Did Jesus intend for the church to be divided into many denominations?
Jesus wants all to be of one Lord, one faith, one baptism. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one Hope. Eph. 4:4-6
Jesus did not intend for the church to be divided into many denominations. The Bible describes the church as undenominational and emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ. However, Christianity has many denominations due to doctrinal and ritual diversity.
Despite the differences between denominations, Christians should try to respect each other and focus on spreading the gospel, just as he commissioned his disciples to do.
One God and Father of all; who is above all and through all. This is why the Bible does not mention any denominations. The Bible teaches us that Christ built only one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:5; 5:23) which consists of every Christian (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13). These Christians would congregate in various locations around the world.
We have to define what denomination IS. The fact that we have denominations, is counter for God's desire for unity. Differences are typically viewed as doctrinal, so man deemed different belief systems as being essential. The Bible says my people perish for lack of knowledge. Christendom has gone downhill since the days of the apostles, as they warned that false teachers would come in to cause division. Denominations are divisions. They are not of God. The only good thing is that we can find those of similar understanding of Doctrine and have Christian fellowship. God meant for harmony amongst believers. The Bible says there's only one God, and tells us how to worship Him, in spirit and in truth as one body in Christ. God can save a sinner, no matter where he or she is. God founded His church and it has no denominations.
Matthew 16:18: Christ built one Church.
Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:5; 5:23: Christ built one church.
Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13: All Christians are part of one church.
John 17:20-26: Jesus prayed for all believers to be one.
This is why it's so important for everyone to study the Bible. Praise God, that Jesus did not leave us to guess on these subjects. He came to earth to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He wants us educated in the Word.
Salvation is about Jesus, not denomination. Believers should discern what is scripturally true with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God, so you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe.
1 Corinthians 1:10 - "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
There's only one true "Church" and that is composed of every Born Again Believer in Christ. It was man that caused the division and Satan loves that, because he loves division of the true church. The church is the body of Christ... those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
1 John 2:27 "...but the anointing which you have received from Him, abides, and you need not that any man teach you but the Holy Spirit.
Remember that Jesus commissioned His disciples to go out into all the world to spread the gospel, not create division amongst believers. They were the first to spread the gospel, so the world would know, and the Word would spread of the good news of Salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus didn't tell them to go out and start a church, because the church is described as the body of Believers in Christ. That each believer in Christ, also in this day and age, have been commissioned by the Lord to spread the good news of salvation. Otherwise, we would not have known the way of salvation.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations and spread the gospel" is considered a commandment in the Bible, specifically found in Matthew 28:19, which is often referred to as the "Great Commission"; it instructs believers to spread the gospel message to all people across the world.
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by ONE Spirit, are we all baptized into one body ... whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have all made to drink into one Spirit.
John 14:26 - but the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Holy Spirit is the Master Teacher of those in the New Covenant. Jesus invites everyone of us in the world to hear His message of hope, truth, and love.
Last evening i went to an anniversary service at the church in a nearby village, the preacher was a young man in his 20s, he preached on Jesus' words I will build my church and said nearly all the things you mentioned in this post. Amazing how God works!
Yes, and I do recall seeing an evil smile and dark eyes over it on Jesus' face as he was walking away from a crowd he spoke in front of, after talking about this division. I remember this from a former lifetime, it has long haunted me.
@BritishFailedAesthetic read the book of Acts. New believers received the word of God with joy and they went house to house sharing this good news. Couple that with Jesus' Great Commission and you pretty much have a road map designed to bring more people to God.
Let's be honest here, the Jehovah Witness's and the mormons have got the practice down to a science. They both go out by "twos" and witness. The mormons go to school and go through every possible excuse a person could have for not believing in the LDS beliefs. Everyday christian churches don't even do that!!
@Kaetana Thank you for your contribution. I think some might have missed my point though. Did God establish or "found" denominations? No. Man did. I agree that God wants us to be one large family, but if we had to choose a denomination to worship the Lord, would you want to go to a church that is teaching false Doctrine? So, what denomination would that be that all should worship under? Jesus did not say to worship him under a specific denomination. The Bible does not mention denominations. Instead, Jesus taught that worship should be directed through Him, and that all people should have equal access to God. It is Christ that is head of the church. And Satan who brought the church ( body of believers) into division.
Jesus taught that worship should be a matter of the heart, not external actions. Jesus taught that worship should be directed by truth rather than ceremony.
The Bible does not mention any such denominations. The Bible teaches us that Christ built only one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:5; 5:23) which consists of every Christian (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
We have to define what denomination IS. The fact that we have denominations, is counter for God's desire for unity. Differences are typically viewed as doctrinal, so man deemed different belief systems as being essential. The Bible says my people perish for lack of knowledge. Christendom has gone downhill since the days of the apostles, as they warned that false teachers would come in to cause division. Denominations are divisions. They are not of God. The only good thing is that we can find those of similar understanding of Doctrine and have Christian fellowship. God meant for harmony amongst believers. The Bible says there's only one God, and tells us how to worship Him, in spirit and in truth as one body in Christ. God can save a sinner, no matter where he or she is. God founded His church and it has no denominations.
@LadyGrace your very welcome! To return to your point . Multiple denominations are indeed man’s choice .
Imo options were presented so as to confuse ‘Truth seekers’
Nothing could be worse than for a person to be seeking Gods word , light and blessings. Only be presented with 20 different options each of them proclaiming to be the truth.
Ultimately this brings about confusion, which is the thing any truth seeker needs . Amen 🙏🏽
Imo options were presented so as to confuse ‘Truth seekers’
Absolutely! We know who God said is the author of confusion, and that is Satan. There's so many ways he can play that card. He is the author of confusion.
Revelation 12:9 describes Satan as "the great dragon... that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray" (Revelation 12:9). This verse encapsulates the global scope of Satan's deceptive influence and his relentless efforts to cause widespread confusion.
If A church teaches its people strictly what is written in The Bible, then it is a good Church which one can attend to. If not, one may maintain a distance from it. The Word of God and The Holy Spirit dwelling inside us will sooner or later let us know.
@DanielsASJ I would like to emphasize that Jesus did not intend for the church to be divided into many denominations. The Bible describes the church as undenominational and emphasizes the unity of the body of Christ. However, Christianity has many denominations due to doctrinal and ritual diversity.
Despite the differences between denominations, Christians should try to respect each other and focus on spreading the gospel, just as he commissioned his disciples to do.
