Huntington Church of Christ

For the past few months we have examined and compared various denominations in light of God's Word. Why do this? there are several reasons to consider. First, the Bible teaches there is only one church (Ephesians 4:4). Jesus said, "I will build my church," not churches (Matthew 16:18). We have looked at about ten or eleven denominations and each of these have various divisions among themselves. We sincerely ask, does anyone really believe one church equals ten churches? I don't think so! My children have all gone through elementary mathematichs. They have learned the greater than (>), less than (<) and equal (=) signs. They understand that ten cannot be one. So we diligently search the Bible and seek the true church of the New Testament by continuing to compare Scripture with what we see and know. So far, the ten or so denominations examined have fallen short of sound Bible teaches. They are the inventions of men. They are proud of their founders, but their founder is not Christ Jesus. They document their dates of origin and establishment, but they do not agree with the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus (AD 33).

The very root of the word Denominations means "to divide". The Encyclopedia Britannica writes: "From Latin denominare -- A body of persons holding specific opinions,...various sects into which members of a common faith may be divided...thus the principle of emphasizing the distinction, rather than the common ground held by different bodies." God warned us that some would "fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies" (1 Timothy 4:1,2). A denomination therefore is a separate body of people dissenting from the truth New Testament church in doctrine and practice. They are departures from the faith.

God hates division. "Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1;10) "Now this I mean, that each on of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1;12,13) Men today claim, "I am of Luther; and I of Welsey; and I of Rutherford; and I of John Smythe." To use Paul's thoughts again, "Is Christ divided? Was Campbell crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Calvin?" Are you strong enough and willing enough to put these sects and heresies aside and follow after Christ? Please, carefully and soberly consider these things.

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