1. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination

2. What is a Denomination? A religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices A new definition of “church”- A body or organization of religious believers a) the whole body of Christians b) denomination c) congregation

3. Definitions a and c of church are found in the New Testament The whole body of Christians Eph 4:4; 5:23-30 A congregation 1 Cor 1:1-2; Rom 16:16

4. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #1 Jesus did not establish one. definition b. for church is not found in the N.T. a. b. a church of Christians a church of congregations CHRIST C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C CHRIST CH

5. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #2 Denominations have “a harness to fit the team”; positions of oversight not found in the N.T. cp. Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2 if the churches are the team, then leaders are needed to oversee the operation of the organization regional national worldwide CHRIST CH

6. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #3 Denominations give men authority that belongs only to Christ Mt 28:18; 18:18; Mt 20:20-28 pope- president on down council- synod-convention Men CH

7. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #4 Denominations exalt men and their members follow them instead of the N.T. as their standard of authority Remember our definition: A religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices Mt 23:8-12; Acts 20:28-32; Col 2:8-10; Gal 1:6-9; Eph 4:5 Creed catechism- confession- discipline- manual Men CH

8. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #5 Denominational conversion shuts off the kingdom of heaven from people Mt 23:13 Whose rule will I subject myself to? Men CH King C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

9. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #6 Denominational worship and service, being according to the doctrines and precept of men, is vain; leads to condemnation Mt 15:9; 23:15; 7:14-23 Only those who do the Father’s will enter heaven Men CH King C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

10. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #7 Denominations foster loyalty to an organization of men that should only belong to Christ 1 Cor 1:12-15 I belong to the _________ Church. Men CH

11. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination CHRIST CH Head B ody Baptist Methodist Wesleyan Friends #8 Denominations create division among professed disciples of Christ 1 Cor 1:10, 13; Eph 4:5; Jn 17:20-21

12. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #9 Denominationalism will be rooted up; Blind leading blind- all will fall in ditch Mt 15:12-14 Men CH

13. 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination #10 I want to be only “of Christ”; a Christian 1 Cor 1:12-13; Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet 4:16 King C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C

14. 10 Reasons to end your denominational membership #1 Jesus did not establish one. #2 Denominations have greater than local oversight. #3 Denominations give men authority that is Christ’s alone. #4 Denominations exalt men and follow them. #5 Denominations shut men out of the kingdom of heaven. #6 Denominational worship and service is vain. #7 Denominations foster loyalty to them instead of Christ. #8 Denominations create division. #9 Denominations will be rooted up. #10 You want to be “of Christ”, a Christian.

15. Jesus was a follower of God without being a Pharisee, a Sadducee, or an Essene You can be a follower of Jesus without being a part of a denomination Won’t you be just a Christian?