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10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Member of a Denomination
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#8 Denominations create division among professed disciples of Christ1 Cor 1:10, 13; Eph 4:5; Jn 17:20-21
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
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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
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10 Reasonsto 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.
• 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?
