Which denomination is right?

Answer 1

Answer (1)

Possibly none.

Answer (2)

All Christian denominations is right according to their members. Why else will they choose one against another.

Answer (3)

Logically, at most, one.

A scriptural perspective:

The New Testament records the establishment of ONE "church" - one which Jesus proclaimed as "My church" in Matthew 16:18. When the NT speaks of "churches," the plural refers only to location, never to doctrine. In that, all congregations were to be united (Ephesians 4:1-3), and advocates of divisiveness were to be noted and shunned for reasons Paul makes clear:

Romans 16:17, 18 - Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

When division did rear its head, it was promptly condemned as wordly.

1 Corinthians 3:3-7 - For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?

Since denominations arise out of division, it follows that NONE of them can be "right" from a scriptural standpoint.

The "right" church can't be identified by a name, for Christ's church is never given an "official name." It can't be identified by its meeting place, for such is never specified. (Many NT churches met in private homes - Romans 16:5.) It must - indeed, can only - be recognized by its doctrine, teaching and practices, and by the spiritual nature of its members.

1 John 4:1 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

The modern incarnation of the New Testament church can only be recognized through familiarity with and comparison to the doctrine and practices of the first-century church.

The "right" church will be in complete agreement with the New Testament pattern (2 Timothy 1:13). It will reflect the will of its head - Christ - and will not boast of itself in authority or grandeur, but defer humbly to His word alone (Galatians 6:14, James 4:16). It will decry division, as does scripture. It will make no denominational claims, nor take an earthly name (Acts 4:12), and its members will be "Christians," no more, no less. It will hold The Bible in its entirety as absolute spiritual authority (2 Timothy 3:16, 17), and its plea will not be on its own behalf, but on that of the Lord Himself.

2 Corinthians 5:20 - Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

[Quotes from NKJV]