Sadly, many in our brotherhood would answer “yes” to this question.  Denominations have for years taught that it does not matter what church you attend, as long as a person is sincere and honest.  Many in the Lord’s church have swallowed this idea.  They cry long and hard that there are sincere, devout Christians in any given denomination.  It is no wonder, then, that many congregations of the Lord’s church have joined hands with denominational churches to promote or to participate in any number of things.  Of course, they consider their actions to have Biblical backing.  They proclaim the words of Jesus in defense of their endeavors: "other sheep I have, which are not of this fold” (Jn.10:16).  To them, “this fold” represents the Church of Christ (denominational concept of the Lord’s church), and the other sheep outside of “this fold” represent God’s children scattered among the denominations.  Does this interpretation have credence?  Is it the case that there are devout Christians in denominations?  The answer is no to both questions.
     The passage under consideration does not support the idea that there are devout Christians in denominations.  To the dismay of those who would espouse this soul-damning doctrine, this passage destroys their convoluted thinking.  There is no hint of such a doctrine taught in this passage, nor is it even possible that this passage could teach such.  The New Testament knows nothing of denominationalism.  In the first century, there was one church and only one church (Eph.4:4).  Although the seeds of denominationalism were being planted during the first century, these seeds did not bloom until after the close of New Testament times.  To claim that John 10:16 deals in any respect with denominationalism is to force a 21st century interpretation on a 1st century passage.
     The latter half of the verse under consideration inflicts even more damage upon the idea that there are devout Christians in denominations.  Christ proclaimed that the “other sheep” would be brought into “one fold” under the care of “one shepherd.”  This one fold is the one church!  And this one church is under the care of the Great Shepherd Jesus Christ!  Those in denominations follow the voice of Luther, or Calvin, or Wesley, or Pope John Paul II, but they are not following the voice of the Great Shepherd!  The other sheep to whom Jesus was referring were the Gentiles.  Though there were some Gentiles who sought God, and anticipated the coming of the Messiah, the Jews and Gentiles remained separated.  Through Christ’s death, he would bring both Jew and Gentile together in one body, one fold (Eph.2:14)!  The Lord’s church today is a fulfillment of John 10:16—both Jew and Gentile in one body under the care of the Great Shepherd.
     Are there devout Christians in denominations?  No.  Are there children of God in denominations?  Yes, but only because they chose to leave the safety of the one fold, the Lord’s church, to follow the doctrines and commandments of men.  Those who have done so must repent and return to the church of our Lord before it is eternally too late!        PM