Tertullus, a Jewish orator, erroneously termed the Lord's church a sect, or heresy, or denomination; he accused Paul of being "a ringleader of the sect (heresies) of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5), a pest. Countless others, even in the present age, have brought this charge against the body, or church of Christ.
       Paul answered the charge; "after the way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our Fathers" (Acts 24:14). He was "set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:7); he did not allow such error to go unchallenged. The church of the New Testament is sometimes still accused of being a denomination.
       Inasmuch as all denominations possess and are built around certain peculiar false doctrines ("commandments of men," Matt. 15:9,13), they are thus "plants which my heavenly Father planted not" but "shall be rooted up" come judgment day. If indeed the Lord's church is a heresy, or denomination, as charged, then it must be based upon, teach, and practice certain errors which identify it as a denomination, sect, or party.
       Is the church of Christ a denomination because of its foundation? It is founded upon the fact of Christ's being the only begotten son of God (Matt. 16:15,18). He is the prophesied "sure foundation" (Isa. 28:16; I Pet. 2:6-8) and the stone which the builders rejected (Acts 4:11). Sects are founded upon human beings.
       Is the church a denomination because of its builder? The branch would build the temple of the Lord (Zech. 6:12; Isa. 11:1,2; Jer. 23:5). The temple is the church of Christ (I Cor. 1:2; 3:16; II Cor. 6:16). Christ built his church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 5:25), and he built only one (I Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18; Eph. 4:3-6; I Cor. 12:20). Christ is the only head. Sects are built by men, not by Christ.
       Is the church a denomination because of its time and place of establishment? It was not built during Christ's personal ministry or during the time of John, for after John died (Matt. 4:10), Christ promised to build his church/kingdom (Matt. 16:18,19). It was built on Pentecost of Acts 2 (cf. Mark 9:1; Acs 1:8; 2:1-4,47). People were in the kingdom during the time of the apostles (Acts 20:28; Col. 1:13; I Tim. 3:14,15; Heb. 12:28; Rev. 1:9). And, it was established in Jerusalem, as prophesied (Isa. 2:1-4; Zech. 1:16; I Tim. 3:15). The foundation was laid in Jerusalem (Isa. 28:16). Sects are established at other times and in other places.
       Is the church a denomination because of its designations? The church in the general sense (inclusive of all Christians) is called the church, kingdom, body of Christ, kingdom of God's dear son, house of God, church of God, kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:18,19; John 18:36; Col. 1:13; I Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22, et all.). Mentioned in the local sense (individual congregations), it is called the church of God, churches of Christ, churches of God, churches (I Cor. 1:2; 11:16; 16:19; Rom. 16:16; Gal. 1:2; Acts 9:31; 16:5; et al.). Sects most often wear designations unauthorized by the Bible.
       Is the church a denomination because of the name of her members? Saints wear the new name, the everlasting name given in God's house (Isa. 56:5; 62:2; 65:15). Given by God, it is the name Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Pet. 4:16). Sects wear names which honor various creeds, acts of obedience, human beings, and such like.
       Is the church a denomination because of its doctrine? Her evangelists and members speak as the oracles of God (I Pet. 4:11; II Tim. 3:16,17; I Cor. 14:37). Thus, they speak where the Bible speaks, and are silent where the Bible is silent. They do Bible things in Bible ways, and call Bible things by Bible names. They take great care not to deviate from the divine pattern (II Tim. 1:13; II John 9-11; Rev. 22:18,19). Sects "teach for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9).

—Contending For The Faith – April 1998