Two characteristics of denominationalism
FIRST, the Bible emphasizes the fact that only those who have genuinely obeyed the gospel plan of salvation have come into contact with the blood of Christ and are therefore Christians. This means that only those who in penitent faith are immersed in water for the remission of their sins are Christians. We can know, therefore, who is a Christian and who is not a Christian. Any individual who claims to be a Christian and who is very religious in many areas of his life, but who has not obeyed the one true plan of salvation, must not be fellowshipped as a Christian.
SECOND, the New Testament is equally clear regarding what it takes to live the Christian life, i.e., to remain faithful and in a saved condition before God. To the extent that we can know whether a person is conducting himself faithfully as a Christian, to that extent we are obligated to apply God’s will regarding fellowship. If a Christian ceases to live faithfully and refuses to repent of that unfaithful condition, other Christians are obligated by God to take steps that will ultimately sever fellowship with the impenitent person.
Upon these two biblical planks, the question of the status of the denominations is clear. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE IN DENOMINATIONS HAVE NEVER EVEN OBEYED THE ONE TRUE PLAN OF SALVATION which God gave to cleanse them of their sin. Though they may be sincere, religious, and involved in many commendable works, they remain in an unsaved condition. Those few who may well have obeyed the biblical plan of salvation and come into contact with the blood of Christ are, nevertheless, LIVING UNFAITHFULLY TO GOD by worshipping in error and fellowshipping false religion. Consequently, they are in an unsaved condition and separated from the fellowship of faithful Christians. They are in need of our teaching and encouragement to extricate themselves from their lost condition.
End of Quote from Dave Miller
Some Words From Williams–Truth is stubborn and unbending. If it is true that there is only one way of salvation–and it is true–then only those who have obeyed that way are saved. All others are NOT saved.
To be saved one must be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. Restudy Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:26-27. Then connect the teachings of those verses with John 3:5 which says, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." The conclusion is, unless a person is baptized IN ORDER TO BE SAVED, he is not in the kingdom of God, he is NOT saved!
The denominations are made up of people who claim to have been saved BEFORE they were baptized. They were not baptized IN ORDER TO BE SAVED. (Mark 16:16). They were not saved FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS (Acts 2:38). They deny that they were baptized to WASH AWAY SINS (Acts 22:16). They, therefore, have not obeyed what God says they must obey in order to be saved. The only conclusion is that they have NOT been saved!
It is no wonder that these unsaved people are attracted to all kinds of unscriptural schemes for worship, work and organization. They are not trying to follow Jesus in all things. They have rejected the most basic commands. They are unsaved. They are following their emotions instead of God.
God corrected Israel when He said, "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes." (Deuteronomy 12:8) What He condemned then is what denominationalism is practicing today. Everything is designed to satisfy the worshipers. The people are doing what is right in their own eyes. God’s will is being ignored. "
This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men." (Matthew 15:8-9)