Are churches of Christ a Denomination?

In recent days we have been reading and hearing people say that churches of Christ are a denomination. One man, a member of the church of Christ, recently said, Open any Yellow Pages, for example, and you will quickly find that we have voluntarily joined the denominational ranks. Along with {Christian denominations}, there we are—for all the world to see—clumped under the heading of “Church of Christ.”¹

Without question, those today who look at us from the outside invariably regard us as simply one denomination among many; and, given the way we think and act, they have every reason for doing so.²

From a sociological point of view, I can understand why some might suppose that churches of Christ are just one Christian group among many. From a Biblical point of view, however, there are significant differences between the churches of Christ and the popular religious groups surrounding us.

Very frankly, to speak of “Church of Christ” as if it were an adjective is a very sectarian thing to do. To say “Church-of-Christ” buildings, busses, or preachers is to use the phrase wrongly. Members of the church are Christians who attend a church of Christ. We are not “church-of-Christers” or “Church of Christ” Christians.

Some Definitions:
It is always helpful to define the words one uses. If we do not understand properly the words we use, we will surely come away with the wrong impression.

Denomination: The organized grouping of congregations with similar names, creeds, beliefs, structures and practices. The word "denomination" refers to "A class, kind or sort designated by a specific name: ecclesiastically a body or sect holding particular distinctives."³ A denomination by its nature is one of many, a class of things amidst a bigger group.

Church: (ekklhsia) "called out" referring to a "called out body of people." The word "church" is used in three different ways in the New Testament. It is most often used to refer to the world-wide body or kingdom of Christ, comprised of all who have obeyed the gospel and were added by the Lord to the number of the saved in His body (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:23,25). Baptism (immersion in water for the remission of sins) is the point at which one enters the body and is added to the church (Acts 2:41,47; 1 Cor. 12:13). Used in this universal sense, "church" is always used in the singular; there is "one body" or one church (Eph. 4:4; 1:22,23).

A second use of the term "church" refers to the local congregation, so that the Scripture refers to the "church of God in Corinth" (1 Cor. 1:2), "the churches of Galatia" (Gal. 1:2), or the "seven churches in the province of Asia" (Rev. 1:4). One should not assume that these are different classes or kinds of churches (as denominations, which have different names, creeds and practices). The New Testament knows nothing of the denominational concept. The New Testament knows of only one universal church identifiable in local congregations, so that Paul speaks of the "churches of Christ" (Rom. 16:16).

A third use of the term "church" is a reference to the assembly of the local congregation as in 1 Cor. 11:18 or 14:34. In the New Testament "church" never refers to a physical building, though it is commonly used for that today. The church is made up of people, living stones (1 Pet. 2:5,9). Other terms that are synonymous with "church" include temple, vineyard, kingdom, body, household or family of God.

When we consider the nature of the church as it began in the first century, no denominations were present.

How can we today be Christians and members of an identifiable, local congregation of the Lord’s church and not be involved with denominations or classified as a denomination?

How can Christians go from community to community and identify a group of people who worship and believe as they do and yet not be denominational?

History is clear that the practices and beliefs of the New Testament are quite different from the beliefs and practices of the Roman Catholic Church in the sixth century. When men rebelled against a corrupt Roman Catholic Church in later centuries, they began reading their Bibles and forming their own religious groups. Here are beginning dates of various groups:

1054 Division of Roman Catholic from the Greek Orthodox churches
1530 Lutheran church (Martin Luther)
1535 Church of England (Episcopalian)
1536 Presbyterian church (John Calvin)
1607 Baptist church (John Smyth)
1650 Quakers (George Fox)
1684 Congregational churches
1729 Methodist churches (John Wesley)
1830 Mormon church (Joseph Smith)
1831 Seventh-Day Advent (Ellen G. White)

While many of these groups did not associate with each other at first, as time has passed they have begun recognizing and fellowshipping each other in spite of their differences.

