Why Are There So Many Denominations In The Church

[warrior12]

45000. That's a huge amount that I really don't buy.  What, 45000 differnt beliefs about the bible .  

Can we see the list of names of these denominations ?.

[Charlie1988]

15 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, Seems to me the divides go back to the very beginning of local church body gatherings. The seven churches of Asia minor being an example of how very quickly the word of God gets used differently  at different church bodies, with some so very quickly even losing their first love. Even further back the Apostles divided over differences of opinion and assignment by God.

That's a very good point, it shows the Church was always divided to some degree. And I think, the only reason there seemed to be unity from the 4th century to the 16th century, was because the Vatican used to execute anyone who dared to challenge it's authority. So the Popes were like totalitarian dictators who kept everyone in line by threatening them with death if they dared to step out of line.

So all those centuries of Church unity were nothing more than a facade. The Popes kept the Church united by force, it was like a Mafia organization, where the only way to get out is in a wooden box.       

[Charlie1988]

4 hours ago, TheBlade said:

I saw this video where this Mark Lowry who wrote "Mary did you know". It seems hes always trying to be funny and he is. So he was asking all the people "are there any Presbyterians, Baptist, AOC so forth so on saying there's allot of denominations. Then he smiles and says "one of us is right".  Oh man made them all laugh. It was so wonderful to see so many together praise GOD glory to Jesus. 

There is one vine and so many branches .. who can count. 

I also got a chuckle out of what Mark Lowry said, we may laugh about it but what he said is true for the majority of Denominations. Most believe they have the correct interpretation of the Bible and they believe their theology is infallible. 

My pastor preached a sermon from the book of revelation, I can't remember the chapter but he concluded that the Holy Scriptures were written in such a way, that only those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit will be able to understand them correctly. According to him, God did that to hide the truth from those He didn't purpose to save. 

It sounds far fetched to suggest that God hides things form certain people, but the pastor provided overwhelming biblical evidence to support his claim. If that be the case, then it goes some way to explaining why we have so many opposing views and interpretations in the Church.  

[Charlie1988]

3 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

I agree with the assessment @Charlie1988 supplied; the Reformation was the beginning of denominational splits (Satan and his minions never miss a service). It also began the 350+ Bible versions and translations in print today. What is worse is the centuries of the Dark Ages, where it was illegal to own a Bible, and the Bible was read and interpreted with bias by a priest in Latin, which few, if any, in the pew understood.

As church history records, splits occurred (and still happen) due to core Salvation issues and many other doctrinal issues. OSAS, Calvinism vs. Arminianism, baptism, the Eucharist, etc. Cults have formed, calling themselves churches, to name just a few, LDS, Jehovah's False Witnesses, Jim Jones, David Koresh, the RCC, 7^th Day Adventists, prosperity gospel churches, the church of AI, and so many other examples.

The seven churches Jesus wrote to in Revelation chapters two and three are the history of the church age written in advance. With the benefit of hindsight in our generation, we can see and closely date it.

I do not like to label myself as belonging to a particular denomination; I am a Christ follower. The church will not be perfect until Christ's return and our glorification. Upon retirement and moving to another state, I aligned myself and joined an independent Baptist Church because the denomination mirrors my own beliefs and doctrine.

In the Baptist denomination, there are sub-denominations: Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Association, ‌American Baptist Churches USA, Baptist Bible Fellowship International, Baptist General Convention of Texas, Baptist Missionary Association of America, Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, Converge, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Foundations Baptist Fellowship International, General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC), National Association of Free Will Baptists, National Baptist Convention/USA Inc., National Baptist Convention of America Inc., International, National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, North American Baptist Conference, Pentecostal Free Will Baptists, Primitive Baptists, Seventh Day Baptists, Southern Baptist Convention, Venture Church Network, and ‌Virginia Baptist Mission Board.

I listed all the above to make a point; these splits will continue to splinter and split over truth and biblical doctrine, as well as other denominations.

Satan has manifested himself in the Baptist denomination, particularly the current Southern Baptist Convention. At the same time, there is a strong push and voting to allow women pastors and deacons, gay pastors and deacons. We are living in the last church age, the Laodicean church age.

Other denominations are struggling and splitting over the same politically correct ideology and human thinking of inclusion, not God's word on the issues.

I didn't realize there were that many different Baptist Denomination in the US. It's one thing to select a name for a local Church to identify it as a local body of believers, but that long list of Baptist Denominations is mind boggling. It shows that Churches ae willing to split over all kinds of issues, I think the root cause of division comes down to authority. 

Everything hinges on who has the last word on a matter, Denominations came about when men decided to set themselves up as the final authority on Church matters. Gods Word the Bible was intended to be the one and only authority over the Church, but men love power and prestige so they couldn't resist taking the law into their own hands and rob God of the glory and honor which He deserves alone. 

Most Denominations, Sects and Cults were started by a man, all of them have one thing in common. They all insist on being the highest authority and having the final say on any Church matters. A faithful Church is modeled on the Biblical example where Gods Word has all authority and the last say in every matter.

I was raised in a Roman catholic family, where I was taught that the Bible can only be rightly interpreted and preached by ordained Priests and the Pope had more authority than the Bible. That's why they call him "Holy Father", he is supposed to be the Vicar of Christ, which loosely translated means God's representative on earth. So Roman Catholics are supposed to look to him and Mary as the mediators. Jesus hardly ever gets a mention.       

[D. Adrien]

1 hour ago, Charlie1988 said:

That documentary made me realize that people are willing to kill their brothers in Christ, just because they hold to a different view. I think that spirit of hatred for others in the Church who hold to different views is still in the Church but it's being restrained. 

    

This was also self evident during the Wuhan virus fiasco.

[First and the Last]

The proliferation of denominations, despite the belief in a singular truth, is viewed through the lens of historical and doctrinal divergence from the scriptural foundations of Christianity. According to this perspective, the emergence of numerous denominations can be traced back to moments in history when the Church deviated from the pure teachings found in scripture. Theologians contend that as Christianity evolved over centuries, doctrinal disagreements, cultural influences, and political dynamics led to theological divisions and the formation of distinct denominations. These divisions, they argue, stem from departures from the essential truths originally outlined in the Bible. While affirming the unity of truth, theology human interpretations and historical contingencies have contributed to the diversity of denominational beliefs and practices. Thus, the existence of multiple denominations is seen not as a reflection of multiple truths, but as a consequence of historical deviations from the foundational truths preserved in scripture.

[RdJ]

10 hours ago, Charlie1988 said:

I agree most of the Protestant Churches get on or tolerate each other well. But that only represents a small percentage of denominations. The Protestants have nothing in common with the larger Denominations, such as the Roman Catholic and and Eastern Orthodox. They teach a very different Gospel message, based on works and sacraments. The vast majority of their congregation have never studied the Bible and their Church Ministers don't encourage them to do so.

I'm a member of an independent, non denominational Reformed Baptist church. Our senior Pastor instructs us, not to have any fellowship with Churches who don't hold to Reformed theology. I'm sure most Churches, only have fellowship with other sister Churches who interpret the Bible in the same way they do and hold to the same systematic theology. It's only natural, all like minded Churches have good relations. But they are hostile towards those who hold to different views. 

I saw a documentary some years ago, it covered the war which took place after Martin Luther denounced the Roman Catholic Papacy as being Antichrist. I had no idea of the scale and brutality of that war, it was a very bloody war bows and arrows and swords. I can't remember how many died but it was in the tens of thousands and many more wounded. 

That documentary made me realize that people are willing to kill their brothers in Christ, just because they hold to a different view. I think that spirit of hatred for others in the Church who hold to different views is still in the Church but it's being restrained. 

    

In Holland it's getting better. They have Together on the way churches. Those are protestant, christian reformed, Lutheran, Dutch reformed and whatever else they have. They used to kick teachers out or may still do that from reformed schools. If a reformed teacher got born again and went to the pentecostals or evangelical church he would be kicked out. I think these schools still exist but the ones my sons go to is chill. As long as you're christian you may come. Kids don't even have to be christian anymore to go there since last year.

Catholics can be just as christian. I've heard really good ones. But others I talked with online and thought we were on the same page until he posted a prayer. Oh my. Dear Joseph and Mary What??? Hm. No. We're not on the same page. But more and more reformed from really dry churches (as far as I know in America reformed churches believe you get saved and born again but here they didn't) go to the evangelicals and there's not that much difference. Just no boring organ music.

Edited June 21, 2024 by RdJ

[Vine Abider]

10 hours ago, Charlie1988 said:

I also got a chuckle out of what Mark Lowry said, we may laugh about it but what he said is true for the majority of Denominations. Most believe they have the correct interpretation of the Bible and they believe their theology is infallible. 

My pastor preached a sermon from the book of revelation, I can't remember the chapter but he concluded that the Holy Scriptures were written in such a way, that only those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit will be able to understand them correctly. According to him, God did that to hide the truth from those He didn't purpose to save. 

It sounds far fetched to suggest that God hides things form certain people, but the pastor provided overwhelming biblical evidence to support his claim. If that be the case, then it goes some way to explaining why we have so many opposing views and interpretations in the Church.  

I don't think any denomination or group has a lock on scriptural interpretation - except the one I'm in! LOL seriously, we all have a piece of it and a portion of the experience of Christ,therefore we all need each other's portion to know all of His vast dimensions. 

And I think your pastor was onto something in that only His Spirit gives us the full and correct understanding. How many times have I read a portion over the years, but one day get just a little glimmer of His light, and then see how shallow and wrongheaded my own understanding was!? 

[Charlie1988]

1 hour ago, RdJ said:

In Holland it's getting better. They have Together on the way churches. Those are protestant, christian reformed, Lutheran, Dutch reformed and whatever else they have. They used to kick teachers out or may still do that from reformed schools. If a reformed teacher got born again and went to the pentecostals or evangelical church he would be kicked out. I think these schools still exist but the ones my sons go to is chill. As long as you're christian you may come. Kids don't even have to be christian anymore to go there since last year.

Catholics can be just as christian. I've heard really good ones. But others I talked with online and thought we were on the same page until he posted a prayer. Oh my. Dear Joseph and Mary What??? Hm. No. We're not on the same page. But more and more reformed from really dry churches (as far as I know in America reformed churches believe you get saved and born again but here they didn't) go to the evangelicals and there's not that much difference. Just no boring organ music.

Most Churches in Western Countries, have been heavily influenced by the Sate or Government. The Secular Authorities have infiltrated most Churches and placed all kinds of rules, regulations and restrictions on them. For example, Churches in the US need to comply with Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code to qualify for Federal Tax Exemption of nonprofit organizations. 

If a Church is to receive the tax exemption, it must comply with all the requirements of the Secular Government. This means that the Church Ministers are not allowed to preach anything from the Bible, which may upset any minority group such as members of the LGBT or visitors such as Muslims or Jews. 

It also requires Ministers of those Churches to marry same sex couples and allow Women to be Ministers and the list keeps going. The Church eventually loses it's relevance and authority, and becomes a place of entertainment like a social club.   

Edited June 21, 2024 by Charlie1988

[warrior12]

9 hours ago, First and the Last said:

These divisions, they argue, stem from departures from the essential truths originally outlined in the Bible. While affirming the unity of truth, theology human interpretations and historical contingencies have contributed to the diversity of denominational beliefs and practices. Thus, the existence of multiple denominations is seen not as a reflection of multiple truths, but as a consequence of historical deviations from the foundational truths preserved in scripture.

Your whole reply is interesting and who really knows the facts .   I thought about something while reading your post.  Before the printing press, most people I think held to the beliefs of what was spoken by the Church elders, which held to the few or one bible interpretation available then. In those times too, many common people thought that you can fall of the horizon, that may not be factual, but I just threw that in there.

The printing press allowed books to be written, and ideas to be circulated to a wide audience , that did not exist before.  Ideas and spread fast with communication medium and so intellectuals, elders and those who could afford to print would contribute their beliefs.

Just a brief thought of how things could have spread very quickly as the means to spread information fast and in quantity developed.  

,    

Edited June 21, 2024 by warrior12