WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS?
According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimations, there are more than 200 Christian denominations in the U.S. and a staggering 45,000 globally. The Islam denomination, on the other hand, is divided only into two major denominations, Sunni and Shi'a. In the Buddhist groups there are three. The Christian denomination is the largest. One might ask why are there so many different Christian beliefs when there is only one Jesus? The teachings of Jesus are fairly easy to understand. Jesus usually spoke in terms that ordinary fishermen and carpenters can understand - in plain simple words.
Jesus’ disciples also wrote in simple language, except for the writings of the Apostle Paul. About half of the books in the New Testament were attributed to Paul or based on the beliefs of Paul, like salvation by “grace.” Paul wrote “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Other disciples like Peter, John, etc. also contributed to parts of the Bible.
Many of us follow not only the teachings of Jesus, but also the teachings of His other disciples, although they contradict with each other, like James and Paul, or Jesus and some of His other disciples. Here is the question for us to answer. Who contradicts whom? Did Jesus contradict His disciples, or did the disciples contradict Jesus? And whom must we believe? And why? Again, why?
For that reason Jesus said that we can’t serve two masters. Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24.
Serving two or more masters can cause a lot of confusion, especially when they contradict each other, like James and Paul and Jesus. And I believe the reason why there are more than 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide is because Christians serve more than one Master - Jesus. Christians can serve only Jesus, our only choice, if we want to live with Him.
Bro, it’s up to you how many masters you want to serve, one or a dozen. It’s your choice. But for me and my family, we serve only one Grand Master - Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep], and am known by My own. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of My Father's hand. "I and [My] Father are one." John 10:14,27-30.
Jesus said that He is the good Shepherd, and not anyone else. His sheep hears His voice, and they follow Him, and not follow anyone else. And He gives them eternal life, and not to anyone else. Is this too difficult to understand by millions of us whose mother tongue is English? Or by those who can speak English? If this is too difficult for us to understand, maybe we should take English as a second language. Good luck.
Jesus’ disciples also wrote in simple language, except for the writings of the Apostle Paul. About half of the books in the New Testament were attributed to Paul or based on the beliefs of Paul, like salvation by “grace.” Paul wrote “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.
Other disciples like Peter, John, etc. also contributed to parts of the Bible.
Many of us follow not only the teachings of Jesus, but also the teachings of His other disciples, although they contradict with each other, like James and Paul, or Jesus and some of His other disciples. Here is the question for us to answer. Who contradicts whom? Did Jesus contradict His disciples, or did the disciples contradict Jesus? And whom must we believe? And why? Again, why?
For that reason Jesus said that we can’t serve two masters. Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24.
Serving two or more masters can cause a lot of confusion, especially when they contradict each other, like James and Paul and Jesus. And I believe the reason why there are more than 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide is because Christians serve more than one Master - Jesus. Christians can serve only Jesus, our only choice, if we want to live with Him.
Bro, it’s up to you how many masters you want to serve, one or a dozen. It’s your choice. But for me and my family, we serve only one Grand Master - Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep], and am known by My own. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given [them] to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of My Father's hand. "I and [My] Father are one." John 10:14,27-30.
Jesus said that He is the good Shepherd, and not anyone else. His sheep hears His voice, and they follow Him, and not follow anyone else. And He gives them eternal life, and not to anyone else. Is this too difficult to understand by millions of us whose mother tongue is English? Or by those who can speak English? If this is too difficult for us to understand, maybe we should take English as a second language. Good luck.
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