Denominational Downfalls

Researching Church Age denominations has led me to believe one

thing’s for sure: what a quagmire we’ve created!

So many denominations with so many doctrinal differences. How can

we even begin to look at some of those differences to see why we have

them?

Well, it might be easier than you think.

First, when a particular doctrine comes up, let’s say baptism for

example, we need to know if the passage you’re reading from is talking

to us, the Church. Baptism is found from Matthew to 1 Peter. Are all

those ours? Same thing with all the other topics you’ll find listed

below. Every time the doctrinal word or phrase appears should we

apply it to us?

No.

There is a reason why there’s so many denominational downfalls –

we’re not dividing the Bible properly!

Churchageisdifferent.com will help you understand this very important

subject of rightly dividing. For now, I’ll just give you a short and sweet

summary:

We, the sealed and secure Church, are the only entity

that God has given His Spirit to INTERNALLY. His

indwelling guarantees our salvation without the need to

demonstrate or prove our faith. No one outside the Body

of Christ (us, Church Age believers) has this sealing.

That’s why the gospel of salvation through faith alone,

given directly to Paul by revelation, is found only in his

epistles of Romans through Philemon and should be

applied only to us. The rest of the Bible is for our

learning, not our doctrine.

Once this is understood, you can address denominational issues and

quickly put them to rest.

So let’s begin with baptism. I’ll be using the NASB. Since we’re

concerned about what our Church Age doctrine should be, we’re going

to look in our books. Makes sense, eh?

Baptism

Two things with baptism. One, upon faith in Christ, we, the Church, are

baptized into Jesus or into the Body and sealed by the Spirit. And two,

water baptism is merely symbolic of that union, and NOT a requirement

for salvation.

Romans 6:1-7

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so

that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall

we who died to sin still live in it?3 Or do you not know

that all of us who have been baptized into Christ

Jesus have been baptized into His

death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him

through baptism into death, so that as Christ

was raised from the dead through the glory of the

Father, so we too might walk in newness of

life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the

likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the

likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that

our old self was crucified with Him, in order that

our body of sin might be done away with, so that we

would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died

is freed from sin.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

12 For even as the body is one and yet has many

members, and all the members of the body, though

they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by

one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,

whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and

we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Galatians 3:1-5 The Spirit rec’d by even the foolish Galatians.

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before

whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly

portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to

find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the

works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so

foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you

now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so

many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then,

does He who provides you with the Spirit

and works miracles among you, do it by the works

of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Galatians 3:26-28

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ

Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ

have clothed yourselves with Christ.28 There is neither

Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man,

there is neither male nor female; for you are all one

in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:9-14

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily

form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete,

and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in

Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision

made without hands, in the removal of the body of the

flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having

been buried with Him in baptism, in which you

were also raised up with Him through faith in the

working of God, who raised Him from the

dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions

and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you

alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our

transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of

debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile

to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed

it to the cross.

Colossians 3:1-3 If raised, act like it!

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep

seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the

right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above,

not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died

and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Even Paul, THE apostle to the Body of Christ, didn’t consider water

baptism his job or priority. See 1 Corinthians 1:13-17.

Are you placing more significance on water baptism than Paul did? If

so, your denomination is probably getting their doctrine from the

Gospels or Acts, right? Not our books.

Are you being taught a second Spirit baptism? Really?? Come on,

Church. Let’s read only what’s there.

Anointing

Crazy, crazy things I find online on this one, yet neither ‘anoint’ nor

‘anointing’ are found in Romans to Philemon. Just one reference in

Paul’s books for ‘anointed’:

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ

and anointed us is God,22 who also sealed us

and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

So beautiful and yet so simple! Exactly what I’m trying to say. Read it

again. ALL Church Age believers are anointed, baptized, whatever

name you like, upon faith in Jesus. Notice the sealing as well.

