%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%>
"Christianity" is not a term used in the Bible. It means "the
religion of Christians." (Webster. 400) Christians are disciples of Christ
(Acts 11:25-26), followers and learners of Jesus Christ. Christians are "in
Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3-12; 2 Timothy 2:10) To get
into Christ, one must be "buried with Him through baptism into death"
(Romans 6:3-4) "from the heart" (Romans 6:17-18), i.e., with sincerity
and understanding (Ephesians 6:5-8; Matthew 13:15-16). Baptism is unto the remission
of sins (Acts 2:38). Thus, those and only those people who have with sincerity
and understanding been immersed unto the remission of sins are Christians. Therefore,
"nondenominational Christianity," is limited to those who have been
scripturally baptized.
Nor is the word "denominational" found in the Bible. However, the
New Testament mentions denominations a number of times under a different name.
The Jews in the days of the Lord and His apostles were divided into "sects."
(Acts 5:17; 15:5). A "sect" is "a division or group based upon
different doctrinal opinions and/or loyalties." (Louw & Nida. 11.50)
The sects of the Jews believed and taught doctrines at variance with each other
and wore party names as an indication of sectarian loyalty (Acts 23:6-8). The
Jews even considered Christians to be a sect of Judaism (Acts 24:5; 28:22) and
derisively called them "Nazarenes." (Acts 24:5) Paul implied Christians
were not a sect (Acts 24:14).
The same Greek word rendered "sect" is also translated "factions"
(1 Corinthians 11:19) and "heresies." (Galatians 5:20; 2 Peter 2:1)
The word primarily means
a choosing, choice...; then, that which is chosen, and
hence, an opinion, especially a self-willed opinion, which
is substituted for submission to the power of truth, and
leads to division and the formation of sects... (Vine. 2:217).
Everyone has opinions, things he thinks are true but cannot prove by the Bible.
If he treats his opinions as if they were divine revelation, by teaching them
as divine truth and/or insisting that others follow them, he becomes an heretic
(Titus 3:10-11, King James Version), and must be rejected (Ibid). Heresies (sectarianism
is a work of the flesh that will keep one from inheriting the kingdom of heaven
(Galatians 5:19-21).
.
The brethren at Corinth were dividing into factions (1 Corinthians 1:11). This
was a reflection of carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1-3), which will cause one to
be lost (Romans 8:5-8). They had sectarian loyalties demonstrated by their sectarian
names (1 Corinthians 1:12). The apostle rebuked their sectarianism (1 Corinthians
1:13). He urged them:
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. (1 Corinthians 1:10)
This verse contains the keys to being nondenominational. We must speak the same
thing, have no divisions, and have the same mind and judgment. Doctrine does
matter. Those who go beyond the doctrine of Christ lose fellowship with God
and His people (2 John 9-11). The "doctrine of Christ" is not limited
to the truth about the nature of Christ Jesus (verse 7). It includes all divine
truth (verse 4). To be nondenominational, our faith, teaching and practice must
be limited to those things clearly authorized by the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians
3:17).
If we believe, practice and teach things unauthorized by the New Testament, we are sectarian (denominational). If we make our opinions, whether formalized as creeds or catechisms or unwritten, the standard by which we determine fellowship, we are sectarian.
Furthermore, we must not be guilty of sectarian loyalty as reflected by party names (1 Corinthians 1:12). As individuals, we may be called "believers" (Acts 5:14), "disciples" (Acts 9:1), "saints" (Acts 9:13), "Christians" (Acts 11:25-26) or "members" (1 Corinthians 11:27). As a group, whether local or universal, we may be called "the church" (Acts 8:3), "the Way" (Acts 9:1-2), the church of Christ (Romans 16:16), "the church of God" (1 Corinthians 1:2), "the church of the living God" (1 Timothy 3:14-15), or "the general assembly and church of the firstborn" (Hebrews 12:23-24, plural, indicating membership). All these names are used to include all scripturally baptized believers in their relationship to Christ and God.
If we have loyalty to a religious party, a group larger than a local church and smaller than the universal body of the saved, we are denominational. This party loyalty is reflected by party names. Sectarian names include the various denominational names (Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, etc.) But also names of less formal parties (Conservative, Liberal, etc.). We can also show sectarianism by insisting on only one divinely authorized name for God's people, whether as individuals or as a group, to the exclusion of others. Those who claimed, "I am of Christ," were also a party (1 Corinthians 1:12).
We must truly be practicing nondenominational Christianity. Anything else is
sectarian and sinful.
_________________________
Works Quoted
Louw, Johannes P. & Eugene A. Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament:
Based on Semantic Domains.
Vine, W.E. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
Author Unknown
Return to the General Articles page
Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /