The church of Christ is Not A Denomination
The church of Christ is Not A Denomination
Bro Peter Bang | 1 September 2025 | Restoration Seminar | 1 Corinthians 1 : 10 – 13
The Need for Restoration
In an age where information is vast and often unbiblical ideas can be disseminated instantly through the internet, the need to restore and be reminded of the fundamental truths of the Bible is more critical than ever.
We are to be constantly reminded to go back to the basics & fundamental truth of God's word. The apostle Peter, knowing his death was near, emphasized this very point: "For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things... Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you" (2 Peter 1:12-13). We are here to be reminded of the truth.
The Problem: A Multiplicity of Churches
A common question today is, "Which church do you attend?" This implies a consumer-like choice, as if one can simply pick a church that suits their needs or makes them feel good.
With an estimated 45,000 different denominations worldwide (according to chatgpt), the confusion is immense. Many believe that "all roads lead to Rome," and similarly, all churches lead to heaven.
But we must seriously ask: Is this God's intention? Are we seeking to please ourselves or to please God? Instead of attending the "church of our choice," we must seriously consider attending the church of God's choice—the church we find in the Bible. What the Bible says is what truly matters. Ultimately, what matters is not what people say, but what the Scriptures say. As Paul wrote, “For what does the Scripture say?” (Romans 3:4).
In the first century, when someone asked about the church, it was never about denominations or personal preferences. It was simply about the location where the one church of Christ was meeting. The Lord established one body, and that body was guided by His word—not by human invention.
Change can sometimes be good, but not all change is good. Especially in matters of faith, change must never be about adapting God’s word to suit our preferences. The only change that matters is that which is authorised by God.
The Church Built by Jesus
To find that church, we travel back in time to AD 33. In the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples a pivotal question: “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Simon Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Upon this foundational truth, this unmovable rock (petra) of His divinity, Jesus made a profound promise: “on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
The church of the Bible was founded and built by Jesus Christ Himself. Its origin is divine, not human. Many churches today are built by men, but the one true church belongs to Christ.
A Call for Unity, Not Division
The core meaning of the word "denomination" is division. This stands in direct opposition to the will of God. The Apostle Paul pleaded with the Corinthian church, which was fracturing into factions: "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" (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Denominationalism, where people say "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," is a human invention that God does not recognize. Christ is not divided (1 Corinthians 1:13), and He prayed fervently for the unity and oneness of His followers (John 17:20-21).
Following God’s Divine Pattern
Sometimes people resist authority, wanting to go their own way. But as God’s people, we are called to hold fast to His word and not go beyond what He has revealed.
When the first church was established in Jerusalem, about 3,000 souls were added (Acts 2:41). Soon after, the number grew to 5,000 souls (Acts 4:4). With persecution, Christians were scattered, but even then God’s pattern was followed—through Philip’s preaching, the church was established in Samaria (Acts 8:4–12).
What church were they part of? It was the same church.
The New Testament does not describe different churches for different regions, but one church, following one pattern.
God has always guided His people by giving them a clear pattern to follow
Noah was given a precise pattern for the ark, and he “did according to all that God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22).
Moses was divinely instructed to make the tabernacle exactly “according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Hebrews 8:5).
The church is no different. We are warned “not to think beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6). God’s will is revealed through direct commands, approved examples, and necessary inferences.
In the New Testament, He has given us purposeful patterns for salvation (Romans 6:3–4), for worship (Acts 20:7), and for leadership (1 Timothy 2:11–12).
History shows us both the danger of departing from God’s pattern and the blessing of returning to it. King Jeroboam led Israel into sin by creating his own system of worship (1 Kings 12:25–33). In contrast, King Josiah restored true worship by returning to the word of God (2 Kings 23:3).
The lesson is clear: we must study the original pattern of the church in the New Testament and follow it faithfully. Only then will we remain the church of Christ—the house of God, the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
Summary: The One Church of the Bible
In summary, the church of the Bible, the church of Christ, is not a denomination. It is built by Jesus Christ, it is not divided, and it follows the divine pattern laid out in God's Word. It did not come into existence during a human restoration movement; it has existed since the beginning, on the day of Pentecost. The critical question we must each answer is: Am I a member of the church of the Bible?
Are you in the church of God's choice?
