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Floyd Decker

The Christian Church has women Counselors, Directors and Lecturers ; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 2:11, 12; 1 Cor. 14:34).

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Floyd Decker

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  1. The Christian Church has women Counselors, Directors and Lecturers; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 2:11, 12; 1 Cor. 14:34). • The Christian Church has Educational Directors, Associate Ministers and Youth Directors; the church of Christ has elders, deacons, evangelists and teachers (Eph. 4:11; Phil. 1:1). • The Christian Church has Missionary, Benevolent and Educational Organizations to execute the work of the church; the church of Christ does not (Eph. 4:4; Eph. 3:10, 21). Floyd Decker

  2. The Christian Church celebrates days of heathen worship, such as Easter, Mother's Day and Christmas the church of Christ does not (Gal. 4:10). • The Christian Church fellowships various denominations in their activities, leaving the impression that all are brethren; the church of Christ does not (2 John 9-11; Gal. 1:6-10). • The Christian Church seeks to get crowds with Youth Meetings, Campaigns for Christ, Rallies, Drives and Promotions; the church of Christ does not (Rom. 1:16; Rev. 22:18, 19). Floyd Decker

  3. The Christian Church emphasizes society and the physical man by appealing to the carnal nature, with church carnivals, bands, plays, choruses, dramatics, church kitchens, church camps, and elaborate fellowship halls; the church of Christ does not (1 Cor. 10:7; Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:22,34). • The Christian Church misuses the name "Christian," which is a noun, by speaking of "Christian nations," "Christian schools," and "Christian Church." The church of Christ does not (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Floyd Decker

  4. The Christian Church elevates its preachers by using such titles as Pastor, Superintendent, Doctor, and President, but the church of Christ does not (Matt. 23:5–12; Job 32:21–22). • The Christian Church has the denominational "Pastor System" demanding that preachers run after the members & hold the hands of the sick. The church of Christ & God does not expect this from those who have been called to preach the Gospel (Acts 6:2-4). Floyd Decker

  5. The Christian Church uses unscriptural means such as suppers, property rentals and special collections to raise money for the church; the church of Christ has each member lay by in store on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1–2). • The Christian Church owns and operates Publishing Houses, Radio Stations, Hospitals, and other Benevolent Societies; churches of Christ build nothing but churches (Eph. 3:21). Floyd Decker

  6. The Christian Church owns, supports and operates schools for secular education; the church of Christ does not (1 Tim. 3:15). • The Christian Church has a compromising spirit, will not defend its doctrine, has no regard for the authority of the Bible, bases its practice on the silence of the scriptures, and appeals to tradition rather than to the Gospel of Christ. Floyd Decker

  7. In 1973 Lynn Anderson affirmed at ACU that the Church had become a denomination. • Worse, in his opinion not a very good one. • Since then he has defended his affirmation in several forums including Wineskins Magazine. Lynn Anderson

  8. Ron Thomas wrote: "It is biblically sustainable that ONLY the Lord’s church will be saved." “Just to be clear one might want to shed light on the myth that the "Church of Christ" and the Lord's church are synonymous phrases. The "Church of Christ" is part of the Lord's church, but it is only a fraction of the whole. When we claim to be THE Lord's church it sounds a little like the exhaust pipe claiming to be the car. Ben Overby (Emph. DM) Ben Overby Broad Street Church of Christ 408 Broad StreetLagrange, Georgia 30240706-884-4482

  9. “I will build MY CHURCH” Matt. 16:18 “there is ONE BODY” Eph. 4:4 “He is also head of the BODY, the CHURCH” Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23

  10. Who agree to join together in fellowship (Acts 9:26). • Who worship in a common assembly – (1 Cor. 11:18) • Who work out of a common treasury – (1 Cor.16:1-3) • Who submit to a common oversight – (Acts 14:23; 20:28)

  11. 4: a religious organization uniting local congregations in a single legal and administrative body Merriam-Webster “A group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy, e.g., Anglicans, Presbyterians, Catholics etc.” http://library.christchurch.org.nz/FamilyHistory/Glossary

  12. There are over 1,000 “Christian” religious organizations in North America alone. Each has their own set of beliefs, policies and practices. “When discussing such topics as the divinity of Christ, salvation, heaven, etc. it would be hopelessly unwieldy to explain the beliefs of each faith group.” World Christian Encyclopedia

  13. Bound together by distinct beliefs Bound together by distinct beliefs Earthly Headquarters Earthly Headquarters Divided By Distinction In Belief Baptist (1608) Presbyterian (1560) Bound together by distinct beliefs Bound together by distinct beliefs Earthly Headquarters Earthly Headquarters Methodist (1740) Pentecostal (1898)

  14. Roman Catholic Church • Greek Orthodox Church • Lutheran Church • Church of England • Presbyterian Church • Baptist Church • 1739 Methodist Church • 1830 Mormon Church • Seventh Day Adventists • Jehovah’s Witnesses • Church of God • Nazarene Church • Christian Church • Assemblies of God

  15. Using NT terminology correctly, I must answer the question “No”. • However, speaking accommodatively, all know that there is a “Church of Christ Denomination” (Acts 15:24; I John 2:19). • The real question we ought to consider is: “What Tendencies of Denominationalism Are Present Today?

