Are denominations evil?

Cults quite often point out the number of Protestant denominations as proof that they are the true faith.

I don't understand the logic, even though I was a member of such a cult, because they are just one more group with a distinctive set of teachings, only their teachings are heretical. In this case, the cult claimed that they would become God in the resurrection, and that justification by faith alone is a false doctrine. After the main group renounced their teachings, various splinter groups broke off, each claiming to be the "true church" but having very similar teachings to the original parent group. This situation is basically the same as breaking off into denominations.

Roman Catholics, as well, claim that the vast number of Protestant denominations is proof that Protestantism is false. Again, I don't understand the logic. Roman Catholicism has various groups within its' organization, with different views. For instance, there are various monastic orders that each have a distinctive flavor.

Anyways, the question is simple...are denominations evil, or not? Some churches evade the question by claiming they are part of an association, and not a denomination. Evangelical Free Church of America would be one of those. However, they have core beliefs that are required, and one of their beliefs is that they require premillennialism as the pastors' view of the end times. And, if certain violations occur, the EFCA headquarters can discipline the pastor or church.

I personally do not think denominations are necessarily evil, and in fact, I think they can be beneficial. I would rather see a label on a church, before I visit it, so that I know something about their teachings. I think this is fair advertising. I don't want to walk into the No Name Church of Chicago, Illinois, and find out that it is full of crazies who are flopping on the floor and barking like dogs. If these organizations are associated with a given denomination or group, I may be able to figure it out by the name and avoid an embarrassing situation and wasting my time in worship services.

Additionally, if I see a name "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints", I know that I don't want to go there, because their theology is polytheistic. So, names are quite handy in my opinion for determining the soundness of the organization.

Granted, if all Christians had perfect knowledge of all spiritual things and the correct doctrine related to every topic, then we could simply have a local, generic church with no denominations, but that isn't the case yet. There will be perfect unified worship in the eternal state, but until then, it's just realistic that there are going to be divisions on some points that necessitate separation for some things.

For instance, charismatics are generally not going to agree to behave during services, but will insist that their worship include antics that I find unacceptable. It simply won't work out. And, they are absolutely convinced that they are the ones who are correct.

So, here are the questions:

1. Are denominations necessarily evil?
2. If so, then which beliefs define the church?
3. Do you think it is beneficial for a church congregation to identify itself with a denominational name, so visitors know what to
expect in their teaching or worship style?
3. Would you be willing to submit yourself to my belief system and my way of worship in order to have perfect unity? I am a
non-charismatic Reformed Baptist with an amillennial understanding of Scripture, and enjoy traditional hymns along with
occasional contemporary music, and expository Bible teaching.

If you are, then we have nothing to talk about. If everyone will agree to my beliefs and my way of worship, then we can simply all walk away from this and I will be happy. No more denominations. Are you willing to do that?

I don't think so. A lot of us want to do things our way, and we might vary a little from that, but not much. And, a lot of us are convinced our way is the biblical way, and we have limits on our willingness to accomodate others' beliefs.

By the way, I think non-denominational groups are some of the biggest hypocrites, because, deep down, if you look at their belief systems, they have distinctives too..they often insist that their distinctives are the right ones, whereas distinctives of others are not.

Denominations aren't evil, although they may have been formed as a result of some misguided teachings.
Those cults which deny and/or twist Scripture preventing their adherents from receiving the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ...are evil.

Interesting since Reformed Baptists have varying views on eschatology and not a chiseled in stone system.

That is not a valid question at all. It's like asking if Christianity is evil. Of course, Islam would be happy to say "Yes". So let's get down to some facts rather than speculate.

1. God and Christ never intended for Christianity to be split into warring groups.

2. Satan planted the seeds of division into the apostolic churches.

3. False doctrines and practices crept into the churches very early, as seen in Revelation 1-3.

4. Both the traditionalist denominations (for want of a better term) -- the Orthodox and the Catholic -- chose to elevate Tradition to the same level as Scripture, which in turn brought in a whole range of false doctrines and practices.

5. The Roman Catholic Church prevailed in the West while the Orthodox churches prevailed in the East. But biblical Christianity was replaced with something else.

6. The Reformation (13th - 16th centuries) sought to return to Bible truth and Gospel truth, but retained many errors, and also introduced more denominations into Christianity.

7. By the 19th century theological liberalism and unbelief entered into the denominations, and by the 20th century the mainline denominations generally departed from biblical Christianity and became apostate.

8. Many Christians began to leave the denominations and set up non-denominational churches. However very few became strictly biblical.

