Origins of Denominationalism

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Origins of Denominationalism

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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When we think of denominationalism, we typically think of the Protestant (aka reformation) movement and the “fathers” of various denominations (whether that was their desire or not), like Martin Luther (Lutheran Church), John Calvin, John Knox (Presbyterian), Huldrych Zwingli who started the Swiss brethren, John Smyth (Baptist), etc.  Most with good intentions saw errors being taught and perhaps corruption and sought to reform those errors.

But the SEEDS of denominationalism goes back much further.  In fact, in scripture we find some of these seeds.  So in this lesson I want to notice some who presented ideas that are the foundation of denominations.

  1. Why is denominationalism a concern?
    1. The concept of denominationalism is that, with the exception of a few core values (that they agree upon), we can disagree upon doctrinal issues without affecting fellowship. Bible Hub defines denominationalism as: the existence of separate and distinct organizational branches within a broader tradition.
    2. Most studies of the origin of denominations will acknowledge that in the NT, there were no denominations but rather one true church.
    3. But there are Biblical concerns with denominations:
      1. It IS doctrinal division and declares that such is acceptable. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Ephesians 4:1-6, etc.
      2. It implies (usually while advocating for the inerrancy of scripture) that we cannot understand the Bible alike? Ephesians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 14:33 – God is not the author of confusion.
    4. The result is:
      1. A softening of the demand that we study God’s word to follow His pattern as accurately as possible.
      2. You can choose HOW to worship and serve God based upon YOUR personal preferences OVER Biblical accuracy (e.g., “find the church of your choice”). In Galatians 1:6-9 Paul expressed great concern as they considered “a different gospel, which is not another…”
      3. It redefines Biblical unity concerning doctrine – 1 Corinthians 4:17 – everywhere in every church. John 17:20-21, etc.
      4. It redefines the UNITY of the church of Christ as described in the New Testament.
    5. While much more could be said about this, I want to go back to the focus of our lesson.
  2. Some “fathers” of denominational concepts
    1. Cain – changing God’s pattern with his own.
      1. Genesis 4:3-8 records Abel and Cain offering sacrifices to God. While not stated, it is necessarily implied that God had given instructions as to how He was to be worshipped. Abel obeyed, and Cain did not.
      2. Somehow Cain did what he wanted to do in contrast to God’s instructions. Romans 1:25 speaks of men who reject God and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator.
      3. We do not know Cain’s motives for his choice, but 1 John 3:10-12 describes his works as evil. NOTE: His “evil” was contrasted with Abel’s “righteousness”.
      4. He is also compared to depraved false teachers in Jude 11 – rejecting authority, defiling the flesh and speaking evil of dignitaries (vs. 8).
      5. One of the distinguishing characteristics of denominations is in the way they conduct their worship. There are variations in the pattern they follow that set aside God’s pattern in various ways.  Our worship to God must be “in spirit and in truth” – John 4:24. God has ALWAYS demanded a specific way to worship Him.  When we respect His pattern, we do so knowing we are worshipping Him and not ourselves.
    2. Israel demanding a king – desire to be “like the nations around us”
      1. 1 Samuel 8:4-5, 19-20 – Samuel was judging Israel and honored by God, BUT his sons were unfaithful. Because of recent failures in the priesthood, the people come to Samuel and demand that anoint a king, “to judge us like all the nations.”   Rather than honoring God’s instructions (as a theocracy), they wanted to be like their neighbors around them.   God permitted it and told a disturbed Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:7)
      2. Often, especially today, many denominations look to society and seek ways to better assimilate. They look to what is appealing to the world and seek to compromise where they can. They look to the efforts of mega-churches and seek to emulate their success – make the church about entertainment, social causes and casualness. They water down the gospel to make it more appealing to others (avoiding specific topics).  Others are dissatisfied with God’s pattern and purpose for His church and change it – sometimes adding to its work, or altering the patten God set because they think their way is more effective.
      3. Revelation 2:12-17 describes the church at Pergamos. They had in their midst those who held to the doctrines of idols and other errors.  While not openly teaching those doctrines, they did NOT condemn them either.  They were told to repent or the LORD would come and fight against them.
      4. Also, God calls for us to be different. 1 Peter 4:3-5 – when you are serving God, the world will “think it strange that you do not run with them…”  1 Peter 2:9 describes us as a chosen generation, a holy nation and His own special people.  Romans 12:2 calls for us to NOT conform to this world but to be transformed.
    3. Solomon – worldly influences prompted his apostasy
      1. Solomon began his reign VERY righteously. He was the son of David and inherited his blessed throne.  He was so blessed that God came to him and offered him anything that he wanted.  Being young, Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9).  God blessed Him with great wisdom, wealth, fame, power and peace over his enemies.  His success was so great that he had 700 wives and another 300 concubines that he provided for in his household (1 Kings 11:3).  Most of these women were foreign alliances and his wives turned his heart away after other gods (1 Kings 11:4-8) and provoked the LORD to anger.  As a result of his sins, after his death, the kingdom of Israel divided into 2 kingdoms.
