why are there so many churches? text: ii tim. 4:3-4 scripture reading: i cor. 1:10-13
TRANSCRIPT
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Text: II Tim. 4:3-4
Scripture Reading: I Cor. 1:10-13
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Intro
There are many misconceptions about the church which Jesus built
The misconceptions are from confusion over the religious
world’s many churches all claiming to have been the one Jesus built!
Intro
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Intro
The question people should be asking is, “Is it the church Jesus built?”
If one church is as good another, then Christ’s blood was
spilled in vain, for He said He would build His church
(singular, not plural) – Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28
If Christ built only one church, then why are there so many churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
There Is Only One Church Jesus Died to Save
Mt. 16:1818. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and
the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
The word "church" is used in two senses in the N.T. Universal sense: This refers to the saved of all the earth, and is
the church in the whole (Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:47) – “catholic” means “universal”
Local Sense: This refers to the saved gathered together according to geographical terms of limitation (I Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1) – Local churchesThe church of Christ originated on the first Pentecost
following the resurrection of Christ from the dead (Acts 2)
Dan. 2:44: “In the days of those kings…” (The Romans) Mt. 16:18: Jesus said He would build His church (singular, not
plural). Mk. 9:1: Jesus said the kingdom (church) would be established in
the lifetime of many in His audience. (Alive on Day of Pentecost, Acts 2)
Acts 2:47: The “Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (NKJ) – Eph. 5:23
Why Are There So Many Churches?
There Is Only One Church Jesus Died to Save
Eph. 4:4-64. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your
calling;5. one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6. one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.One Church: Eph. 1:22-23: The church is the body of Christ and He is its Head
(singular). Eph. 4:4-6: One body, not many! (Eph. 5:23: “Savior of the
body”) Jn. 17:20-21: Jesus prayed for unity. (I Cor. 14:33: Not a God of
confusion) Eph. 2:20; II Tim. 3:16-17: Unity is attained when the church
stands on the authority of the word of God alone (teachings of the apostles & Jesus).Acts 20:28
28. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd THE church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
The church that belongs to Christ was established
on the Day of Pentecost!
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Apostasy was warned – From unity would come factions I Cor. 1:10-13: Denomination mind-set condemned!I Cor. 1:10-1310. Now I exhort you, brethren, by the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you.
12. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."
13. Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Divisions not from God!
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Apostasy was warned – From unity would come factions I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim. 4:3-4: Men would leave the church (unity)
to hear and teach things that they desired to hear! (Selfishness would lead to factions)I Tim. 4:1-3
1. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
2. by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
3. men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
II Tim. 4:3-43. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4. and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
A denomination defined A denomination is part of a whole (IE: A quarter is part of a dollar) A religious organization smaller than the whole church, but larger
than the local church. A denomination is therefore too small to be the church in the
whole sense, and too large to be the church in the local sense!
From Catholic to Muslim, from denominations to other
cults, they all had their beginnings hundreds of years
too late to be Christ’s church!
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Other Religions, not considered as “denominations” Muslims: Muhammad
founds Islam in 610 A.D. Mormons: Joseph Smith in
1830 wrote the Book of Mormon
Jehovah’s Witnesses: Charles Taze Russell in 1870
Christian Science: Founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1875
Pentecostal: Starting in 1901 by the teachings of Charles Parham Foursquare Church: Founded in 1927 by Aimee Semple McPherson Scientology: Founded in 1953 by science-fiction writer L. Ron
Hubbard Calvary Chapel churches: Founded by Chuck Smith in 1965
Why Are There So Many Churches?
Why Are There So Many Churches?
These all have a place in secular history that
records their founders and dates, and all are too
late to be the “one body” (church) that Jesus
died to save!
Conclusion
Why Are There So Many Churches?
II Tim. 4:3-4: Men devised doctrines in accordance with their likings and began teaching as doctrine their traditions! (Mt. 15:8-9)
What they all have in common is they are human in origin! (Man-made)
II Cor. 11:3 (Too many people allow themselves to be deceived!)
3. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
Conclusion
Why Are There So Many Churches?
The church which Jesus built is not just another denomination but is the whole of what Christ
purchased with His blood, and what defines the “saved” (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Eph. 5:23) No earthly head
No legal hierarchy
Not started by man
Has no man-made creeds or practices
Christ is the Head
Elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, members
Established by Christ
Simply follows the N.T. pattern
Conclusion
Why Are There So Many Churches?
The Lord's church is non-denominational in every respect, and therefore has nothing in common with
any man-made denomination!
II Cor. 11:44. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you
receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.
The church of Christ is too old to be a denomination,
and the oldest denomination is too young to be the church of Christ!
Conclusion
Why Are There So Many Churches?
It is important to know the differences between thechurch of Christ and denominations!
The church is the whole, therefore one must be a
part of it to be numbered among the saved!
I Cor. 12:12
“What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17)
Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24)
Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38)Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom.
10:10)Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16)Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10)
For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9),
Pray (Acts 8:22)