REJECT DENOMINATIONALISM AND BECOME ONLY A CHRISTIAN

REJECT DENOMINATIONALISM AND BECOME ONLY A CHRISTIAN
When the question is asked, would you want to become a Christian as were Paul, Peter and others of the New Testament?
Most of us will readily answer YES
But are not ready to come out of these institutional churches
THE CURE FOR DENOMINATIONALISM
We must have an unreserved commitment to the Bible as the sole, objective standard in religion. If three people differ as to the time of the day, they can settle their differences by consulting the objective time standard, the naval observatory time. Such settles the matter, and produces unity. If a man goes to three different post offices, he will be given the same postage for mailing of his package. Why?  Because each postal clerk consults the same guide book. Unity exists because of allegiance to a single objective authority. In like manner when all men will lay down their creeds, disciplines, manuals, confessions of faith, catechisms, think-so's, maybe's and subjective feelings and each with an unprejudiced and receptive heart turns to the word of God, then, and only then,  will unity result. Such will constitute the death knell to denominationalism. We must be committed to being nothing, calling ourselves nothing, obeying nothing, and saying nothing except that which is authorized by the word of God.
Only then will we have the "unity of the spirit" of Ephe4:1-6:
One body -unity of organisation
One Spirit -unity of guidance
One Hope-unity of aspiration
One faith-unity of message
One Lord - unity of authority
One baptism-unity of practice
And One God-unity of worship.
REASONS WHY THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS NOT A DENOMINATION
1. Denominationalism is contrary to the Lord's prayer(John 17:20,21)
2. Denominationalism is a fruitful cause of infidelity(John 17:20,21)
3. Denominationalism is wrong because Christ is not divided (1 Cor 1:11-13)
4
Denominationalism is wrong because the body of Christ is one, not many(1Cor 12:13,20 Ephe 2:15 Col 3:15)
5
Denominationalism is contrary to one of the basic purposes of calvary's cross (Eph 2:15,16)
6
Denominationalism is a vain attempt to serve God (matt 15:9,Psalm 127:1)
7
Denominationalism divides homes, when God wants homes united(Josh 24:15,Amos 3:3,Mark 3:25)
8
Denominationalism is contrary to Paul's plea for unity, for undenominational christianity(1 Cor 1:10)
9
Denominationalism is contrary to the apostles doctrine(Rom16:17,18)
10
Denominationalism is a sin that God hates(prov.6:6-19)
11. Denominationalism implies that God is the author of confusion(1Cor 14:33)
12
Denominationalism is not apostolic
13
Denominationalism is destined for destruction(mark 3:24,25)

The Church of Christ is not a denomination. If she were,  she would surrender her right to exist(matt 15:13)
Our Lord was undenominational and anti-denominational. His church cannot afford to be otherwise. Her plea is for pure, New Testament, Undenominational Christianity. And, how encouraging it is that many are being attracted thereto.
Shallom
From the book INTRODUCING THE CHURCH OF CHRIST