      2. Today, many denominations have not only watered down the gospel, but some have openly begun to accept conduct that is explicitly condemned in scripture. In so doing, many have reinterpreted scripture and even questioned its inspiration.
      3. Like the church at Thyatira, (Revelation 2:18-29) that not only had those who held to false teaching, but they allowed it to be taught in their midst. They too were told to repent.
      4. We are clearly warned to stay clear of evil influences. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 calls for us to not be unequally yoked to unbelievers and to be separate.  Ephesians 5:11 calls for us to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to expose them.
      5. 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 – Paul addressed immorality that was being ignored in that church and called them to repent, purge the impurity so that they would be pure. Vs. 6 notes that a little leaven leavens the whole lump.
    4. Jeroboam – creating a religion of convenience, similarities to the true religion
      1. Recall that Solomon was told that after his death the kingdom would divide. It did as Jeroboam led most of the tribes away from Rehoboam the son of Solomon who would remain king in Judah.  1 Kings 12:25-33 records concerns that Jeroboam had because Israel was still supposed to be loyal to YHWH and worship him according to the Law of Moses.  Jeroboam feared that if the people went to worship God in Jerusalem that they would reject him and return to Rehoboam.  So he devised a false religion.  He erected golden calves at Dan (the northern part of Israel) and Bethel (a gateway to Judah).  He appointed priests from the common people (not Levites), had feasts and sacrifices, and told the people it was more convenient to worship God “closer to home”.  This idolatry became a lynchpin of the downfall of northern Israel in just a few hundred years.
      2. This religion was based on a failure to trust YHWH (who had promised to establish Jeroboam if he would be faithful to Him), and appeals to worldly self-preservation. It was also a religion that had SIMILARITIES to the true religion God had established, but it was more popular to the people, including IDOLS (which was consistently a part of their prior history and would continue until their eventual downfall.
      3. Today, most denominations, while appealing to what men want, appeal to SOME of scripture. They also appeal to popular traditions – worship that entertains, more casual approaches, addressing social issues OVER scripture.
      4. This was a problem that Jesus addressed with the religious leaders. Matthew 15:1-9 serves as an example of elevating the traditions of man ABOVE God’s word.
    5. Judaizing teachers – early attempts to change the doctrine of Christ.
      1. In the New Testament, we find that shortly after the gospel began to spread (Acts 8:1-4, etc.), that Gentiles were being accepted into “the faith”. Acts 10 records that is was God’s intent (which was in His plan all along) that ALL men could be saved.  But there were Jewish converts who held to the Law of Moses and demanded that Gentiles conform to parts of the Old Law, including male circumcision, dietary observances, etc.
      2. This caused a RIFT among brethren. Acts 15 records a meeting with apostles and brethren from “both sides” in Jerusalem where the Judaizing teachers came from.  The discussion put together the facts and it was decisively determined that Gentiles did NOT have to “convert” to Judaism.  Much of the NT addresses this divisive doctrinal attitude.  Both Romans and Hebrews focus on it, and many of the other epistles reference it.  The CLEAR consensus was – this division is UNACCEPTABLE! Christ has ONE church which is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23).
      3. This factors into our study as it demonstrates that the intent of Christ was that we strive for doctrinal unity in everything.
    6. The Corinthians – religious division – 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,
      1. Corinth is some ways is different being that they were a church of God, but in other ways, they are described CLOSEST to denominationalism.
      2. 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 – there were clear divisions in that congregation where men put their loyalty in the one who taught them, OR the one whom they thought the most of.
      3. The party spirit is demonstrated further as Paul addressed their carnal conduct – 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, and his address of their divisive spirit concerning spiritual gifts in chapter 12.
      4. Denominationalism by its very nature promotes the party spirit. While professing unity, the truth is many choose which church they want based upon personal preferences rather than what God wants. And at times, as with the Corinthians, those personal choices clash.  That is NOT what God desires.

The clear point of this lesson is that when man seeks his will over what God has specified, he will create a new and FALSE religion.  And in some cases, we can find the attitudes of men today correspond with the actions of men who stood contrary to God’s will in scripture.  Denominationalism is based on man’s theories and desires, over “thus says the Lord.”

So what is the solution to this? The answer is that we all strive to speak the same thing.  That we let God determine the standard of unity.  Jeremiah 6:16 – ask for the old paths. Even though in that text, it is acknowledged they refused to do so.  But the ONLY way to true and complete unity is if we do return the original pattern that God planed and revealed.  Anything else elevates the ways of man above God’s ways.  Whose pattern are you following?  Think about it!

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