THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 20 One Can Be A Christian Without Being In Any Denomination - Part 2 of 2

“If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11). KJV

OUR PLEA

Loved ones, in our Spiritual Battle the plea of the early pioneers of the truth has been neglected or abandoned. The fact that one can be a Christian without being in any denomination is the position which we need to keep in mind. It deserves renewed emphasis, and it especially ought to be taught and understood by each new generation.

Christians are determined to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent (1 Peter 4:11). We desired to reach back beyond London, Constantinople, or Rome, and to go all the way to Jerusalem. It is our constant resolve to teach what Christ, and the apostles taught and to practice what the New Testament church practiced under the guidance of inspired men (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:42).

It is never our intention to establish a new denomination or to belong to any sect in religion. Knowing that there were none of the modern day denominations in the New Testament times, we have determined to teach and to do only those things sanctioned by divine authority (Colossians 3:17).

If men in the first century heard, believed, and obeyed the truth (John 17:17), and they became Christians and Christians only, then those in this century who hear, believe, and obey the same gospel, without addition, subtraction, or modification, would become what they became - nothing more, nothing less – just Christians (Acts 11:26).

This has been and will always remain the essence of our plea. It is essentially a plea for New Testament authority (Galatians 6:2) and New Testament obedience (Hebrews 5:9). It is a restoration of the first-century Christian faith in our own time (Romans 10:17).

Restoration of the New Testament church does not mean perfection, because churches in the New Testament period were not perfect themselves (e.g., the church at Corinth). We can have genuine restoration of the New Testament church by following the New Testament plan of salvation (thereby being added by the Lord to His church – Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13) and by following the New Testament pattern in organization, doctrine, and practice.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

On the first Pentecost following the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for our sins, the kingdom (church of Christ – Matthew 16:18-19) came with power (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4). Peter and the apostles preached the gospel to the assembled Jewish multitude.

They convicted them of the slaying of the Son of God (Acts 2:36). Pricked in their hearts, they cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). They were commanded to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). Those that gladly received the word were baptized, and there were added some 3,000 souls (Acts 2:37-47).

We all know this story which never grows old. It is important to remember, however, that when these individuals obeyed the gospel, they were added to the church; but they belonged to no denomination, wore no human name, and subscribed to no human creed.

They were NOT denominational Christians. They were children of God (Galatians 3:26) and members of the New Testament church (Romans 16:16). This New Testament example establishes forevermore that it is possible for one to be a Christian and a member of the New Testament church without belonging to any sect, party, or denominational ecclesiasticism.

We must categorically reject any suggestion that we cannot do just what people did in New Testament times and thereby become just what they became. The current premise which is being promulgated by some suggests that when we obey the gospel and become members of the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), we are not only identified with the church in its New Testament sense but with a “modem-identifiable fellowship” which is not identical to the church in the New Testament.

We deny it! We do not believe it! If such were true, it would negate the very plea which we are making to the world to lay aside human names and creeds and to become simple New Testament Christians. We have never and will never join any human sect, denomination, or modern-day identifiable fellowship.

We propose to be nothing more or less than what men were in the New Testament times (Philippians 2:1-5). We believe this is not only possible, but desirable; and that it is not only attainable, but mandatory, if we are to please God.

CONCLUSION

We must recognize that the claim that there are sincere, knowledgeable, devout Christians scattered among all the various denominations, it not an isolated statement, but it is a part of a "package" which is related to the "unity/fellowship movement."

It grows out of the further claim that one does not have to be baptized “for the remission of sins" (i.e., the person being baptized does not have to understand or believe this). It suggests, therefore, that there are Christians in all the denominations because so long as one has been baptized "to obey God," such baptism is acceptable, and one must be accepted as our brother.

It relegates the church to sectarian status and thus softens the lines of fellowship between the church and "other" sectarian bodies. This teaching, if followed to its logical conclusion, will be destructive of the restoration plea and the essence of the New Testament church.

The plea for non-denominational Christians - New Testament Christians (Acts 26:28) - is in fact the worthiest platform in the entire religious world. It is a call back to the New Testament faith and order (Jude 3).

It is an effort to bring men to the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). It seeks to uphold the church of God for which Jesus died and shed His blood (1 Timothy 3:15). It holds to the principle that what our Lord authorized in the first century is meant for all time and all people.

It maintains that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness today (Matthews 5:6) can obey the same gospel, and achieve the same results, as those who lived in the New Testament era. It is ultimately a plea for the New Testament itself because it is based on the conviction that the New Testament is our pattern and our guide (Hebrews 9:15-17).

Let us return once again to an emphasis upon the New Testament plan and invite ail men to heed its principles and to enjoy its beauty. Let us give place, no, NOT for an hour, to those who would weaken this plea, destroy its effectiveness, and forsake its foundations (1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20).

Let us remember the admonitions of the apostle Paul: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:13).

Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).