“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. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 (NKJV)
If we substitute the names of our denominations for those above we can quickly see that therein lies the source of our evangelistic failures. Denominations do not “speak the same thing” and are divided according to their doctrines; teaching those commandments of men as though they were the doctrines of God. One has only to look at the weakening of ALL of the mainline denominations within the last few decades to know that we all have fallen short of achieving the unity that Paul spoke of in the verses above. Indeed, some denominations have lost their allegiance to Jesus Christ and turned to false and unholy doctrines as the focus of their teaching. As if it were not bad enough to be at odds with other Christian churches, many are in conflict with God’s word and with God Himself.
Why have denominations gotten into such a sad state? From the beginning they have highlighted their differences of opinion instead of casting all faith and hope upon the author of hope and faith, Jesus Christ. We have all too often been about who could outdo the other in numbers and decoration; compromising our values to accommodate the most sought after persons; we should have thought to preach a crucified Christ to those who are dead or dying in their sins without regard for whose church they choose to attend. If we were of one accord it should not matter where the once lost soul found a church home.
In the end denominations fail because they eventually fall into the leadership/ownership of controlling men who seek their own prominence.
We are too often guilty of asking each other where we attend church instead of asking if we follow Jesus; as if we need to establish whose doctrine we adhere to.
