An organization called "Adherents.com" lists over 4200 religions in the world and 33,830 Christian Denominations. That is enough to boggle your mind. In order to answer our title question, we must understand a few facts. One is what constitutes a religious denomination. The word "denomination" simply means: One of a series of kinds, values, or sizes, as in a system of currency or weights: Cash registers have compartments for bills of different denominations. The stamps come in 25 and 45 denominations. But when you place the adjective "religious" before it, the modification limits it to religions. Therefore, a religious denomination means a group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy. (Definition quotes from Answers.com)
Now, these groups differ as do denominations of coins or anything else. But in general they have a headquarters, they have a man, group of men, or both, who make up the hierarchy or leadership of the organization. They determine what their specific doctrine will embrace, the rules of membership, and methods of operation. In other words, they form an organization much the same as civic organizations. Records are kept and, unless they are lost or destroyed, one may trace their organization to the founder and the time and place of it's origin. The differences are many and widely varied. In fact, all of the 33,380 have at least a different name or something to distinguish it from the others.
Many people do not fully understand just what the difference is in denominationalism and non-denominationalism. I've known of a couple of instances where some type of disagreement or difference of opinion would occur within a congregation of a particular denomination. And the division was so sharp that some pulled away from the denomination and expressed that they would become non-denominational. But then, they turned around and found a group who professed to be non-denominational and attached themselves to it. Granted, they were much different but nevertheless, they still had their own leaders and their organization with their rules and by-laws. That is not what is meant by non-denominationalism. Then you find those who profess that they are non-denominational and are quick to tell you that each congregation is totally autonomous. This of course, is a necessary factor in being non-denominational, but in most cases all you have to do is inquire and you will find that they still are affiliated with a national or international organization. Even, the Eastern Orthodox Church professes that their congregations are independent.. But the fact is, they still are connected with this international denomination. If they stray from the rules accepted by the leaders of the denomination, they will be removed from their fellowship
Let us review a little church history in order to arrive at a better understanding of our subject. During the Jewish generations, that period of time beginning at Mount Sinai when God made a covenant with the Israelites through Moses. They were under a law similar to that of a secular government. Even though it was given by God, they were promised as their reward, the land of Canaan. A land flowing with milk and honey. And God promised to bless them, protect them from their enemies, give them great harvests, and much more. Temporal or literal rewards.
IF, (conditional) they would observe His commands. Here is one (of several) very brief statement He gave to them:
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: (Exodus 19:4-5)
Now this law was given to the Israelites to help them survive and be a shining example to the rest of the world in order to furnish the lineage to the birth of Jesus Christ. But the negative side was, that if they should not keep His laws, he would allow much misfortune to ensue and they would face tribulations and pestilences. Also He promised them that their enemies would punish them with the sword, take away their land and would carry them into captivity. The history shows that they went into sin, time and time again, but would repent and cry unto God and He would send them a conqueror. Finally, they grew so negligent of God and worshipped false gods until they were overrun and taken into captivity,
But the coming of Jesus Christ, His sinless life, His sacrifice and His resurrection instituted a new law whereby all men (Jews as well as Gentiles) would have opportunity to be united in Him. The exact details of His coming were obscured in the prophecies. They prophesied of a kingdom that
"all the nations would flow into". It is apparent that few, if any, understood that it was to be a Spiritual, rather than a literal kingdom. For this reason, most of the Jews rejected Jesus as the Christ. Jesus announced the true kingdom to the Apostles in Matthew 16:13-19 where he used the terms of church and kingdom, interchangeably. And He explained to Pilate before His crucifixion, that His kingdom was "not of this world" in John 18:36. The record of it's beginning is detailed in Acts chapter 2.
On that first Pentecost after Jesus resurrection, the church (kingdom) was established and some 3,000 were baptized and added to it that day. And then verse 47 tells us that
"the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved". If you read and study carefully, you will find there was no earthly headquarters established, no formal organization created. The converts simply obeyed the instructions as preached on that day, and they were added (or accepted) into His spiritual kingdom, by Him. That's all. There was no governing body although the inspired apostles taught the Good News to all those with whom they came into contact. Local congregations were started wherever they went. These congregations were independent of all other congregations, their headquarters and king were in heaven. But let us look at the specifics and at where 33,380 denominations came from.
As the church spread, more were added to it and more congregations were started. Then it is found that each congregation was to be self governed. Elders were appointed in each congregation. These men were to lead the congregation in this new doctrine of Jesus Christ. They are referred to in scripture also as overseers, shepherds, bishops, presbyters and pastors. There is no inference in the scripture that either of those names referred to any other office or level of responsibility. It is also notable that these elders are always referred to in the plural sense, indicating that each congregation must have at least two. Deacons were also appointed to assist the elders, and be responsible for the physical tasks or needs of the congregation. Preachers are never referred to in scripture as "Pastor" or "Reverend".
