Floyd Decker

The Christian Church has women Counselors, Directors and Lecturers; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 2:11, 12; 1 Cor. 14:34).

The Christian Church has Educational Directors, Associate Ministers and Youth Directors; the church of Christ has elders, deacons, evangelists and teachers (Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1).

The Christian Church has Missionary, Benevolent and Educational Organizations to execute the work of the church; the church of Christ does not (Eph. 4:4; Eph. 3:10, 21).

Floyd Decker

The Christian Church celebrates days of heathen worship, such as Easter, Mother's Day and Christmas the church of Christ does not (Gal. 4:10).

The Christian Church fellowships various denominations in their activities, leaving the impression that all are brethren; the church of Christ does not (2 John 9-11; Gal. 1:6-10).

The Christian Church seeks to get crowds with Youth Meetings, Campaigns for Christ, Rallies, Drives and Promotions; the church of Christ does not (Rom. 1:16; Rev. 22:18, 19).

Floyd Decker

The Christian Church emphasizes society and the physical man by appealing to the carnal nature, with church carnivals, bands, plays, choruses, dramatics, church kitchens, church camps, and elaborate fellowship halls; the church of Christ does not (1 Cor. 10:7; Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:22,34).

The Christian Church misuses the name "Christian," which is a noun, by speaking of "Christian nations," "Christian schools," and "Christian Church." The church of Christ does not (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

Floyd Decker

The Christian Church elevates its preachers by using such titles as Pastor, Superintendent, Doctor, and President, but the church of Christ does not (Matt. 23:5–12; Job 32:21–22).

The Christian Church has the denominational "Pastor System" demanding that preachers run after the members & hold the hands of the sick. The church of Christ & God does not expect this from those who have been called to preach the Gospel (Acts 6:2-4).

Floyd Decker

The Christian Church uses unscriptural means such as suppers, property rentals and special collections to raise money for the church; the church of Christ has each member lay by in store on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1–2).

The Christian Church owns and operates Publishing Houses, Radio Stations, Hospitals, and other Benevolent Societies; churches of Christ build nothing but churches (Eph. 3:21).

Floyd Decker

The Christian Church owns, supports and operates schools for secular education; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 3:15).

The Christian Church has a compromising spirit, will not defend its doctrine, has no regard for the authority of the Bible, bases its practice on the silence of the scriptures, and appeals to tradition rather than to the Gospel of Christ.

Lynn Anderson

• In 1973 Lynn Anderson affirmed at ACU that the Church had become a denomination.

• Worse, in his opinion not a very good one.

• Since then he has defended his affirmation in several forums including Wineskins Magazine.

Ben OverbyBen OverbyBroad Street Church Broad Street Church

of Christ of Christ 408 Broad Street408 Broad Street

Lagrange, Georgia Lagrange, Georgia 3024030240

706-884-4482 706-884-4482

Ron Thomas wrote: "It is biblically sustainable that ONLY the Lord’s church will be saved."

“Just to be clear one might want to shed light on the myth that the "Church of Christ" and the Lord's church are synonymous

phrases. The "Church of Christ" is part of the Lord's

church, but it is only a fraction of the whole. When

we claim to be THE Lord's church it sounds a little like the exhaust pipe claiming to be the

car. Ben Overby (Emph. DM)

Saviour (Eph. 5:23) Saved (Act. 2:41, 47)

Purchase Price (Act 20:28) Purchased (1 Cor. 6:20)

Redeemer (Gal. 3:13) Redeemed (1 Pt. 1:18–19)

Reconciliation (Heb. 2:17) Reconciled (2 Cor. 5:18)

Head (Eph. 1:22–23) Body (Eph. 1:23)

Filleth (Eph. 1:23) Fullness (Col. 1:19)

“I will build MY CHURCHMY CHURCH” Matt. 16:18

“there is ONE BODYONE BODY” Eph. 4:4

“He is also head of the BODYBODY, the CHURCHCHURCH” Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23

