Beyond Denominational Lines

By: Bs. Ferdinand Consebido

Christianity in these end-times is in need of genuine and global revival! The outcry for revival
has been heard in the nations for decades and yet, as far as I know in the Philippines, there has
been no major significant national transformation happening except with the usual annual
one-day motorcade and gathering of churches around the major cities of the nation.

In March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the Island of Homonhon, Southeast of
Samar and raised the first Christian Cross. And for about 377 years of occupation, Roman
Catholicism changed the history of this land. Although in June 12, 1898, independence from
the Spaniards was declared and the Americans brought the Bible-based Christianity, our nation
remained divided by religion, regional ethnic groups, and various denominational affiliations.
For 499 years now, the Philippines is long overdue for a big-time national revival!

I cannot imagine the fact that although Western Christianity is already over a century here in
the Philippines, yet, there is only around 10% of Born-again, Bible-Believing Christians in this
“Christian” nation! Although Christianity is not about the quantitative measurement of life but
more so of its quality, why are we far from being a true Christian nation? What is the main
reason of this quantity abstrusity and growth incapacity?

I submit that this is a byproduct of Christians’ spiritual and social state of quality deficiency. It is
a fact that Christianity in the Philippines, and in many nations, has not yet reached true and
genuine unity in Christ. Denominationalism and sectarianism have crippled the effectivity of
the Christian witness and influence. The ingrained independent and competitive “Western
Christianity” that colonized the believers in the Philippines should be uprooted, and once-and-
for-all, liberate the remnant church of Jesus Christ.

Christians should WAKE UP and go back to where God wants us to be, and accomplish that
which God wants us to accomplish.

….That they may be ONE…

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father,
keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”
(John 17:11 KJV)

Prior to the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, He prayed to the Father for the unity of His
disciples. The Lord’s desire is for His disciples to be ONE as He and the Father are ONE. The
definition and pattern of the UNITY that Jesus intended for His people to experience is not the
one we can find in dictionaries or what “Laodicean” church leaders say will only happen in
heaven. If it is true, then Jesus should have not prayed for the complete unity of the believers
here on earth. We have to adhere to the unity that the Bible stated to us and the indisputable
union which Jesus and the Father exemplified to us.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see
you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel;… If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye
be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 1:27; 2:1-5 KJV)

According to Apostle Paul, in the book of Philippians, the body of Christ should have and
continue in the following traits listed such as: standing fast in one spirit, working together in
preaching the Gospel of Jesus, in harmony and humility with one another, having the mind of
Christ, expressing one to another the agape kind of love, agreeing even in disagreement, and
thinking only the things of God and His Kingdom.

According to Walter Martin, the author of World Religions and Cults, there are around 10, 000
religions all over the world. The very interesting fact we should be looking at, is that, in
Christian religion alone, there are around 30, 000 denominations and sects that made up one
single religion. What do these numbers indicate? It is certainly not less than Disunity! God help
us!

If we say we have ONE Lord, ONE God, ONE Savior and ONE Bible, then why is it that we are
not really ONE? Let us humbly admit that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Philippines
is Not United. Just try to work together with the churches in town and you will find the true
divided condition of the church. Why can’t we pass through the bridge and walk onto the path
of Unity and Revival? It is because the leaders of the congregations and denominations are
afraid to lose “their people” and “their church.” Their big question is “Who will get the Credit?”

“Who is your neighbor?”

Linking to the question “Who is my neighbor?” raised from the parable of the Good Samaritan
found in the book of Luke chapter 10, let us not be like the religious Priest and Levite who were
heartless and inhumanly ignored the need of their neighbor because of their denominational
affiliations, titles, and status in life.

Love one another.

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also
love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to
another.” (John 13:34-35)

We cannot convince the world that we are indeed Christ’s disciples unless we show the proof of
God’s love flowing in and through us to the brethren, the body, which is the church of Jesus
Christ. The church should grow in the same kind of love that Jesus has for all. The only sign that
we are one in Christ is not perfected in affiliation but categorically in love.

I remember one pioneering pastor who requested for help from one big and rich denomination.
The group who is capable of helping said, “We are only supporting those that are big and
established in the ministry.” Another group wanted to support church planters but the support
will only be given if church planters will “affiliate” in their denomination. What a shocking
philosophy in ministry! Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord should Go, Preach the
Gospel and serve the Lord beyond Denominational Lines. We must build His Kingdom and not
anybody’s kingdom.

A young minister came to me and shared his experience about his decision to join a ministerial
fellowship. He was new in town and was so on fire to reach the lost and be connected with the
local fellow ministers of the gospel. When he attended the ministerial meeting, he was asked
by one of the officers of the fellowship “Do you think that the reason you are here is that this
town is not yet reached by the gospel?” The sad thing is that he was never accepted in the
fellowship. This might have happened because of the “tight screening” policy. However, I
looked at it as a result of faction, manipulation, competition, jealousy, pride, and
covetousness. There are so many “strings” and man-made conditions attached in the ministry
of propagating the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us pray that these things will not
continue within the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is now the time to go beyond denominational lines and boundaries. Neither am I suggesting
for anybody to resign from their present accountability group or denomination nor join
ecumenical movement, but, let us think and work beyond our groups, dreams and even
beyond ourselves. What we ought to do is to go back to the King of kings and ask Him our key
functions in His Church. What part or roles do you have to fill in the Kingdom of God?
Now is the time to see through beyond the four corners of “our church,” which is, in reality,
Christ’s Church. We are in an era of Kingdom Transition where the Church of the Lord Jesus
Christ should touch the untouched and reach the unreached neighbors beyond denominational
lines.

Let us all rally behind God’s agenda and be ready to live and serve beyond denominational
affiliation. May the Lord God bless and unite us all now in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen!