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By Neal Griffin
"Denominationalism" is merely another name for divisiveness which is a condition of the heart. Divisive Christians assembling together constitute a divisive, sectarian, denominational church. Ever so often a new issue rears its ugly head and a few paid, pulpit ministers convince their followers that compliance with their positions is essential to salvation and a new schism is born. Here is a partial list of issues on which God has not spoken but on which men have drawn lines of fellowship: Cups, fermented juice, one cup with handles, institutional aids, head covers, pre-millenialism, instruments, upper chambers, no classes, snake handling, and the locally situated pulpit minister issue to name a few. Now then, would you please consider this very relevant question: Which of these issues has anything at all to do with salvation by grace through faith? Having truthfully answered, where does this position us when we draw lines of fellowship over any of them? Who are the divisive ones?
We had better clean up our divisive act. God hates a divisive spirit. Proverbs 6:19. Divisiveness is a work of the flesh on a par with idol worship and drunken orgies. Galatians 5:19-21. God does not even want us to keep company with a divisive brother after two admonitions. Titus 3:10. And finally, God will destroy the divisive ones. 1'st Corinthians 3:17.
The divisive, party spirit rejects fellow Christians for non-compliance with its party positions but Romans 15:7 says to, "Accept (welcome) one another, as Christ accepted you, to the glory of God". Did Christ insist that we have perfect understanding when He accepted us? How then can we insist that our brethren rise to our level of understanding on every contested passage of Scripture? Brethren, we don't have any choice in this matter. The passage clearly says, "As Christ accepted you". What a horrible prospect to have rejected what God has accepted. Acts 10:15.
Does your church have creedal entry requirements in addition to God's requirements for entry into His Kingdom? If it does you are a member of a denominational church. These questions carry serious implications. Please consider them in light of the Word.
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