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WHEN THE VARIOUS CHURCHES BEGAN
BAPTIST—A.D. 31 when Jesus called the 12 Apostles
ROMAN CATHOLIC—(gradual apostate formation) A.D.. 251-606 having as its first head the Roman Papacy actually being accomplished by Gregory the 8th whose pontificate extended from A.D. 590 to 604 so that we may call him the real founder of the Catholic Church. Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., amalgamating Babylonianism and Pseudo-Christianity.
Greek Orthodox Catholic---split from the R.C. in 1050
DUTCH REFORMED—separated from the R.C. in 1050
LUTHERAN—Martin Luther in 1530
PRESBYTERIAN--- John Calvin in 1535
EPISCOPAL—by King Henry VIII in 1540
CONGREGATIONAL ---split from Episcopalians in 1602
QUAKERS—started by George Fox in 1729
METHODISTS by John Wesley in 1729
FREE WILL BAPTISTS by Benjamin Randall in 1780
CAMPBELLITES (CHURCH OF CHRIST, CHRISTIAN CHURCH)—by Alexander Campbell in 1827
MORMONS by Joseph Smith in 1830
PRIMITIVE BAPTIST—by Daniel Parker in 1832
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS by William Miller & Ellen G, White in 1843
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE by Mary Baker Glover Patterson Eddy in 1866
Jehovah’s Witnesses (Russelites) by Charles G. Russell in 1884
NAZARENES ---by S.F. Breese in 1885
PENTECOSTALS – 1914
FOUR SQUARE GOSPEL – Aimee McPherson in 1925
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT CHURCHES?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE ARE THE NAMES?
Those are good questions. There is a reason for that. Many of these churches are called the Protestants. "Protestant" comes from the word "protest." These are the ones that came out of the Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation. These can be readily identified by the listing and the history of them. These include the Dutch Reformed, the Presbyterian, the Lutheran, the Episcopal, the Congregational, and others indirectly. Several of these still carry on Catholic practices, such as infant baptism. These are facts of church history, not manufactured by Jim Ellis. A study of church history is very important to properly understand.
NAMES OF CHURCH DENOMINATIONS IDENTIFY THEIR DOCTRINAL POSITIONS
The Baptists were never a part of the Catholic Church. The name "Baptist," like many others identify the doctrinal beliefs of each. For instance, the name "Baptist" means the baptizers, or those that baptize. These names were not just taken by these different churches themselves but were called these names by others on the outside to identify them. John the Baptist is a good example. It means "John the Baptizer." The word "baptize"means to immerse, not sprinkle or dip. The Catholics probably gave the name, Anabaptist. It means "re-baptizers" because they rejected Catholic baptism of babies and required people to get saved before being baptized. The Anabaptists were probably the most hated group of all by the Catholic Church.The Biblical form of baptism is by immersion, not sprinkling or dipping. The word itself means "immerse."The Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, and others baptize by sprinkling.
Another important thing to consider is the importance of II Timothy 2:15- "rightly dividing the word of truth." That reminds us of the importance of dispensational truth. The Bible itself tells us how to study. There are many Scriptures that define the methodology. For instance, here are a few: I Corinthians 1: 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
I Corinthians 10: 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
I Corinthians 14: 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
These are just a couple of the guidelines given to us for studying the Word of God and "rightly dividing" it.
The Bible is written to or for three classes of people—the Jew, the Gentile, and the church. We must make the proper applications of the Word in order to be correct.
Now let us look at some of these names of churches or denominations.
Presbyterian-- Identifies the method of government, as well as the doctrinal beliefs. The word "Presbyterian" is a name that refers to the way the church is operated. It also identifies the church as founded by John Calvin and its "Calvinistic" doctrinal beliefs about predestination and election. John Calvin believed that some people are predestinated to get saved and others are predestinated to go to Hell. This teaching denies the free will of man to make such decisions.
Lutheran-- Founded by Martin Luther, thus the name. This church still baptizes babies and follows many of the Catholic traditions. It is very liberal and loose theologically and is steeped in tradition.
Episcopal-- Someone has properly said the Episcopalians are Catholics who flunked their Latin. The basic doctrines and traditions of this church are very close to the Catholic Church. The Episcopal Church was started by King Henry VIII who failed to take over the Catholic Church. The Anglican Church is the same as the Episcopal Church.
Congregational-- This church identifies itself by its name because of the form of church government—congregation governed. It doesn’t allow pastoral authority.
Quakers-- The name identifies the characteristic of this church. They believe that when they get spiritually excited they will begin to quake. They are also called "Friends." William Penn was a Quaker as was Richard Nixon.
Free Will Baptists-- Free Will Baptists are identified by their name. They believe that God gave man a free will and that he can lose his salvation by ceasing to believe. This false doctrine denies the security of the believer.
Primitive Baptists--- This group goes to seed on predestination and election. T.U.L.I.P. is the primary doctrine. This is called "five point Calvinism." T = total depravity; U = unconditional election; L = limited atonement; I = irresistible grace; P = predestination. Some of these are correct, but the others are unscriptural. Total depravity of man is a Bible doctrine, but unconditional election leaves out the decision of man to be saved. Limited atonement is another false doctrine that teaches that Jesus only died for the elect. Irresistible grace is the teaching that God saves those who are elected or predestinated regardless of whether they want to be saved or not. Of course predestination is obvious—God predestinates some to go to Hell and some to go to Heaven.
Church of Christ and some Christian Churches-- They are identified with their teaching taken from Acts 2:38—that baptism is essential for salvation. These also teach that a person must take the Lord’s supper each week to have their sins of that week washed; otherwise they would go to Hell if they were to die. This is works for salvation.
Of course Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientist, and Jehovah’s Witnesses are cults.
Now we come to the Pentecostal Groups:
Nazarenes and Wesleyans are divisions of the same group. They are generally classified as Pentecostal, but differ from the pure Pentecostal in several respects. Generally these Nazarenes and Wesleyans do not believe in speaking in tongues, but emphasize the "second blessing." They believe that a person can lose his/her salvation. The second blessing is also called sanctification, but doesn’t mean exactly the same thing as the Bible means by it. Mistakes In The Pentecostal Movement
Matthew 7: 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
II Timothy 2: 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I Corinthians 1: 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
I Corinthians 10; 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
I Corinthians 14: 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
I Corinthians 14: 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. –self control
Subject—5293. hupotasso, hoop-ot-as'-so; from G5259 and G5021; to subordinate; reflex. to obey:--be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Romans 8: 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
4726. stenagmos, sten-ag-mos'; from G4727; a sigh:--groaning.
215. alaletos, al-al'-ay-tos; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and a der. of G2980; unspeakable:--unutterable, which cannot be uttered.
Hebrews 6: 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Hebrews 10: 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
John 14: 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
"dwelleth with you"—present tense—before His death, burial, and resurrection
"shall be in you"—future tense—Pentecost.
Note also the contrasts—"with you" and "in you"
Acts 1: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Pronoun –"they" The antecedent of the pronoun is in chapter 1. --the eleven apostles. The multitude did not speak in tongues.
4130. pletho, play'-tho; a prol. form of a prim. pleo, pleh'-o (which appears only as an alt. in certain tenses and in the redupl. form pimplemi); to "fill" (lit. or fig. [imbue, influence, supply]); spec. to fulfil (time):--accomplish, full (. . . come), furnish.
Ephesians 5: 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; --Control� by 4137. pleroo, play-ro'-o; from G4134; to make replete, i.e. (lit.) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (fig.) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully Acts 4: 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Acts 10: 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Remember -- The Jews require a sign? |
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