Ephesians 1:3-14

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing

in the heavenly places in Christ,4 just as He chose us in

Him before the foundation of the world, that we would

be holy and blameless before Him. In

love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through

Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention

of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace,

which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him

we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness

of our trespasses, according to the riches of His

grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and

insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His

will, according to His kind intention which He purposed

in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the

fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all

things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on

the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an

inheritance, having been predestined according to His

purpose who works all things after the counsel of His

will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope

in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him,

you also, after listening to the message of truth, the

gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you

were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of

promise,14 who is given as a pledge of our

inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s

own possession, to the praise of His glory.

All CA believers have the Holy Spirit upon belief.

Philippians 2:1-4 Live like it!

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if

there is any consolation of love, if there is

any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and

compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the

same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit,

intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness

or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another

as more important than yourselves;4 do not merely look out for

your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity,

but in sanctification. 8 So, he who rejects this is not

rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to

you.

How do we get the Spirit? Through faith.

Galatians 3:13-14

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having

become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS

EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— 14 in order that in Christ

Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the

Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the

Spirit through faith.

Galatians 5:16-25

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry

out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire

against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for

these are in opposition to one another, so that you may

not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by

the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the

flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity,

sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,

outbursts of anger, disputes,

dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and

things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have

forewarned you, that those who practice such things will

not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit

is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such

things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ

Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions

and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

What about “filled with” the Spirit? He already indwells you, folks.

Walk the walk.

Ephesians 5:15-21

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise

men but as wise,16 making the most of your time,

because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish,

but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do

not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but

be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and

making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always

giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject

to one another in the fear of Christ.

This is huge folks: Where’s your denomination getting their “Spirit”

doctrine from? Acts is not our book.

Lord’s Supper/Communion

1 Corinthians 10:16, 21 and 11:17-34 are the two passages I found on

this subject. Take your time and read them in context. In my opinion,

both of them speak more to how you take the Lord’s Supper and why

you do it versus the need to do it. It’s just like water baptism in that

Paul’s not against it; he’s just not overemphasizing it. It’s okay to do

them both to symbolize our real baptism and the Lord’s sacrifice and

offering of the New Covenant, but don’t take any more than that out of

it.

(More on the JEWISH New Covenant in The New Covenant article on

churchageisdifferent.com.)

Where’s your denomination getting their communion doctrine from?

Matthew? Hebrews? Not ours.

*****

Before we go any further, let’s stop and ask ourselves: What have we

seen so far? We’ve only touched on a couple doctrines, but are you

getting this? I don’t know all the finer details of each denomination.

My goal isn’t to show you them. You probably know yours. I just want

you to be willing to first of all divide the Bible: secure, sealed Church

with our ‘faith alone’ Pauline books being on one side of the line and all

other people groups and all other books being on the other side of the

line where there’s no indwelling Spirit sealing a believer and securing

them, where they must demonstrate their faith. Once you see that,

you can then research within our books of Romans thru Philemon to

see if your denomination’s stated beliefs EVEN apply to you! So what

have you seen so far?

How about how little there is directed TO US on these ‘doctrines’ in

OUR books?!?! It might shock you, actually!

Tongues and Spiritual Gifts

These two can be very touchy subjects, but if we stick to just our books,

they, too, will become clear.

Please note, there is really no way to fit all pertinent passages for this

section into this article. If this is important to you, you’ll take the time

to read 1 Corinthians 12 to 14. A couple times even. I’ll list out a few,

but you really need the whole picture.

1 Corinthians 12:4, 7-11, 28-31

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same

Spirit. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation

of the Spirit for the common good.8 For to one is

given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to

another the word of knowledge according to the same

Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to

another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to

another the effecting of miracles, and to

another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of

spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to

another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and

the same Spirit works all these things,

distributing to each one individually just as He

wills.

28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles,

second prophets, third teachers, then miracles,

then gifts of healings, helps, administrations,

various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are

they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not

teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles,

are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do

they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All

do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the

greater gifts.

And I show you a still more excellent way.

And what’s the more excellent way? Chapter 13, the great LOVE

chapter.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 8-10

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but

do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or

a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and

know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all

faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have

love, I am nothing.3 And if I give all my possessions

to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be

burned, but do not have love, it profits me

nothing.

8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy,

they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will

cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For

we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when

the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

See how we’re focusing on the wrong things, Church. Where’s your

LOVE doctrine?