  16. The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Gal. 4:17). Galatians 4:17 (NKJV) They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

  17. The “party spirit” manifested among brethren in the past (Gal. 4:17). • “They zealously affect you”— Take a fancy to, or an interest in. They court you, to no good end. • “They would exclude you” —To shut out or exclude. They seek your exclusive fellowship with them as teachers. • “That ye might affect them” — They court you to be courted; they exclude you to exclude others.

  18. Examples of the “party spirit” not so long ago (Gospel Advocate, 12/9/1954). • “I trust that you will not consider me presumptuous if I suggest that the writers of the Gospel Advocate might wisely spearhead a movement to ‘quarantine’ those preachers who today are sowing the seeds of discord among the brotherhood and to thus prevent further divisions.” • “Blacklists,” closed periodicals and meeting cancellations.

  19. Has the party spirit taken up residence in the Lord’s House? (cf. Matthew 12:43-45) • What has happened to our commitment to righteous judgment? (John 7:24, 51) • There is a pattern for handling these kinds of controversies (Mat 5:37) • An open pulpit (Acts 15:4) • An open Bible (Acts 15:6) • An open dialogue (Acts 15:7)

  20. A promotion of co-operation and better understanding between religious groups or denominations, without aiming at unity. • Used predominantly with reference to (and by) Christian denominations separated by doctrine, history and practice. • Advocates a greater shared spirituality across Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths as part of its core beliefs.

  21. Ecumenism in the New Testament (Galatians 5:11; 6:12) • “If I yet preach…”(cf. Acts 16:3). • “Offence of the cross…” (Galatians 3:26-28) • “Lest they should suffer…” (cf. 5:11) • The “circumcision position” was a compromise position to avoid persecution and isolation in Israel (cf. Acts 22:22).

  22. Examples of compromising ecumenism in among brethren. • “Preach Christ and leave others alone.” • Christianity not “Churchianity” • More about Christ and less about “us”. • “Preach Christ and not the church.”

  23. Apathy toward controversy allows error to spread without any resistance! Apathy towards a steadfast defense of the faith will produce a denomination every time!

  24. What causes this weakness of spirit? • A hireling caste of preachers • An untaught and unstudied membership • The attraction of “size” and “strength” • Fear of criticism • Weariness in well-doing

  25. God is satisfied when we worship in Spirit & Truth (John 4:24; Mat 15:7-9) • God is pleased when the Gospel is preached & practiced (Rom. 1:16,17; 11:4). • God is glorified when truth is defended and error is refuted! – (Jude 3; Gal. 2:14; Phili 1:17; 1 Peter 3:15)

  26. Indications of this emerging contempt in the first century • “Certain which went out from us…” Acts 15:25 • “That…despise governments…” 2 Peter 2:10 • “Who subvert whole houses…” Titus 1:11 • “Say they are apostles…” Revelation 2:3

  27. Undermining the local church is essential to denominational organization! • A denomination is by definition “an organized group of religious congregations.” • Autonomy, self-government, independence prevent the formation of denominations.

  28. Elders Elders The local church properly organized is an impediment to expanded power, increased realms of activity, enforced conformity, etc. Elders Elders Elders

  29. Elders Elders Strong, vibrant local churches are the best defense against the spread of creedalism and development of sectarian machinery (Acts 15:25). Elders Elders Elders

  30. Is this contempt growing among brethren today? • Institutionalism – The social gospel – • The rise and increased acceptance of “Individualism” or “Holtism”. • The rise of the “house church” and the “small group ministry”.

  31. We ought to be concerned with the growth and development of the local church, in particular, qualifying men to be elders. (Titus 1:5) Titus 1:5 (NKJV) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.

  32. To prevent it’s denominationalization, we must: • Thwart the party spirit • Overcome the desire to compromise • Respect God’s wisdom as manifested in the local church

  33. Titus 1:9 (NKJV) holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. We will prevail over denominationalism only to the extent that we “hold fast the faithful word...as taught” (Titus 1:9).

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