OvercomingSelf.net
Help Your Self article #24
| - Church Is Not Of Men - |
I. Jesus Gives The Test
Concerning a religious question, Jesus once asked, Whence was it? from heaven, or of
men? (MATTHEW 21:25) By this, Christ made the watershed declaration on authority in
religion; the ultimate test on what is allowed or what is forbidden in the church or in
religion. If it is from heaven (the Word), then we should not be moved from it. If it is of men
(the world), then it does not belong in the church. In religion, something is either from
heaven, or else of men. Denominationalism is of man, therefore, it is not from heaven.
Concerning a religious question, Jesus once asked, Whence was it? from heaven, or of
men? (MATTHEW 21:25) By this, Christ made the watershed declaration on authority in
religion; the ultimate test on what is allowed or what is forbidden in the church or in
religion. If it is from heaven (the Word), then we should not be moved from it. If it is of men
(the world), then it does not belong in the church. In religion, something is either from
heaven, or else of men. Denominationalism is of man, therefore, it is not from heaven.
II. “Depart From The Faith”
1 TIM. 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils…
”Denomination” [from Latin De - to give, + Nominare - to name = To give a name to] is a
class or sect named by man, which has departed from that one faith of EPHESIANS 4:4.
They depart because of – and are often named for – a certain person, place, thing, or
teaching. Causes behind the departing from the faith are called, "doctrines of devils."
1 TIM. 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils…
”Denomination” [from Latin De - to give, + Nominare - to name = To give a name to] is a
class or sect named by man, which has departed from that one faith of EPHESIANS 4:4.
They depart because of – and are often named for – a certain person, place, thing, or
teaching. Causes behind the departing from the faith are called, "doctrines of devils."
III Denominations Are The Wrong Way
In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. Pretty clear isn’t he? Illustration: From time to time there have been
reports of car wrecks in downtown districts. There are one-way streets. Either one did not
know, or did not read, or was an out-of-town traveler. The wrecks happened when vehicles
were going the wrong way, on one-way streets. When it comes to one church, to be wrong
is destruction; It must be right, only one way.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. Pretty clear isn’t he? Illustration: From time to time there have been
reports of car wrecks in downtown districts. There are one-way streets. Either one did not
know, or did not read, or was an out-of-town traveler. The wrecks happened when vehicles
were going the wrong way, on one-way streets. When it comes to one church, to be wrong
is destruction; It must be right, only one way.
Conclusion: Jesus, in JOHN 6:47-50. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on
me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the
wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man
may eat thereof, and not die. The church of Christ is like a fresh warm whole loaf of
bread. A denomination is like a little slice covered with mold. No one would want it. And
while throwing it away, they would wonder why it was not thrown away sooner. Why not
throw away the shackles of denominations, and be free in but one church of Christ?
me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the
wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man
may eat thereof, and not die. The church of Christ is like a fresh warm whole loaf of
bread. A denomination is like a little slice covered with mold. No one would want it. And
while throwing it away, they would wonder why it was not thrown away sooner. Why not
throw away the shackles of denominations, and be free in but one church of Christ?