Why are there so many different denominations within Christianity? How can you know which one is teaching the truth even though they all use the Bible?
The reason there are so many Christian denominations is because certain details of the Bible are not all agreed upon. Christian churches share a common bond in Jesus Christ, but after that there are many divisions. Some denominations emphasize certain truths of the Bible while others don’t see them as that important. Nevertheless, Christ is building His church. Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” – Matthew 16:18.
There are two ways to know truth for yourself. The first is to study the Bible. The second is to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal what is true or false. These two working together will help you to know scriptural truth. The apostle John wrote, “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” – 1 John 2:26-27. It’s not as if we shouldn’t listen to God given teachers, but we can rest assured the Holy Spirit will reveal truth or error to us. God bless you! – Rev.
I agree Christ said He would build His church. I know Christ wanted to build us a church that has “all truth”, not one split up believing in minor details or major ones. I truly believe Christ doesn’t want all this confusion. The thing that bothers me is that all claim to have the truth and use the Bible, but we still have all these splits. If it was over music or something then I would just brush it off, but it’s not. It’s about salvation; what it takes to be saved and how you keep your salvation. All major factors in living for Christ. I guess my next question would be if we have this anointing from the Holy Spirit then why do we have all this confusion still?
I understand what you’re frustrated about as I share the same feelings. I wish the church was one voice for the gospel. However, I’m very much aware of the things that divide the Christian church. Nevertheless, there should be no question about the way of salvation because if a denomination doesn’t have this correct, they are a Christian church “in name only”. Some Christian churches acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross, but they also teach that salvation is obtained by good works. This of course is error according to the Bible which states – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no-one can boast” – Ephesians 2:8-9. Again the Bible says, “The just will live by faith” (not works) – Romans 1:17. This verse was the inspiration behind the great reformation of the church which taught that salvation was by faith, not works. A crucial point when it comes to salvation and going to heaven.
Having said that, there continues to be division among true Christian churches when it comes to doctrine. No wonder Jude wrote “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” – Jude 1:3. That truth once delivered to the saints is what was taught by the apostles in the beginning. However, even in the days of the early church there were individuals with wrong motives who taught in error. It takes humility and diligence to teach the truth. It takes the right motives and not pride to become a good teacher of scripture. This is why James wrote, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” – James 3:1. It appears not everyone has taken this to heart and we have a lot of confusion when it comes to interpretation. There are also just as many followers who listen to what they want to hear. The Bible says, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” – 2 Timothy 4:3. So as you can see it’s a matter of the heart and since people live by what they believe, they also make choices as to what they will listen to.
There is another thing to consider. Not everyone wants to go “all the way” with the Lord. There is some hesitation on people’s part to grow deeper spiritually. This is evident in the lives of the twelve disciples. There were only three of them that Jesus showed deeper spiritual things. These were Peter, James and John. They have been called the “inner three”. Jesus took only these three with Him to the mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17:1) and into the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 13:43).
Even though the Spirit wants to teach us all, we all make decisions concerning how much truth we are willing to accept and apply to our lives. I also find that some Christians are unteachable because they think they know it all or they have “enlightened truth” that others don’t know. Also, Pastors can fail to continue being students of the Word. The Bible says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” – 2 Timothy 2:15 and “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” – 1 Timothy 5:17.
I don’t know what it’s going to take to bring the church into unity even though Jesus prayed for it to happen. It seems to be an ongoing struggle throughout church history to return to the “roots” of Christianity. In the end, I recommend that you follow the Lord in your own way and stay true to Him as He reveals truth to you. This is all a part of growing up spiritually. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32.
Finally, I find that all this division only causes me to want to be a true follower of Christ more than ever regardless of those around me. Also, Jesus called us to love the brethren despite our disunity. Jesus said, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me” – John 17:20-21. This is the ultimate goal of unity and although it hasn’t come to this place yet, I find there are many Christians I do feel “at one” with. A lot of times it just takes getting to know a person better.
