Why are there so many Denominations?!?!

Why?

Because, if there were no (denominational) divisions then it would be harder to prove which of us is more right than the other!

Note the KJV uses 'heresies' instead of 'differences'. (Which might be rendered a decision, or choice, towards disunity.)


I mean... good grief... Can you imagine if we all *actually* agreed with each other!!!

Separation and division is not a new thing to the church.

Even two very close running buddies like Paul & Barnabas parted company over the relatively minor conflict of whether to take John Mark with them or not...

 

There are demoninations because peopel have differing beliefs. To depend entirely on God and his teaching would be to be a member of the correct deonomination, the one that most closely reflects the NT practice. All denominations are not equal and they do not exist for no reason.

People should not "feel safe" if they are a member of a church that does not follow the NT teachings and practices.

 

"Why are there so many Denominations?!?!"
''
Protestant Christianity has a long tradition of church splits at the most miniscule of issues.
That's why there are so many.
The first sentence of Pastor Larry's reply explains why there are different denoms at all.
One big factor that is very often present but equally often ignored in denomination forming is the powerstruggle. 2 prominent pastors with equally prominent ego's holding a pissing contest, tearing a small denomination in 2 halves over the smallest of theological issues.

 

I am not so sure I would lump Roman Catholics and Mormons together. One is a heterodox Christian denomination and the other is cult.

 

I don't call Mormonism a denomination if we're talking about Christian denominations. It is a false religion, a counterfeit to Christianity.

Why are there so many Christian denominations? Because some issues such as how to baptize, how to do the Lord's supper, how to do church gov't, etc. are interpreted differently, and different denominations sprang from different events in history. We are still one in Christ if we agree on the essentials and have trusted Christ.

"Why are there so many denominations?" is a question Mormon missionaries like to ask as a way to attack Christianity. They like to point to their church and say they all agree. Well, like yeah, they're a cult. They can't openly disagree without getting into trouble plus they are in a false belief.

Better to have many denominations based on the truth than a unified church based on deception.

The church is the body of Christ, no matter what the denominations are. We have unity in Christ whether Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, etc. if we have Christ as our Savior.

 

I'm pretty sure Mormons believe in Christ as their savior, correct? Isn't that the definition of Christianity? Yes, it is! Mormons, while they may seem like a cult, are just as Christian as you.

You will find "cult" type things in EVERY denomination.

 

You say you are pretty sure.... The reality of the matter is you don't know what you are talking about. It was not until recently that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) called themselves Christian. It can easily be shown that they are not biblical Christians.

They have a different God---Brigham Young said, "As man is god once was, as god is man shall become"

They have a different Jesus----They teach that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers.

On Judgment Day they teach that it will be the Father, the Son and Joseph Smith judging all mankind.

I could go on and on. The Mormons are a cult, and a dangerous one because they are so good at deceiving that people believe they are Christian. Your statement proves how successful they have been. Do some real study before you make such statements.

Bro Tony

 

Didn't Athanasius say virtually the same thing?

The reason there are denominations is because true Christianity was submerged by a false type during the time of Constantine, and since the time of the Reformation people have sought, in varying degrees, to Reform the existing Church (ie Lutherans, Presbyterians etc), or to get back to the NT (Baptists, Pentecostals, Plymouth Brethren, Campbellites, House Church Movement). Also, as churches have lost their original vision (most Baptists today have very little in common with regards to faith and practice with the early Baptists), others have split off to try to restore the original witness. Others have been forced out of existing churches, like the Methodists. Others have built a church on particular teachings or emphasis, like the Quakers. But it can still be asked, Are there any churches out there which have any resemblance to the church of the first three centuries?

Dean

 

Why are there denominations??

Because there are people! I always tell my wife we would have a great church if it wasn't for the people. The "church" in general would be incredible too, if it wasn't for all the darn people. What I am getting at is that while we are wearing this flesh we will struggle and make mistakes. We will be stubborn and selfish, even to the point of leaving a church and starting a new one, which has been done probably thousands of times. We will let eachother down time and time again. We, as people(Christians) will not achieve perfection until we are with Jesus, and so over little and big things we split our assemblies trying to achieve that "perfect denomination" or "set of beliefs". We should know better but we do not. I should know better then to argue with my wife but I do not (Ha Ha).

