One may have noticed the sign in front of the church building at Hartley Bridge Road in Macon, Georgia, that reads, “The Pre-Denominational Church.” This was recently put up temporarily to elicit interest, comments, and questions. But, it also declares a simple truth. The New Testament church—the church that Jesus died to establish (Matt. 16:18)—is the “pre-denominational” church. “Why? What does it mean?” some ask.

The prefix, “pre”, is defined by Webster, “earlier than: prior to: before.” The Lord’s church (Acts 2; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; Heb. 12:28; 1 Tim. 3:15; Rom. 16:16) was established in the First Century by Jesus hundreds of years prior to (before; earlier than) the existence of any denomination.

Denominations are the products of the false doctrines of men (Matt. 15:8-9). Jesus did not die for even one denomination to come into existence! Denominationalism was completely unknown in the First Century. When penitent believers obeyed the gospel (Rom. 1:16), Jesus added them to His church (Acts 2:37-47) and to nothing more, nor less! Jesus has only one bride (Eph. 5:23-33), one body (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Col. 1:18), one temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17), and one kingdom (Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9). Jesus has only one church. He said, “Upon this rock I will build my church,” (Matt. 16:18). Notice that he said “church” (singular; only one). He did not plan to build or establish more than one church, and He did not. He built the one that He planned to build.

The phrase “pre-denominational” is not said out of arrogance or self-righteousness, but because it is fact. Are you in the “pre-denominational” church? Are you in the one and only true church of the Lord–the church one may read about in the New Testament? We seek to call people back to the simple Christianity of the New Testament. May we help you to understand more and obey the gospel of Christ?