The Abomination of Denomination

Organized Religion’s Segregation of Christianity

 

 

 

Introduction

"Lord of my life, henceforth I bear
the name of Christian everywhere;
Therefore, O Christ, my spirit claim,
and make me worthy of Your name."
                                   Freeman

 

My reason for writing this monograph is for the purpose of delivering a message to all of those who believe and walk in the faith of Jesus Christ. It is not meant to condemn or chastise anyone for following what they have come to know personally through the teachings of their churches. It is merely an attempt to set the record straight with regard to that which God’s Son; the man known as Jesus taught and intended for all believers to follow.

God called me to His service late in my life. Although I was a believer all of my life, I never truly walked in faith. My calling was unlike many others that have heard the call. Many go directly to college or seminary at an early age in order to follow their chosen vocation for God’s work. It is as the Parable of the Vineyard that Jesus taught to His disciples. A master owned a very large vineyard. When it came time to send workers into the fields the master went about hiring men to work. He called for workers in the third, fifth, ninth and eleventh hours of the day. This parable was in reference to how God also calls His laborers to tend His vineyard upon earth. Some are called early in life while others are given more time to experience the positive and negative sides of life (Good and Evil). My call came in the ninth hour of my life, that being of middle age. We are then better suited to spread the message of the gospel in such a way as to address the issues of this world from the standpoint of first-hand knowledge. Example, how well can anyone that has been celibate for their entire life ever be completely competent to offer marriage counseling if they have never experienced the emotional stress that a couple often times face, or to the corruption of the flesh that can be brought on by the passions of sexuality between opposite genders? Yes one can learn insight into these human frailties from a book; but if one has not tasted the fruit, how can they know of its flavor? It is often times necessary for a redeemed sinner to help another by understanding the intricacies of the sin and to lead them on to those steps needed for repentance, and the beginning of their walk on the true pathway to redemption.

I have not been called to preach in a church or to teach in the great halls of learning or to be a prophet, but merely a messenger. I am no more than an instrument of His Peace for mankind. My delivery at times may seem biting, but I have learned that God does not mince words and neither can I. When we are stared in the face with the cold hard truth at times, it can be a bitter pill to swallow and is the only cure. The content of this message will seem contradictory to a large number of the faithful due to the misdirection in which they have been led and what they have come to understand about the One Body of Christ, which is His Church. I can only pray that the words I speak will convince some to read the gospel as taught by my Lord and Master Jesus Christ; and become enlightened by it.

 

The Holy Bible states that "God is not a God of confusion" and I agree with this. Human nature comes into play regardless of circumstance and this was so in my case. I understood what it was that God was directing me to do, but was very bewildered as to how I should go about doing it; as well as being reluctant to do so. It was also very hard for me to understand why someone as unworthy as me would ever be chosen to carry out such an important assignment as this, why would God come to a wretch such as me? For us to hear God speak, our hearts must become very quiet, for the voice of God can be like the roar of thunder or in the case of our hearts, be as a quiet and gentle breeze upon our face. Many are the things that I had to learn concerning God’s mysterious ways. Long hours of meditation and prayer are required for this. I was completely aware that I am not a very eloquent speaker or a very refined writer. The Holy Spirit came to me and answered my misunderstanding with, "Have not you always been a much better listener than talker", and left it at that. Hearing this I thought it over for a bit and answered, "That’s it, what of the rest"? This was quite confounding but with much reflection I knew this to be true of myself and settled back to ponder this and pray that those aspects regarding my delivery of His message would all be revealed to me in His time and not my own. When God’s call comes it is a definitive one. It is not a conventional call or one of personal contrivance. This can be exasperating due to the fact that a great deal of time can take place between the time of calling and the awareness of that which you are specifically called to do. The messages of God are not those of mind but are slowly formed in ones heart and are inspired by His Holy Spirit. After some time one can become frightened and quite bewildered by it all, not only because of the power of the message, but also due to much doubt from within; regarding it’s validity of authority. Sometimes regardless of the depth of one’s faith, who would ever imagine that God Himself is going to communicate with them? It became apparent that I had one of two options that I could choose to take. I could seek medical help such as therapy for religious delusions, or I could give God the benefit of the doubt, I chose the latter and am very happy and secure in the choice that I have made, and besides whom am I to question God? One cannot answer with, "I think that you may have the wrong address, or the wrong guy". After close to one year I felt in my heart that the best way for me to pass His message on to all those who are faithful to Him and His Son; Jesus Christ, was to write this book. This would be the most economically viable way to reach a mass audience. His message for all is that of Unity,

unity was spoken of by Jesus in many areas of His gospel. It was a subject that was carried on throughout the New Testament by His Apostles also. The great flock of Jesus Christ has become divided according to those notions that are devised by man. This is in direct contradiction to and of the original precepts of Jesus for the care and leadership of His flock. In writing this book I will do my very best to convey to you the meaning of His message as it was inspired in me by God’s Holy Spirit for all who call His Son, their personal Redeemer and Savior. There was no need to write 50,000 words to relate this message to you, if this were so I would have changed the message as it was received by adding my own personal perceptions to it, it is short and to the point. I have added only what was necessary in order to give those that read it an easier way to grasp its meaning with regard to the division that has fallen upon Christ’s One Body, His Church.