9. This shows up that denominations as such are not necessarily evil, but the trend in most denominations has been away from biblical Christianity while holding on to man-made doctrines.

10. Christians are not required to be a part of any denomination, but all Christians need to be committed to the biblical patterns of meeting and worshiping.

Baptists and Anabaptists were not within the Reformed tradition. Indeed they were opposed and persecuted by the Reformers.

However, many decided to try and mix oil and water, so there are now Reformed Baptist churches. Yet they do not adhere strictly to the teachings of the Reformed or Calvinistic churches, and they are not Presbyterian in their church goverment. So they are neither fish nor fowl.

As to the cults, they cannot really be regarded as Christian since they reject the fundamentals of Christianity.

Yes, I know, I once was a Reformed Baptist.

Denominationalism isn't Biblical. Jesus was all about building His church so that all would be one in Him. The Word made flesh in Denominational constructs is divided by the words and traditions of men. Teachings conflict, practices conflict, when God is not the author of confusion and yet The Word becomes just that in the differing practices of Protestant Denominations.

The Book of Matthew chapter 16:18 "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock[b] I will build my church, and the gates of hell[c] shall not prevail against it. "

Denominationalism can be called evil, because one body in Christ is not possible under the Denominational construct. However, mostly what is able to be said is that Denominations are wrong and not of Christ , or related in the least to His message.

Are denominations evil?...

Yes, demonicnations are very evil. No denominations will be found in Heaven. They only serve to divide the sheep so Satan can more easily attack them. There is only one true Church.

Ephesians 4
4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

The question was not about denominationalism (and I agree with what you said). The question was a blanket question about denominations, and you can't simply say they are evil. They have many evils within them. They also have the children of God within them.

When did the purpose of Christianity, and how believers worship God become required to conform to what YOU believe?

Pot calling the kettle black?

The answers to your questions are simple. There are no denominations mentioned in the Word of God and the last 8 chapters of the book of Eze speak of a new temple here on earth from which Christ and the resurrected saints will reign for 1000 years.

Depend on what denomination

The definition of denomination is

4: a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices people from several different Christian denominations

United in their adherence to its belief

If it's belief is Bible then it is not evil, if it's belief is pagan than it is evil

I believe it was Walter Martin who said, 'if two people agree on everything, then one of them isn't thinking'.
This often holds true with demoninations.

What denomination was Jesus? And His disciples? This would be mine.

Every body has own opinion about the Bible, for sure no body has the right to force other to believe what he believe, let every body decide and chose what denomination he think follow the Bible, history of killing other believe is wrong and prove that denomination is evil.

In other word, denomination that killing other denomination is evil, self speaking

Hi I am evil

Church City league softball is the most heated, most competitive, most fun and alive of all softball leagues and big crowds as far as filling up the bleachers.. All kinds of denominations and home team leads the game prayer .. Preachers who were young enough, Sunday school teachers , Deacons, all, plus a little star recruiting .. Sometimes you could make it 3 innings before everybody quit playing and started arguing about a call , then back to the field and play some more.. Kinda like here sometimes .. Then tomorrow at work replay and everybody laugh about it .. LOL

I think they are good for the most part as long as they adhere to the Ecumenical Creeds of the early church. When they lose sight of these they become less than Christian and take on cult status.

So do Christian cults have children of God in them. Deluded children of God.
And my answer was a blanket answer about Denominationalism.
What Denomination did Jesus teach? (And no, it wasn't Christianity)
Are we not to learn from the troubles in the church in the ancient past?
Divisions in the Church
10. I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.



Traditions and Commandments
7 Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2 they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly,[a] holding to the tradition of the elders, 4 and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.[b] And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.[c]) 5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”

6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

9 And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)[a]— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
(scripture references ~ sourced from linked and Article below)

This may sound shocking to many but the concept of denominationalism (many different churches, teaching many different doctrines) is not taught or sanctioned in the New Testament. Jesus promised and did build "one body" or church (Matt. 16: 18, Eph. 1: 22, 23, cp. Eph. 4: 4). The concept of many different churches was absent in the First Century. Paul, therefore, taught "every where in every church" (I Cor. 4: 17). Denominationalism is division personified. The closest that we can come to denominationalism in the New Testament is the divided state of the church at Corinth. Paul did not praise this fragmented condition, but rather he condemned it. Observe Paul's inspired teaching:

"10: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11: For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12: Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13: Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (I Cor. 1.)