Who agree to join together in fellowship Who agree to join together in fellowship (Acts (Acts 9:26). 9:26). Who worship in a common assembly Who worship in a common assembly – (1 Cor. – (1 Cor. 11:18)11:18)Who work out of a common treasury Who work out of a common treasury – (1 Cor.16:1-– (1 Cor.16:1-3)3)Who submit to a common oversight Who submit to a common oversight – (Acts 14:23; – (Acts 14:23; 20:28)20:28)

4 : a religious organization uniting local congregations

in a single legal and administrative body Merriam-Webster“A group of religious

congregations united under a common faith and namecommon faith and name

and organizedorganized under a single administrative and

legal hierarchy, e.g., Anglicans, Presbyterians,

Catholics etc.”http://library.christchurch.org.nz/

FamilyHistory/Glossary

There are over 1,000 “Christian” religious

organizations in North America alone. Each has their own set of beliefs, policies and practices.

“When discussing such topics as the divinity of

Christ, salvation, heaven, etc. it would be hopelessly

unwieldy to explain the beliefs of each faith group.”World Christian Encyclopedia

Earthly Headquarters

Earthly Headquarters Earthly Headquarters

Earthly Headquarters

Presbyterian (1560)

Methodist (1740)

Baptist (1608)

Pentecostal (1898)

Bound together by distinct beliefs

Bound together by distinct beliefs

Bound together by distinct beliefs

Bound together by distinct beliefs

Divided By

Distinction In

Belief

606 Roman Catholic Church

1054 Greek Orthodox Church

1530 Lutheran Church1534 Church of England1536 Presbyterian Church1611 Baptist Church1739 Methodist Church1830 Mormon Church1844 Seventh Day

Adventists1886 Jehovah’s Witnesses1887 Church of God1908 Nazarene Church1911 Christian Church1914 Assemblies of God

Using NT terminology correctly, I must answer the question “No”.

However, speaking accommodatively, all know that there is a “Church of Christ Denomination” (Acts 15:24; I John 2:19).

The real question we ought to consider is: “What Tendencies of Denominationalism Are Present Today?

The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Gal. 4:17).

Galatians 4:17 (NKJV) They zealously court you,

but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for

them.

The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Gal. 4:17). “They zealously affect

you”— Take a fancy to, or an interest in. They court you, to no good end.

“They would exclude you” —To shut out or exclude. They seek your exclusive fellowship with them as teachers.

“That ye might affect them” — They court you to be courted; they exclude you to exclude others.

Examples of the “party spirit” not so long ago (Gospel Advocate, 12/9/1954). “I trust that you will not

consider me presumptuous if I suggest that the writers of the Gospel Advocate might wisely spearhead a movement to ‘quarantine’ those preachers who today are sowing the seeds of discord among the brotherhood and to thus prevent further divisions.”

“Blacklists,” closed periodicals and meeting cancellations.

Has the party spirit taken up residence in the Lord’s House? (cf. Matthew 12:43-45)

What has happened to our commitment to righteous judgment? (John 7:24, 51)

There is a pattern for handling these kinds of controversies (Mat 5:37) An open pulpit (Acts 15:4) An open Bible (Acts 15:6) An open dialogue (Acts

15:7)

A promotion of co-operation A promotion of co-operation and better understanding and better understanding between religious groups or between religious groups or denominations, without denominations, without aiming at unity.aiming at unity.

Used predominantly with Used predominantly with reference to (and by) reference to (and by) Christian denominations Christian denominations separated by doctrine, separated by doctrine, history and practice. history and practice.

Advocates a greater shared Advocates a greater shared spirituality across Christian, spirituality across Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths as Jewish and Islamic faiths as part of its core beliefs.part of its core beliefs.

Ecumenism in the New Ecumenism in the New Testament (Galatians 5:11; Testament (Galatians 5:11; 6:12)6:12) ““If I yet preach…”(cf. If I yet preach…”(cf.

Acts 16:3).Acts 16:3). ““Offence of the cross…” Offence of the cross…”

(Galatians 3:26-28)(Galatians 3:26-28) ““Lest they should Lest they should

suffer…” (cf. 5:11)suffer…” (cf. 5:11) The “The “circumcision circumcision

positionposition” was a ” was a compromise position to compromise position to avoid persecution and avoid persecution and isolation in Israel (cf. Acts isolation in Israel (cf. Acts 22:22). 22:22).

