Denomination in Christianity
Paul Wong
The First
Christian Church that began in
“Now when the Day of
Pentecost has fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. . . . And
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
“And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in prayers. Then fear came upon
every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had
all things in common.” (Acts 2:42-44)
“And when they had
prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were
filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were
of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he
possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave
witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
And great grace was upon them all.” (Acts
4:31-33)
Division
in the
The
apostle Paul planted the Church in
10 Now I plead with you,
brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly
joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to
me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are
contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each
of you says, ‘I am of
Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
The
division within the
The word
that is used for the various divisions within Christianity is
“denomination”. Although this word is not
found in the Holy Bible it is a terminology that is used to denote any religious
group that has its own particular form of worship, doctrines, practices,
rituals or sacraments, system of organization and administration.
Christian
Denominations in
History
In the New Testament we find "the
The seven churches in Asia referred
to in the Book of Revelation are distinct from one another not only on the
basis of locality but also in their form of worship,
doctrines, practices, rituals or sacraments, system of organization and
administration (Revelation chapters 2 and 3). Denominationalism in Christianity had already
begun in the First Century.
Even in the days of the apostles there were
signs that the Church was moving in the direction of apostasy (Acts
During the first period of
post-apostolic church history the early Christians were greatly persecuted by
the Roman government. These persecutions
would continue intermittently throughout the Second and Third Centuries but
would finally be brought to an end by the Edict of
In 1054 A.D. Christendom was affected by the "Great Schism" between the
The next major division occurred in the 16th century with
the “Protestant
Reformation.” The
Reformation was famously sparked when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in 1517
A.D.
With its emphasis on individual interpretation of
scripture and a measure of religious freedom, the Reformation marked not only a
break between Protestantism and Catholicism, but the beginning of
denominationalism as we know it today. This historical perspective is perhaps
the best way to make sense of the initially astounding variety of Christian denominations.
Major
Christian Denominations
in the World
There are seven major Christian denominations in the world;
some are historic Protestant Churches while others belong to the modern
evangelical movement.
1.
2. Presbyterian Church historically subscribed to the
teachings of John Calvin (from the Reformed
churches). Presbyterianism traces
its institutional roots back to the Scottish Reformation,
especially as led by John Knox. Its name is derived from the Greek word “Presbyterios” which means “elder”. Presbyterians have a worldwide membership of
about 75 million.
3. Anglican Church was established in 1534 when England's King Henry VIII
broke from the authority of the Pope, and became the Episcopal Church in America. The Anglican Church is one of the
largest Christian denominations in the world, with approximately 73 million
members.
4. Methodist
Church
is based on the teachings of John Wesley and it also has its
roots in Anglicanism. It originated in 18th
century Britain, and due to vigorous missionary
activity spread throughout the British
Empire, the United States, and beyond. Originally it appealed
especially to workers, poor farmers, and slaves. Theologically it is Arminian,
emphasizing that all people can be saved, and low church
in liturgy. By 2006 it claimed some 75 million members worldwide.
5. Baptist
Church is often regarded as an Evangelical
Protestant
denomination originating from the English Puritan movement
with Anabaptist
influences. They emphasize a believer's baptism by full immersion, which is
performed on non-infants after a profession of faith in Jesus as Lord and
Savior. There are over 90 million
Baptists worldwide in nearly 300,000 congregations, with an estimated 47
million members in the United States.
6. Adventist Church was officially established in 1863, grew out of the Millerite
movement in the United States during the middle part of the 19th
century. Seventh-day Adventists are
most well known for their teaching that Saturday, the
seventh day of the week, is the Sabbath. They are also
known for their teachings regarding diet and health.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church, which
baptises around 2,000 members a day, is one of the world's fastest-growing
organizations, primarily due to increases in membership in the Third World.
Depending on how the data was measured, it is said that church membership
reached 1 million between 1955 and 1961,
and hit 5 million in 1986.
At the turn of the 21st Century the church had 10,782,042 members which
grew to 14,487,989 members at the end of 2004. It is believed that around 25
million worship in churches every Saturday and the church operates in 203 out
of 228 countries recognised by the United
Nations.
