Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Names are simply for identification. A name does not imply an essential difference, it implies an instance difference.
Community church has basically the same meaning as local church. It means a church that serves the community in which it resides. This is actually the meaning of "local church" Nee put forth originally in TNCCL. He pointed out that one church in London was impractical and that localities could be considered being the different neighborhoods and communities within the city. These days it's shorthand for a church which is usually non-denominational, general in beliefs, and non-strident in its approach to non-essentials.
Again, you must see that your view of oneness and division is simply your view. It's your opinion. You have not demonstrated that the Bible prescribes what you believe. I think you need to consider that your insistence on your interpretation of what oneness is and how churches should describe themselves can be just as divisive as any other doctrine someone might intractably insist upon and condemn others for not adhering to.
I believe the best course of action is to encourage generality and unity among believers and let that attitude grow and take its natural course. I've seen much progress in the last twenty years and am convinced if unity happens that's the way it is going to happen. I don't believe your approach is going to accomplish much.
You still have not defined "denomination."
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Ok to the definition of denomination.
The word denomination or de-name-iation means "to give a name to" (see Mirium Webster dictionary) and considering the origins and original meaning of the word shows the clear connection between names and denominations.
A denomination is therefore a group of Christians who have given themselves a name. Paul says:
1 Cor 1:13 ".... were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
Since Christians were baptised in the name of Christ, we should not take another name. In fact a common belief in denominations is that when a person is baptised in a certain denomination (e.g. Lutheran) they are "baptised as a Lutheran". They are baptised as something other than just Christian.
Now you know why we focus on names being a problem. Names and denominations go hand in hand.
But a denomination is not just a group with a different name. We have to consider why they decided to do that, and why they exist. One reason was they considered themselves to be different in some way from every other Christian, when the Bible says we are all the same in Christ.
The Lutherans for example decided to name themselves after Luther because they follow his teachings and practices. They wanted to distinguish themselves from Catholics and other protestants.
We both believe in spiritual unity yet we have have different ideas about how that can be accomplished in practice. From a human perspective all of the various attempts at Christian unity are good and it is very good to have denominations. It is better to agree than to disagree. Unfortunately few are willing to go the full step to identify themselves as nothing but just the church.
Denominations have become so much the norm that denominational-free churches must define themselves as "non-denominational" rather than "just the church". The church in the New Testament was not non-denominational it was just the church.
Is a community church a denomination? it depends if it has a name or not. If it is called the "Life Community Church" (for example), this has given itself a name that distinguishes it from all the other Christians in the city. Then it must be a denomination according to the definition of "giving a name to".