Should a Concern for Unity Mean No Denominations?

This was part of the text I preached from yesterday. Below, I’ll try to answer a question that I mentioned in the sermon, but intentionally did not try to answer in that setting.

Ephesians 4:1-6
¹ I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

We focused on the issue of maintaining unity within a congregation, but someone might ask, “But what about all the Christian denominations? Should that kind of disunity exist?”

First, let me say that verse 6 makes clear that there is a spiritual unity among all true Christians, regardless of whether or not we belong to the same congregation or denomination. This is a beautiful thing, for it allows fellowship with other believers when we are attending a conference in another part of the country or doing a mission trip to another part of the world. Quite often this is one of the things you hear from someone who’s done short-term missions—“We felt a connection right away when we knew we worshiped the same Lord!”

Second, this passage makes clear that petty squabbles should not separate believers, especially when we serve the same Lord and are in the same family. However, the implication must be that the only thing that could cause a separation is if we do not share the same God and Savior.

Thus, we do not have any qualms about separation from Roman Catholics or Mormons who have vastly different definitions about Christ or the gospel. There is no genuine unity with them, so we need not worry that we have not “maintained” it.

On the other hand, there are many evangelical groups which whom we would agree on the central tenets of the faith. We often cooperate with other denominations, such as the Baptist General Conference or the Christian and Missionary Alliance, in missionary contexts.

Is it wrong then that we have not united to create some larger denomination? Remember, “denomination” is not a biblical concept per se, but it is a practical organization for the sake of mutual support, accountability, and missionary endeavors. Thus, we may work more closely with certain churches with whom we have a greater degree of agreement in doctrine for practical purposes, so long as we are not alienated from other faithful churches.

All this is another reason why I like the Evangelical Free Church of America’s doctrinal statement. When we conclude from the Scriptures 1) that doctrine matters, 2) that doctrine is what we are united around, and 3) that we must also be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit,” then it seems wise to be very clear in that statement on the essentials of the faith, while also leaving room for disagreement on issues that should not be grounds for separation.

At the end of the day, I’m glad to admit that denominations exist to some degree because we cannot finally work through all our doctrinal disagreement on this side of heaven. But, the good news is that there will be no need for them when we are united around the throne of God forever.