About DENOMINATIONALISM

by:  David A. Beck

            You don’t have to look very far around you to see that many men and women are disgusted with what they see as Christianity today.  They see charlatans begging for money on TV and the mega-churches with all their entertainment and carnality trying to draw as many as will come to their church.  They see a total disregard for the doctrine found on the pages of God’s word and each denomination doing as they please.  It is easy to see the error of hundreds of denominations all claiming to teach God’s word and glean their authority from it, yet each one divided by differing practices and doctrines.  It is easy to see that this is impossible.  They leave the impression that the Bible is not understandable by the common man; yet, it is the Bible that brings us the doctrine of Christ that saves us from our sins.  NO WONDER FOLKS ARE DISCOURAGED WITH THE “CHRIST-IANITY” OF TODAY!

          This discouragement and turning away from the Bible is really due to a lack of understanding about what the truth really is.  They have accepted the false premise that is flaunted through denominationalism.

          You see, in the midst of all of this confusion and error, there is the simple, undenominational, truth of God that leads to salvation.   But, you have to strip away all the religious practices and doctrines that have been added through the centuries by men.

          When you investigate the Bible; taking it just as it is, the inspired word of God, you can understand it.  It is when one tries to read it and make sense of  denominationalism that it becomes confusing.  That is why denominational preachers will tell you that you need them (their clergy) to tell you what it means.

          If some of these things have troubled you and you desire to return to the simple, uncomplicated religion of Christ, we are here to help you.  If you have felt the desire to strip away all non-essential elements of religion and become simply a Christian, we can show you how.  Many are not aware that   such a possibility actually exists.

          Let us begin with one fact. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and His coming, His mission, and His message were all foretold in the Old Testament (Gen. 49:10; Isa. 53; Zech. 6:13; Jer. 31:31-33). 

          The Old Testament was merely a shadow of what was to come (Heb. 10:1ff).  Under this system the Jew learned about sin and its consequences by following God’s instructions in offering physical animal sacrifices.  Jehovah used this system to govern Israel until the Christ should come and establish the New Covenant which was for all mankind (Gal. 3:19-29).

          The New Testament is the word of Christ.  It reveals the religion of Christ (Heb. 9:15-17).  By studying it we can learn all that we need to know about how one can be saved from their sins; how one can be a part of the church that Jesus built (Matt. 16:18); and how one is to worship God.  There is nothing that any denomination can add that will help us to understand these things. For that matter, denominationalism, with its own creeds, lead us further away from the Bible if we follow their unique and individual concepts.

          When we become aware that no denominations existed until hundreds of years after the close of the New Testament, there is a question that should haunt us.  “Why do we need denominationalism today?” If you can learn of Christ and His church from just reading the New Testament, why would you want to be taught from the doctrines of denominationalism?  If you can learn about the church of Christ; the one He promised to establish, and can be a part of that organization, why would you want to be a part of any other?  If we can meet with others who honor God by worshiping Him in the simple ways that He has instructed us, why would we want to worship according to the adulterated pattern of denominations?

          We see churches running around in circles trying to please the fleshly appetites of man.  They have made their assemblies places of entertainment and they have built their churches around satisfying man’s physical wants instead of applying the doctrine of Christ to take care of their spiritual needs.  They have tested the winds of popular opinion and embraced the immorality and sin of today calling it open-mindedness, love, and liberality with no concern for God’s moral laws and instruction.

          Wouldn’t it  be  wonderful  to be able to meet and worship with folks who honor God and His word in all that they do?  Wouldn’t it be great to be taught, and have your family taught, the precepts of God’s word without the corruption of denominational error?  Wouldn’t it be great to sincerely worship just like they did in the New Testament, without the pomp and entertainment that has become the hallmark of denominationalism?  The good news is, YOU CAN.

          There are thousands of churches around the world that all teach and practice the same thing; the unadulterated religion of Christ.  They do this without any oversight from any board or headquarters because they each honor God’s word and follow it.  They wear no other name than the one Christ gave through His inspired word, the name Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28, 1 Pet. 4:16)  They worship in the same ways the Christians did in the New Testament (singing, praying, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, teaching, and free-will offerings).

          You can be a part of the church that Jesus purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28) and work and worship with a congregation of Christians who love and take care of each other as spiritual family.

          If this sounds like what you are looking for, and you would like to know more about this simple, non-denominational Christianity, please contact us through the person who gave you this tract or feel free to contact us through the information provided on the back.  Or why not come and visit us.