How did "denomination" become a bad word?

[Sam]

I think our put down of "denominational" goes back to the late 1800's and early 1900's when the Holy Spirit was poured out on groups of praying people. These people had received what they considered a special experience with God but the experience did not fit in the structured belief systems of the denominations of their day. Hence, a tendency to put down "denominational" churches by those who had received the Pentecostal experience. Many who received the Holy Ghost Baptism had to leave their denominations and form new fellowship groups with a common Pentecostal Experience.

In time those who received the Pentecostal experience formulated it into a doctrine and organized themselves into competing "denominations." We have Church of God, Assemblies of God, United Pentecostal Church, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Four Square Gospel, Church of God in Christ, Pentecostal Holiness and others. We have certain things we believe and we do not want anyone bringing anything to us which does not fit into our neat little religious package.

Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "Pentecost is an experience, not a denomination." Well, the "Pentecostal experience" or "Holy Ghost Baptism" or the "Release of the Spirit" transcended denominations back in the days of the Jesus Movement and the Charismatic Movement and many people now remain in their denominational churches but get together in small groups and fellowship around the Holy Spirit and His blessings.