The work of God is non-denominational. We are not a sect or denomination in the generally accepted sense. We are not backed or sponsored by any or connected with any. There were several religious sects in Palestine in Jesus' day. We read of "the sect of the Sadducees," in Acts 5:17; "the sect of the Pharisees," in Acts 15:5. There were also the Essenes (Qumran), the Herodians (mentioned twice) and the Zealots. But Jesus joined none of them!
What is the meaning of the word "sect"? According to the Cruden's Concordance, "this word is generally used to mean a party in religion, differing in belief from the main body. In our old version it is frequently translated heresy, which the religions change to sect." Webster defines it: "In religion: a party dissenting from an established or parent church."
Jesus Christ never joined a "sect," but He did, in fact, found and build the one true Church of God (Matt. 16:18). Take the time to examine the teachings and practices of the sects and denominations of today, and compare them to the teachings and practices of Jesus as recorded in the synoptic gospels, John and those taught by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament and you will discover that the popular denominations and sects of today do "differ in belief" and that they are very largely "dissenting from the established “parent church" as it was established by Jesus Christ in 31 A.D. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s true! The true Church of God established and built by Jesus Christ—the Church of which He is the active, living Head—is not a sect or denomination!
The true work of God is non-denominational and non-sectarian, nevertheless God is not carrying on His great work through a one-man show, but through all donors, co-workers and members with Christ who today form the collective body led and empowered by the Holy Spirit, as God's instrument by which and through which He carries on His work! Jesus Christ came to this earth 1900 years ago to found the true Church of God—delivering His gospel message to all the world as a witness! But God works through human instruments. Jesus did not preach to the entire world. He called, taught, educated and trained His disciples, who later became apostles. Thousands of others were converted through them. These formed the true church that Jesus built—the collective body (1 Cor. 12:12-31) used in the work of God, which is carrying His gospel to the whole world (Matt. 28:19-20)! The work was started by the Holy Spirit working in the individual personal body of Jesus. It continued by the same Spirit of God working in the collective body of the apostles, evangelists, pastors and elders and converted believers who formed the true Church of God.
Historically, the first century church did not reach all nations. Persecution set in and they were scattered. By 70 A.D., after the Roman invasion, their organized effort was largely disrupted. Only a few local congregations remained faithful, but they were not organized for any global evangelism. The prophesied apostasy set in. Pagan doctrines and customs lodged in their entering wedge. By 150 or 200 A.D. there were more than 50 different sects calling themselves "Christian;” yet, all believing dissimilar doctrines and practicing different customs. They were not the real Church of God, but "deviated" from the teachings and practices of Christ and "the established or parent Church," which Jesus built.
In the early 4th century, Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire, took command over these differing sects that called themselves, falsely, "Christianity." He called the Nicene Council in 325 A.D. He told the leaders of all sects to settle their differences—to decide on some form of doctrine they could all compromise on. That is what the Nicene council bore—a doctrine of human compromise that would gratify the largest number of people! The military General-Emperor, Constantine, used the power of the state and the military to force that doctrine and practice on the Roman world! As time went on, more and more pagan doctrines and customs were gradually inculcated into this false "Christianity." Many were martyred for believing the Bible instead of the man-made pagan doctrines that came out of these successive Councils.
Later, came the Protestant "Reformation." Luther, Calvin, Knox, the Wesleys, and other Protestant leaders enacted changes. They attempted to restore elements of Bible truth. But they also, in their turn, established various new doctrines and customs of their own, which were contrary and totally foreign to the Bible and the teachings and examples of Jesus and of Paul. Today there are scores of these Protestant sects and denominations. What do they compose? Each has its own different combination of doctrines, part of which is Bible truth; yet, mixed with error often peculiar to each particular sect; and a large part of which—more than realized—is the same pagan beliefs and customs, which came through the Catholic church, which Emperor Constantine organized (Isa. 8:20). The bottom line is that they do not speak the same thing Jesus did! They do not believe or practice true Pauline theology. They do not, except in small part, believe the Bible to be infallible truth—astonishing as that may sound.
Is it any wonder, then, that hundreds of denominations and splinter sects are represented in so-called “Christianity” today? Some appeal to the educated and the intellectual. There are puritan and fundamentalist denominations and at the other extreme, cold, formal and modernistic ones. Consequently, we find certain denominations having a centralized government and in others the congregations’ rule. There are those with pageantry and ritual, and others having no religious adornment. And yet, the irony of the whole matter is the fact that all these opposing and irreconcilable denominations claim to be the church that Christ founded while they preach conflicting and contradictory "gospels." It certainly is obvious that they are not preaching the same gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 1:10-13). Our society, which claims the Christian mantle, has gotten itself into a chaotic state of confusion regarding religion. “Main-stream Christianity” has abandoned the gospel of Christ, clearly and plainly revealed in the Word of God, and substituted for it their mixture of opinions and beliefs resulting in our modern denominationalism.
