The Undenominational Church

TEXT: Acts 24:10-15

INTRODUCTION:

A. MANY HAVE THE SAME VIEW OF THE CHURCH THAT THE JEWS HAD – THAT IT IS A SECT OR SECTARIAN IN NATURE.

B. AS THE WORLD EMERGED FROM THE DARK AGES ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REFORM THE CATHOLIC CHURCH – REFORMATION.

1. The Catholic Church was not reformed.

2. The result rather was 100s of splinter groups or sects.

C. SUCH COMPETITIVE DENOMINATIONAL SPIRIT HAS GREATLY HINDERED THE TRUTH (Matt. 12:25).

I. DENOMINATIONALISM IS WRONG AND SINFUL.

A. BECAUSE THE NT TEACHES THERE IS ONE CHURCH.

1. Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; 20:28.

2. Figures used admit only one.

a. Body (Eph. 4:4; 2:16; 1:22-23).

b. Bride (2 Cor. 11:2).

B. THE NT TEACHES RELIGIOUS DIVISION IS WRONG (1 Cor. 1:10-13).

C. JESUS PRAYED FOR UNITY (John 17:20-21).

1. Division retards the salvation of the lost.

2. Prevents fellowship with God.

D. IT IS ALWAYS THE RESULT OF SIN.

1. Carnal spirit (1 Cor. 3:1-3; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; Matt. 10:34-39).

2. Ignoring the Scriptures (1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9).

II. IN APOSTOLIC TIMES:

A. ONE SEED WAS PLANTED (Luke 8:11) – ONE CROP GREW.

B. IF WE ACCEPT THAT SEED, WE’LL BE THE SAME AS OTHERS WHO HAVE.

C. OUR OBJECT: TO BE ONE WITH THEM BY BEING LIKE THEM.

III. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE UNDENOMINATIONAL CHURCH.

A. NO DENOMINATIONAL FOUNDER (Psa. 127:1; Matt. 16:18).

B. NO DENOMINATIONAL HEAD.

1. Jesus is the head (Eph. 1:22-23)

2. He has all authority (Matt. 28:18; Col. 3:17).

C. NO DENOMINATIONAL CREED.

1. Creed, credo, "I believe."

2. Our statement of faith (2 Tim. 3:16-17) – The Bible!

D. NO DENOMINATIONAL NAME.

1. The church was called (Col. 1:18; Gal. 1:13; Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:16).

The expressions NOT denominationalized!

2. Members called Christians (Acts 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:15-16).

E. NO DENOMINATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

1. No councils, conventions, synods, wards, diocese, sponsoring churches.

2. No popes, cardinals, arch-bishops, presidents – no clergy/laity distinctions.

3. Each church is completely autonomous, having its own officers.

a. Elders (Acts 14:23; 20:28).

b. Deacons (Phil. 1:1).

F. NO DENOMINATIONAL WORSHIP.

1. Worship defined in the scriptures (John 4:24).

2. Hearts must be in it, must not be in accord with man’s precepts (Matt. 15:9).

3. Bible teaches singing, praying, Lord’s supper, Bible study, contribution.

G. NO DENOMINATIONAL WORK PROGRAM.

1. The church’s work in a nutshell (Eph. 4:11-12).

2. Not recreation, medicine, social, secular education.

H. NO DENOMINATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP.

1. We only ask what was asked in the NT – that will make Christians only.

2. What was true at Pentecost is true today (Acts 2:38).

3. Those who received the word that Peter spoke (Acts 2:41).

CONCLUSION:

A. ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE LORD’S CHURCH OR ARE YOU A MEMBER OF A DENOMINATION?

B. HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE WORD AND OBEYED ITS COMMANDS?

C. HAVE YOU REPENTED AND BEEN BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS?