OVERCOMING DENOMINATIONAL TENDENCIES—By H. A. Dixon

OVERCOMING DENOMINATIONAL TENDENCIES---By H. A. Dixon OVERCOMING DENOMINATIONAL
TENDENCIES
H. A. Dixon The subject assigned to me is “Overcoming Denom-inational Tendencies.”

Those planning this series of lectures believed
(1) that such tendencies exist in the church of our Lord,
(2) that they are out of harmony with the plan which the Savior intended for his church,
(3) that they are dangerous and hurtful to the church, and
(4) that they can ana should be overcome. A discussion of these tendencies should include a consideration of the undenominational character of the church, the evils of denominationalism, evidences of trends toward departure from the scriptural pattern of the church, and the remedy, or plan by which God’s saints may overcome. The Church, Undenominational
All Bible students admit that the New Testament reveals a church, and that Christ was the builder of it. They also believe that it had members, and that those members consisted of saved people. The church of the New Testament is declared to be “the body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18), and inspiration affirms that “There is “but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20). This truth was emphasized by Paul to show the evils which were very early causing Christians to become partisan in spirit and practice. The church is described as “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:1 b). Obviously “the house of God” is God’s family. God’s children are in his family, and it is in-conceivable that a family be made up of sects or parties.

Jesus prayed that oneness prevail among his followers such as that which was demonstrated between himself and the Father in heaven (John 17:20-21). The early church manifested that oneness, being “of one heart and soul” (Acts 4:32). Paul exhorts brethren to “be of the same mind one with another” (Romans 15:5), “that there be no divisions among you” (1 Corinthians 1:10), and that they “be of one accord, of one mincfr (Php_2:2). The student of the New Testament cannot fail to see the emphasis upon the Lord’s plan that there be “one fold (flock), one shepherd” (John 10:16). He is mindful, however, that a very different condition prevails in so-called Christendom. By a perverted gospel many have been led away from the true concept of the church. They have subscribed to doctrines and commandments of men, and have lost respect for the authority of that which is revealed. Some, in honesty of purpose, are upholding sectarianism while intending to stand for truth. A Babel of confusion prevails instead of the unity for which our Savior prayed.

Some Evils of Denominationalism
(1) Division among his professed followers is contrary to the prayer which the Savior prayed in their behalf; that is, for all who believe on him
through the words spoken by his apostles. This includes all Christians since our faith in Christ has come through the revelations given by those men. We recall that this solemn prayer was made by our Master on the very eve of his suffering and death.
(2) Denominationalism is contrary to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. He bids us to be one of heart and soul, of one mind, and that we all speak the same things. Factionalism which produces denominations is the antithesis of that state which the Spirit demands.
(3) Denominationalism hinders the progress of the Lord’s work. The people whom we are trying to convert to Christ become blinded to truth because so many different “ways” are presented by men who claim to be following the same Lord. They conclude that good people are in all churches and one is as good as another. They also decide that one does not have to belong to any church to be saved. Thus, the growth of the true church is hindered.
(4) Denominationalism is wasteful of money and energies. Men, in honesty of purpose, spend themselves and their possessions in building rival buildings and institutions instead of preaching the saving power of God to the lost.
(5) Denominationalism produces atheism and infidelity. The boy or girl from a divided home is at great disadvantage. He loves father, and wants to go to worship with him, but mother goes elsewhere. He loves her, too, and doesn’t want to offend her. He is in a strait, and one that is difficult indeed.

Frequently, young people from such homes resolve io have noihing to do with the church, and eventually another infidel is produced by division over religion. It becomes apparent that there is no lustifying of denomi- nationalism and that we should give ourselves to the task of putting it down. We must overcome every trend in that direction.

Some Evidences of Denominational Trends Within the Church
All discord, and seeds of denominationalism are not found outside the church. We are oft reminded of the possibility that the same seed which produced apostasy long ago is being sown within, and is actually taking root in the minds of Christians today. It can sometimes be observed in work, in teaching upon the conditions of membership, In organizations, in attitudes and in the language of those who claim to be the true people of God. Some thing that we are on the verge of a new aoostasy. Your speaker concurs heartily that such apostasy is possible, and that the danger needs to be kept in view. It is well, however, that we be reminded that such dangers are not new. Seeds of denominationalism germinated at Corinth not long after the beginning of the church there. Men became preacher-followers and forgot the all-important responsibility of following the Savior. The restorers had scarcely begun their work before men were warning against denominational tendencies. Moses E. Lard wrote powerfully to refute the idea that the church had become a sect in his day (Lard’s Quarterly, Vol. 1). The church has ever had to guard against these trends, and so must it today. It is a time for watchfulness.