7. Pentecostal Church is
more accurately called the Pentecostal Movement within Protestant Christianity. It places special emphasis on the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues. It also encourages gifts
of the Holy Spirit, as shown in the Biblical account of the Day of Pentecost. When the Pentecostal Movement began at the
beginning of the Twentieth Century believers
separated themselves from the mainstream church. In the
Charismatic Movement the believers are
encouraged to stay in their churches.
Estimated
numbers of Pentecostals vary widely. Christianity Today reported in an article titled
World Growth at
19 Million a Year. Pentecostalism was estimated to number around
115 million followers worldwide in 2000; lower estimates place the figure near to 22 million (eg.
Cambridge Encyclopedia), while the highest estimates apparently place the
figure between 400 and 600 million.
Reformation and
Denominationalism
Most significant non-Catholic and
non-Orthodox Christian
denominations
have formally taught that at some point in history, the original teachings and
practices of the primitive or original Christian church were greatly altered.
The most important thing about the Reformation is that God
has used it to restore much of the vital truths that are essential for
salvation. There are five “Solas” (means
“only or alone” in Latin) in the Reformation.
1 Sola Scriptura - It does mean that the
Scriptures are our only ultimate and infallible authority for faith and
practice. All other authorities,
even though equally as valid, are subordinate to the Scriptures and are
fallible (2 Tim.
2. Sola Christus - Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Christ alone
and in no one and nothing else. He said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
Me.” (Jn.
14:6; ref. Acts 4:10-12; 16:30-31; 1
Tim. 2:5; ).
3. Sola Gratia - “For by grace you
have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of
God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9;
Tit. 3:4-7)
4. Sola Fide - The doctrine of Faith Alone asserts
that it is on the basis of God's grace through the believer's faith alone that they are forgiven
their transgressions of the Law of God, rather than on the basis of any good
works, which is called Legalism (Rom. 1:17; 4:13-25; Gal. 3:11).
5. Soli Deo
Gloria – It means “Glory to God alone”. Acknowledge the sovereignty of God
over every aspect of the believer's life. All of life is to be lived to the
glory of God. “To
Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without
end. Amen.” (Eph.
3:21). “Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving
and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever.” (Rev. 7:12)
One needs to distinguish between the Reformation and Denominationalism. The Reformation is good because it restores the truths that have been lost over the centuries. Denominationalism is bad because it divides and fragments Christianity.
Every denomination considers its own teachings as major corrections of the
errors of the state of Christianity preceding it. For this reason it believes
that its separated continuation, especially outside of the Catholic/Orthodox communion, is not only justifiable, but a necessary measure. Unfortunately this wrong attitude fosters exclusivity and separatism amongst denominations.
It must be understood that each denomination has only a portion of the truth and not the whole truth, therefore each one needs to work with the others to fulfill the Lord Jesus Christ's prayer for unity and completion of God's universal plan of salvation for mankind.
Denominationalism is not
good for Christianity
1. Denominationalism is carnal
No matter
how theologians define the meaning of “denomination” it is nothing but plain
division within the Church. Division is
carnal and not in the will of God. Here
is what the apostle Paul wrote (1 Cor. 3:1-4).
1 And I, brethren, could
not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in
Christ.
2 I fed you with milk and
not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even
now you are still not able;
3 for you are still carnal. For where
there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and
behaving like mere men?
4 For when one says, ‘I am of
Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not
carnal?
The word “carnal” in the Scriptures mean “belonging to the flesh” which is the
opposite of the word “spiritual” (Rom.
2. Denominationalism cannot
please God
Denominationalism
is another word for division within Christianity, and according to the Word of
God it is carnal in nature and works against the Holy
Spirit (
5 For those who live
according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those
who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is
death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind
is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can
be.
8 So then, those who are in
the flesh cannot please God.
There are
two categories of Christians - the carnal and the spiritual. The carnal are those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures. They are the ones who cause division in the
Church. The word of God teaches “that there should be no
schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one
another.” (1 Cor.
12:25) The spiritual are those who are “endeavoring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph.
4:3) They let the Holy Spirit guide,
teach and control their lives according to the life of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Once we have accepted Jesus as
our Lord and Savior we must only follow Him because His way brings love, joy, peace, unity and
harmony amongst Christians.
Please go to this Link - What's Really
So Bad About Denominationalism?
http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_books/Evangelical_Reunion/Chapter4.html
The Lord Jesus Christ
prayed for Christian
Unity
From the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ we can find three
basic principles for Christian unity.
