THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND denominations in Christianity? Why so many? The word denomination is clearly understood when used in reference to various values of currency. It is the name or title that we give to a group or class of units. However, when denomination is used in reference to Christianity, the meaning is not so apparent.
What does the Bible say about denominations? Scripture should be our starting and ending point in understanding this issue. Unfortunately, the Bible says absolutely nothing about denominationalism. The word denomination is not found in the Bible. Jesus Christ never taught that there should be divisions in the church with significant doctrinal differences. The original church was a single congregation of Christ's followers, distinct from the world. "So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Acts 11:26).
Is it God's plan to encompass all believers into one body (the body of Christ–the Church), and then have His plan divided, fragmented and disconnected through denominations and affiliations which have their own particular name, doctrine, form of worship, and distinctive organization? The answer is NO!
Religious division is certainly not a new concept. When the kingdom of Israel split into the northern and southern segments, each chose a different system of worship. Jeroboam and his advisors wanted Bethel to be Israel's chief religious center, intending to compete with Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:25-33). Though Jeroboam was a charismatic leader and organizer who had popular support, Bethel's religion became idolatry leading to Israel's eventual downfall.
Jesus realized that division creates a fertile ground for unbelief. "I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23). The basis for this unity was the belief that Jesus was sent from the Father. Paul felt it imperative that there be no divisiveness in the church. He consistently urged unity. "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Philippians 2:2).
So, if God desires unity, why are there so many denominations of Christianity? Tradition in the Bible suggests "the concept of instruction that had been handed down from generation to generation." These instructions were often divinely given, as with many of the prophets. Paul praises the Corinthians for 'holding to' the teachings he passed on to fellow believers in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:2).
Yet tradition can also originate from longstanding human practices that displace, modify and reinterpret the spiritual revelation of the Bible. A denomination might hold fast to a man-made tradition that was handed down over centuries and ratified by its clergy. If the authorities believe that tradition is equal to the Scriptures, then the practice often becomes infallible. Divisions flourish when individuals are unable to differentiate between God's ordinances and man-made practices.
When the church at Corinth was faced with many elements of division, Paul encouraged cooperation among members, both Jew and Gentile (1 Corinthians 12:12). Despite their differences, each believer had one thing in common -- faith in Christ, and trust in the emerging foundations of the New Testament Church born on Pentecost. This truth is where the church found its unity. Paul wanted to reinforce the relationship between the Jew and Gentile in the early church while discouraging competition among the churches belonging to Christ. "May God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5-6).
Why are there so many denominations of Christianity? Some belief groups may have a slightly different emphasis on the Scriptures. Other groups may have adopted the name of their founder (Lutheran for Martin Luther) or a "method" for spiritual growth (Methodists). Baptists emphasize the importance of end times prophesies. All... are very careful not to allow other groups to influence their beliefs and practices. Hence... the rise of denominations fracturing and dividing the body of Christian believers.
Denominations are based on disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture. An example would be the meaning and purpose of baptism. Is baptism a requirement for salvation or is it symbolic of the salvation process? There are denominations on both sides of this issue and each has used that single issue to separate and form denominations based on their interpretations of what the Bible says.
Disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture are taken personally and often become points of bitter contention. These arguments become openly public creating a negative impression of the witness of church. The church should be able to resolves it differences inside the body. However, history shows that doesn’t happen. Today, the media uses denominational differences to demonstrate that the church is not unified in thought or purpose.
Denominations are creations of man, used to promote their own agendas and self-interest. There are denominations today that are in a state of self-destruction as they are being led deeper and deeper into apostasy by those who are promoting their personal agendas. The value of unity is found in the ability to pool our gifts and resources to promote the Kingdom of God to a lost and seeking world. This “God-mandated” plan (Matthew 28:19-20) runs contrary to the divisions caused by denominationalism.
Truth will only be found where there is unity. As believers, we all must share the same essentials that define Christian faith. God alone defines the essential foundations of belief that He will bless. Those essentials have nothing to do with man's ideas, man-made creeds or doctrinal modifications designed to promote personal agendas.
Genuine Christians are passionate people. Passionate about their faith and relationship with God. In the quest for truth, passion can be a very good character quality... or it can be our worst enemy. Lest we forget... we are still just miserable sinners and easy targets for our adversary the Devil. He works in the “church” as much as we do, only his work is to distort, confuse and create divisions and divisiveness. Satan accomplishes his mischief through human egos and pride. He distorts the “love” that must be the foundation of our faith, brotherhood and fellowship. What better way to keep honest hearted seekers of truth from finding genuine truth, than to create 35,000 so-called Christian denominations and variants all tuned to human interests and personal styles. Sadly, his strategy is working very well.
In 500 years of reformations, restorations and attempts to return the Church to its foundations of truth, we have been consumed by arguments on points of doctrine and faith about which we feel deeply. We have allowed the defense of truth to overwhelm our love for one another. The result is denominations that have lost their ability to even know what is truth because they are too concerned with being right. Warren W. Wiersbe, a noted Bible scholar and preacher once said, “Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.” Such is the legacy of fragmented Christianity today... too many divisions brought on by our infighting and wrangling over what the Bible supposedly teaches.
Ask yourself this question... Do you worship in a church that teaches what the Bible teaches? Do you even know what you are being taught? Your answer to these simple questions has everlasting consequences. How you worship, where you worship, and why you do it the way you do it... is critically important to your eternal salvation. Everything you do in the name of God... must be anchored firmly in His Truth.
Just because there are many doors open on Sunday’s in the name of Christ, does not mean they are all places of truth approved by God. "There is one body and one Spirit . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6).
NEXT TIME.... What’s an honest hearted believer to do in the vast jungle of Denominationalism?