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but

especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks

in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no

one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification

and exhortation and consolation. 4 One who speaks in a

tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies

the church. 5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues,

but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is

one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues,

unless he interprets, so that the church may

receive edifying.

Again, please read this whole chapter! Lots on tongues vs.

prophesying, but I believe the key is found in:

1 Corinthians 14:12, 26

12 So also you, since you are zealous

of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you

assemble, each one has a psalm, has

a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has

an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Do you see the purpose of spiritual gifts now?? Why does your denomination say you must speak in tongues? For salvation? I guarantee you they’re not getting that doctrine from Paul.

More in Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; 7:7

*****

Some Others

Got a problem with observing days? Romans 14:5-6; Galatians 4:9-10;

Colossians 2:16-23

What about tithing? Neither ‘tithe’ nor ‘tithing’ nor ‘tenth’ are found

in Paul’s epistles.

But this is: 2 Corinthians 9:5-14

5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would

go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously

promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as

a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each

one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly

or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is

able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all

sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every

good deed; 9 as it is written,

“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS

RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”

10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will

supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the

harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in

everything for all liberality, which through us is

producing thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service

is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also

overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 13 Because of

the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God

for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and

for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, 14 while

they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the

surpassing grace of God in you.

Tithing’s not our doctrine, Church. I’ll go with give bountifully and

cheerfully out of love.

What’s your denomination say about these other topics? You might

want to check where they’re pulling their verses from. Again, Church,

read Romans to Philemon and see if the passages your denomination

clings to are found in there. If not, give ‘em up. They’re not

yours.

****

I know there will always be confusing passages/topics that make us

question where we stand. Rightly divide first, then deal with these

smaller issues as you go.

For example, laying on of hands to confer the gift of the Spirit found

only in 1 and 2 Timothy: 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22 and 2 Timothy 1:6. I

think this scenario was unique to Timothy because of his relationship

and closeness to Paul, his “father” in the faith. Paul, being an Apostle,

was given the ability to perform signs and wonders like the OT prophets

and the other Apostles. Romans 1:11-12; 15:18-19; 2 Corinthians 12:12

Another example is sometimes it seems like Paul’s saying that our

security is conditional like in 1 Corinthians 15:2 “if you hold fast” or

Colossians 1:23 “if you continue.” ‘Hold fast’ can mean possess or take.

2 Corinthians 13:5 helps clear up Colossians 1:23 and the few others

that you might be unsure of. 5 Test yourselves to see if you are

in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize

this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless

indeed you fail the test? If you didn’t possess it in the first place,

you never had it! Make sure you’re really a believer. Know what you

believe. Learn. Study. Grow. Walk it!

Repentance is another one. Interesting how ‘repent’ is found 14 times

in Matthew through Acts and yet zero times in Paul’s books. Zero.

‘Repentance’ is found in our books here: Romans 2:4, 2 Corinthians

7:9-10, 2 Timothy 2:24-26. Read these in context and you’ll see they’re

not giving you the Gospel of Repentance -- “Repent and believe the

Gospel” -- found in Matthew through Acts.

And one I still don’t get – Paul’s comments on women being silent in

church in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. If there’s no distinction in the Body,

why would he say that? I don’t know.

****

I hope this article has inspired you to really think

about what you believe and why.

Stop following the crowd and assuming they

know everything. Start looking into the Bible for

yourself instead of trusting your denomination

to do your job for you.

Rightly dividing fixes a whole bunch of denominational downfalls,

doesn’t it? Without all these topics to argue about maybe we can focus

more on our walk, which I believe is our No. 1 goal according to

Paul. (Ephesians 4!!)

PS. Rightly dividing is not enough if you think Acts is

transitional. I would highly recommend reading

Church Chart for a better understanding of when the

Church Age began and who it includes.

If you prefer videos, see VIDEO: Denominational

Downfalls at churchageisdifferent.com.

Also, please see the home page for an understanding on

how the issue of eternal security rightly divides the Bible

secure/must obey, endure, etc. versus Old

Testament/New Testament.

Be a Berean!

God bless.