THINGS UNKNOWN TO SCRIPTURE

It is amazing how many practices common to modern churches are foreign to God's Word.
The Bible knows nothing of denominationalism.  This popular concept dominates America's religious scene. Hundreds of different kinds of churches hold different doctrines, wear different names, advocate different ways of salvation, worship in different manners and compete for members with wasteful duplication of resources.  Yet the New Testament tells us that Christ established but one church (Matt. 16:18). It is plainly called "one body" (Eph. 4:4; 1:22). Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one as He and His Father are one (John 17:20).  He exhorts us all to speak the same things and that there be no divisions among us (I Cor. 1:10).  Those that cause divisions in the body of Christ are to be rejected (Rom. 16: 17). How tragic that church leaders have institutionalized religious division and declared it to be respectable.

Scripture knows nothing of church creeds, written by men, to regulate Christian belief and practice. We must obey the will of God (Matt. 7:21).  The words of Jesus will judge us (John 12:48).  Worship based on the doctrines and commandments of men is declared to be vain (Matt. 15:9). Christ's New Testament is sufficient for every Christian need (II Tim. 3:16-17).

The Word of God knows nothing of administrative councils or governing bodies that control His church.  Christ is head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:22).  He ordained that each congregation has its own elders and deacons (Acts 14:23; I Tim. 3:1-13). Such organizations are usurpations of his authority.

God's word knows nothing of "salvation by faith only." This most popular Protestant belief is in direct conflict with God's expressed will. James wrote, "Ye see that by works a man is justified and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:24).

It is truly amazing that some folks think they know more about how to run God's business than the Creator Himself. For their presumption they will one day have a rude awakening.