, adding our jots and tittles to the Perfect Sacrificial love of God. Why is it that we find it so difficult to preach the Truth, the simple Truth and nothing but the Truth? I have witnessed it and seen captives set free.
“Not everyone that saith unto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? And in Thy Name have cast out devils? And in Thy Name done many wonderful works?’ And then I will profess unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Before Jesus was persecuted, He made a promise to His believers so they would not be led astray by another gospel. “When He, the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all Truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13). Pilate himself, when demanded by the religious sect to make judgment against Jesus, heard Him say “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth heareth My voice.” And, “Pilate saith unto Him, What is Truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in Him no fault at all.” (John 18:37-38).
I speak the words of Paul found in Ephesians 4:3-6, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all Who is above all and through all.” Each one of us must ask ourselves that question and make a choice that has eternal worth. What is Truth? Can you, like Pilate announce to the world that you find no fault at all in Jesus Christ?
Mary Kay Gould is a Biblical Mentor to area teens and women, wife, mother and “Grammy,” to 12 beautiful grandchildren. Please feel free to reach out to her at Going2Zion@gmail.com with your questions and comments.
