Right Doctrine and the Function of Denominations

Denominations serve an important function in the body of Christ. The existence of denominations reminds us that doctrine matters. The church, according to Scripture, is the “pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). The church is not a social organization, it is the mouthpiece through which God speaks to society and shepherds his sheep.

But there is only one church! First, the church has only one head: Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18). All who are members of Christ’s church are members of Christ regardless of any other label. Second, the church is connected by the truth of the Gospel. Jude reminds us we are to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). In Jude’s use, “the faith” represents the body of truth entrusted to the officers of the church for defense. A church, therefore, that loses the truth ceases to be a church.

Third, in its early government, the local churches were all placed under apostolic government. Thus, they were connected in Christ, by doctrine, and through the government of the apostles. After the apostles died, this government continued through elders (Acts 15, Philippians 1:1, Titus 1:5).

There is a place, then, for faithful denominations to emphasize and debate their differences. Those differences matter. We should be equally vocal, however, about what we call the “catholicity” of the church. In the Apostles’ Creed, we confess, “I believe in the holy catholic church.” Catholic, in this sense, means universal. There is one and only one true church.

I want to answer two questions: 1) How do you know if you are in a true church of Jesus Christ, and 2) How do we practice true catholicity? First, you are in a true church of Jesus Christ if that church teaches the Word faithfully, administers the sacraments given by Christ (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), and exercises church discipline. Christian, if you are not in a church that is faithful to these things, then you should not stay there.

Second, we practice catholicity in several ways. We should pray for one another. Our church is Presbyterian, but we pray for every church in our town. We should gather together when we can to demonstrate the unity of the church of Jesus Christ. As a member of the church, you should never stir up disunity. This is especially wicked (Titus 3:10-11) and why the Bible is so clear on the exercise of discipline and the reconciliation of offenses. May God bless his one, true Church.