Denominationalism suggests that each denomination is a part or a division of the whole, that all of the denominations put together actually make up the universal church. This concept is wholly foreign to the New Testament, since Jesus only built one church (Eph. 4:4; 1:22,23). Their assumption is that they can be divided by their beliefs and yet still be united.

Division in the church based on differing doctrines and practices, however, is regarded in the Bible as a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Our purpose is not to become judges of others. God is the One and only judge of men. It is not “who is right” that matters in this discussion but “what is right.” What does God wish for us to believe and practice so that we might please Him?

Pluralism is the belief that there can be differing groups with many names, creeds, organizations, and practices and that these denominations can co-exist with the approval of God. This belief is clearly denied by the Scriptures. Jesus prayed for His people to be one (John 17:20-23); division is condemned (1 Cor. 1:10-13; Rom. 16:17-19); and Jesus identifies the true disciples as those who abide in his teaching (John 8:31,32; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9-11).

The obvious consequence of pluralism is that there is no such thing as heresy or false doctrine. Of course, this is the popular view and not the Biblical teaching. That there is such a thing as false doctrine and that it is condemned is clear from the Scriptures (Matt. 7:15-20; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Tim. 4:1-4; 2 Tim. 3:1-4:5; 2 Pet. 2:1-22).

Jesus said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." (Matt. 15:13-14)

Sometimes we hear people use the term “non-denominational.” By this, they mean that they are not aligned with any denomination; but they do not at all mean that they believe denominationalism (division) or the false teaching it embraces is wrong.

Others say they are “interdenominational,” i.e., they accept people from all denominations. The Christianity taught in the New Testament was actually “undenominational” and “anti-denominational.”

Undenominational in that the whole concept of “named” groups with different creeds and practices is foreign to the NT.

Anti-denominational in that Christians must oppose the practice of division and human institutions We plead for undenominational Christianity, committed to the teachings of Jesus in the Word of God. Our plea is to go back to the Bible—to do Bible things in Bible ways and to call Bible things by Bible names.

God condemns human creeds, traditions, practices, and man-made churches. Our questions on these matters must always be:

What does God will?
What does God wish us to be, to believe, to practice?

When we see the differences between the practices of the NT and the practices of popular Christianity today, we realize that we cannot be faithful to the Lord’s will and do what they do. We must choose “what is right.”

Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). He further explains,

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall." (Matt. 7:24-27)

If we recognize that a denomination is not practicing the teaching of Jesus but human doctrines, then we can avoid falling into an unseen pit. We want to do what is right.

Which of these is from God and which from man?
Which is founded on rock and which on sand?

New Testament Christianity	Denominations in Pluralism
One body united in belief and practice (Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Cor. 1:10-13; John 17:20-23).	Many bodies, divided by names, creeds, beliefs, practices and structures.
One faith (Eph. 4:5; Jude 3) and one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).	Many theologies and doctrines.
Only Divinely authorized practices (John 8:31-32).	Many human practices and traditions.
No creed but Christ (Matt. 7:21; John 12:48).	Many human creeds.
False teaching not tolerated (2 John 9-11; Gal. 1:6-9; Tit. 3:9-11).	Choice of many doctrines considered “healthy.”
Exalts the name of Jesus Christ (Col. 3:17; Acts 4:12).	Many names, often exalting humans.
One Lord in Heaven, who has all authority (Eph. 4:5; 1:20-23; Matt. 28:18).	Human organizations, presidents, councils, headquarters, diocese, synods, etc.
Baptism is immersion in water and necessary for salvation (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-7; 1 Pet. 3:21).	Baptism choices: sprinkling, pouring or immersion. For reasons denying forgiveness of sins.
Baptize penitent believers (Acts 2:38; 8:12).	Baptize unbelieving infants.
No titles for humans, since all are brethren (Matt. 23:7-10).	Humans called “Father,” “Reverend,” etc.
Worship with singing (Eph. 5:19: Col. 3:16).	Worship with instrumental music.
Worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).	Entertainment blended with worship.
Women not to teach or have authority over men (1 Cor. 14:34-37: 1 Tim. 2: 8-15).	Women Ministers, Elders and Pastors.

