The scourge of The scourge of denominationalismdenominationalism

USA: +6,000USA: +6,000WORLD: +33,000WORLD: +33,000

Fraction of the wholeFraction of the whole(Dividing and Naming)(Dividing and Naming)

Of Men, Of Men, Not GodNot God

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Jesus, Jesus, John 17:20-23John 17:20-23Believers to be one Believers to be one (21, 23)(21, 23)As Father and Son are one As Father and Son are one (21)(21)Denominations are an affront Denominations are an affront and an offense to the Savior’s and an offense to the Savior’s prayer for believers!prayer for believers!

Can be one based on apostolic Can be one based on apostolic word (word (2020); ); 1 Cor 1:10, 131 Cor 1:10, 13

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BasisBasis: Word of God, : Word of God, Eph 4:4-6Eph 4:4-6One Body: One church, One Body: One church, Matt 16: Matt 16: 18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:2318; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23

One Spirit, Lord, Father: One Spirit, Lord, Father: Godhead Godhead Jno 10:30Jno 10:30

One Hope: One Hope: Eph 4:1Eph 4:1One Faith: Gospel, One Faith: Gospel, Gal 1:23, 11Gal 1:23, 11One Baptism: Salvation, One Baptism: Salvation, Mk Mk 16:16 16:16 4

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Not Content with and Not Content with and Committed to God’s WayCommitted to God’s WayThe way of Scripture, The way of Scripture, 2 Tim 3:162 Tim 3:16

Israel demands a king,Israel demands a king,1 Sam 8:19-201 Sam 8:19-20Result: Open rebellion, Result: Open rebellion, Jer 6:16-17Jer 6:16-17Itching ears, Itching ears, 2 Tim 4:3-42 Tim 4:3-4

Developed due to corruption of Developed due to corruption of organization and worshiporganization and worship

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Human will and wisdom, Human will and wisdom, 1 Cor 1:211 Cor 1:21Lusts of men, Lusts of men, Matt 16:24; Matt 16:24; Rom 6:12 (1 Cor 3:3)Rom 6:12 (1 Cor 3:3)

Selfish pride, Selfish pride, Matt 6:19-21, 33 Matt 6:19-21, 33 (3 Jno 9-10) (3 Jno 9-10) [Anglican Church][Anglican Church]

Convenience, Convenience, 1 Kgs 12:28-301 Kgs 12:28-30Sprinkling for baptism Sprinkling for baptism (Col 2:12)(Col 2:12)

Personal preferences, Personal preferences, Lk 9:23Lk 9:237

““Join the church of your choice and Join the church of your choice and glorify God.” glorify God.” (Billy Graham, (Billy Graham, My AnswerMy Answer, Dec. 15, , Dec. 15, 1955)1955)

““I am always tempted to point out how I am always tempted to point out how many different styles of hats have to be many different styles of hats have to be designed for both American men and designed for both American men and women. We all belong to the same women. We all belong to the same human race, but we all have enough human race, but we all have enough physical differences to make it physical differences to make it impossible for us to wear the same impossible for us to wear the same style of hat with equal satisfaction.” style of hat with equal satisfaction.” (Billy Graham, (Billy Graham, Peace with GodPeace with God, p. 193), p. 193) 8

False Doctrines, False Doctrines, 1 Tim 4:1-31 Tim 4:1-3Cause divisions (do not Cause divisions (do not advance unity), advance unity), Rom 16:17-18Rom 16:17-18

““Real competition serves purpose, even in Real competition serves purpose, even in religion … If they were all united into one religion … If they were all united into one congregation and under one congregation and under one organization, they might not reach as organization, they might not reach as many people or put as many people to many people or put as many people to effective work for Christ.”effective work for Christ.”

(Billy Graham, (Billy Graham, My AnswerMy Answer, March 12, 1954), March 12, 1954)9

False Doctrines, False Doctrines, 1 Tim 4:1-31 Tim 4:1-3Cause divisions (do not Cause divisions (do not advance unity), advance unity), Rom 16:17-18Rom 16:17-18

Corrupt minds, Corrupt minds, 2 Cor 11:3-42 Cor 11:3-4Minimize “one true church”Minimize “one true church”

Destructive heresies, Destructive heresies, 2 Pet 2:1-2 Pet 2:1-33““Doctrine is not important”Doctrine is not important”““Core gospel” of ecumenismCore gospel” of ecumenism 10

False Doctrines, False Doctrines, 1 Tim 4:1-31 Tim 4:1-3Against Christ, Against Christ, 1 John 2:18-191 John 2:18-19Deceivers, Deceivers, 2 John 7-112 John 7-11

““Doctrine does not harm fellowship”Doctrine does not harm fellowship”False destroys faith and fellowship!False destroys faith and fellowship!

Corruption of God’s grace, Corruption of God’s grace, Jude 4 Jude 4 (Gal 1:6-7)(Gal 1:6-7)Evangelical Churches: “Grace alone Evangelical Churches: “Grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone”by faith alone in Christ alone”

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Covetousness, Covetousness, 1 Tim 6:101 Tim 6:10Love of money (Megachurches)Love of money (Megachurches)The “average megachurch income was

$6.5 million in 2007, up from $4.7 million in 1999. About 50% of it was spent on salaries, the rest divided evenly between missions and buildings. Meanwhile … nine out of 10 megachurches more than doubled in size between 2002 and 2007.” (Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn From America's Largest Churches, Scott Thumma and Dave Travis, cited by Jesse Bogan, “America’s Biggest Megachurches”)

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Covetousness, Covetousness, 1 Tim 6:101 Tim 6:10Numbers (Megachurches)Numbers (Megachurches)

Lakewood Church (Houston, TX, Lakewood Church (Houston, TX, Pastor Joel Osteen): 43,500 Pastor Joel Osteen): 43,500 attendattend

Not many…Not many…11 Cor 1:26-29Cor 1:26-29

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Satan and SinSatan and SinHe tempts with He tempts with corrupt corrupt motives and false teachings motives and false teachings to to lead people away from the lead people away from the gospel, gospel, 2 Cor 4:1-42 Cor 4:1-4

His deception that “all the His deception that “all the churches please God” is false! churches please God” is false! 2 Cor 11:3-42 Cor 11:3-4

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Bible authority, Bible authority, Col 3:17Col 3:17Respect and follow in Respect and follow in everythingeverything

Repent of denominationalism Repent of denominationalism and obey the truth of the and obey the truth of the gospel, gospel, Acts 17:10-12 (19:5)Acts 17:10-12 (19:5)

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Church of Christ Built by Christ

Matt 16:18 Registered in

heaven, He 12:23

Saved, Acts 2:47 Glorifies God

Eph 3:21

Denominations Built by men

Registered on earth

Cannot save Glorify men

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