Christians, should we strive for there to be only ONE Christian church?

Question

I Corinthians 1:10

"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."

In the light of this passage, how do you feel about denominationalism, or what the Bible calls Sectarianism?
What can we do as brothers and sisters in Christ to unite all Christians under one Church of God?

Answer 1

+Nicene Creed+



We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary , and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Answer 2

I wish that there was no division in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, but there is division in the church. The Protestant Church is pretty much the same except for a few theological differences. Two beliefs matter in order to be Christian:

1. Justified by faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins in order to be saved.
2. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

Answer 3

The many denominations should not exist.

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."

Jesus prayed for such unity in John 17:20-21.

Why do we have so many divisions? 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."

We should return to the Bible as our authority and only guide book. We should have a "thus saith the Lord" for everything we teach and do as a church.

The Bible teaches that the church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23) and that there is only "one body" (Eph 4:4).When the church first began, there were no denominations.

In Acts 2, we see that about 3000 all heard the same message, all understood it the same way, all believed it the same way and all obeyed it the same way. The result was they became Christians - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. At this point, God added them to His church (Acts 2:47).

There is no authorization for Christians to "join the church of your choice", but they were added to the church Christ built and purchased! (Matt. 16:18, Acts 20:27)

After they became Christians they continued in one accord in fellowship and together in the apostles doctrine. (Acts 2:42-47) They had the type of unity Christians should have.

Today, if we read and understand what they understood, believe what they believed, and do only what they did, without adding any man-made doctrine, we will become only what they became - Christians!

This is the goal and plea of those who meet together under the name "church of Christ" today. We only want to be the church you can read about in the Bible.

Christ is the head of the church, therefore we have no "headquarters" on Earth that oversees the local congregation, but each congregation goes directly to the Bible to see what should be taught and practiced.

A denomination is larger than the local congregation, but smaller than the universal church. Since the church of Christ congregations are autonomous, only governed by local congregations, with no regional, national, or world-wide "headquatrers" they are not a denomination. There is no man-made organization in between the local congregation (which is not a denomination) and the church as a whole (which is not a denomination).

We only want to follow God's word in our name (Rom. 16:16), method of worship, organization, and teaching (doctrine). The word of God is sufficient for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction. Using it in this way, we can be completely furnished with everything we need, and there is no need to add any man-made doctrine. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Those who teach as doctrine the commandments of men have form of worship that is vain. (Matt 15:9)

I invite you to examine the Church of Christ by a comparison with the scriptures! If the things we teach are scriptural, found in the Scriptures, then accept them. If the things we teach contradict the Bible, then reject them!

Any church that claims to follow the Bible should not object to such a comparison to scriptures. In fact, they should encourage it!

Answer 4

The Church is the body of Christ, (people who attend). There are non-denominational churches as well as denominational churches. They can not all come together because they all read into the Bible differently and would not agree. Some belief you have to be baptized to get into Heaven, while others believe that by accepting Christ into your life and heart is what gets you into Heaven.

Answer 5

In many ways that would be nice, but it WAS tried before and corruption crept in (therefore the reformation took place).

I am non-denominational, because in so many ways the denominational-ism has become like a war, and I prefer to remain neutral in that war!

The true church, is actually not a denomination, it is all those who truly have Christ living in them and live for Him, not themselves. The true church exists in every denomination.

I would rather see co-operation and peace between denominations than I would see us try to eliminate them. If we try to eliminate them we would have to choose one over the other. What of the true Christians in the all the ones that are not "chosen"? Rather, we should all be working together and getting along, even though we might have minor issues we disagree about.

Answer 6

The body of christ is the church. I am a christian but I am no part of any denomination or claim any religion. I am a christian of true faith. I have never read in the bible that says christians should be of one religion, we are to be of one mind, that is the mind of Christ. I believe religion is for the so-called christians.I know who I am and what I live for and I know that it is true faith.

Answer 7

You are referring to the beginning of Christianity. This was a time when unity was essential and there were very few churches. There is no need for all Christians to agree on everything today. Belief in Christ and following his teachings is the main requirement for any denomination. One church can say there is a rapture. Another can say there is not. Christians are entitled to their own interpretations and beliefs.

Answer 8

The passage you refer to is not talking about denominational-ism. The Apostle Paul is writing to a specific, local assembly, with a particular problem.

Today's application is not the Universal Church (all saved people on every continent), it can be applied appropriately in your local church having unity.

Answer 9

No, I don't want to have to worship in a church I'm uncomfortable in...I could NEVER see myself in a charismatic church, rolling around on the floor. I'm not going to elaborate for the sake of unbelievers reading this, but suffices to say, most of what is called of the "Holy Spirit" is NOT of God nor remotely Biblical.

Answer 10

Great idea. Now just how to we go about getting rid of that particular person who sows division among Christians and the churches?