This service that I take on, I do most seriously regardless of what the world or my peers may think. Although I personally felt that I was completely unworthy as the one chosen to deliver it. It has always been said "that God moves in mysterious ways" and this is truly so in my case.

 

I am most humbly grateful to the Holy Spirit of God for working through me to do this great work that has been required of me

and pray that I have done so worthily. May Our Heavenly Father’s grace and tender mercy be upon you all.

Love,

brother philip <><

 

 

 

 

One

 

 

The title of this book may seem a harsh description for many people who are of a religious nature. It is purposely meant to be this way for denomination is truly an abomination to all of Christ’s teaching in the gospels. The separation that this has caused among the faithful in Jesus Christ is in total disregard to His prayer for unity amongst his followers. This great divide started many centuries ago even as the apostles of Jesus were teaching throughout the known world at that time. Apart from the twelve, He also sent seventy two others to proclaim the message of His gospel. Paul spoke of this problem in 1 Corinthians at great length. He explained to the church at Corinth that although the world was being taught by many different disciples, they were not to become known or regard themselves to be called by the name of those who taught them. Those in the early church began to call themselves after those disciples’ names rather than to call themselves merely Christians.

In chapter 3 Paul states in verses 10-11: "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Also in chapter 1:10: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." The apostle was dealing with individuals who were placing themselves in groups which we now refer to today as denominations. This is contrary to the concept of the church of Jesus Christ in accord to the very blueprint that He laid out for us. If you were to go out into the streets today and take a random sampling of people’s answers to the question of, "Of what faith are you"? You would receive a variety of answers. There would be few who would refer to themselves as Christians. The majority would give you the name of the denomination to which they belong. To call oneself Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic or Baptist etc. is to deny Jesus Christ no differently than Peter had done when he was asked if he was a follower of Him. Labels are meant for jars, not people. This abandonment of Christ is the result of the great problems that plagued the early Church of Rome with regard to papal corruption, with examples such as extortion for the forgiveness of sin by the sale of Indulgences that were "free passes" to heaven that only the rich could afford to purchase, and problems of sexual misconduct that was rampant in the lowest ranks of clergy, up through and to the papal head of the church itself. These are only a few examples of the many problems that faced Roman Catholicism in the early years of the church. These issues were categorically addressed in great depth by a monk of the Augustinian Order, Martin Luther, who demanded that the willful corruption that lie within the papacy be addressed under proper authority and that those officials of the church including the Pope be held accountable. Martin Luther was a man of profound faith and was personally affected by what he saw as the very destruction of the Church of Rome by the control that Satan wielded over the papacy. This was the nature of the great tragedy that tore at his very heart and soul. After many years of effort to resolve the problems facing the church, Luther left his vocation and dedicated his life to bringing about reformation to Catholicism.

 

The Church of Rome never really changed much regarding Luther’s concern, but a reformation of another type took place that would forever change the face of Christianity. From the time of Luther and others like him, many men came to prominence that began a major shift from Roman Catholicism to a variety of sects that came to be known as Protestantism. Not only do these many sects differ in name but also in doctrine regarding such concepts as Salvation, Baptism, the Holy Spirit and Eschatology, the doctrine of the last things death, judgment, heaven and hell. These major differences of doctrine have been leading to the downfall of the Christian faith for so long that no one notices them or really understands the truth with regard to One Body, One Church and One Doctrine. Each denomination holds the view that their opinion with regard to Christian Doctrine is the truth communicated by the written word of God. They regard the doctrines of other Christians as false. Who is right regarding the truth as set forth in the Bible? There is not a single so called "Christian Denomination" that is legitimate in its connection with Christ. If one becomes separated and is not wholly in mind and body with Christ as Christ is with the Father; and as the Father is with the Son, then there is an important ingredient missing, Unity. There can be no presumptions with regard to anything involving God, it is one way only and that is His way. Satan’s goal is not only that of destroying each and every individual soul but also the destruction and collapse of Christianity itself. How would he go about this insidious plan? Why it would be by influencing men to indoctrinate the followers of Christ in such a way as to subtly lead them in a direction that is away from Christ rather than towards Him. Paul related in Acts 21:29, 30; "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock". "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them".

