Denominations
Jesus said in
Matthew 16:18 that he would build his church. Following his death and resurrection,
he accomplished that goal as recorded in Acts 2 when about 3,000 were
baptized. (Acts 2:38) Then Peter said to them,
"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:41) Then those who gladly
received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls
were added to them.
These first
Christians were unified in their faith and practice. The key to their unity was an
unwavering devotion to the teaching of the apostles. (Acts 2:42) And they continued steadfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in
prayers. This should also be our
goal today.
During the first century, as
congregations were established around the world, a standard of unity was
central to the process. One
example of instruction of this standard comes from Paul who urged the
Corinthians to have just such a unity.
(1 Corinthians 1:10) Now I
plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but
that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment. There was no difference
in the faith and practice of first century congregations. When the apostle Paul wrote to those in
Rome, Galatia, Corinth, Ephesus, , etc., he addressed people who had their foundation of faith
and worship based on the instructions in Acts 2 and urged them to
continue to follow these words.
The word
“denomination” suggests division. Even to the casual observer, the religious
world today is greatly divided.
Our purpose at Gold Hill Road is to be a congregation of New Testament scripture and therefore
undenominational. Our congregation
is filled with imperfect people, but we are committed to a perfect
standard. May we be successful in
accomplishing that which Jesus prayed to Father long ago, (John 17:20-21) "I do not pray for
these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their
word; {21} "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and
I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe
that You sent Me”.
Church Office:
803-548-7762 Update Line: 803-548-5521
|
