(11) DENOMINATIONS:  In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus he addresses a problem that had arisen in several churches.  Paul knew that the problem, though it had a small beginning, if not solved would develop into a church-destroying church “truth.”   He was right.  In spite of the efforts of God’s apostles, the theological movement did eventually rip God’s church apart, leaving only a tiny remnant of true, obedient saints which today number in only a few thousand world-wide.  This denomination abomination  includes those religious groups that claim not to be denominations.  If a religious group believes and practices the doctrines and customs listed in the Introduction to this website, it is a God-rejecting denomination.  Technically, “denominations” is not the word that should be used to characterize the Catholic/Protestant religious system of the modern world.  The word “denomination” simply refers to the naming of an entity.  To denominate means to name that entity.

Each religious group within professing Christendom contends that it, and it alone comprises “the church.”  All other groups into which professing Christendom has divided itself into are imposters.  This designation is deceptive in that not one named (denominated) group that calls itself “the church” is recognized by the Almighty as His church–the “Church of God,” which is not to be confused with the denomination that calls itself by that name.  Nor is the true Church of God to be confused with the denomination00 that calls itself the Church of Christ.  Neither these two self-proclaimed “churches,” nor any of the other myriad of religious cults, each of which calls itself “the church,” are in no way connected to the (one and only) Body of Christ of which He is the head (not heads).  As this ministry continues to prove Scripturally, those within Catholicism/Protestantism are not God’s people and are therefore not part of His church family.  Rather, each group sells itself as the one and only church.. In the 4th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he also speaks directly to the modern version of “the church.”  Let us examine chapter 4 in order to learn what the Lord was saying to that ancient church which is also what He is saying to professing Christendom today.

In verse one the Lord, through Paul, commands the Ephesians and salvation seekers today to “walk (live) worthy of the vocation (life) to which you are called.”  Note that the “walk/life” is singular.  In verses 4-6 we are told in no uncertain terms that THERE IS ONLY ONE CHURCH WALK (LIFE-STYLE), ONE CHURCH BODY (“MAN”), ONE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE HOPE OF SALVATION, ONE LORD JESUS, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, (read John’s baptism.  Key word–John’s), ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL.  Verses 11-16 comprise one single sentence that describes the nature of the true God and His true church, WHOSE NATURES (WALKS) ARE THE SAME IN THAT THEY ARE GOD’S NATURE.  He asks in           , “Can two walk together unless they are in agreement?”  No.  This is why the saint agrees with God.  He must, else they cannot walk together.  One either walks with God or walks with Satan.  We cannot serve two masters.

In order to instill and maintain the oneness of His people’s nature/walk/life, God placed in the church (not churches) apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers “FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, FOR THE (ONE) WORK OF THE MINISTRY TO THE (ONE) CHURCH TO BRING ALL TO THE (ONE) UNITY OF THE (ONE) FAITH AND TO THE (ONE) KNOWLEDGE OF THE (ONE) SON OF GOD, TO A (ONE) PERFECT “MAN,” TO THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE OF THE  FULLNESS OF CHRIST.”  In verse 15 Paul refers to THE (ONE AND ONLY) TRUTH about THE (ONE AND ONLY) CHRIST–THE (ONE AND ONLY) HEAD OF THE (ONE AND ONLY) CHURCH to which all church bodies everywhere are joined in the form of ONE BODY, of which Christ is the (one and only) HEAD.  Note that in verse 16 Paul refers to THE WHOLE (SINGULAR) BODY THAT IS FITLY JOINED TOGETHER AND COMBINED INTO ONE CHURCH IN WHICH EVERY PART (PERSON) EFFECTIVELY WORKS TOGETHER WITH ALL OTHER PARTS TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S (SINGULAR) WILL.  

In 2:19-22 Paul refers to the church as “fellow citizens”–saints–within THE (ONE AND ONLY) HOUSEHOLD (FAMILY) OF GOD.  This family/church is founded on the (writings of) the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles.  Here the apostle refers to THE (ONE AND ONLY) FOUNDATION, CHRIST BEING THE (ONE AND ONLY) CORNERSTONE.  Paul also stresses God’s command that the building (saints) fit together “rightly” and form A (ONE AND ONLY) TEMPLE OF THE LORD.  Paul reminds the Ephesians that they are BUILT TOGETHER WITH ALL OTHER CHURCHES OF GOD TO FORM A (ONE AND ONLY) HABITATION OF GOD THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TOGETHER AND IS HELD TOGETHER BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.  Only those who are led by (obey) the Holy Spirit are true sons of God and are part of His (singular) body–the true Church of God (Rom. 8:14).  God offers only two spiritual options: His one-way-I-want-it or Satan’s any-way-you-want-it.  The church in Ephesus was flirting with the latter option.

In 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 we find Paul dealing with that same problem in the church at Corinth.  He had been informed that there had developed “contentions” within the church.  Not content with being called by God’s name, some wanted to be known as followers of Paul himself, others identified with Apollos.  Others insisted on being known as Peter’s disciples.   Paul asked: “Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”  Today we call those “contentions” by another name–“denominations.”

I find it ironic that when a churchite identifies him/herself on a religious basis, he/she invariably self-identifies as a member of a particular denomination–THE VERY ENTITIES THAT GOD CONDEMNS.  Religious man does not identify with the God Whom he claims has saved him, but rather with a religious organization which God condemns.  The excuse normally provided when this heresy is pointed out is, “God knows that we’re all different, and that we worship Him in different ways.”  THAT IS THE PRIMARY PROBLEM WITH THE COUNTERFEIT CHURCH’S DENOMINATIONAL SYSTEM–EVERYONE “SERVES GOD IN HIS OWN WAY.”  Which brings to mind the following passage: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but that way leads to death” (Prov. 14:12).  Note that man “knows” that he is right, but is in fact dead wrong.  God forbids such heretical thinking, speaking and acting among His people.  There is only one right way–god’s Scriptural way.  Jesus is the Head of THE (ONE AND ONLY) CHURCH–A TINY, REJECTED GROUP NUMBERING ONLY A FEW THOUSAND GLOBALLY.  Each religious group that calls itself a church is separate from all of the other hundreds of cults, sects, etc. that call themselves God’s people.  The so-called “church” of professing Christendom is comprised of hundreds of contending, conflicting, competing, contradicting bodies, each with its own beliefs and customs, its own gospel and its own truth, which is “THE” only true “truth.”  Each group claims that God has ordained that group (only) to save the world using its version of “truth.” In this way “Satan has deceived the whole world” into embracing his church system.

Each division within Satan’s church system was founded by a man who had supposedly received from on high “a clearer vision of God’s will and a more complete understanding of His Word.”  He was also a man in desperate need of a following.  God commands Truth seekers to come out of Catholicism/Protestantism and to remain separate from it.  The Great Whore and her Harlot Daughters are the enemies of Christ (Rev. 17:1-5).  God commands that Truth seekers come out of her and be separate (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).  Only then will He be one’s God and one will be His child.  Only then can one “cleanse himself of all of her (the church’s) filthiness and create (personal) holiness in the fear of God.”  “THE CHURCH” DOES NOT FEAR GOD., which explains why she feels free to reject His Word.  L.J.