So, what happened to this God appointed church government? Paul speaking to the elders in Ephesus issues this prophetic warning:
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, [ the elders...jhh]
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, [ the elders...jhh]
not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves [ again, the elders...jhh]
shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." (Acts 20:28-31)
Early church writings confirm that indeed, this warning did materialize. From among the eldership, some began to usurp authority over the others and some congregations began having one "chief" elder with others subject to him. Then from congregation to congregation one of the chief elders became head over multiple congregations and they gave him the official designation of Bishop. From that point It continued to stray from the scriptural pattern. From 300 a.d. for several hundred years the apostate church became an institution of man with strong governmental and personal powers. It instituted a number of practices which caused many to go underground in an effort to worship God scripturally. The church itself became the persecutor of those Christians who tried to remain faithful. Many were imprisoned and others were burned at the stake as "heretics". But as time passed and the church of Rome lost much of it's political clout, men began to break away, thus came the protestant reformation era.
This movement resulted in good and strong men attempting to reform the church and almost without exception, each one developed a following that formed into a protestant denomination. Often this was done without the consent of the founder of the movement. Martin Luther pleaded that his followers not form a denomination and name it for him. Many others did the same and even after some were formed, there were divisions which caused some to form another and another. So, various groups (denominations) were formed, each with their own particular beliefs and doctrines.
But those who had striven to continue their worship as the apostles taught and had gone underground to avoid annihilation, began to emerge. Tiny groups were known to exist in the British isles. Some who had gone into denominationalism learned of these non-denominational Christians and turned to them, some came to America and began preaching the Bible in it's simplicity. Their pleading was for a return to the inspired apostolic doctrine of Jesus Christ and become Christians without any affiliation with organized denominations. Their intent and profession was (is) to, "Speak where the Bible speaks, and remain silent where the Bible is silent". No head but Christ, no headquarters but heaven and no creed but the Bible.
The church of our Lord has no formal name, it is referred to in scripture as the church of God, the kingdom of God, the church of the First Born, the church of Christ, the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom, the church, the body, the body of Christ , the house of God and several other such descriptive terms. There are several religious groups who profess non-denominational Christianity but often give themselves a proper name. This is sometimes done without recognizing the significance of it. However, in today's world, any group is almost required to have some type of designated identification for many reasons, such as receiving mail, filing for tax exemption (or if not tax exempt, recording as a taxpayer) to purchase and or sell property, etc. Therefore, the majority of such groups identify themselves by designating a title such as "33 rd Street church of Christ" which is simply saying that it is a group of non-denominational Christians who congregate at their location on 33 rd street. This type of designation bothers some, since they fear that it will be taken as a proper name of a denomination. And, indeed, the majority of people do believe it to be such.
All of this may sound to some as being fanatical. It isn't. It is simply that some believe that no man has ever had authority to form his own organization in which to worship God. Most denominations will quickly tell you that you do not have to be a member of their organization in order to be a Christian. We agree. So why divide the body of Christ into numerous man made organizations? Can you imagine the great work that could be accomplished if everyone came together in the body of Christ, with no additions to His word and be nothing but Christians? Beside this, the Bible pleads that all may be one and condemns division.
In the first century, there were no Christian denominations. None. Only Christians who were added to the kingdom of God by Jesus himself. The Bible has not changed it's doctrine, no additions have been given from God since that time. His church is still in existence and the method of entrance into it is still the same. Only man's ideas have introduced additional doctrines and methods. The book of Acts contains eight examples of people being converted to Christ. It explains what they did to be added to the Lord's body. Nothing has changed except men. (Acts 2:14-41) (Acts 8:5-13) (Acts 8:35-39) (Acts 9:1-20) (Acts 10:34-48) (Acts 16:13) (Acts 16:32) (Acts 18:8)
Worship in the first century church was simple and reverent. All acts of worship were directed to God in the manner the apostles taught. There was no entertainment for the worshipper or their visitors. Christians are to be worshippers, not an audience. God is the audience.
This article contains only a skimpy gist of the subject. Volumes have been written to bring all of this out much more clearly. It is hoped that it has made some points well enough that you will understand what the term non-denominational is all about.
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Sources
1. The King James Version of the Holy Bible
2.
http://www.adherents.com/ 3. Adam Clarke's Commentary Of The Whole Bible
http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/ 4. Christian Library
http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Marvin_L_Weir/salvation/convpaul.htm 5. The Interactive Bible
http://www.bible.ca/ntx-church-not-named.htm 6. Wikipedia Encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/ 7. Theopedia http://www.theopedia.com/Great_schism
8. Church History-Arnold http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/jac_arnold/CH.Arnold.CH.18.html
9. Church History-Eubanks http://www.bible.ca/history/eubanks/
10. Foxes Book Of Martyrs http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/home.html