Denominationalism rests on the claim of justified diversified understanding of God's word. However, oneness and the avoidance of changing the word of God are enjoined (Gal. 1: 6-9; Rev. 22: 18, 19). How can one be expected to "contend earnestly for the once delivered faith" if the faith cannot be understood and understood alike (Jude 3; Eph. 3: 1-6). The Christian is commanded not to "bid God speed" to errorists (2 Jn. 9-11). Such a command is totally nonsensical if we cannot understand alike basic truth. Billy Graham's advice of "Join the church of your choice and glorify God" is totally contrary to what the scriptures teach (My Answer, 12/15/55). To further present the folly of denominationalism, I want to briefly share with you what denominationalism in essence does to Christ.

Denominationalism mocks Jesus' prayer for unity. In the shadow of the cross, Jesus poured out his heart in prayer to the Father. Observe one particular for which Jesus fervently prayed: "Neither pray I for these alone (Jesus' apostles, dm), but for them also which shall believe on me through their word: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (Jn. 17: 20, 21). The reality of multiplied thousands of different churches and theologies make a mockery of Jesus' prayer for the oneness of his followers (see addendum).

Denominationalism produces unbelief. Beloved, the state of many different churches, teaching many different doctrines is a prolific cause of unbelief. Notice why Jesus prayed for unity: "that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (Jn. 17: 21). The atheist is heard to say, "how can you expect me to believe the Bible when there are so many different religions that claim to believe and go by the same book?"

Makes Christ a contradictory Lord. Have you ever really stopped and thought about all the mixed messages of denominationalism? For instance, some teach that all babies are born sinners and if they die in that state, they are eternally lost (hereditary total depravity). Others present babies as pure and innocent (Matt. 18; 19). Some say the non-Christian must be scripturally baptized (Acts 2: 38); others contend water baptism has nothing to do with salvation. Calvinists teach that unless God arbitrarily selected you for salvation before he created the world, there is nothing you can do to alter your lost condition; others maintain salvation is available to all (Jn. 3: 16). The point is that denominationalism is responsible for contradictory messages being given to the lost. Some in hearing these conflicting teachings have concluded Jesus is a contradictory Lord.

Denominationalism makes Christ a hypocritical Lord. If Jesus embraces and sanctions all the incongruous teachings of denominationalism, he is indeed hypocritical. This is especially true in view of the teaching of strict obedience and doctrinal purity found in the New Testament (Lk. 6: 46, Matt. 7: 21 ff.).

Denominationalism presents Christ as unfair and unjust. Just think of all the inequities of denominationalism - some men must be baptized; others do not need to in order to be saved; some babies are in sin; other babies are in a safe condition, ad infinitum. The Bible says: "…God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10: 34, 35). Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8: 32).

Makes Christ the author of confusion. The doctrinally diversified religious world is nothing short of mass and utter chaos. One can find anything taught today that one wants or desires. Many "worship services" today are nothing more than side shows that seek to placate the selfish desires of their clients. Consider what the scriptures actually say about God and such chaotic contumacy: "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints…Let all things be done decently and in order" (I Cor. 14: 33, 40).

Denominationalism makes Jesus an incompetent Lord. Denominationalism, in view of the conflicting teaching and practices, would have us believe that Jesus was unable to present to the world a Book that all could understand and understand alike. However, the problem is not the Lord's inability, but the problem is man's unwillingness to accept what is taught in the Bible. This is why creeds, dogmas, and confessions of faith in addition to the Bible are needed. Many religions also exist only based on the "authority" of latter day revelation, a matter strictly forbidden (Jude 3).

In closing, there is something better than the system of denominationalism. Pristine New Testament Christianity is still available today. Please consider the words of John Wesley: "Would to God that all party names, and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world, were forgot…that the very name (Methodist, dm) might never be mentioned more, but be buried in eternal oblivion" (Universal Knowledge, Vol. 9, pg. 540). Charles Spurgeon wrote: "I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be a Baptist living! I hope that the Baptist name will soon perish, but let Christ's name last forever" (Spurgeon Memorial Library, Vol. 1, pg. 168). (Please consider "Ancient Christianity, a Trip Back in time," click on to visit.)

Addendum: I grant that in reality a fragmented religious world does not constitute a true parallel to the divided state of the church at Corinth (I Cor. 1: 10 ff.). Such is the case because all the foreign religions do not belong to Christ, but are the results of human creeds and the ambitions of their selfish founders (Mk. 7: 6-13).

"Pot calling the kettle back?" Appears so if we recall that the OP author staunchly defended Calvinism and its five points.