Failures of Denominationalism Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:4 1

Ephesians 1:22, 23 “22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” 2

Ephesians 4:4 “4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” 3

“ONE body”  Romans 12:4, 5 - “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another”  1 Corinthians 10:17 - “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread”  1 Corinthians 12:12, 13 - “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” 4

“ONE body”  1 Corinthians 12:20 - “But now are they many members, yet but one body”  Ephesians 2:16 - “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby”  Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” 5

What Did We Learn?  There is ONE body  The body is the church  Therefore, there is ONE church! 6

The N.T. Church vs. Denominations  Only ONE church is in the New Testament  Local congregations had a common faith & doctrine - 1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; Colossians 2:6-7  There are no denominations in the N.T.  Denominations have different faiths & doctrines  Denominations have some things in common  They have common failures! 7

Fail to Follow the N.T. Plan of Salvation God’s Plan…  Mark 16:15-16  Acts 2:38; 8:36 Denominational Plans…  Salvation by “faith only” - James 2:24  Pray the “sinners prayer” - Acts 9:11, 12; 22:16 8

Fail to Follow the N.T. Plan for Church Work God’s Plan…  Ephesians 4:16  Philippians 4:15  2 Corinthians 11:8  1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Denominational Perversions…  Instrumental music, lighting candles & burning incense  Lord’s supper not on the first day of every week  Money raising schemes 9

Fail to Follow the N.T. Plan for Church Worship God’s Plan…  Ephesians 5:19  1 Corinthians 14:15  Acts 20:7  1 Corinthians 16:2 Denominational Additions…  Social programs & services  Recreation programs  Political action campaign programs 10

Fail to Follow the N.T. Plan of Church Organization God’s Plan - local organization…  Acts 14:23  Philippians 1:1  1 Peter 5:1-4 Denominational Organization…  On a national level with earthly headquarters  Above the local level 11

Fail to Follow the N.T. Plan of Church Unity God’s Plan…One body established on Truth  Ephesians 2:16  John 17:17-21  James 3:17 Denominational Concepts…  A “church of your choice”  Claim the branches are the denominations - John 15:1-5  This makes God the chief designer of division  Differ in doctrine & practice but claim all this pleases God 12

They Fail to Follow the New Testament Plan…  Of Salvation  For Church Work  For Church Worship  Of Church Organization  Of Church Unity 13

Conclusion  If we follow the New Testament we will be Christians and only Christians  Not Catholics or Protestants  Christians must not accept denominational concepts  Some brethren make no distinction between denominations and the Lord’s church  If we follow denominational failures - we will fail! 14