(1) In Our Speech. After Nehemiah had succeeded in leading the Jewish remnant to restore the physical walls of Jerusalem, he set himself to the task of correcting many of the spiritual defects in her bulwarks. He observed especially that due to many intermarriages and associations with peoples of other tongues that many could no longer speak the true Hebrew language. Some of them, said Nehemiah, “Spake half in the speech of Ashdod” (See Nehemiah 13:23-27). He was disturbed because he knew that such conditions would prevent the unity of God’s people, and hinder them in their efforts to worship God together. The situation called forth severe de-nunciations and stern charges to the people.

“Ashdodic language” is ever a true indication of denominational influence upon our minds. The terms “Reverend,” “doctor,” “pastor,” and even “elder” (when applied to the preacher) are examples of such language. We have lived so close to people who use these terms that many have unwittingly adopted them into their speech. Our preaching against such has as yet failed to stop their use. The use of the term “Church of Christ” gives another opportunity to see sectarian inroads. The church belongs to Christ, and it surely is permissible to describe it as “Christ’s church”, or “the church of Christ.” The church is also God’s, and it is correctly styled “the church of God.” Some suggest that if we call it ‘‘the Church of God” we will be confused with the modern sect of that name. They maintain that we have to use only the name “Church of Christ” in order to make ourselves known. Such reasoning indicates how far many have allowed sectarianism to force them into accepting a sectarian view of the Lord's people. The fact that some denominations hold some part of the truth should never deter us from preaching and practicing that truth.

We hear of “Church of Christ preachers,” “Church of Christ funerals,” and many similar expressions. Our denominational friends are well pleased for us to use such terms to describe those things peculiar to us in contrast with things characterizing Baptists, Methodists and the like. If we should speak of a gospel minister as opposed to one of theirs the picture would quickly change.

Occasionally someone speaks of the Church of Christ teaching certain things. They say, “The Church of Christ teaches that immersion is baptism”; “It teaches that the music God commanded is vocal”; “It teaches a right division of the word”; or “It teaches against worldliness.” Again we allow a denominational view to cloak our language. It is true that members of the church should teach, but the point overlooked is that the authority is not vested in che church. We simply teach what is taught in the word of God. Otherwise, we make the church as sectarian as other groups, and we have no word of protest against the basic fallacy of .Roman Catholicism which has ever advocated the authority of the church. Our Ashdodic speech betrays us.

(2) In Plan of Salvation to Erring Christians. We oppose the confessional of Romanism while allowing- the idea to grow that the church is a confessional. We do not condemn public acknowledgments of wrongs, but we must be mindful that our confessional is before the Father's throne. It is there that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). One who repents and confesses his faults to God often realizes that he has also sinned before his brethren. He desires to inform them of his repentance and to seek their forgiveness. The public acknowledgment is the best means. Such does not mean, however, that the church is a mediator between us and God.

(3) In the Work of Some “Located” Evangelists. This phase of my study falls under the heading of “Overcoming Professionalism in the Ministry" which has been discussed by one of the speakers on this lecture program. It will be passed by in this discussion with only one or two observations.
We deny that “located" evangelism is of itself unscriptural. As long as one does the work of an evangelist the period of service is unlimited by the scriptures. However, when a preacher “takes over" the church and usurps the work of elders, we do have a “pastor system" unsurpassed by any denomination. In some instances this condition has prevailed, and we need to focus attention upon this as another denominational trend.

(4) In the Laws and Tests of Fellowship Untaught in God's Word. As indicated in the outset, denominations have arisen in part because men invented new doctrines and refused to be circumscribed by the Bible. This accounts for the major differences between sects and the true church. The tendency to make such laws, however, still disturbs Zion. One brother decides that we can pray acceptably only in one position of body, and with all good intention of being 103ml to God he binds this upon all who worship God. Some made imperative the wearing of hats by women in any act of worship. Some contend that women teachers have no place. Some make the church building a holy “Sanctuary,” and forbid its use for anything save worship. Its use for weddings is frowned upon, and under no circumstances do they permit a group to congregate there to eat a common meal. One avers that private educational institutions which teach the Bible are an insult to Christ, and that such should not be patronized under any circumstance. One decides that works of charity can be done by only one arrangement. One decides that world evangelization must be done by sending all funds direct to the evangelist in the field, and that a sending agency, an individual or a church of the Lord becomes an institution contrary to, and violative of the Lord’s plan for the church. It is contended that the church through which the funds are sent becomes a controlling power, and destroys the autonomy of the local church which submits its funds for such use. Each man’s plan becomes law to all in his eyes.