A serious study of these differences reveals that the popular, pluralistic Christian religion of today differs greatly with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. We are calling men to come out of religious groups who hold to unbiblical names, creeds, beliefs, structures or practices. We ask that they leave denominationalism and come to the Christianity presented in the New Testament. We conclude with these observations:

1. It matters what we believe.
The popular thinking says, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you love Jesus.” Yet Jesus distinguished his disciples not only by love (John 13:34-35) but also by their willingness to remain in his Word (John 8:31-32). It has always mattered what we believe. One cannot pervert the gospel and please the Lord (Gal. 1:6-9). For Jesus to be loved as Lord of our lives means that He must rule. Jesus asked, “why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). We love the Lord by keeping His commandments (John 14:15). We merely deceive ourselves if we think it doesn’t matter what we believe.

2. It matters whether or not we support error.
John said, “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds” (2 John 9- 11). While some say this passage speaks only to the deity of Jesus, we reply that there is a principle here that must not be ignored. The condemnation came about because men moved beyond the teaching of God by teaching their own beliefs. It is an offense to God to change any of His teachings. John called the progressive doctrine evil. Those who teach progressive doctrines commit evil deeds. Man-made teaching is presumptuous and steps into a realm that belongs only to the Lord. Those who teach false doctrines do not have God. Whether we teach that false doctrine or support those who teach that false doctrine, we are guilty of committing an evil deed. It matters whether we support error. People who attend and support religious groups who teach error are guilty before God and lose their relationship with God.

3. What God says matters.
Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day” (John 12:48). We cannot pick and choose what we like about God’s teachings and what we do not like. The standard, which will judge us on the last day, is God’s word. God is God, and He did not take opinion polls to determine His will. We live in an age that stresses political correctness, but God is not subject to our culture. While we value changing opinions, God has spoken to all people in all places for all time (Jude 3). His will does not change. Rather than thinking we can say and do religiously as we please, we should seek God’s face and follow His will.

Are “churches of Christ” a denomination?
No. They seek something quite different. They seek simply to be God’s people within the various local congregations. They embrace undenominational Christianity as God’s people did in the first century. For expediency sake they identify themselves as “churches of Christ,” so that they will know each other from place to place. In a world of multiple Christian groups, brethren must somehow identify each other. Once denominations came into this world, true Christians had to find a way to distinguish themselves from those denominations.

Further, in order for any group to own property or to do business, it must have a legal name. It should not seem strange, then, for brethren to use a common name found in the Bible (Rom. 16:16). In every age from the first century to the present, churches have realized they belong to Christ (Matt. 16:18). The phrase, “church of Christ” is a description of who we are and whose we are rather than a denominational title. We are churches who devote ourselves to Christ and follow Christ. Our desire is that all men should understand this and want to be a member of the church for which Jesus died. While churches of Christ have a common name, common beliefs, common structures, and common practices, we do not regard ourselves as a class or a kind. We cannot associate with or support those who teach or practice false religion, lest we become guilty of their evil deeds. We simply regard ourselves as Christians and our congregations as identifiable representatives of the family of God.

One can be a Christian as the New Testament teaches and not be a member of any denomination. One does not have to tolerate the teachings and practices of men. One can simply be child of God in an identifiable, local congregation. Most today wear the name “church of Christ,” so that they can honor the Lord with His name and so that they can identify their brethren. We invite you to abandon the beliefs of denominationalism and to follow Jesus. The Lord said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

1 F. LaGard Smith, Radical Restoration, Cotswald Publishing 2001, pp.24-25.
2 Ibid., p. 25.
3 Baker’s Dictionary of Theology, p. 163-164.