1. Unity in God’s
Name “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are
in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those
whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We
are. While I was with them in the world,
I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave
Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the
Scripture might be fulfilled.” (Jn. 17:11-12)
The Father’s
eternal name is “YAHWEH” – “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex.
2. Unity of all
Christians in One Spirit “I do not pray for these
alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; they all
may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one
in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (Jn. 17:20-21)
The Lord Jesus
Christ was praying not only for the Christians who had lived during His time on
the earth, but also for all Christians who believe in Him through their word,
which is for all ages including the present time and the future. The reason for Christian unity is to witness
to the world that Jesus Christ is sent by the Father.
The Lord’s
prayer for the unity of the Christians does not mean they only agree
amongst themselves, but more importantly they must be in complete agreement
with the will of the heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is divine unity.
3. Unity for the
glory and love of God “And the glory which You
gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be
made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and
have loved them as You have loved Me.” (Jn. 17:22-23)
The Lord’s
prayer for the unity of His Disciples was fulfilled on the Day of
Pentecost when God poured out of His Spirit to establish the Church in
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and
simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those
who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47).
Unity may be achieved
amongst the Christians
On the Day of Pentecost
when the Spirit of God was poured out on the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ
there was only one church. According to the "World Christian
Encyclopedia: A comparative survey of churches and religions - AD 30 to
2002," there are 34,000 separate Christian groups in the world
today. "Over half of them are independent
churches that are not interested in linking with the big denominations."
The "Encyclopedia of American Religions" lists 1,588 religious denominations, sects, faith groups,
organizations, etc. Some are currently operating in
In His prayer for the
unity of His disciples our Lord also prayed to the heavenly Father: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word
is truth. As You
sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (Jn. 17:16-19)
One thing is certain and
that is the Lord Jesus Christ is returning for His Church. He wants to “sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not
having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and
without blemish.” (Eph. 5:26-27)
The prayer of the Lord
Jesus Christ will certainly be fulfilled.
There will be a church that meets His requirements when He returns. The word of God gives us a very clear
direction as to how Christians can achieve unity, and that is to be sanctified
by the truth.
Unity of the Spirit
in the Bond
of Peace
There are seven
essential truths to be kept by all Christians in order to achieve unity (Eph.
4:3-6)
1. “There is one body” (v 4)
2. “and
one Spirit,” (v 4)
3. “just
as you were called in one hope of your calling; (v 4)
4. “one
Lord” (v 5)
5. “one
faith” (v 5)
6. “one
baptism” (v 5)
7. “one
God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (v 6)
Most Christian churches
believe and accept these seven essential truths, but they differ in their
interpretation of the “one faith” and the “one baptism”.
“One faith” refers to
the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’
doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.” (Acts
“One baptism” is briefly
described in Matthew 28:19, Acts
Throughout the centuries
several good Christian men have made attempts to unite the
In essential things have unity,
In doubtful things have liberty,
In all things have charity (love).
We can certainly use
this slogan in our efforts to have unity with all other Christians.
Unity of the
Referring to the workers
in the End Time the Lord Jesus Christ said: “So the last shall be first, and the first last,
for many are called, but few chosen.” (Mt.
20:16) Just like the Church in the First
Century the condition of the Church in the End Time is described as having
equal opportunity of salvation and God's blessings for all the people of the
world (Gal. 3:26-29)
26. For you are all sons of
God through faith in Christ Jesus.
27. For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for
you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29. And if you are Christ’s,
then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Actions that True
Christians should take
n
Follow only the Lord Jesus Christ and no one else (Jn. 14:6; Rev. 14:4-5).
n
Seek the heavenly Father and worship Him in Spirit and Truth (Jn.
n
Get out of denominationalism which is confusion (Rev.
18:1-5).
n
Do not start a new denomination which adds confusion (Rev.
3:18-26).
n
Join a Christ-centered, Bible-believing, loving, friendly, non-racial and non-denominational church, congregation, mission or ministry (Rev. 3:7-13).
n
Fellowship and work with Spirit-filled Christians "who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Rev. 14:12; 1 Jn. 3:24).
n
Wait earnestly for the Lord Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (Tit. 2:13).
May God bless you
A sermon based on this article was preached by Paul Wong
to a
Congregation in
For comments please write first to: arkpw@sbcglobal.net
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Paul Wong is a Christian minister and the
President of ARK International. |
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