There is no doubt that God wants His people to live in peace with each other and be in agreement. This leads many people to assume that denominations and various groups are wrong, and that something called interdenominationalism is best.

Historically, God has used different groups, or denominations at different times to do His work around the world. Unfortunately, organizations (religious and secular) tend to degrade and eventually become something other than what they were created for.

While one religious group, whether entirely Biblically correct or not, was spreading God’s Word around the world at one time, it would eventually lose its power and zeal to do so. Churches begin to suffer some loss, or become proud because of their past, and they lose the blessing of God. Then God would use another group.

Instead of trusting God for their power and sustenance, churches begin to create programs, drop Biblically proven methods of growing a church, and compromise with the world. Sometimes, individuals rise to power in a church who are not Biblically sound (whether it be by choice, influence of others, or just ignorant of the Bible), and they lead a congregation away from the will of God.

Most people shop for certain brands they are familiar with when they go to the store because they trust it and they know what they are getting. Interdenominationalism has no brand, and you never really know what you are getting. It may have doctrinal leanings one way or another and may drop certain teachings for fear of sounding like another group. In doing so, it may compromise the truth.

Personally, I am a Baptist – not because I was raised in a Baptist church – I was not. But after having been in different churches and doing much Bible study and teaching it, I believe that the Baptists are generally the closest group to believing and practicing what the Bible teaches today.

Denominations and various groups exist for two main reasons. The first is because people have different levels of Bible education. They tend to focus on certain verses of Scripture rather than the entire Bible and may close their ears to certain other Scriptures – often due to preferences.

A second reason, which should never be forgotten, is that Satan desires to cause division. He may do it through personalities, doctrine, issues such as tongues or spiritual gifts, baptism, leadership, dress, eternal security, and sometimes he raises up people that just want to cause trouble.

It should be remembered that God has one goal – to win the world to Himself. Every church is a little different because of people. God seems to tolerate denominations now because people are different and fail to study the Bible more to learn the truth about some matters. Another reason is that some denominations have a trend of drifting away from God and focus on minor things rather than fulfilling the Great Commission.

The Apostle Paul wrote, as an instrument of the Holy Spirit, that Christians are to avoid some people. There are many kinds of Christians – as there has always been – but some of them are not going to help you serve God or live a holy life.

Paul says that when that happens, it is best just to avoid them. They will hurt your joy, ruin your day, and possibly rob you of the power you need for victory.

There are two kinds of people that Paul mentions in this verse: those who cause divisions, and those who are offensive. Some people always want to talk about their pet doctrine – which they know that others disagree with. It causes church splits, people to be hurt and leave the church, etc.

Certainly, we are to pray for them, but we must also be wary of them. Such people, if they fight against Biblical doctrines, are not of God. Do not even listen to them, so that they do not convince you of false doctrine and you also become a destroyer of unity in the church.