In Christ,
Brian

 

The above is unbelievably dumb. Mormonism is anything BUT traditional Christianity. They are polytheists, for one.

 

Problem is (and Campolo is right on this one, dispensationalists have a VERY low-view of the Church)Jesus founded a CHURCH. Your "Jesus and me" view is rather simplistic.

The reason that their are so-many churches is that Protestants (with 100's of different denominations) 'do what is right in their own eyes'. Sola Scriptura is largely responsible for the 'mess' that is Protestantism. The solution is a recovery (and also a necessary repentance from some dearly-held Protestant doctrines) of the 'Catholic' faith. Mind you, the Roman Church has some repenting to do here as well...

 

The solution to the original question may be found in this...

St. Vincent of Lerins - The Commonotorium
"The Vincentian Canon"

Commonitorium written St. Vincent of Lerins in the fifth century providing a basis for determining catholicity and truth despite varying teachings, particularly of bishops.

From Chapter 4 of the Commonitorium
St. Vincent of Lerins
A.D. 434

(1) I have continually given the greatest pains and diligence to inquiring, from the greatest possible number of men outstanding in holiness and in doctrine, how I can secure a kind of fixed and, as it were, general and guiding principle for distinguishing the true Catholic Faith from the degraded falsehoods of heresy. And the answer that I receive is always to this effect; that if I wish, or indeed if anyone wishes, to detect the deceits of heretics that arise and to avoid their snares and to keep healthy and sound in a healthy faith, we ought, with the Lord's help, to fortify our faith in a twofold manner, firstly, that is, by the authority of God's Law, then by the tradition of the Catholic Church.
(2) Here, it may be, someone will ask, Since the canon of Scripture is complete, and is in itself abundantly sufficient, what need is there to join to it the interpretation of the Church? The answer is that because of the very depth of Scripture all men do not place one identical interpretation upon it. The statements of the same writer are explained by different men in different ways, so much so that it seems almost possible to extract from it as many opinions as there are men. Novatian expounds in one way, Sabellius in another, Donatus in another, Arius, Eunomius and Macedonius in another, Photinus, Apollinaris and Priscillian in another, Jovinian, Pelagius and Caelestius in another, and latterly Nestorius in another. Therefore, because of the intricacies of error, which is so multiform, there is great need for the laying down of a rule for the exposition of Prophets and Apostles in accordance with the standard of the interpretation of the Church Catholic.
(3) Now in the Catholic Church itself we take the greatest care to hold that which has been believed everywhere, always and by all. That is truly and properly 'Catholic,' as is shown by the very force and meaning of the word, which comprehends everything almost universally. We shall hold to this rule if we follow universality [i.e. oecumenicity], antiquity, and consent. We shall follow universality if we acknowledge that one Faith to be true which the whole Church throughout the world confesses; antiquity if we in no wise depart from those interpretations which it is clear that our ancestors and fathers proclaimed; consent, if in antiquity itself we keep following the definitions and opinions of all, or certainly nearly all, bishops and doctors alike.
(4) What then will the Catholic Christian do, if a small part of the Church has cut itself off from the communion of the universal Faith? The answer is sure. He will prefer the healthiness of the whole body to the morbid and corrupt limb. But what if some novel contagion try to infect the whole Church, and not merely a tiny part of it? Then he will take care to cleave to antiquity, which cannot now be led astray by any deceit of novelty. What if in antiquity itself two or three men, or it may be a city, or even a whole province be detected in error? Then he will take the greatest care to prefer the decrees of the ancient General Councils, if there are such, to the irresponsible ignorance of a few men. But what if some error arises regarding which nothing of this sort is to be found? Then he must do his best to compare the opinions of the Fathers and inquire their meaning, provided always that, though they belonged to diverse times and places, they yet continued in the faith and communion of the one Catholic Church; and let them be teachers approved and outstanding. And whatever he shall find to have been held, approved and taught, not by one or two only but by all equally and with one consent, openly, frequently, and persistently, let him take this as to be held by him without the slightest hesitation.

 

Follow these instructions to the letter, and you will find yourself able to affirm only the earliest Christian creed: "Jesus is Lord."

TheWorm

 

No, they don't. They, as a whole, have as high a view of the church as anyone else. Many dispensationalists, such as myself, have a much higher view of the church than is typical.

