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“The Lord’s Church Came With Power”
The Lord’s Church Came With Power
David Sproule
Can I ask you a question that you’ll just think about for moment? Step back, consider this, and formulate in your mind an answer to this question. “Where did the denominations come from?” Have you ever really thought about that?
Depending on what researchers you trust, at the very least it can be stated that there are thousands of denominations in the world. (Let’s not quibble about the exact number but state it generally as “thousands.”) Where did they come from?
As you think about the “Where,” think about the “When.” When did denominations come about? The answer to that question varies, as some began in recent years, some a few hundred years ago, some several hundred years ago. But, it can be stated unequivocally that the “when” of the origin of all denominations is some time after the beginning of the Lord’s church in Acts 2. How do we know that? Answer this question: “When the Lord added people to His church in Acts 2:47, to which denomination did He add them?” Your response is likely the same as every response I’ve ever received to that question, “There were no denominations in Acts 2.”
So, now back to the question, “Where did they come from?” And, again, the answer to that question varies. Some denominations came about due to doctrinal differences, leadership differences, salvation differences, worship differences, personality differences, etc. Without focusing on the hearts or sincerity of any individuals, do any of these reasons for starting a denomination (or really, any other reasons that could be added to the list) sound God-approved? They do not.
Listen to the “plea” of the God of heaven Himself, “…you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you” (1 Cor. 1:10). Since the desire (which equals a demand) of the God of heaven is that all “speak the same thing,” is that what is happening in denominations? Since the desire (i.e., demand) of the God of heaven is that there be “no divisions,” is that reflected in the thousands of denominations?
The Lord’s church came with power in Acts 2. Jesus said His church/kingdom would come “with power” (Mark 9:1), when the apostles were “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), having received that “power when the Holy Spirit” came upon them (Acts 1:8) in Jerusalem in Acts 2:1-4. No denomination ever came into existence “with power” from God, but as the result of the desires of man. So, what are you a part of today? Are you in the church that Jesus established with power in Acts 2, or are you in a denomination that came about later by the power of man? That question has eternal consequence!
