We are charged to test the spirits, 1 Jn. 4:1Agree or disagree with truth, 1 Jn. 4:6Reject error, Gal. 1:8, 9Expose false teachers & teaching,Rom. 16:17, 18Destroy the error, 2 Cor. 10:3-5

Denominations are fundamentally corrupt, regardless of intentions, Mt. 7:21-23; 15:7-9

Believe, enthusiastic, devotedFounded & Governed by menFar from God

Shortly after the 1st centuryMen fell away from the gospel, 2 Thes. 2:3

Distinguished bishops from elders, Titus 1:5-7Bishop over multiple churches, Acts 20:28Head bishop (pope)Dominated western world for centuries

Men protested Roman CatholicismMartin Luther – Lutherans, 1500sJohn Calvin – Presbyterians, 1500sJohn Smyth – Baptists, 1600sJohn Wesley – Methodists, 1700s

No denomination can trace its rootsto the Bible

Founded by the wrong person, Mt. 16:18Established at the wrong time, Acts 2:47Began at the wrong place, Isa. 2:3; Acts 1:4

Non-biblical laws & law-making bodiesMt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22, 23

Lutheran∙Small Catechism∙Large Catechism∙LCMS Convention

Non-biblical laws & law-making bodiesMt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22, 23

Methodist∙Methodist Book of Discipline∙General Conference

Non-biblical laws & law-making bodiesMt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22, 23

Baptist (Southern Baptist Convention)∙Creed: Baptist Faith & Message∙National Convention

Non-biblical laws & law-making bodiesMt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22, 23

Latter-Day Saints∙Book of Mormon∙Doctrine & Covenants∙Pearl of Great Price∙First presidency, council of 12 apostles

Unbiblical names, 1 Pt. 4:11No denominational names in the NT∙Methodist∙Presbyterian∙Mormon∙Lutheran∙Baptist

Unbiblical names, 1 Pt. 4:11Biblical names, descriptions of individuals∙Saints, Phil. 1:1∙Brethren, Phil. 3:1∙Disciples, Acts 6:1∙Christians, Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pt. 4:16

Unbiblical names, 1 Pt. 4:11Biblical names, descriptions of churches∙Church, 1 Thes. 1:1∙House / Church of God, 1 Tim. 3:15∙Body of Christ, 1 Cor. 12:27∙Church of Christ, Rom. 16:16

False plan of salvationSaved or Lost: CalvinistsBaptized = Saved, Believe later: CatholicBelief = Saved, Baptized later: BaptistBelief + Baptism = Salvation, Mark 16:16

We are charged to test the spirits, 1 Jn. 4:1Agree or disagree with truth, 1 Jn. 4:6Reject error, Gal. 1:8, 9Expose false teachers & teaching,Rom. 16:17, 18Destroy the error, 2 Cor. 10:3-5

Denominations are fundamentally corrupt, regardless of intentions, Mt. 7:21-23; 15:7-9

Believe, enthusiastic, devotedFounded & Governed by menFar from God