“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
It is difficult to read 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 without the concept of denominationalism coming to mind. In considering the teaching of Christ in the above passage, as well as the rest of scripture concerning His church, denominationalism is unequivocally exposed as a doctrine of demons.
What is Paul teaching?
Paul is addressing a specific form of the Corinthian’s carnality – “for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?” (3:3-4). The envy, strife, and division within the church of Corinth did not reflect a spiritual mindedness. It reflected human wisdom, which is inferior to the wisdom of God. When Paul came to them he revealed the mind of Christ (cf. 2:6-16). Christ did not pray for division, but unity (cf. John 17:20-23). His standard of appeal was His relationship with His Father. John began his gospel with the recognition of that relationship – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). There is beauty in the intimate eternal existence of oneness between God and His Son. This was exemplified and revealed in Jesus’ life on earth. Never in His 33 years was there any dissonance between Him and God. They worked in graceful unison even after Jesus assumed His position of humility. The Corinthian’s conduct was a travesty of their regeneration. They were born of God, but were not acting the part.
Interestingly enough, the men unknowingly and unwillingly placed as the head of parties in Corinth had all preached the same gospel. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (3:11). Christ was preached by these “stewards of the mysteries of God” (4:1) which resulted in creations in Christ Jesus (cf. Ephesians 2:10). Yet, despite the unity in their message, the Corinthians divided according to the difference between the persons. This fomented strife as they were “puffed up on behalf of one against another” (4:6). The question about a divided Christ addressed the false notion that Christ has multiple subsets. Is there a “Paul-Christ,” an “Apollos-Christ,” or a “Cephas-Christ?” The folly of such logic required no answer from Paul. Of course there are not different kinds of Christ. There is Christ, and only Christ! It was Christ Who willingly surrendered His life-blood upon the cruel cross of Calvary. It was in His name that the Corinthians were baptized, “for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Their party spirit showed their ignorance in the nature of Christ and God. Denominationalism accomplishes the same.
Denominationalism – Unity in Diversity
The carnal concept of denominationalism makes three assertions:
- Division exists. Denomination is defined as “the act of naming…the name of a class or group; classification” (American Heritage Dictionary). Denominationalism rests upon the concept of various classifications, or groups of Christianity.
- One is as good as another. If denomination ‘A’ is a class of Christianity, and denomination ‘B’ is also a class of Christianity, both are equally valid. Who can say otherwise?
- Wrong choices do NOT exist. The logical conclusion to equality in division is invulnerability to being wrong. One is free to differ without suffering consequences.
Denominationalism suggests the universal church is comprised of multiple denominations – some of God’s people are Baptist, some Methodist, some Presbyterian, some Nazarenes, some Catholic, some Adventist, etc. However, despite the differences in doctrine and practice they are still Christian denominations. I.e. Christian-Baptist, Christian-Methodist, etc. Therefore, the same three points are asserted. There is division, hence the term denomination, but one is as good as another. Therefore, there are no wrong choices. In other words, there is unity in diversity.
The Problem – “See that you make all things according to the pattern” (Hebrews 8:5). God has given us a pattern that is clear and understandable (cf. 1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture does not exist as a loose suggestion. It is an authoritarian standard to which we are to adhere, given from the very breath of God. The Bible speaks of unity, not division (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:20-21). The truth must be contended for, and insistence must be made to follow it completely. Jesus was not a politician with conflicting promises and doctrines. He spoke consistent and unfailing truth. He stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Denominationalism says Christ is divided. Therefore, more than one way to the Father exists. This is simply false.
The church of the New Testament
The church is the group of people who have been saved – “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). Salvation only exists in one individual, Christ Jesus (cf. Acts 4:12). Thus, He is the only way (cf. John 14:6). In the Spirit, Paul wrote that spiritual blessings are in Christ, redemption, the forgiveness of sins is in Christ, and the inheritance is obtained in Christ (cf. Ephesians 1:3-12). To be in Christ is essential. If one is found in Christ, it is said that he is in His body. Paul wrote, Christ is “head over all things to the church, which is His body” (Ephesians 1:22-23). Two chapters later Paul wrote, “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4). Thus, one church. The saved are obviously not in Christ’s literal physical body, but are in Him spiritually. However, the symbolism is consistent. Christ does not have more than one body. Therefore, He does not have more than one church. Christ is NOT divided!