Why Are There So Many Christian
- Why Are There So Many Christian Churches? ===
=Introduction=
Over and over again people inquire “Why are there so many Christian Churches?”, implying that if Christianity is the one true religion then why is it divided up into so many different fragments.
Even a look at the seemingly endless list of Churches in our local telephone directory can be a bit depressing unless we can see the Body of Christ from God’s perspective and come to understand how all of these different Churches came ito being.
The purpose of this tract is twofold:
- To give the reader a brief sketch of how the major Christian churches evolved.
- To shed some light on what type of Christian Church one should attend.
=History Of Christian Church=
In approximately 30 A.D. the Christian Church was born. During the years following her birth, she grew as one Body of believers, determined to yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
However, as the centuries passed, the Church began to drift further and furthere awayfrom the Biblical doctrines originally taught by the early Apostles (Acts 2:42).
These truths, which once had been the foundation upon which the Church was built (Ephesians 2:19-22, Hebrews 6:1-2), became lost in a religious maze of tradition and ritual.
A list of these essential foundational truths has been recorded in Hebrews 6:1-2:
“Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not again laying the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement.”
In 313 A.D., with about 1/2 of the Roman Empire already Christian, an Edict of Toleration was passed ending the persecution of Christians and allowing all people the freedom to follow their own religious preference.
By 325 A.D. Christianity had virtually become the state religion. This switch from being a persecuted minority to an influential majority opened the doors for many pagans to join the Church and attain political acceptance. Gradually the influence of the pagan opportunists distored whatever authentic Biblical structure remained within the Church.
By the end of the Dark Ages the once “Christian” Church (then known as the Roman Catholic Church) has long since ceased to teach or practice any of the foundational doctrines mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-2.
Truly a restoration of the 1st centure Church was desperately needed. As in Genesis 1:2 when “darkness was upon the face of the deep” the “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters”.
Following is a chronological chart of some of the principles of the doctrine of Christ found in Hebrew 6:1-2. The approximate dates when these doctrines began to fade from Chruch history and when they were restored are listed.
The years between the time justification was lost and restored are know as the Dark Ages.
You will note that the first doctrine, that we have listed as lost onthe chart (the laying on of hands, in 140 A.D.) was the most recent one to be restored. This pattern has been repeated throughout history, with all of the doctrines found in Hebrews 6:1-2 restored in the exact opposite order they were lost. Thus the doctrines requiring a deeper spiritual maturity were the first to fade and the last to be re-established.
CHART OF RESTORATION OF LOST TRUTHS
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Let’s do a brief study on each of the truths listed above, working from the bottom to top:
>>> FIRST TRUTH – JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Lost: 350 A.D. (estimated)
Restored: 1517 A.D.
By Whom: Martin Luther
Groups Formed: Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Reformed.
Definition of this restored truth:
We are all saved by grace (which is undeserved and unearned), through faith in Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection. Salvation is a gift from God, not based upon our works.
Scripturual Verifications:
Romans 1:17, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16, 3:18, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 3:24-25, 28, 5:1, Titus 3:5-7
History:
A Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther began to question the value of the religious traditions and rituals he had been trained to follow. Though he had been diligent in observing numerous so-called spiritual practices, none of these outward works produced the inward peace he longed for.
In response to Luther’s sincere quest for the truth, the Spirit of the Lord opened his eyes to see the significance of the scripture Romans 1:17, “The just shall live by faith”. The revelation of salvation through faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished when He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind was born in his heart. He realized, as he continued to study the Bible, that man could never find peace with God through his own works, but only by accepting God’s plan of forgiveness through Christ’s death on the cross, could a person be “Born Again”. (John 3:3)
Results:
As he began to proclaim these truths from the Word of God, many Roman Catholics were released from the bondage of dead works to a living faith in Jesus Christ.
Ultimately Luther and his followers were rejected by the Roman Catholic Church for these teachings. But once the truth of salvation had been embraced, there could be no returning to the former lifeless traditions.
>>> SECOND TRUTH – WATER BAPTISM
Lost: 200 A.D. (estimated)
Restored: 1525 A.D.
By Whom: Hubmaier, Grebel and Manz
Groups Formed: Baptists and other independent churches
Definition of this restored truth:
Following believing on Jesus Christ, the new convert is commanded by the Word of God to be baptized in water in the Name of the Lord. Infant baptism is invalid.
Scriptural Verifications:
Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 8:12, 36-38, 10:47-48, Matthew 28:19
History:
Some followers of Luther, named Hubmaier, Grebel and Manz began to question the validity of infant baptism. They believed that if salvation comes through faith, then little children who had not made a profession of faith should not be baptized in water.
Results:
Many in the same group that God had just used to reestablish the doctrine of justification by faith, were unable to accept the next truth God restored, the Water Baptism of believers. Both the Catholics and Protestants persecuted these “Baptists” and even had some of them put to death by drowning and burning them.
Ironically, the persecuted became the persecutors; but the truth of Water Baptism had been restored.
