Why be a member of a denomination?

Question

Or just simply be a member of the church that Christ Himself built (Matthew 16:18). A church that has no creed, the only doctrine that is used in the church is the Holy Bible [strictly go by it, and do what it says], and where Christ Himself is the head of that church (Ephesians 5:23) not some man (pope, president, etc.). It is hard to please God, our Heavenly Father, when belonging to a denomination. Every denomination has been built by man, and is based on division of those that believe that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 12:25). There is no salvation in any denomination, no church that has built by man can offer salvation, but Christ is the Saviour of His church, to which He adds the saved. We are commanded to have no divisions among us (I Corinthians 1:10). You cannot be a lukewarm (liberal) for Christ (Revelation 3:16).

To wolfeblayde: The Catholic church is a denomination, and it wasn't founded by Jesus Christ!! Why is it that Catholics think that the Catholic church is the church of the Bible?!?! It ain't!! A member of the TRUE CHURCH wears the name of Christian ONLY!!

To Tommy: I have to agree that denominationalism is a slap in the face to God, our Heavenly Father, and to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

To bama_jld: Thanks for the great answer, I just couldn't say it any better myself.

To the rest of y'all: I also invite y'all to investigate and learn what we at the churches of Christ are all about.

http://church-of-christ.org

Romans 16:16
(KJ21, 21st Century King James Version)
16Salute one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

(ESV, English Standard Version)
16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Answer 1

The many denominations should not exist.

Ephesians 4 says there is “one faith” and "one body". Since the body is the church (Eph 1:22-23), and there is only one body, we can conclude that there is only one church approved of in the Scriptures.

Notice what 1 Corinthians 1:10 says;

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

Why do we have so many? Men are not satisfied to all speak the same thing. Men are not satisfied to teach only the word of God. Men are not satisfied to only speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent. Men are not content to do Bible things in Bible ways and call Bible things by Bible names. Too many wish to add their own desires and teach their own doctrine.

Notice 2 Timothy 4:2-4.

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

The “church of Christ” is neither Catholic, nor Protestant. The church of Christ is not a denomination. The church of Christ identifies itself by name as a church that is trying to follow the “doctrine of Christ” (2 John 9). The “church of Christ” identifies itself by name as a church that belongs to Christ. The name points to the owner and builder. The name points to the one who purchased the church. (Matthew 16:18, Acts 20: 28)

In contrast to this the name of many denominations point to the name of a man, a particular practice, or the way they are organized. A member of a denomination identifies himself by name as one who submits to the authority of that denomination and tries to follow the doctrine (teaching) of that denomination. Why not just follow the doctrine and authority of Christ?

The church of the Bible is compared to a bride, with Christ being the groom. A bride honors the groom when she agrees to wear his name. But many churches today wear man made names.

Suppose, for example, Mr. Smith asks his girlfriend to marry him. She agrees, but says, “Our friend Mr. Jones is a good man, so when we get married, instead of being called Mrs. Smith, I want to be called Mrs. Jones.” Would Mr. Smith have a reason to question her loyalty to him? Would he feel honored? Why would a bride wear another man’s name? Why would a church want to wear a man-made name? The “church of Christ” wears a name found in scripture (Romans 16: 16).


The church of Christ wishes to restore the church to the teaching that was established and authorized by Christ and his apostles. We wish to have Biblical authority for everything we practice and teach. (Col. 3:17)

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the head of the church and the church is his body. (Eph. 1:22-23) The church of Christ recognizes this, and therefore there is no “headquarters” on earth. Each congregation is independent and goes directly to the Bible to learn what should be taught and how we should worship. We believe the Bible is sufficient and we need no other authority or creed books. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3) Christ has “all authority” and we wish to follow this authority by following the things He taught. (Matt 28:18-20) We don’t want to add any man-made doctrine. (If we follow the authority or teaching of men, then Christ does not have “all authority” in our spiritual lives.) If we teach as doctrine the commandments of men, this makes our worship vain! (Matthew 15:9)

Please do not confuse the church of Christ with the “United Church of Christ”, the “International Church of Christ”, the “Church of Christ Scientists”, or the “Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints (Mormons)”. These groups are not the same and they teach drastically different things!

If you wish to know more about those who simply want to be New Testament Christians (nothing more, nothing less, nothing else), I invite you to investigate the church of Christ by comparison to the Scriptures! I have included a few web sites below that you might wish to visit, or you can e-mail me with any additional questions.

