Is the Church of Christ a Denomination?

 

 Introduction

Continuing from our previous article, The Name of the Church, we come into a subject that brings about a bit of confusion for those looking for a congregation to assemble with. Since we have identified ourselves as the church of Christ, we have thus been labelled a denomination. The question is are we a denomination?

 

Dictionary Definitions

Let’s begin by looking at the definitions of the words; denomination and sect.

Denomination: [Webster’s Dictionary (1913)] 3. A class, or society of individuals, called by the same name; a sect; as, a denomination of Christians.

Sect: [Webster’s Dictionary (1913)] 2. …in religion, the believers in a particular creed, or upholders of a particular practice; especially, in modern time, a party dissenting from an established church; a denomination.

[Int’l. Standard Bible Encycl.]  The word is applied to schools of philosophy; to the Pharisees and Sadducees among the Jews who adhered to a common religious faith and worship; and to the Christians. It is translated "sect" (Acts 5:17, of the Sadducees; Acts 15:5, of the Pharisees; Acts 24:5, of the Nazarenes.

 

The Restoration Period

Most people that are interested in church history are familiar with the restoration period. Unlike the reformation period in which people deposed the Catholic church and formed denominations; Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, etc.; the restoration period went to the original source, The Bible, to see how to properly worship God. Men like Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone, and Benjamin Franklin all left denominations and returned to the roots of the church; the bible. From these men, was created what is known as the church of Christ.

This is why people believe it is nothing more than a denomination; a collection of former members of other churches establishing their own. The reason they left was that they knew that the denominations they were a part of were not that of the true church as described in scripture. They went back to the source and formed a congregation based on the church of the 1^st century.

Sadly, these men ended up splitting over issues like “the use of mechanical instruments” and “missionary society work”. Therefore, the Christian Church and the Disciples of Christ; denominations of the church of Christ, were formed. For more information on the restoration movement, click on this link.

 

The Way

When the church was first established in Acts 2, people immediately looked at it as a sect of the Jews. They referred to it as “The Way”. The first time this phrase is mentioned is in Acts 9. It is in reference to Saul who stood against the disciples of the Lord; Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2)

But this isn’t a denomination or sect of the Jews. If you go back to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7), Jesus simply didn’t not recite the law and give a sense of it like the scribes did. He cited the law and followed it with the phrase, “But I say to you…” Jesus was establishing a new law! He wasn’t changing it to suit His taste or the interest of a local group. It was new; separate and apart from the Law of Moses.

 

The Church of Christ

Paul wrote near the conclusion of his letter to the church in Rome, Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. (Romans 16:16) This is where the name is found and this is why we are not a denomination. We are not an offshoot of another church, nor are we a manmade creation. We are simply Christians coming together and worshipping God according to His word. We have no manmade creeds, doctrines, or disciplines. Our Bible is our pattern and our standard.

Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, in Mt. 15:7-9, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

 

Conclusion

If you are a member of a denomination, and believe it’s okay, ask yourself these questions: Did the founder die to pay your church? Did the founder die on the cross for your sins? When you were baptized, were you added to the denomination?

These are hard questions you need to ask yourself and then answer. If your answers aren’t found in scripture, then you are not worshipping God according to His word and will (1 Cor. 1:10-13). He does not acknowledge your worship.