Attending Services Of A Denomination Robert Meredith Is it wrong to attend services of a denomination? As one considers this particular question, he must keep in mind that we are not talking about religious debates, weddings or funerals. Religious debates serve to proclaim the truth and refute error (Acts 19:8; Ephesians 5:11). Weddings and funerals are not “joint” religious services, but are times of rejoicing or memorial services to a departed loved one. However, one must never do something unscriptural at any occasion. The singing of religious songs accompanied by a mechanical instrument is wrong (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 2:16), and the observance of the Lord’s Supper on any day other than Sunday, as Roman Catholicism permits at weddings and funerals, is wrong. The question before us is dealing with joining in with their “worship.” Let us let the Bible answer. The Holy Spirit directed Paul to write, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). Since denominationalism is condemned (1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:21; Amos 3:3 w/ 1 John 1:7), it is an “unfruitful work of darkness” and one must have no fellowship with it, but rather reprove it. Also, the apostle Paul would write, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). My friends, in all honesty, denominationalism promotes division (the word denomination denotes a part of a whole) and teaches contrary to the doctrine Christians have learned. Therefore, the Holy Spirit says, “avoid them.” Too, John, the apostle of love, commands, “Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is a partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11). Once again, in this passage, one sees the condemnation of association with false teachers. John is referred to as the apostle of love because he emphasized it so much. John loved souls enough to warn them about associations that would cause them spiritual harm. Would I go to speak at a denomination if I were invited? Certainly I would! But not to fellowship in their error by simply attending. I would go (with the proper spirit) to teach the truth and reprove error (Ephesians 5:11). Paul wrote to the Christians of Corinth concerning their association with false religious groups and said, “And what agreement hath the temple of God (the church—RM) with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God...Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:16-17).
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 09:02:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015