Answer 2

Amen brother. All these divisions make the word of God of none effect. The continual new translations of Scripture are headed toward one bland book that everybody can accept and still do what they want. Control will still be with a hierarchy so it won't be a true Holy Spirit unity of the true church.

A great Chinese Christian years back said these denominational divisions were a slap in God's face. Even if they come back together -- still built by man.

To answer your question I don't see any reason to belong to a denomination and parted company with them about ten years ago. I worship anywhere I find the spirit of the Lord present, fellowship with brothers who have local control, and try and keep myself free from the world; which in some cases means denominational activities.

Answer 3

The Church Christ founded for all mankind had priests, bishops, a pope, the Mass, and the sacraments from day one. What it did NOT have was the Bible. Yet it taught the fullness of Christian truth from the beginning. Eventually some of the leaders of that early Catholic Church began to write letters to various communities, using the truth they had received from the Church. And still later - about three centuries later - the Church decided to compile some of its writings into a book. That's when the Bible as we know it came into existence - at the end of the 4th Century, after the Church had grown and prospered for more than 350 years. You are right about one thing though - no church built by man can provide the fullness of truth. Denominationalism is a clear violation of the stated will of God, "that they all may be ONE". The fullness of truth can be found only in the one Church built by Jesus Christ personally, upon the apostles and the Rock of Simon Peter. The one Church that has no denominations. The one Church that teaches in unity and worships in unity after 2,000 years, just as its founder, Jesus Christ, said it would. The Holy Catholic Church.
.

Answer 4

The biggest problem with non denominational churches is that the pastor can preach any off the wall thing he wants, and cannot be held accountable for it. Yes the people can hold him accountable, but the majority of people do not do enough studying on their own to recognize false teaching.
I agree that there is no perfect denomination. I am an Assemblies of God Pastor/ Evangelist. I chose the Assemblies because they are the most Biblical Assembly. We are not a denomination, but rather a fellowship of like minded believers from all over the world, with a common governing body.

Answer 5

>True< Christians are united in:
their understanding of what the Bible teaches,
in the disciple-making work,
in their worship,
and, in their goals.

Can the Churches Be Saved?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040301/article_01.htm
"Can the churches survive in a divided world?"
"What is the basis for true Christian unity?"

"Can I Worship God in My Own Way?" :
- A Need All of Us Share
- Why Are People Leaving Traditional Religions?
- Is "Private Religion" the Answer?
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20020422/article_01.htm

"The Best Way to Satisfy Spiritual Needs is to learn about God from the Bible & associate with true worshipers."

Should You Belong to a Church?
- How God Dealt With People in the Past
- God has long dealt with his people as an organized group.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040601/article_01.htm

Which Religion ... ?
- True Christians Then and Now
- The Benefits of Right Association
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040601/article_02.htm

True Christianity Is Flourishing
- The Basis for Christian Unity
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040301/article_02.htm

Answer 6

We are told in Scripture not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together with other believers. And the simple fact that St. Paul talks about those who are responsible for the souls in their care indicates that we are to have spiritual guidance and be under spiritual authority.

As a Catholic, I believe that my Church was founded by Jesus Christ Himself, who delivered the keys of the kingdom to St. Peter and his successors. I also believe that no one by himself is a match for the devil, who prowls about seeking whom he may devour. This is why we need the protection of the Church and the godly guidance of its ministers.

You're right when you say that there is no other salvation except through Jesus Christ. But if we are to run the race and finish the course, we need the encouragement and support of likeminded believers, as well as the spiritual teaching and shelter of the Church.

Answer 7

Church is not just a way to God anymore. It's a community where people with the same beliefs can gather. I know people who go to church for the "extra curricular" activities; youth group, choir etc.

I'll admit I used to have a lot of fun with my church. Unfortunately I struggle with my beliefs and have since stopped going.

Added....guess I didn't read your question thoroughly...sorry.

Answer 8

i do no longer attempt to get contributors of yet another church to connect mine.i might tell somebody that we desire to have them pass to sometime yet that's so a techniques as i pass.i do no longer do to others what i does no longer desire them doing to me.

Answer 9

You realize you have absolutely no evidence to back up your claim, don't you?

It's amazing how people who irrationally believe in one religion can criticize others.