 

You may ask, "Who am I to say these things regarding all of the churches today"? I stand on the direct Word of God and His Holy Spirit with respect to what I have been called to do in His name. If no one responds to His message; this will be their own undoing. I can only do what I have been directed to do and that is to relay His message to all that I can possibly reach. I have been ignored by many in the hope that I will go away and have been criticized by twice that amount. This was made known to me by His Holy Spirit far in advance of it taking place. It matters not what anyone thinks or says of me, all that does matter is doing what I was called to do. If it takes the rest of my days, then so be it. This message that I bring to Christians in God’s name is very misunderstood, although I have to believe that most ministers understand this but do not accept it. There can be only one reason for someone who has been called to His service not to comprehend these things. This can only be the work of Satan in their ministry despite the fact that they may be very well versed in theology. The great congregations across the globe who follow these denominations have been lulled into a false doctrine that has been taught since the inner turmoil that affected the Church of Rome and the resulting divide of Christians by the Reformation and its varying degrees of individual dogma. Each denomination should thoroughly check its teaching and practice according to what is taught according to the Word of God, and the Bible is our only guide for this. As we examine the teachings and practices of denominations, we are very aware that they fall short of what was given to the prophets and apostles through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3: 16; 2 Peter 1: 20-21).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two

 

 

Believers have been brought up to believe in God according to the dogmas of each individual denomination and have no way of knowing if these are true or false, and this is due in part to a weakness in their biblical understanding. A true understanding can only result from taking the responsibility regarding our personal relationship with God; into our own hands rather than relying completely on another for it. It is of extreme importance to all Christians that they understand the message and gift of salvation. That most wonderful and holy book, the Bible will lead you on the true path that Jesus Christ has left for us to follow, without it we will suffer spiritual weakness. Would you place all of your life savings in an institution with nothing but the word of its director for guidance to base your decision upon? I do not think so! If this be so, then why would any Christian put their future inheritance in the Kingdom of God into the hands of men who could lead them astray? The divine inspiration of the prophets of God and the teachings of the apostles of Jesus were placed there as a guide for all to follow so there could be no misdirection given by men.

 

The Bible is the instruction manual for our lives. As believers, we must all be familiar with its contents. We should not depend on others to tell us what the Bible teaches. Of course, we can listen to the teachings of others but we must check what they teach for ourselves. It is the Christian’s responsibility to do so. Anyone who is capable of reading or listening to the news has heard of the corruption in many of the churches today. What or whom else can we call to mind who possesses the power to bring about the misdirection of these churches from the inside, who else but Lucifer himself? All of these prophesies were foretold by Jesus to His disciples. If Satan was bold enough to bring temptations to the Son of God, how can we think that we as mere mortals and the Body of Christ, His Church, will be exempted from the wiles of Satan? We are more at risk in today’s world than those who were here before us. The Bible is rife with prophecies about man’s behavior in the last days. "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" ( 1 Timothy 4: 1). We must take heed of these things for our own benefit as well as for our brothers and sisters in Christ. For Christianity to remain strong against the onslaught of Satan, we must become united as one in Christ as He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, for divided we shall surely fall. This destruction is already most evident in the churches as they crumble from the weakness of their moorings. The dispersion of Christians today is like that of Babel in the Old Testament. We have also gone in many directions and speak many different languages of doctrine along with defining ourselves by names other than that of Christian. These issues are purely due to denominational divide. From our earliest periods of learning we have all been brought up to believe along the lines of our forefathers. It is as a cast or mold so to speak that we are shaped in regarding beliefs. Even though these beliefs hold some truth, they are sadly lacking. Please remember that the Bible is the Christian’s guide and the Holy Spirit our guide. Jesus prayed for believers, He said: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17: 21).

 

As Christians we are all drawn to the cross and our beliefs are forever affixed to it by those spikes just as Jesus Christ was. Therefore we must be true to the cross and faithful to the Scriptures as they are presented in the Holy Bible. We can only truly be in Him by practicing that which was left us by the prophets and the teachings of Jesus as related by the apostles according to the gospels. Most Christians today including those who administer the gospel do not see the validity in the message of Unity in the Body of Christ. They feel that the union of their chosen denominations is that unity which I speak of, and unity that encompasses all of Christianity is unnecessary. This is not in the true nature of scripture. Christ and His Apostles spoke at great length concerning His church. Most Christians relate this church to the many houses of worship that dot the landscape of America as well as those in distant lands. The true meaning in the context that Jesus referred to involves all of his followers. The House of God is not one that is under a roof but lies in the heart of each and every person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, that is, born again by the Spirit of God ( John 3: 3). As born again believers, we must submit to the Kingship of Jesus and the authority of Scripture. The great cathedrals that have been built to honor God are great only in the eyes of those who had them erected. Men can build the most elaborate house for God imaginable to man, of gold, silver and every other precious metal and decorate it with the most fabulous array of gemstones that are in the earth. For what, I ask? These are all that belong to God and are no more than the dust of the earth to Him. Is not the presence of the Holy Spirit of God just as at home in a mud thatched hovel in some far away and distant land as in those gilded towering monoliths that are erected in His name? Have we forgotten that when it comes to the worship of God it is not the size of the structure but the faithfulness and humility of the individual heart? It is faithfulness and humility in all things that God wishes from His children. God despises materialism, He honors a surrendered heart. We read in Scripture: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6: 8).

