More on Denominationalism

Some who have advocated denominationalism have ceased to do so and are now excusing it by saying that there was a time for denominations, but now the time has come for them to cease and all come together in one great body and form one new gigantic denomination. Such a claim betrays ignorance of Bible teaching. There is as much authority for two hundred denominations as there is for one; there is absolutely no authority for the existence of any of them. If denominations are to remain, union is impossible. There is no reason that can justify such organizations from New Testament teaching. Those who may be set for the defense of denominationalism must understand that they are opposed to New Testament teaching. No one can be right with God and in harmony with its truth and at the same time justify division among the believers in Christ. A denomination has not the authority of Jesus Christ for its existence; hence, it has no mission divinely guided, neither has it any work that is ordained of God. Moreover, he has not promised to bless anyone for loyalty to or service in any denomination. If they are perpetuated, it must be by the will of man and in opposition to the will of God.

The sin of division is great, The stench of it reaches to high heaven; the guilt of it descends into the depth of hell. It is the gigantic sin of the ages; it stands stubbornly in the way of the kingdom of God on earth. Denominationalism is the "man of sin," which "opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God" (2 Thess. 2:3,4). The sin of denominationalism stalks abroad in the land, perverts the gospel, divides believers in Christ, and fosters opposition and antagonism; it is the mother of religious prejudice, which destroys a vision of the truth; it enters into the sanctity of the home and separates husband and wife, children and parents, friends and companions; it robs worshipers of the blessings of God, turns the praise of God to the praise of men; it honors men and fosters the party spirit and jealousy among its devotees; it often destroys faith in the Bible and has made infidels innumerable. May God speed the day when this sin shall be swept from the earth! (Reprinted from Gospel Advocate, LXXXIV, 35 [27 August 1942): 820-21).