Marvin L. Weir
It is amazing to consider ideas attributed to the Word of God, when in reality, they come from the minds of men. The simple but essential truth that many people will not accept is that God’s Word is truth regardless of what man believes, feels or has to say about religious matters. Often times people disagree with articles I write, sermons I preach or classes I teach. One individual became quite upset with me because I taught that the Bible condemned denominationalism. This person also considered my conclusion that denominations are not mentioned in the Scriptures (thus not authorized) to be without merit or basis. He charged me with teaching “without regard to the true basis for a Christian belief.” He concluded that my teaching was “without scriptural basis, careless and unkind.” This person then stated that he will “pray for me that I might see the truth that God is not exclusionary, and that God welcomes all who seek him no matter what denomination. These are the true seeds that God sows.”
When you carefully consider the above statements from my critic, you will not be surprised at the conclusion he has reached. He states:
God’s power through the salvation of Jesus Christ is what makes us Christians, not the name of a church or denomination. It does not matter if you’re Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Church of Christ, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc., as long as you accept Jesus Christ as the one and only Son of God. God’s love transcends all denominational boundaries, and he welcomes all who accept his invitation through Jesus Christ.
Let us examine the false assumptions and wishful thinking of this person who desires to uphold denominationalism as being sanctioned by God.
First, this person’s beliefs imply that all people cannot understand the Bible alike. The denominations that he listed are not and have never been in agreement in their beliefs and teaching; this is why they exist! The Scriptures inform us that God’s truths can be known by every person (John 8:32). Paul admonished the brethren at Ephesus, “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). It is the gospel that “is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16) and only submissive obedience to the gospel will make one a Christian. There is only one gospel, not many, (Gal. 1:6-9), and God does welcome every person who seeks to obey the gospel. Two things are absolutely certain—obedience to the gospel does not make one a member of some denomination (Acts 2:47), and it is in vain to claim to have accepted Christ without obeying His will (Matt. 7:21-23).
Second, what is “the true basis for a Christian belief?” It is certainly not what one thinks or feels! God’s Word is that basis—it is truth (John 17:17). There is no way that anyone can please God without holding in high esteem the authority of the sacred Scriptures! Thus, what is not authorized is wishful thinking. All denominations are man-made, follow human creeds and one day will be “rooted up” by the Lord (Matt. 15:13).
Third, my critic considers my teaching to be “without scriptural basis and careless and unkind.” Am I without Scriptural basis when I teach that one can search the New Testament from beginning to end and not find a single denomination mentioned? Am I without Scriptural basis in teaching that no denomination had its beginning on Pentecost of 33 A.D. (Acts 2)? Every single denomination that exists was established far too late to be the Lord’s church! Am I without Scriptural basis when I teach that denominations are religiously divided and that all such division is condemned in the Scriptures?
The apostle Paul boldly stated,
Now I beseech you, brethren, through 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 perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them (that are of the household) of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos: and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul” (1 Cor. 1:10-13)?
The inspired Word of Paul forever condemns following some manmade church and creed instead of the Word of God. The prayer of Jesus is clear regarding the matter of religious division:
Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, (art) in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me” (John 17:20-21).
“Their word” refers to the inspired teaching of the apostles, and there is no other way that Biblical faith can be produced. Peter also affirms such in stating, “that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles” (2 Pet. 3:2).
Fourth, contrary to the opinion of my critic, God is exclusionary! The word “exclude” according to Webster’s Dictionary means: “To refuse to admit, consider, include, etc.; shut out; keep from entering; reject; bar.” Are not those who are practicing such sins as listed in Galatians 5:19-21 excluded from Heaven? Are those who enter the wide gate and travel the broad way excluded from Heaven (Matt. 7:13-14)? Will those who do not “worship in spirit and truth” be excluded from Heaven? Will those who reject Christ and His sayings be excluded from Heaven (John 12:48)? An emphatic “Yes” is the answer to all the above questions.
Fifth, the very root of the problem is to be found in one not studying and accepting the Word of God. Quite revealing is the statement that refers to God welcoming all who seek Him no matter what denomination and then concluding: “These are the true seeds that God sows” (emph. MLW). Men like my critic make it “seeds” (plural) to accommodate the various denominations. In Luke 18:11, however, Jesus clearly states that “the seed (singular) is the word of God.” Any farmer understands the principle involved in sowing a particular seed—a cottonseed never produces a corn stalk or a tomato plant!
Jesus promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18). He purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28). He has promised to save only one body (Eph. 5:23). Paul said there was only one body (Eph. 4:4), all who obey the gospel are baptized into the one body (1 Cor. 12:13), and the Lord then adds them to His church (Acts 2:47). Those who love God and are New Testament Christians will keep His commandments (John. 14:15).
