DENOMINATIONS

Webster defines ‘denomination’ as a “religious organization uniting in a single legal and administrative body; a number of local congregations;” also, a group of churches (collective) under the same name.

The “churches of Christ” (Romans 16:16) are each independent local churches. A church of Christ knows that its headquarters is in Heaven and Jesus is our head. Colossians 1:18.

We cannot find the denominational concept in the Bible. Each local church of Christ (that is organized and practicing scripturally) has only the Bible as its guide. Jesus said He had “all authority” – Matthew 28:18 - and what He (Christ) had bound and loosed in Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles and other inspired men to bind and loose on earth those same things. Matthew 16:19; 18:18.

We dare not bind where God has not bound, we dare not loose where God has not loosed.
All we do in word (what we teach) and deed (what we practice), must be done in the name (by the authority of – Acts 4:7) the Lord. Colossians 3:17.

We have no pressure from any group, headquarters, synod, to do anything we cannot read about in the Bible. Each local church of Christ is charged to study the Bible for itself and to be guided ONLY by God’s word – the Bible. What is found authorized in the Bible, we do! 2 Timothy 3:16-f. What cannot be found authorized in Gods word, we oppose and do not do!

For example:
1. We cannot find Christs’ authority for mechanical music in worship. So, we have singing only in our worship service – Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19.

2. We do find authority for partaking of the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week (Sunday) – Acts 20:7. Every week has a first day, we find no other time or frequency.

3. We find authority for giving into the church treasury on the first day of the week, so that is when we give – 1 Corinthians 16:2.

Are you a member of the Lords church using only His word as your source of information? If not, you can be!