The church of Christ

A Plea for Non-Denominational Christianity

I. Introduction

Imagine the difficulty of explaining 21st-century life to people from the first century. Concepts like the internet, television, air travel, and running water would be nearly impossible for them to grasp. Similarly, it would be challenging for first-century Christians to explain the uniqueness of the church to people in the 21st century, who are accustomed to a wide variety of denominations and religious divisions. In today's world, Christianity is characterized by numerous denominations, each with their own distinct beliefs and practices. However, the Church of Christ seeks to restore New Testament Christianity and be simply Christians, without denominational affiliations.

II. The Church of Christ is Not a Denomination

Despite accusations from outsiders and even some within the religious community, the Church of Christ is not a denomination. In the early 19th century, men like Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and Thomas Campbell sought to restore New Testament Christianity, not create a new denomination. When accused of founding a denomination, Alexander Campbell strongly denied it, stating that he had always repudiated human heads and human names for the people of the Lord.

The Apostle Paul faced similar accusations in Acts 24:14, where he was accused of being part of a sect. However, Paul maintained that he worshipped the God of his fathers, believing all things written in the Law and the Prophets. This demonstrates that even in the first century, followers of Christ were falsely accused of being just another religious sect.

The seed principle, as taught by Jesus in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:11-15), illustrates that when the pure Word of God is planted, it will produce Christians, not denominations. Just as a seed reproduces after its kind, the Word of God, when followed, will produce the same results as it did in the first century. This principle is exemplified by the discovery of 2,000-year-old seeds in Masada, which, when planted, produced a palm tree. Similarly, when the pure Word of God is planted in the hearts of people, it will produce Christians, just as it did in the first century.

III. The Church of Christ Opposes Denominationalism

Jesus prayed for unity among believers in John 17:20-21, desiring that they all may be one. The Apostle Paul also condemned divisions in the church in 1 Corinthians 1 and 12:25. Denominationalism goes against the will of Christ and divides the body of Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul addressed the issue of the Corinthian church dividing into factions, following after different men such as Paul, Cephas, and Apollos. This sectarianism is similar to the denominationalism we see today, where people align themselves with various brands of Christianity. Paul strongly condemned this practice, emphasizing that Christ is not divided and that believers should be united in Him.

The Church of Christ calls people to leave the divisions and denominations and return to the Bible, practicing only what it teaches. By doing so, believers can be united in Christ, just as they were in the first century.

IV. The Church of Christ: Simply Christians

Members of the Church of Christ are convinced by the message Peter preached in Acts 2, believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that all have sinned against Him. They obey the gospel as taught in the New Testament, repenting and being baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). This is the same message that led to the establishment of the church in the first century, and it remains the path to salvation today.

The Church of Christ seeks to call people out of the world and sectarianism, becoming members of Christ's church, wherein is salvation. By cutting through the centuries of religious traditions and returning to the Bible alone, they strive to practice New Testament Christianity, being Christians and Christians only. This involves examining religious practices in light of Scripture, adding what is found in God's Word that is not being practiced, and removing anything being practiced that is not found in God's Word.

V. The Appeal of Non-Denominational Christianity

The plea to be simply Christians is attractive, as it allows believers to shed the baggage of creeds and beliefs not found in the Bible. By being "churches of Christ," they belong to Him and align themselves with no sect or denominational body. This description emphasizes the church's relationship to Christ, rather than any man-made organizational structure.

The simplicity of walking with God is appealing, as it frees one from man-made additions and divisions. If something is found in God's Word that is not being practiced, it should be added. Conversely, if something is being practiced that is not found in God's Word, it should be removed. By being content with God's Word and practicing it faithfully, believers can be united as they were in the first century.

VI. Conclusion

Those who have not obeyed the gospel are encouraged to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, as taught in Acts 2:38. This is not a denominational teaching, but rather a command straight from the Word of God.

Unfaithful Christians are urged to repent, confess their sins, and pray for forgiveness. God is faithful and just to forgive those who humbly acknowledge their shortcomings and strive to do better.

By returning to the Bible and following its teachings, believers can be united as simply Christians, free from denominational divisions, and part of the church that belongs to Christ. This is the attractive and compelling plea of non-denominational Christianity as practiced by the churches of Christ.