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Is the church of Christ a Denomination?

Explore the origins, name, doctrine, and organization of denominations in comparison to the Church of Christ. Discover why the Church of Christ is not a denomination and consider joining its non-denominational community.

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Is the church of Christ a Denomination?

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  1. What Does the New Testament Say? Is the church of Christa Denomination?

  2. Why this study? • There are many churches to choose from; religious division is widespread; all denominations make up the “Church of Christ” • Some say the church of Christ is just another denomination (“Campbellites”) • The Church of Christ is the best denomination • Some churches claim to be “non-denominational”

  3. What is a denomination? • “Denomination” refers to something divided by group and distinct name, such as, denominations of money: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 • “Denominational” religious bodies have four distinct characteristics: (1) date of origin; (2) name; (3) doctrine and creed; (4) organization • Let us examine these characteristics and answer the question: Is the church of Christ denominational?

  4. Denominational Origin? • Catholic and Eastern Orthodox denominations originated c. A.D. 600-1200 • Protestant denominations originated c. A.D. 1500-1600 (Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc.) • American denominations originated c. A.D. 1700-1800 (J.W.s, Mormon, Adventist, etc.) • The church of Christ existed long before these in A.D. 33 (Isa. 2:2-3; Acts 2:37)

  5. Denominational Name? • Denominations have names given to them by men (Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, J.W.s, Mormon, Adventist, etc.) • Names other than Jesus Christ divide (1 Cor. 1:10-13) • The church of Christ is named after Christ: individuals are called “Christians” (Acts 11:26) and local churches are called “churches of Christ” (Rom. 16:16)

  6. Denominational Name? • The Lord, not man, built his church (Mt. 16:18) • The Lord, not man, died for his church (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:10-13) • The Lord, not man, created the church (Eph. 3:10-11) • The Lord’s word (seed), not man, produces a Christian (Lk. 8:11; Acts 11:26)

  7. Denominational Doctrine? • Denominations teach doctrines of men that are recorded in creeds, manuals, disciplines, catechisms, encyclicals, confessions (statements of belief): denominational plans of salvation, works, worship, institutions, etc. • Man-made creeds are either more or less than New Testament. The church of Christ appeals to the New Testament doctrine of Christ only (Jn. 4:24; 1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 14:33; 16:1; Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Jn. 9)

  8. Denominational Organization? • Denominations have an organizational structure that is not found in the NT (hierarchy structure, headquarters) • Denominations are larger than a local church (collectivity, synod, convention, diocese, board), but smaller than the whole church

  9. Denominational Organization? • The church of Christ exists in only two senses: • among all Christians in a general sense (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23) • among a few Christians in a local sense (1 Cor. 1:2), but it is not a division of anything, or group of dissenters • never in a sense larger than local and smaller than general

  10. Denominational Organization? “Church” in Denominations “Church” in the NT Christians all over the world (Eph. 1:22-23) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Christians in a local place (1 Cor. 1:2) xxx xxx xxx JW P A L B M C

  11. Is the church of Christ a denomination? • No, because its date of origin is not late • No, because its name is not after man • No, because it does not teach doctrines of men • No, because it does not have a man-made organization

  12. Is the church of Christ a denomination? • The Lord is not pleased with modern denominationalism because it is divisive (Jn. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 10:10-13) • The church of Christ in the New Testament has nothing in common with denominationalism • However, Churches of Christ today can and have become denominations • Will you leave denominationalism and be a member of the church of Christ (Eph. 3:21; 1 Pet. 4:16)?

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