Finding Authority

1. Denominationalism
Episcopal
BaptistPentecostal
Catholic
Methodist
Different:
Names
Organizational Structures
Doctrines
Plans of Salvation
Worship
Each group
counted a
slice of the
whole pie! No two
pieces
alike!Accepted view by most people.

2. What Denominationalism Can Never Do
• Find Bible Authority For Its Existence
• Question all denominationalists should ask:
The baptism of John—where was it from? From
heaven or from men? (Matt. 21:25).
The Baptist Church—where was it from? From
heaven or from men?
Denominationalism
Denominations have the responsibility to prove they
have a right to exist (1 Thess. 5:21).

3. What Denominationalism Can Never Do
• Trace Its Existence Back to the 1st Century
– Christ promised to build his church (Matt. 16:18).
– Jesus bought that church with his blood (Acts
20:28).
– The church existed in the 1st century with Christ as
Head (Eph. 5:23).
• Contrast this with denominationalism:
– Denominationalism never promised by Christ.
– Christ did not purchase it with his blood.
– Christ is not its head (1 Cor. 14:33).

4. What Denominationalism Can Never Do
• Prove It’s the Body of Christ
– Claim to be individual members of the body of
Christ like the Corinthians (1 Cor. 12:20).
• But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
– Their Claim “members” = “denominations”
• Who or what are the “members” about which
Paul wrote—denominations or disciples?
– Could not be denominations—none existed!
– Saved people are members of the body of Christ.
• Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of
it (1 Cor. 12:27).
• Letter written to church of God at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2).

5. Bible Picture of Christ’s Body
One Head
One Body
Christ
…and gave Him as head
over all things to the
church, which is His body…
(Eph. 1:22-23).
Christ is head of the church;
and He is the Savior of the
body (Eph. 5:23).

6. Denominational Picture of Christ’s Body
Christ
PopeChrist
Denominational Catholic
Many Bodies One Head One Body – Two Heads

7. What Denominationalism Can Never
Do
• Rightfully claim to help people become saved
• Denominations are active, influence many
people, and raise large sums of money.
• Jesus wants his people to be:
– Active (Tit. 2:14)
– Influential (Matt. 5:16)
– Benevolent (2 Cor. 9:6-7)
• This isn’t what saves people!
• This isn’t evidence that people are saved!

8. Denominationalism Cannot Help People
Become Saved
• Truth sets men free from sin (Jn. 8:32).
• Commandments of men turn people from the
truth & make worship vain (Tit. 1:14; Mt. 15:9).
• Truth teaches: Believe in Jesus as God’s Son,
Repent of sins, Confess faith in Christ, and be
Baptized for the remission of sins (Mk. 16:16;
Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38).
• Denominations teach: Say Sinner’s Prayer and
join the church of your choice. SCRIPTURE