Yes he did, and it wasn't the Roman Catholic Church. The body of belief most closely resembling the NT teaching is the Baptist church (though not all the wierdos who have put Baptist on their name).

A return to the biblical doctrine of Sola Scriptura is what freed man from years of domination and theological abuse by the RCC. It was, to a large degree, a recovering of the church at large, though the true church had never ceased to exist, even during the time of RCC dominance.

 

That may be. But most (at least the ones that I am familiar with) still lack in practice in some area or another.

 

You say you are pretty sure.... The reality of the matter is you don't know what you are talking about. It was not until recently that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) called themselves Christian. It can easily be shown that they are not biblical Christians.

They have a different God---Brigham Young said, "As man is god once was, as god is man shall become"

They have a different Jesus----They teach that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers.

On Judgment Day they teach that it will be the Father, the Son and Joseph Smith judging all mankind.

I could go on and on. The Mormons are a cult, and a dangerous one because they are so good at deceiving that people believe they are Christian. Your statement proves how successful they have been. Do some real study before you make such statements.

Bro Tony </font>[/QUOTE]Um, sorry... I was just saying. I was just told, not by any mormon at all, that they were Christian, so yeah. I guess I was wrong.

 

Many of the Protestant denominations came about as a result of the progressive work of the reformation. Leaders which broke away from the Church of Rome began the work of reformation. However, after they were gone, many of those who followed them refused to continue in their footsteps. Standing still, they were left by those who continued the reformation by breaking more fully away from the Church of Rome. Thus forming yet another church, or denomination.

The Church of Rome, is the MOTHER OF HARLOTS spoken of in the book of Revelation. As such, she has many children. The work of God is progressive. Those churches which broke away from Rome, but did not continue to align themselves with the holy scriptures, are, or will eventually become the daughters of the Church of Rome. If we as Christians, individually, or denominationally, do not go forward in the progressive work of God, then there is no where to go but backwards. Thus the situation we have today, where Protestant denominations are increasingly turning back towards relations with the Church of Rome, the MOTHER OF HARLOTS.

Having once begun this state of affairs, there is no limit to the number of denominations that could arise from this confusion. Since, by way of example, the more emboldened successive generations of professed Christians become toward this end. The scriptures themselves speaking of this state of current affairs at the end of time.

2 Tim 4:1-4 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

One of the sins of the whore of the book of Revelation, is that she commits fornication with the kings of the earth. The Church of Rome, is, and ever has been a political entity of this world. When the HARLOT’S daughters (apostate protestant churches) turn back to her, and unite with her in committing fornication with the kings of the earth, then it is, that Babylon is fallen. This process is well under way, even in the USA. This country which at one time believed in the separation of church and state. A belief that is quickly eroding. Catholics, and protestants are uniting on such points as they hold in common, and doing their best to legislate the same. Any church that prefers the power of the state, over the power of the Holy Spirit, is fallen and apostate.


Rev 14:8 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.


Rev 18:1-10 1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Bye for now. Y. b. in C. Keith

 

They say Jesus is their Savior, but as Bro Tony pointed out, they have a different Jesus. They also deny the Trinity. They believe that Jesus' atonement makes it possible for us to be saved "after all we can do."

They believe the God of this world is just one of many; there are Gods of other universes.

They believe in 3 levels after death, the top one is for good Mormons who have been to the Temple.

They believe the Bible is correct "insofar as it is correctly translated."

They believe that we were spirits in heaven with God before we were born. It is the duty of good Mormons to procreate so they can give bodies to all these spirits, which, by the way, were created by God and his wife having sex. God, btw, has a body (although he and his wife have spirit children - I once asked some Mormon missionaries how this was possible and they just said there were some things that were mysteries ).

Jesus was conceived by God having intercourse with Mary. This is incest since they believe Mary is one of God's children, like the rest of us (since we are spirit offspring of the sexual union of God and his wife).

Mormonism in many ways is actually closer to Gnostic beliefs than to Christian ones.

Good links on this topic:

A ministry that does outreach to Mormons and provides info to believers on Mormonism:
http://www.mrm.org/

Info on Mormonism from a Christian ministry
http://www.carm.org/mormon.htm

Links to many articles on Mormonism on site of Christian ministry
http://www.watchman.org/search/watchman_VSearchResult2.cfm