We do not disparage anyone’s stand for truth. If each of these views is sustained by the scriptures, then it follows that each should become law. One must conform to God’s law.

We oppose all trends toward sectarianism, and we must readily admit that it can destroy the church through any approach. It is possible that it may make its approach through any of the things suggested. Warnings about any potential danger is in order. We need to exercise caution in all of our work, and we should give due consideration to every warning signal. Why should we decry that good men challenge and investigate our practices?
We do believe that there are some cries of gloom, however, over things which of themselves indicate no trend toward sectarianism. The Bible school seeks to train the intellect, the moral or spiritual, and the physical man no more encroaches upon and usurps the work of the church than does the home in which the Bible is studied and the child trained in its concepts. The school could take over the work of the church, we admit; but that does not prove that schools which are not taking over such work constitute a trend toward denominationalism.

Any home can become an orphans’ home if the family so desires. Such would not destroy or usurp the function of any congregation. Any church might see fit to establish a large home and care for a number of orphans, employing all help needed. Such would not violate any law of God of which your speaker is aware. Furthermore, the plan by which several brethren come together to care for such children does not become wrong unless one can show that the making of such a home takes over the work of the church, or that such an improvised home constitutes a new and unauthorized institution. The real question is whether or not it is wrong for individual Christians to provide a home for orphans.

One church, by simply turning its funds over to another for handling, would surrender its autonomy, and place the other in control. That does not prove, however, that it is wrong for the church in Henderson to send a donation to the elders of the church in Abilene, asking that it be used specifically toward preaching the gospel by radio to a nation-wide audience. The fact that we can direct the place and person to be benefited shows that the authority is with the donor.

There are always tendencies among us in attitudes, if not in practice. Some members don’t want us to condemn sectarianism. At heart they don’t believe that denominationalism is wrong. Some of us are more concerned about Alexander Campbell or other worthies than we are in what the Bible teaches. Some of us are followers of men through religious journals. We wait for a certain journal to see which side of a question we are to take. Some have the same attitude toward schools. All these things indicate that the spirit which divided Christians at Corinth still prevails. These are sectarian trends.

Must Rise Above Sectarian Trends
The remedy for denominationalism is not a new one. God’s people have ever been destroyed for lack of knowledge, and this lack is responsible for every sectarian error. The need, then, is for a closer study of God’s Word, and for an increased confidence in, and respect for, the completeness and finality of that word. As the lamented T. B. Larimore might have presented his appeal to a divided religious world, we call upon men to believe all that God says; become and be all that he requires; do all that he commands; worship and serve as he directs; then, lovingly trust him for all he promises. When men learn of the one Lord, one faith and one birth, they will seek to be members of the one body, and to put away partyism and strife. Such has long been our theme to those who represent denominationalism around us, but we have not considered how important the demonstration of the unity is within our own members. We have often preached unity while practicing division. Our hope in overcoming the trends toward denomi-nationalism within the church lies in the full demon-stration of the same plea which we make to those outside. There is no substitute for knowledge, and we must seek for the wisdom to apply that knowledge in all our relationships. Free discussion of all issues will help us secure that knowledge if the proper spirit be manifest. The application of the restoration principle: “In faith, unity; in opinion, liberty; and in all things, love” should still be our aim. Many disturbances in Zion lie wholly in the realm of opinion, and opinion cannot become law. The unity of the faith, God’s law, is the standard; and love is the governing force to lead us in the application of the law. Love never seeks to destroy but to save. It does not look for the faults and weaknesses of others, but bears, believes, hopes and endures that truth may triumph. Love destroys even the roots of bitterness which often are observed among the Lord's people, and helps us to open the eyes of our understanding so that we may perceive the truth. It shows the way to the joy of fellowship as portrayed by David in Psalms 133:1 : “Behold how good and how pleasant it >s for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Eternal reward can come only to those who overcome evil. Sectarianism is evil and must be overcome, or it will destroy our souls. Let us take up the whole armor of truth and press the battle until victory is secured. By his grace we will overcome.