Are denominations Biblical?

Question

Is it Biblical that we say we are Baptist or Catholic or whatever?

Answer 1

"I pray there be no divisions among you."

I don't believe God intended for us to create denominations, which are chock full of rules and regulations. That is one reason Jesus was against the Jewish monarchs. They were so wrapped up in their traditions that they missed the true meaning.

People form denominations because they cannot agree. They think that if they obey this rule or that rule, they will win their way to heaven, be it by the Catholic traditions or Baptist.

I am nondenominational. I go to the Bible for my answers, and to God Himself.

Catholics pray to Mary. Wrong. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the light. No one can come to the Father except by me."

Mary was a wonderful woman used by God. But, God doesn't love her any more than he loves any one of us.

Mary and the disciples were ordinary people, called to do an extraordinary task.

Answer 2

I find that it's not normally an entire congregational denomination which doesn't know what the Bible says, I found that there were always those who did know the Bible pretty well. The problem normally arises with the interpretation of those stories, and / or the conclusions they draw from them. I have even found Roman Catholics who knew the Bible stories rather well, but where they emphasize the teaching, or how they emphasize the teaching is sometimes outrageously screwy, IMHO. What you say about the one refusing to believe Jesus turned water into wine (in John 2), it's usually a legalistic take on the scriptures which lead some Christians to think that Jesus would never make anything which could make someone drunk; i.e. non alcoholic Jesus altogether. I would not agree with that ideology, alcoholic wine was a symbol of joy to the Jewish people's traditions.

Answer 3

No, as a matter of fact, Paul said not to say "I follow Paul" or "I follow Cephas (Peter)" but "I follow Christ"

We shouldnt say "Im Baptist" or "Im Catholic" just "I follow Christ"
Though that doesnt mean that we need to all follow Him the same way either Col 2:16:16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

If a person wants to celebrate new moons and sabbaths, let them, if they do not, thats fine too. Our relationship with our Father is personal and wont be just like the next persons but sepperating ourselves into denominations is not what God had in mind for us.

Answer 4

It's not biblical. But I don't think it's necessarily wrong. Man developed different denominations in order to go more with what they believe. Some people disagree very strongly with how others interpret the Bible, so they find the denomination that more closely fits what they think is right.

Answer 5

Pastor Billy says: ultimately no they are not. Denominationalism is a product of the Protestant Reformation. Congregationalism sprung from this period and today communities such as the Baptist and so-called non-denominational espouse the allow-ability of sub-denominationalism within their own denominational grouping. This idea is more an act of toleration and less of unity. Oneness of the Christian faith using both faith and reason can only occur under one teaching authority not 30,000.

Answer 6

They are most certainly not biblical in the sense that the community is to be one community and the names and ideas that separate the various denominations are inventions of men.

The Roman church basically destroyed anyone believing differently than they did and the Roman and Orthodox churches (and Syrian and Ethiopic, etc) enjoyed a long period of fairly uniform world belief in Christianity until Mel Gibso...er...Martin Luther came along and split up the church, creating in my mind the thousands of denominations that now weaken the religion.

But the bible doesn't specifically prohibit them either.

Answer 7

No.
However, another way to look at it is the differing growths of the 'structure', with the people following the structure.
Apollos apparently was not complete in his knowledge of scripture; he had to be instructed more perfectly by Priscilla and Aquilla (Acts 19:24-26 KJV).

May you receive today to God's glory, an unmistakeable pleasant surprise!!!

Answer 8

No. They are not taught by the Bible. It seems to be a result of human nature to make different flavors of everything, and to fuss over each-other's choices. Paul almost addressed denominations when he rebuked the Corinthians for saying, "I am of Paul, or I am of Cephas, or I am of Apollos, referring to the one through whose message they had become believers.

The Gospel narratives came close to addressing future denominations when Jesus' true glory was revealed, and Elijah and Moses appeared with Him on the Mount of Transfiguration. Boisterous Peter said (my paraphrase) "Oh this is great, Lord, lets build three tabernacles [dwelling places] here on this mountain - one for You, one for Elijah, and one for Moses."

Left to his own devices, Peter would have started up his own denomination, Transfigurationism, with that mountain as their worldwide headquarters.

The Father-God's voice boomed down His disapproval of Peter's idea from heaven, " This is my beloved son... LISTEN TO HIM!"

Answer 9

I don't think it is unbiblical, by any means. Besides, the vast majority of non-denominational churches practice Baptist theology anyway.

Answer 10

Yes, but there is little approval of such fragmentation:

1 Cor 1:10-17

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
(from New International Version)