Examples of Examples of compromising compromising ecumenism in among ecumenism in among brethren.brethren. ““Preach Christ and Preach Christ and

leave others alone.”leave others alone.” Christianity not Christianity not

“Churchianity”“Churchianity” More about Christ and More about Christ and

less about “us”.less about “us”. ““Preach Christ and not Preach Christ and not

the church.”the church.”

Apathy toward Apathy toward controversy allows controversy allows

error to spread error to spread without any without any resistance!resistance!

Apathy towards a Apathy towards a steadfast defense of steadfast defense of

the faith will the faith will produce a produce a

denomination every denomination every time! time!

What causes this What causes this weakness of spirit?weakness of spirit? A hireling caste of A hireling caste of

preacherspreachers An untaught and An untaught and

unstudied unstudied membershipmembership

The attraction of The attraction of “size” and “strength”“size” and “strength”

Fear of criticismFear of criticism Weariness in well-Weariness in well-

doingdoing

God is satisfied when we God is satisfied when we worship in Spirit & Truth worship in Spirit & Truth (John 4:24; Mat 15:7-9)(John 4:24; Mat 15:7-9)

God is pleased when the God is pleased when the Gospel is preached & Gospel is preached & practiced (Rom. 1:16,17; practiced (Rom. 1:16,17; 11:4).11:4).

God is glorified when God is glorified when truth is defended and truth is defended and error is refuted! – (Jude error is refuted! – (Jude 3; Gal. 2:14; Phili 1:17; 1 3; Gal. 2:14; Phili 1:17; 1 Peter 3:15)Peter 3:15)

Indications of this Indications of this emerging contempt in the emerging contempt in the first centuryfirst century ““Certain which went out Certain which went out

from us…” Acts 15:25from us…” Acts 15:25 ““That…despise That…despise

governments…” 2 Peter governments…” 2 Peter 2:102:10

““Who subvert whole Who subvert whole houses…” Titus 1:11houses…” Titus 1:11

““Say they are apostles…” Say they are apostles…” Revelation 2:3Revelation 2:3

Undermining the local Undermining the local church is essential to church is essential to denominational denominational organization!organization! A denomination is by A denomination is by

definition “an organized definition “an organized group of religious group of religious congregations.”congregations.”

Autonomy, self-Autonomy, self-government, government, independence prevent independence prevent the formation of the formation of denominations.denominations.

The local The local church church

properly properly organized is an organized is an impediment to impediment to

expanded expanded power, power,

increased increased realms of realms of activity, activity, enforced enforced

conformity, conformity, etc.etc.

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders

Strong, vibrant Strong, vibrant local churches local churches are the best are the best

defense against defense against the spread of the spread of

creedalism and creedalism and development of development of

sectarian sectarian machinery machinery (Acts 15:25).(Acts 15:25).

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders

Is this contempt growing Is this contempt growing among brethren today?among brethren today? Institutionalism – The Institutionalism – The

social gospel – social gospel – The rise and increased The rise and increased

acceptance of acceptance of “Individualism” or “Individualism” or “Holtism”.“Holtism”.

The rise of the “house The rise of the “house church” and the “small church” and the “small group ministry”.group ministry”.

We ought to be We ought to be concerned with concerned with the growth and the growth and development development of the local of the local church, in church, in particular, particular,

qualifying men qualifying men to be elders.to be elders.(Titus 1:5)(Titus 1:5)

Titus 1:5 (NKJV) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders

in every city as I commanded you.

To prevent it’s To prevent it’s denominationalizatiodenominationalization, we must:n, we must: Thwart the party Thwart the party

spiritspirit Overcome the Overcome the

desire to desire to compromisecompromise

Respect God’s Respect God’s wisdom as wisdom as manifested in manifested in the local church the local church

We will prevail We will prevail over over

denominationalisdenominationalism only to the m only to the

extent that we extent that we “hold fast the “hold fast the

faithful word...as faithful word...as taught” (Titus taught” (Titus

1:9).1:9).

Titus 1:9 (NKJV) holding fast the

faithful word as he has been taught, that he may

be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who

contradict.