>>> THIRD TRUTH – SANCTIFICATION
Lots: a gradual decline
Restored: 1738 A.D.
By Whom: John Wesley
Groups Formed: Methodists, Holiness & Nazarene
Definition of this restored truth:
The ongoing process of yielding to God in order to complete the development of Christ’s character in us.
Scriptural Verification:
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 5:23, Hebrews 12:14, John 17:17, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 2:11, Romans 8:29, 12:1-2
History:
John Wesley, following his conversion, was greatly concerned about the lack of sanctification he saw in the lives of Christians. In his studies of the Bible it became evident to him that there was a standard of holiness upheld by the Scriptures that was needed in order to experience a victorious Christian life. As Wesley aired his convictions before crowds of multiple thousands, many repented and embraced the standard of holiness he talked about.
Results:
Though thousands obeyed the call of God for a deeper relationship, many Christians were unwilling to alter their lifestyles and even went so far as to adamantly oppose Wesly and his disciplined group of “Methodists”.
Yes, here again we have only a remnant responding to the moving of God.
>>> FOURTH TRUTH – BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Lost: 150 A.D. (estimated data)
Restored: 1906 A.D.
By Whom: (in a hall on Azusa Street, Los Angeles) Groups Formed: Pentecostals (Assembly Of God, Foursquare, Church of God, United Pentecostal Church)
Definition of this restored truth:
Given at Pentecost, it was the promise of the Father sent by Jesus after His ascension, to empower the Church. It was accompanied by the evidence of speaking in tongues.
Scriptural Verification:
Joel 2:28, Matthew 3:11, Acts 1:5,8, 2:1-4, 38-39, 8:14-17, 44-47, 11:15-16, 19:1-6
History:
In a rented hall on a street called Azusa Street in Los Angeles, God poured out his Holy Spirit as at Pentecost. The Christians gathering there spoke in tongues and prophesied, and for three years, day and night, a continual spirit-filled meeting occured. News of what God was doing spread around the world and many came and were Baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Results:
Once again, though many gladly received this great outpouring of God’s Spirit, others strongly rejected what they thought was emotionalism and fanaticism.
But now, three quarters of a century later the fastest growing groups in the world are the Pentecostal churches.
>>> FIFTH TRUTH – LAYING ON OF HANDS
Lost: 140 A.D. (estimated date)
Restored: 1948 A.D.
By Whom: (in North Battleford, Sask., Canada) Groups Formed: Revival or Restoration Churches
Definition of restored truth:
The impartation or confirmation of gifts and ministries by prophecy, with the Laying on of Hands of the presbytery (church overseers) enabling each member to function in their proper place in the Body of Christ. It should be done in the Local Assembly and not for personal gain.
Scriptural Verification:
1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 1:18, 2 Timothy 1:6, Hebrews 6:1-2, 2 Timothy 1:14, 1 Timothy 5:22, Acts 13:1-3, Romans 1:11, Genesis 48:8-20, 49:1-28
History:
In Canada, in the late 1940’s many spirit-filled Christians began to seek God in prayer for Him to move again. Though they had been Baptized in the Holy Spirit, there was still a deep longing in their hearts for something more. As they waited upon God they began to prophecy aboutthings that were previously contrary to their own doctrinal beliefs. They then examined these prophecies under the microscope of the Holy Bible to determine their validity. One of the doctrines they considered was the Laying on of Hands. As the Word of God on the subject was opened up to them, they followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and began to perform this ministry according to the Scriptural pattern.
Results:
Since 1948 the Biblical practice of the Laying on of Hands by the Presbytery has been effectively used throughout the entire world in confirming and imparting the unique ministries and gifts that God bestows on every Christian. Consequently, as believers in Christ are shown their particular function or place in the Body of Christ they are ultimately more fruitful and fulfilled as they walk in the gifts and callings God has individually given to them.
SUMMARY
We have seen in our brief study of some of the major events in Church History that many foundational truths, previously lost, have been restored to various parts of the Christian Church.
QUESTION: But how important is it that these truths are restored?
The Holy Bible clearly shows that Christ will not return to earth until all that wastaken away from the Church has been re-established.
“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:20-21).
The word ‘restitution’ (or restoration) literally means “to set something back into its original order”. Truly God is fulfilling His Word. The Holy Spirit has been sent to guide us into all truth (John 16:13) so that we may be able to worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24).
These truths are not excess spiritual baggage, but rather the essential ingredients needed by the Christian Church in order for it to reach perfection (Hebrews 6:1-2).
QUESTION: So what type of Christian Church should someone attend?
If someone is earnestly desiring to reach full maturity in their Christian character, they then should be willing to faithfully attend a local church that has committed itself to seeking after the moving of the Holy Spirit of God into all truth.
Christ is returning for a “glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.” (Ephesians 5:27).
Portions of this tract have been paraphrased from “Present Day Truths” by K.R. Iverson, Bible Temple Inc., Portland, Oregon 97213. This has been done with their permission.
This is the full text of a booklet published by, and available from: Glad Tidings, P.O. Box 17728, South Lake Tahoe, CA 95706