Christ came 1900 years ago and began the work of God. That work took on a grand temporary burst of speed and growth during the days of the apostles (Acts 2:41). God sent Jesus to earth with a message to the world. That message was and is “good news!” The word "gospel" is not a deified title, but simply means good news! One aspect of the message was new—the Kingdom now had a King; therefore, it was the good news of the reign—the supreme rule of God—thru Jesus Christ, over all the nations of this world. But it was news in advance! The Kingdom of God, which is both the government of God and also the great family of God actually born of God—a family so wonderful it becomes a great Kingdom, and a Kingdom that shall rule over all other kingdoms on earth. That Kingdom is future! It is to be set up—to start ruling—at the second coming of Jesus Christ, as the King of kings, and the Lord of lords—as world Ruler (Rev. 19:16). His rule is going to bring genuine peace, happiness, prosperity and salvation to the earth. It is not part of this Satan influenced world! It's not impossible! All things are possible with God, and this is the initiative of God (Matt. 19:26).
The original apostles carried on God’s work, through their lifetime. They preached this good news. They preached obedience to God (Acts 5:32)! They taught, not only believing in Christ—believing He is the divine Savior—but also believing Christ—that is, believing what He said. When the great apostasy set in, later in the first century, God’s work of carrying His message to the world was tremendously hindered. There was little organized evangelism. But the true light of Christ's gospel has never been extinguished! Throughout the generations, from apostolic days until now, God has raised up various leaders (Herbert W. Armstrong), who have preached Christ's gospel of the Kingdom of God. As foretold, God's true church has never died. You find it described, in its seven main stages in Revelation chapters 2-3. Always the true church was simply that collective body of consecrated believers, the source of whose religion was the inspired Word of God—who believed Jesus and obeyed Him—who were led by Him through the power of the Holy Spirit, who were used as God's instrument in carrying out the work of God. But always they have been small in number (Luke 12:32)—persecuted and undoubtedly coined a “cult.” Always they have been ridiculed as "heretics" by the worldly churches. Always they have preached the Kingdom of God, converting precious lives who thereupon joined as fellow workers in proclaiming this gospel.
But never did any of them preach to all nations (including China, Japan, India, etc.) as a witness! And yet Jesus, in His prophecy (Mat 24:14) distinctly stated this very same message is to be preached (and published—Mark 13:10) throughout the world, as a witness to all nations. When? Just prior to the end of this age of human self-rule—just before Christ’s second coming in full power and glory!
The past 100 years has seen unprecedented development. Today, we live in a world of tremendous scientific and technological advancement. There is a purpose! Man, in general, puts these new powers and inventions, largely, to destructive use. But they are necessary now to finish the work of God! God declared that He would open doors to the Philadelphian era of His Church at the time of the end. God’s true people, with this attitude, are to be active just prior to Christ's coming. It is also to have divine protection during the "Great Tribulation" (Rev. 3:10). What does Christ mean, "…set before thee an open door" (Rev. 3:8)? If you will compare 2 Cor. 2:12-13 and Acts 16:9, you will see how God opened a door to allow the Apostle Paul and his fellow workers to go to Europe and preach the gospel. It is an opportunity to preach—a means of getting out the gospel. Today, God has opened the doors of radio, television, the printing press and Internet. Doors God has opened that His Church today may now utilize mass evangelism—reaching millions, all around the world at once, instead of just a few in one place at a time!
Can you possibly imagine the realization that God is now using us as fellow workers together with Christ, in completing the glorious work of God—proclaiming His message to the entire world—ministering to those whom God calls (John 6:44) and who repent of transgressing His laws, actually receive Jesus Christ as Personal Savior, meaning they receive Him, in Spirit, to actually live His life in them (Gal. 2:20)—to live by every Word of the Bible (Matt. 4:4)—to live and practice what Jesus taught, and the customs He followed—regardless of being thought of as another “sect” or “cult!” Following truth requires a difficult decision: do we give up the comfortable religious ways of this world, and accept Christ and the Bible way, which often results in giving up friends and associates in the world; or do we look to the majority of the people as the source and authority for religious belief? Basically, it is a question of eternity! That is much more than enjoying this world, its "friends" and ways, for a little while.
We are not another “sect” or “cult” because we have "come out of Babylon" by renouncing all worldly denominational membership (Rev. 18:4). We are not another “sect” because we have also given, not merely our hearts, but our whole lives to God for Him to use as He will. We are not another “sect” because we have given up these pagan religious customs masquerading as “Christian”—we are studying God's Holy Word, and, as God gives us to see, living by every Word of God, looking into the Bible as the authority for everything we believe and do—as our way of life—God’s way. The glorious magnitude of this incredible mission in which God has actually been using us, is probably more than our poor human minds can fully realize! But it is time we come to recognize this for what it really is! For, while we are not a denomination or a sect, we are the continuation of God’s true Church being used as His instrument, empowered by His Spirit, in finishing His work, which Jesus began!
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