WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LEAVE DENOMINATIONS?

John 16:13 (ESV):

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

This verse teaches us the ongoing role of the Holy Spirit not just at conversion, but as a continuous guide into God’s truth. Without the Spirit, one cannot truly know God.

Romans 8:9 (ESV):

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

It is impossible to genuinely know and follow God without the Spirit. Yet, many believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion but later quench Him, often unknowingly. This is evident when people say, “I was once on fire for God, but now I’ve cooled off.” The Bible warns:

1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ESV):

“Do not quench the Spirit.”

Quenching the Spirit means suppressing or resisting His work in our lives. The Spirit is quenched when we resist His leading, especially in growing in truth.

RELIGION AND DENOMINATIONALISM: THE MAIN OBSTACLES TO THE SPIRIT’S WORK

What often causes people to quench the Spirit? The answer is religion and denominationalism.

When Jesus ministered, He found many people bound by their religious systems particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 23). They were diligent in observing God’s law but missed the fuller revelation Christ brought. Their Torah (Law) was incomplete, and they rejected Jesus because He challenged their traditions.

They refused to allow the Holy Spirit to teach them more and lead them into all truth, instead clinging to their religious identity and system.

GOD’S PLAN FOR UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

In the New Testament era, God has never established denominations. The church is one body, united by:

One faith
One baptism
One Spirit
One Lord
One God

Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV):

“There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Yet today, many different denominations exist, often dividing believers over doctrinal preferences and traditions. Paul addressed this problem:

1 Corinthians 1:12-13 (ESV):

“What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

True Christian unity is in Christ, not in denominational labels.

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ROLE IN REVEALING TRUTH AND THE DANGER OF DENOMINATIONAL BINDING

When the Holy Spirit wants to lead a believer deeper into truth such as understanding proper baptism by immersion in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38) the person should prayerfully study Scripture and seek the Spirit’s guidance.

John 3:5 (ESV):

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

However, many rush to their denominational traditions instead of Scripture. If their tradition rejects what the Spirit reveals, they reject it too, quenching the Spirit’s work.

CALL TO COME OUT OF RELIGION AND DENOMINATIONS

When Scripture says:

Revelation 18:4 (ESV):

“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, and lest you share in her plagues,”

it calls for a spiritual separation from religious bondage and error, not just physical separation.

2 Corinthians 6:15-18 (ESV):

“What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Believers are called to leave behind false teaching and practices tied to denominationalism that hinder spiritual growth.

THE END TIMES AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST

Denominations will be instrumental in forming the “mark of the beast” system in the end times. Jesus described two groups of believers in Matthew 25: the wise and foolish virgins.

The wise virgins, representing Spirit-filled believers, carried extra oil symbolizing the Spirit’s revelation and ongoing guidance so their lamps stayed lit. The foolish virgins, representing those content with religious traditions and lacking the Spirit’s fullness, ran out of oil and were shut out from the feast.