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.
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@BritishFailedAesthetic Jesus said there would be false teachers throughout the world. Some might call us fakes too, but they will know who's telling the truth, if it matches up with the Bible. I think that's up to them to decide. May the Holy Spirit guide them in truth.
Not in a certain sense. If I claimed there were millions of Gods or denied the Trinity and said Jesus was an incarnate of Michael the Archangel, you would know I'm worshipping a false God, right?
@BritishFailedAesthetic What you're referring to is "knowing a person by their fruits", and the word says we will know them by their fruits; not calling out certain groups. I just don't think that's right. You know how you feel when people attack Christianity. That's all I'm saying. And denomination does matter, as stated in my post, and you'll see why. God did not want nor form denominations. He formed the church. Satan is the one that caused division in the body of believers. God wanted nothing to do with forming denominations. And that matters because some do preach the wrong gospel but that's not what this is about. It's about does God approve of denominations.
@LadyGrace It is right to warn others of false groups that claim to be Christian- be they the Hebrew Israelites (as in the cult group) that love antagonising people on the streets(they're here in the UK now 🙄) , Jehova's witnesses, Mormons, etc.
@BritishFailedAesthetic Jesus said there would be false teachers in the church today, but do you think we're speaking in love, to attack other groups? It's not the same. That's what I'm talking about. What does the Bible say about insulting other religions?
Matthew 7:1-5 – Do Not Judge Hypocritically. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with ... 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
What did Jesus say about different religions? Jesus put it like this in John 5:23: “Whoever does not honor the Son” — Jesus — “does not honor the Father who sent him.” “Any religion that does not embrace, worship, and obey Jesus as he is revealed in the Bible is a false religion.”
Unfortunately, we do have different denominations that preach all different things and yes we need to know who they are, but there's a way to do it in love. Not insulting.
Is it a sin to disrespect other religions in Christianity? Christ commanded us to “treat others as we want to be treated”. Most Christian's do not want our faith to be mocked. Therefore, we should not insult others for their religious beliefs.
@BritishFailedAesthetic Again, this post is about needing to define what denomination IS, and the fact that our having denominations AT ALL, 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.
@BritishFailedAesthetic Where have you insulted someone's beliefs??? I didn't say you insulted their beliefs. I sent you insulted the particular group.
Obviously there are fake so called "denominations" like Jehova's witnesses, Mormons, etc which are not Christian at all.
Did you know that salvation is not based on denomination? People will be surprised in heaven, when they see believers from all different denominations in the world. Some may not have it just exactly right, but Jesus said that any who come to him and invite Him into their hearts and lives as their Savior, shall be saved. There are churches that pick apart God's doctrine and may not have it just right, or disagree about doctrine, but they are still Born again believers.
One can disagree about certain doctrines, while still being considered a born-again believer, as long as the core tenets of the Gospel, like Jesus' divinity and sacrifice for sin, are accepted; differences often arise on secondary issues like the interpretation of specific biblical passages or church practices. The Bible says some are "ignorant of the word" and that's because they have not studied the Word diligently. Will that keep them from heaven? No. It's whom they put their trust in far salvation.
While doctrinal differences exist, Christians are encouraged to maintain unity in Christ, focusing on the core beliefs that bind them together. Recognizing that not all biblical interpretations are clear-cut and approaching discussions with humility, can help navigate doctrinal differences.
Did Jesus say we had to know every single thing about the Bible because we could be saved? No.
It's not up to us to judge that. We don't know their hearts. They might repent on their deathbed. Only God knows their heart, and who loves him as Savior.
