Why So Many Christian Denominations

For fifteen hundred years, the Christian Church had always been known as the Universal Church. The word Universal in Latin is Catholic. But over this time period, the Church incorporated doctrines, beliefs and customs that were not found in the New Testament. Many Christian scholars resented and even protested against these unauthentic additions. Finally, on October 31^st of 1517, a German priest named Martin Luther publicly posted a list of ninety five Church approved yet unscriptural doctrines. This action began the great division known today as the Protestant Reformation. The word Protestant is derived from the word Protest-ant.

The original Church continued to be known as the Catholic Church. But now there was a new Christian Church movement known as the Protestant Church. This Church movement initially saw the creation of four denominations each with slightly different doctrines. However, none contained any of the ninety five unauthentic Catholic doctrines.

THE FOUR MAINLINE DENOMINATIONS

One denomination became known as the Baptists as their doctrine required baptism to consist of full water emersion the exact same as Jesus received from John the Baptizer. Another denomination was called Methodism. It was founded by John Wesley and the named originated from his famous series of methods that encouraged spiritual growth. The Presbyterianism denomination received its name due to its doctrinal focus on Church leadership. The Greek word for church elders is presbyteros. And the Lutheran denomination proudly took the name of its founder Martin Luther.

Each of these four dominations had slight doctrinal differences from the others. However, these divisions never involved a different understanding of Jesus Christ as the eternal LORD and Saviour of mankind. Instead, they exhibited honest differences of Scriptural opinions made by godly, and sometimes flawed, men. Men seeking to honor God in a way that preserved doctrinal purity according to their prayerful study and interpretation of Holy Scripture.

The number of worldwide Christian dominations today, each with minuscule doctrinal differences is staggering. The original four mainline dominations have spawned over 49,000 offshoots. Each emphasizing slightly different understandings of Scripture as determined by their founders. These differences are so slight that today, most Christians chose a Church not based on scrutinizing the doctrine, but instead an appreciation for the preaching style of the pastor, the type of music played during worship services and the Church’s ability to offer a variety of Bible study options.

THE DOWNSIDE

The downside to choosing between denominations is twofold. First, Scripture calls for the union of all Christians not doctrinal divisions. The second issue is that these division have led to confrontations between various denomination members. Jesus famously said, “And if a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Paul was clear that there was only one Christ and He was not divided (I Corinthians 1:11-13). Thus, there should be one undivided Church doctrine. The Church should be able to resolve denominational issues but sadly it has not. At the same time, there are some denominations that have created doctrines so far removed from traditional Scripture, they have gone ahead and just rewritten the Bible in their own image. A Bible full of apostacies that is given to all new members who are then slowly reeducated (brainwashed)! Theses churches are not considered Christian denominations but instead cults.

WHATS A PERSON TO DO ?

Today, a person looking for a Church, should seek a friendly body of believers where the simple, straightforward and unadulterated words of Jesus are preached and taught. A Church where a person can have a personal relationship with Christ. A Church that does not hand out their own version of the Bible, books of rules, regulations and customs. A Church that does not require the constant intervention of a preacher, priests, mandatory confessions, mandatory penances, mandatory tithing, mandatory attendance to classes, mandatory attendance to social functions. In other words, beware of these and other mandatory requirements that you must follow in order to be closer to God. They will not bring you closer to God. They are instead age old indoctrination practices designed to bring you closer to the control of the church’s leadership. This is not a Christian Church, it is a cult!

TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE   

The fundamental doctrines of all true Christian Churches are the same. Jesus existed eternally as the Word God. He is one member of an eternal Triune Godhead (John I:1-5). These spiritual entities are, God the Father, God the Word and God the Holy Spirit. In the eternal timeline of the Godhead, the Word of God became flesh and was called Jesus. He was born of a virgin, preached the true Word of the God and publicly allowed Himself to be sacrificed in order to pay in full the sin debts of mankind. He died and was buried for three day. On the third day He publicly arose and forty days later publicly ascended to the Throne of the God where He now serves as High Priest and intermediary between mankind and the Godhead. 

CHRISTIAN CULTS

Any Church that denies one or more of these truths, as cited above, is a cult disguised as a Christian Church. The following is a list of churches that advertise themselves as Christian but deny at least one if not most of traditional Christian doctrines. Here are the names of the larger cult churches.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)
• The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) 
• Seventh Day Adventists (very close to being a cult) 
• The Church of Scientology  
• Christian Scientist 
• The Way 
• United Pentecostal Church (UPC) 
• Christian Identity Movement (Aryan Nation, KKK) 
• The Family (Children of God) 
• The International Churches of Christ 
• Holy Spirit Assn. Unification of World Christianity (Sun Myung Moon)

This web site has a Library that contains a history and doctrine breakdown of many of these Churches and other religions verses the traditional Christian Church. Be prepared to be amazed!