Truth Matters     The Bradley Church of Christ
                                       1505 E. Broadway;  Bradley, IL 60915   (815) 932-9014   

Bible Study Opportunities

"How To Study the Bible" Study Guide

Inspiration and Preservation of the Bible  (Bible Study Material with Questions)

Bulletin of the Month

Some Recent Daily Bible  Messages

Topical Study Material

Free Bible Study Offers (Kankakee, Illinois Area)

Bible Correspondence Course (U.S.A. Only)

 The DaVinci Code - Why It is Broken

Links

Expository Files

Links and Area Churches (Kankakee, IL area)

Nationwide Church Locator Assistance

Return to Homepage 

Text Box: Bible Study Opportunities
"How To Study the Bible" Study Guide
Inspiration and Preservation of the Bible  (Bible Study Material with Questions)
Bulletin of the Month
Some Recent Daily Bible  Messages
Topical Study Material
Free Bible Study Offers (Kankakee, Illinois Area)
Bible Correspondence Course (U.S.A. Only)
 The DaVinci Code - Why It is Broken
Links
Expository Files
Links and Area Churches (Kankakee, IL area)
Nationwide Church Locator Assistance
Return to Homepage 
                                         

 

Is it So Bad To Have a Thousand Denominations?

By Jon W. Quinn

 

  

      Many people wonder why there are so many different (and we
do mean different!) denominations scattered across the world
today. They each have their own names and doctrines. They worship
differently and have differing goals. Most also have many things
in common, but the question is why are there such differences
that they are compelled to divide into distinct groupings of
congregations? More importantly, is this what Jesus desires?
 
     One denominational preacher, in seeking to justify this
condition, illustrated the "wisdom" of having so many
denominations. He said that it was a lot like a lady buying a
hat. What suits one lady fine may not suit another, so stores
provide plenty of different types of hats from which to choose.
That way, the lady who prefers a hat bedecked with imitation
fruit can buy it; and the lady who prefers flowers can buy that
one instead.
 
     Now then, I can see the wisdom of having a choice in hats.
And I can see the wisdom of nobody being forced to wear a certain
kind of hat that they would not otherwise wear. And there is also
wisdom in a system of government that allows people a choice of
religion or even to choose no religion at all. You cannot force a
change of heart and the Lord has never been pleased with
worshipers just going through the motions. There must be a true
conversion of heart. It will not serve the Lord's purpose to try
and force others to become what they do not want to be.
 
     The title of this article is the question "Is it so bad to
have a thousand denominations?" From a social or political
standpoint, it is good to have the civil freedom to have as many
denominations as our hearts' desire. But we are going to answer
the question from another perspective: "Is this what Jesus
desires?" and "Is this what Jesus approves of?"
 
THE DESIRE OF JESUS FOR UNITY
     "I do not ask for these (apostles - J.Q.) alone, but for
those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may
all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that
they also may be in Us, that the world may believe that Thou
didst send Me" (JOHN 17:20,21). Jesus desired for unity to exist
between disciples just as it does between the Father and the Son.
The Father and the Son have the same intent and purpose. They are
in absolute agreement about what constitutes holiness, morality
and righteousness. There are no contradictions between them.
There is no conflict. None. That is exactly what Jesus desires in
His disciples. The fact that there are a thousand denominations
simply shows that something which Jesus wanted never to happen
has happened at least a thousand times. And people claiming to be
disciples caused it to happen every one of those times!
 
THE NEW TESTAMENT ON DENOMINATIONALISM
     "Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all agree, that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same
judgment" (I CORINTHIANS 1:10). The Corinthians were having many
problems with overcoming their carnality. They had begun to split
and divide into smaller groups. Each group had begun to have
differing attitudes and judgments and to designate itself by a
different name (see I CORINTHIANS 1:10-13). That is exactly what
has happened in history to bring us to the point of a thousand
denominations! In fact, the word "denomination" means "division".
Paul did not commend their divisions by suggesting that it was
much like buying a hat. Instead, he reminded them of the
authority of the Lord Jesus. He has already told us what kind of
"hat" to wear; that is, what the church ought to be like.
 
THE NEW TESTAMENT ON UNITY
     "...being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit, just
as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one
faith, one baptism...gave Him head over all things to the church
which is His body..." (EPHESIANS 4:3,4; 1:22,23). The New
Testament stresses the unity of the church. It is "one body".
Jesus had promised, "I will build My church" and never suggested
that He would build more than that. The Bible says, "Now may God
...grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to 
Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ROMANS 15:5,6).
This verse not only urges unity of mind and voice among disciples
of Jesus, it gives instruction on how that can be accomplished.
It does not appeal to our opinions or likes or dislikes. That is
o.k. to do if you are looking to buy a hat, but it is not the way
to please the Lord. Instead, it appeals to the mind of Christ.
When all will honestly say, "I will put away my opinions forever
and accept fully the will of Christ" then we shall have unity.
 
CAUSES OF DENOMINATIONALISM
     "...that in us you might learn not to exceed what is
written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in
behalf of one against the other" (I CORINTHIANS 4:6).
The cause of there being so many denominations has always been
the improper pride of men and women who are willing to change
God's written law. A group will form a denomination by selecting
a particular name by which to identify themselves and at the same
time distinguish themselves from others. The name may be found in 
the Bible or not. Or it may simply glorify some man or practice
or method instead of Christ. Is that what Jesus wants? (I
CORINTHIANS 1:12).
 
     Then the group will vote on various rules and regulations
that the group will hold in common. These will then be put into a
creedbook. These rules of men are subject to change (what is
immoral this year may not be after next year's vote!). Is that
what Jesus wants? (MATTHEW 15:9).
 
     You can try on different denominations the way a woman might
try on different hats, never asking the question, "Is this church
doing what the Bible teaches?" Is that what Jesus wants? Maybe
instead of looking for the church of "our" choice, we ought to
consider what Jesus' choice would be.

 

Reprinted From the Bradley Banner    
Bradley Church of Christ
Bradley, Illinois
June 23, 1991