Many people today are searching for a church that simply follows the Bible. In that search, the phrase “non-denominational church” often comes up.
But what does that really mean according to Scripture? Is it just a name, or is it a return to the pattern of the New Testament church?
At Temple Church of Christ in Temple, Georgia, we believe that the Bible provides the clear and sufficient pattern for Christ’s church.
Our goal is not to be a part of a denomination, but to be the same church that began in the first century — the church described in the New Testament, purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).
Denominationalism and the Problem of Division
The very word denomination implies division, difference, and separation. In our monetary system, denominations distinguish between a dollar and a dime — they are of the same kind but of different values. In religion, however, denominationalism divides what Christ intended to be one body.
The apostle Paul pleaded with the church at Corinth against this very spirit of division:
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:10, NKJV
Paul’s inspired words show that denominationalism — the idea that many separate “churches” with differing doctrines can all be right — directly contradicts the will of God.
Christ established one body (Ephesians 4:4–5), one faith, and one church (Matthew 16:18). The church of the Bible is united not by creeds or councils, but by obedience to the same gospel.
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity
Before His death, Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers. He said:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
— John 17:20–21, NKJV
Jesus’ plea is plain — unity among believers is essential to showing the world that He is the Son of God.
Denominationalism, by its very nature, divides believers into differing groups with conflicting teachings. Such division does not glorify Christ, nor does it answer His prayer for oneness.
In contrast, a true non-denominational church seeks to uphold that unity — not through compromise, but through truth. A few verses earlier, Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). There can be no genuine unity without shared truth.
The Origin of Non-Denominational Christianity
Some think of non-denominational churches as a modern movement or a reaction to organized religion, but the concept actually reaches back to the New Testament itself.
The church that Jesus built (Matthew 16:18) existed long before any human denomination. In the first century, there were no Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, or Catholics. There were simply Christians (Acts 11:26).
This PDF file from WilloftheLord.com shows when every major denomination began, and who founded each one.
The church we read about in Scripture was undenominational — it belonged solely to Christ, wore His name, and followed His teachings.
“For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?”
— 1 Corinthians 3:3, NKJV
Paul warned the church not to follow men, nor to align themselves under different names or teachers. Yet this is precisely what denominationalism does. Human names, creeds, and confessions have divided what the Lord intended to remain united.
A true non-denominational church is one that rejects those divisions and seeks to restore the simplicity and purity of the original church described in the Bible.
Restoration, Not Reformation
Many centuries after the church began, people recognized the corruption and error that had crept into organized religion. The Reformation sought to correct those errors — but rather than return completely to the Bible, it produced new denominations, each with its own set of beliefs and practices.
The plea of faithful Christians for generations has not been to reform the denominations, but to restore the church described in the New Testament.
Jesus said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13). The only church that will stand is the one planted by God Himself — the church that follows the pattern of His Word.
The apostle Peter reminds us that the church is born of an incorruptible seed — the Word of God:
“Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
— 1 Peter 1:23, NKJV
If we plant the same seed today — the pure gospel — we will reap the same fruit: the same church that was established in the first century.
When we plant man’s doctrines or mix the gospel with human traditions, we reap corruption and division. But when we plant the gospel alone, we produce the kingdom of God.
Sound Doctrine and the Modern “Non-Denominational” Label
Today, many churches describe themselves as “non-denominational.” Unfortunately, not all of them truly return to the Bible pattern. Some merely use the term as a way to appear more open or inclusive, yet they still teach doctrines or practice worship that cannot be found in Scripture.
The apostle Paul warned of this danger:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers.”
— 2 Timothy 4:3, NKJV
Being truly non-denominational is not simply a matter of rejecting labels; it is a commitment to sound doctrine — to speaking where the Bible speaks and remaining silent where the Bible is silent (1 Peter 4:11).
The Lord’s church does not belong to men, to councils, or to traditions. It belongs to Christ alone. He is its head (Ephesians 1:22–23), and His Word is its only authority.
The Call to Be One Body
Scripture continually calls believers to unity — not a superficial union built on tolerance, but true unity founded on truth.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”
— Ephesians 4:4–6, NKJV
That “one body” is the church of Christ (Colossians 1:18). It includes all who have obeyed the gospel, not those who have joined man-made institutions. When we obey Christ’s commands and follow His Word alone, we are members of His one body — not of any denomination.
The Church of Christ Today
The church of Christ is non-denominational because it belongs to no human organization. It does not have a central headquarters or human creed. Each congregation is self-governing under Christ, guided by His Word.
We believe, as did the apostles, that the Bible is complete and sufficient. When we follow the pattern of worship, doctrine, and organization found in the New Testament, we become simply Christians — nothing more and nothing less.
Conclusion
A true non-denominational church is not defined by a modern label, but by a faithful adherence to the Word of God. Denominationalism promotes division; Christ calls us to unity through truth.
The church of Christ is the non-denominational church of the Bible — not because it claims to be different, but because it strives to be the same church that began in Jerusalem nearly two thousand years ago.
“The churches of Christ greet you.”
— Romans 16:16, NKJV
If you are searching for a church that simply follows the Bible, worships according to the New Testament pattern, and seeks to honor Christ alone, we invite you to visit Temple Church of Christ in Temple, Georgia.
Together, let us worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) and be part of the one body that belongs to Jesus Christ.
Visit MyChurchofChrist.com to find a comprehensive list and map of non-denominational churches all over the United States, as well as throughout the world.