Christians Without Denominationalism

     Most people in the religious world believe  a Christian is a person who is a member 

of one of the many denominational groups that exists. In their view, being a Christian is 

equivalent to being a denominationalist. The word Christian (Grk. christianos) means an 

adherent of Christ; a Christ-follower. It is only used three times in the New Testament 

(Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). No denominational churches or societies existed 

with God's approval in the days of the apostles, but there were Christians in those days. 

This is conclusive proof that one can be a Christian and have no denominational

affiliation. They were Christians without denominationalism. We can and must be the 

same.

     While he lived on the earth, teaching and preparing his apostles for their mission 

to the world,  Jesus promised to build his assembly. (Matthew 16:18) It was established 

on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ. (Acts 2) It was at that time that 

people who were immersed were added together and constituted the spiritual body of 

Jesus the Messiah. (Acts 2:41,47) This group was not planned by human beings 

(Ephesians 3:8-12), was not built  by human beings (Matthew 16:18), and it was not 

revealed by human beings (Ephesians 3:1-6). Only the spiritual body of Christ was 

planned by God, built by Christ, and revealed by the Holy Spirit. Those whom the Lord 

added together "were called Christians." They were Christians because they had been 

"immersed into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." 

(Matthew 28:19) They declared their allegiance to the Godhead, for they were the 

property of the Sacred Three. In other words, they belonged to and had entered a 

relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They did this without being a part 

of any denomination. We can do the same.

     The New Testament affirms that "there is one body." (Ephesians 4:4) The same 

letter informs us that Jesus is "head over all things to the assembly, which is his body, 

the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23) Jesus is preeminent and 

has supremacy over everything pertaining to his spiritual body. (Colossians 1:18) He 

directs her through the word of his Father that was revealed to the apostles by the Holy 

Spirit. (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 14:37) He does this without 

denominational dogmas, schemes, creeds, or organizations. He has made it possible for 

people to be Christians without denominationalism. Those who received the word of the 

Lord during the days of the apostles were "immersed into one body." (1 Corinthians 12:13) 

It is the way of perfect wisdom. It is the way that is undeniably right. It is the way that 

God has prescribed.

     If the foregoing facts are true, then why have most people chosen to do things a 

different way? Some people are uninformed. They simply don't know any better 

because they are not students of God's word. They rely on the "clergy" to tell them 

what to believe and practice. They believe the infallibly safe course is to allow the 

theologians to lead them down the path they are to follow. People should be like the 

men and women of Berea. They should "examine the scriptures daily to see if the 

things are so." (Acts 17:11) Other people tend to read God's word, see what it says, 

and listen to its message if it is teaching something that is favorable to them or 

something they are already practicing. If not, they allow human tradition to override 

the truth of scripture. Human tradition is a formidable foe of divine truth. People tend 

to set aside God's word in order to observe their traditions. (Matthew15:1-6)

     May God help us to understand that his way is the only right way, and that we 

can and must be Christians without denominationalism. We can be Christians without 

joining a denomination. We can be Christians without supporting a denomination. We 

should not be followers of mere men and movements. We should follow Christ, who 

is "the head of the body, the assembly; {for} he is the beginning, the firstborn from 

the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything." (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 

Colossians 1:18)

                                                                                                               RD

Copyright 2010