 

 

 

 

 

Three

 

 

The previous chapters have dealt with denominationalism and not directly with the Kingship of Jesus. This brings about a great dilemma in relation to how Christians worship throughout the world in today’s culture. Am I suggesting that we all refrain from fellowship and abandon the churches, heaven forbid? What I am espousing is a unity in Christ and not a unity of denominational sectarianism. This in itself is a major undertaking due in part to the fact that it cannot be left up to those who now lead us in our churches. Many who now lead us in the church are not going to accept any part of this message that I bring in the name of God and this is only due to what they have to lose personally. They will do all that is in their power to convince you that the message that I bring is not a message from God. One of the first things they will tell you is if it were truly of God, why would He want His people to turn their backs on the church?

This message is not decreeing that Christians leave their fellowship. It is suggesting that believer’s fellowship in the nature of Jesus Christ, and only in the way that He advised us to do so. If the churches of organized religion do not want to change their man made concept of what the church should be compared with the prescription that is given in the gospels, then they should be left to their own demise. As Christians we must not only follow Him but also wear His name. This may seem unimportant to many believers and especially to those who minister, for what loyalty or love can one truly have that denies Christ’s name? Is it not so that when the bride weds the bridegroom she wears his name, and is not Jesus Christ the bridegroom and the Church His bride? If this be true as I know it is, then we should all follow in the very name of Jesus and that name be Christian, and to be called by no other.

 

The concept of this message is not one that is new. There are many Christians in America that have realized that something is wrong regarding the worship of God as we have been doing for countless generations. Many have left the main-stream churches and have entered into fellowship in the non-denominational and inter-denominational churches. Although this is a step in the right direction, these churches can still be regarded as a type of denomination. These must also become known as only "Christian Churches" and not churches peculiar to a non-denominational designation. In many areas of the United States many of those Christians who have left the major churches are forming home churches like those spoken of in the New Testament, that were formed in the beginning by the apostles for the purpose of joining in fellowship to worship God. If Jesus had wanted those people who believed in Him to divide into various sects, then He would have directed them to do so. In fact, the apostle Paul spoke against it. We read: "For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" ( 1 Corinthians 3: 4-7).

 

Why is it that we do not hear these contradictions to the gospel cried from the roof tops by no present day church leader that is in Christ? It is due in major part to the fact that all of the colleges and seminaries in this country teach along the lines of denomination. Men and women are learning those things that are of that very nature. The biblical studies that are being taught in those halls of learning have followed the paths of the men that formed the churches that stand today from the time of the Reformation. The studies that are taken up in these higher institutions of learning are all biblically based, but there is also a great deal studied from that which pertains to theology that is derived from the notions inspired by the men who reformed the church. The varying degrees of these concepts for the changes that were formed for the church, are passed down to those that will enter our world as future church leaders, and results in a mindset that remains rooted in and from conceptual ideologies formed from the time of the Middle Ages.

 

The great differences that divide the Christian people from one another are the direct result of these varying personal ideologies in regard to the formation of those churches by the original founders of each separate denomination. The foundation that Christ laid for His church was to be built upon by others, but not according to man’s opinion of how it should be constructed. The reciprocal relations between the structures of the original plan of Christ and those men that have come after in His name have allowed their own perceptions to redesign the architectural blueprints for God’s Church. The children of the Father that were given to the Son as His flock are unaware with regard to these issues. They rely upon the shepherds that have been called to the service of Jesus Christ for their safety and guidance. They depend on these men and women who have studied in the areas of biblical doctrine to lead them on a correct and true path to Christ. Believers have been placed in the hands of pastors so that they will be fed the truth of the gospel. As such, there should be one Church, the Body of Christ, but man has taken it upon himself to separate and divide the Body of Christ. To break the heart strings of the followers of Christ; is to dissolve the unity that was instituted between Jesus Christ and mankind. (John 17: 18-26)