.
I understand. Yet the answer is always there, if we will but dig a bit deeper.
I detailed, with corroborating scripture, the gist of my post:
In the Holy Bible, "heresy/heresies" and "sect" are from the same word (#G139 hairesis), and "denomination" is likewise a "sect".
Further, from the
Cambridge Dictionary:
denomination, n.
"a religious group that has slightly different beliefs from other groups that share the same religion:
- Protestantism and Roman Catholicism are both denominations of the Christian faith.
["Slightly different beliefs"??? ala "almost preg"? Obviously, Protestantism and Roman Catholicism are not compatible; at the least, one of these two "Christian" denominations is a heresy/sect...]
Heresy = sect = denomination.
Here are all 9 appearance of the word
hairesis (#G139):
Act 5:17
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect
G139 of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Act 15:5
But there rose up certain of the sect
G139 of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command
them to keep the law of Moses.
Act 24:5
For we have found this man
a pestilent
fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect
G139 of the Nazarenes:
Act 24:14
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy,
G139 so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Act 26:5
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect
G139 of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Act 28:22
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect,
G139 we know that every where it is spoken against.
1Co 11:19
For there must be also heresies
G139 among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Gal 5:20
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
G139
2Pe 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
G139 even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
1. (from αἱρέω),
act of taking, capture: τῆς πόλεως, the storming of a city; in secular authors.
2. (from αἱρέομαι),
choosing, choice, very often in secular writings: Sept.
Leviticus 22:18; 1 Macc. 8:30.
3.
that which is chosen, a chosen course of thought and action; hence one's chosen opinion, tenet; according to the context, an opinion varying from the true exposition of the Christian faith (heresy):
2 Peter 2:1 (cf. DeWette at the passage), and in ecclesiastical writings [cf.
Sophocles' Lexicon, under the word].
4.
a body of men separating themselves from others and following their own tenets (a sect or party): as the Sadducees,
Acts 5:17; the Pharisees,
Acts 15:5;
Acts 26:5; the Christians,
Acts 24:5,
14 (in both instances with a suggestion of reproach);
Acts 28:22 (in Diogenes Laërtius 1 (13) 18f, others, used of the schools of philosophy).
5.
dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims:
Galatians 5:20;
1 Corinthians 11:19. [Cf. Meyer, at the passages cited; B. D. American edition under the word Sects;
Burton, Bampt. Lect. for 1829;
Campbell, Diss. on the Gospels, diss. ix., part iv.]
source -
Thayer's Greek Lexicon (#G139)
Denominationalism: "The system and ideology founded on the
division of the religious population into numerous ecclesiastical bodies, each stressing particular values or
traditions and each
competing with the other in the same community under substantial conditions of freedom. Thus denominationalism has usually been associated with
religious pluralism, voluntaryism, mutual
respect and recognition, and neutrality on the part of the state."
Westminster Dictionary of Church History (1971), pages 262-263.
As you can see, the very definition of ‘denominationalism’ goes against the very heart of scripture. If you take the five words in bold above, for example, and compare these words with what scripture says about them, it is all negative:
Division (
1 Corinthians 1:10-17;
3:3).
Traditions (
Matthew 15:3,
6,
Mark 7:8,
9,
13.
Colossians 2:8).
Competing (
2 Corinthians 10:12).
Religious pluralism (
Galatians 1:8,
9).
Respect (
James 2:9,
Leviticus 19:15,
Deuteronomy 10:17,
2 Chronicles 19:7).
Heresy = sect = denomination.
.
