Have you ever been curious why denominations add a man's name to their Christianity?

Consider, AC 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Today, so many people want to be called Christians.  People say, "I'm a Christian.  I'm just a (Denominational Name) Christian."  All these different denominations was not what Christ had intended.  


Christ called for one Church, not several. MT 16:18 “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.   Christ does not say, I will build my churches.  There is to be only one church.


Christ prayed for unity among believers, not division.  JN 17:20,21 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.  Denominations are divisions and that is exactly what Jesus DID NOT want.  

Consider this thought.  Satan worked through Nimrod to build the Tower of Babel for two reasons.  To make themselves a name and to NOT be scattered among the earth. (Gen 11:4)  God told Noah and his family to "bring forth abundantly"(Gen 9:7 KJV) after the flood.  Those three words are translated from one word. * It is Strong's number 8317.  It is defined as follows: "swarm or abound:--breed(bring forth, increase) abundantly(in abundance), creep, move."  You see God called for them to increase by breeding and move through out the earth.  Satan wanted men to do otherwise.  Satan used man to accomplish his plans.  Same as today, Christ called for one church.  I think you get my point.

**Let's look at a few Denominations.

Baptist

Founded in 1611 by John Smythe and other English puritans.

Penecostal

Founded in 1906 by William J. Seymor during "The Azusa Street Revival"

Presbyterian

Founded in 1536 by John Calvin (1789 first church in US)

Methodist

Founded in 1739 when conversion of John and Charles Wesley spark the Great Awakening

Catholic

Founded in 1504.  Most Catholics believe that Peter was the first Pope.

Lutheran

Founded in 1517 by Martin Luther when he wrote "95 Theses".

You can't be saved by these or any other man.  Jesus Christ is the only one who can offer you salvation. AC 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”   Therefore, knowing Christ is our only hope of salvation; why do people follow the teachings of men? 

They don't have all authority like Christ. MT 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Christ has the authority to start, stop, or altar a church or its doctrine.  You, I, nor the above mentioned men have that authority.  

You must look at where you are today and ask yourself this question.  Am I in the Lord's church or am I in a church that was started by a man?  

I urge you to "test the spirits" of the teachings that you are hearing.  God's Word is infallible and very clear on the plan of salvation.  The Word of God lays out six steps of salvation. 

1. Hear (Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4)

2. Faith (Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31)

3. Repent (Lk 13:3;Acts 17:30)

4. Confess (Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37)

5. Baptize(immersion) (Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38)

6. Live faithfully (Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22) 

If the teachings you are hearing do not line up with the Word of God you just answered the question asked above.

Have a red letter day!

* THE COMPLETE WORD STUDY  Published by AMG Publishers

** DENOMINATIONAL COMPARISONS published by Rose Publishers