Why Are There So Many
Different Kinds Of Christian Churches?

There are many reasons why there are so many Christian churches. We will look at several of those reasons here.

I. Things that differentiate true Christian churches:

Different methods of interpreting the Bible (sola scriptural, historical, etc.) (1Cor 2:13)
Different interpretations of doctrine (2Pet 1:20)
Different views on the importance of biblical doctrine versus extra-biblical tradition (2Thes 2:15, 2Thes 3:6)
Different styles of worship service (1Cor 11:1-2)
Different racial, age, economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds (Gal 3:28)
Different personalities of church leaders (1Cor 1:12-13)

II. Some major doctrinal differences that separate churches from each other:

Opinions of what the Gospel is (i.e. Some have a false free-will gospel. Some have the true Gospel of salvation by grace alone.)
Views about the nature of God (Some correctly believe that God is Sovereign and He alone chooses individuals for salvation based solely upon whom Christ suffered and died for at Calvary. Some wrongly believe God loves everybody and He wants to save everybody but He is unable to do so because it is up to the sinner to accept Christ and so they believe that the sinner’s choice gets him or her saved.)
Methods of water Baptism (sprinkling, pouring, total immersion)
Views on eternal security (assurance of salvation – can you lose your salvation?)
Interpretations of the gifts of the Spirit (‘sign’ gifts such as speaking in tongues, miraculous healings, prophecy)
The importance of traditions (both biblical and extra-biblical)
End-time prophecy (rapture timing, millennialism, etc.)
Right doctrine but wrong practice (not practicing what they are preaching)
Structure of leadership (multiple-elder run, pastor run, congregation run)
Format of church meetings (highly structured, run by a select few, very informal, everyone participates)
The condition of man and the doctrines of Grace (i.e. Does man have a ‘free’ will?, Did Christ die for everyone?, Is man totally depraved?, Can man resist God and His grace?)
Bible versions and views on the preservation and inerrancy of God’s word
Views on who can receive communion (members only, etc.)
Views on the role of women in the church (with respect to authority over men)

III. Why then do true Christian churches differ?

OR IN OTHER WORDS…

Why do churches have different interpretations/views of various doctrines?

1. They are out of balance

There is an overemphasis and/or under-emphasis on some belief or practice, for example:

overemphasis on some spiritual gift – such as teaching or giving (1Cor 12:27-31)
overemphasis on unity – at the expense of truth and integrity (Gal 4:16, 1Thes 5:21)
underemphasis on evangelism (Rom 10:14-15)
underemphasis on fellowship (John 13:35)
overemphasis on fellowship with an under-emphasis on teaching the Word (1Pet 3:15)
overemphasis on church discipline with an underemphasis on forgiveness and restoration (Gal 6:1)
underemphasis on church discipline with an overemphasis on forgiveness and restoration

PLEASE NOTE: These examples are not meant to cover ALL areas that can be out of balance in a church.

Matt 23:23 – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

Luke 11:42 – “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

2. They are legalistic

There is an overemphasis on the outward appearance and an under-emphasis on the inward condition of the heart. This results in the truth being distorted by misapplying scripture. In extreme cases, people can be led to think that their salvation depends on their adherence to legalistic practices promoted by their church. Legalism often results when believers have a preoccupation with any of the following kinds of issues:

style of dress, hair (even when people are already dressing modesty and tastefully)
mode of baptism
type of bread used in communion
things where there is no scriptural prohibition against nor any endorsement in favor of – either directly or implied
preoccupied with outward appearances rather than the condition of the heart

Often the side effect, if not the cause, of legalism is that secret sins or certain classes of sins tend to be ignored or swept under the carpet. Leaders may preach against minor things that most members agree with and avoid preaching about sins that would get them in trouble with the congregation.

Col 2:8 – “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Col 2:16-18 – “16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”

1 Sam 16:7 – “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Matt 23:5-7 – “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.”

Today’s titles that are equivalent to ‘Rabbi’: Reverend, Pastor, Father (in Catholicism) or any title that sets a man apart. Even the word ‘elder’ when used as a title.

3. They are following the teachings of men instead of searching the scriptures for themselves:

Many churches strictly follow church bylaws or denominational creeds. Those documents are what usually defines their church. And for various reasons they never alter their teaching from those “official” documents, even if they learn that there may an error or two in those documents. The leaders of those churches would probably be out of a job if they taught different doctrine from that which is spelled out in the creeds and bylaws.

4. They are following men and trusting men’s teaching more than they should

Many church leaders fall into the trap that all of us can fall into: they trust famous teachers and preachers too much, be it “church fathers” or the Reformers or seminar professors or famous/popular Christian authors or whomever. Many church members fall into the trap of assuming their church leaders are correct because of their status in the local church (i.e. they are teachers and were probably formally trained somewhere).

A very subtle practice that leads people to trust men so much is the use of titles for these men.

What titles can do:

elevate men (and women)
segregate people into groups – the supposed educated (the clergy) and the supposedly ignorant (the laity)
hinder honesty and openness
discourage correction of those who are thought to be in an elite or untouchable class

(see John 3:30, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:44)

Titles all believers have:

priests
kings
Christians
saints
brethren
ministers
ambassadors
servants

We are all one in Christ (see Gal 3:28, 1Cor 3:4-5)

2Cor 10:12 – “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

(See also Mark 7:1-13)

5. They have the wrong interpretation of scripture

This actually covers items 1 & 2 which are tied to the method used to interpret scripture. Many different views on biblical doctrine would disappear if believers were rightly dividing the Word of Truth instead of basing their beliefs and practices on church tradition, denominational creeds, experiences, etc.

Themes relating to God’s Word:

What do we get from God’s Word: 2 Tim 2:15, 3:16-17
How do we get truth from God’s Word: Psa 119:99
Diligence in searching the Word for truth: Acts 17:11, Jer 29:13, Heb 11:6, Psa 119:2,
Warnings against adding to God’s Word: Deut 4:2, Rev 22:18-19
Permanence of God’s Word: Matt 5:18, Matt 24:35, Luke 16:17, 1Pet 1:24-25

6. They do church in such a way that prevents believers in the “corporate Church” from arriving at the same conclusions about doctrine

When you do church in an environment that only lets the “official” teachers do the teaching, and where you do your best to adhere to “official” church documents or denominational creeds, the possibility for correcting doctrinal error is very small. Here are a couple of related articles on this subject that you are strongly encouraged to investigate:

IV. Differences that don’t matter:

personal preferences – like style of worship or personality issues.

Rom 14:1-6 – “1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”

V. Differences that enrich the total body of Christ:

racial, age, male/female, economic, personality, occupational, marital status, cultural and ethnic differences
(see 1Cor 12:4-6,28 – keyword: diversities)

1Cor 12:4-6 – “4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

Ver. 5 (Gill): And there are differences of administrations, &c.] Or ministries; offices in the church, ministered in by different persons, as apostles, prophets, pastors, or teachers and deacons; who were employed in planting and forming of churches, ordaining elders, preaching the word, administering ordinances, and taking care of the poor; for which different gifts were bestowed on them, they not all having the same office.
Ver. 6 (Gill): And there are diversities of operations, There are some that are ordinary, as the good work of grace, and the several parts of it, the work of faith, the labour of love, and patience of hope, which the Spirit of God begins, carries on, and finishes in all the elect of God, and members of Christ; and there are others which are extraordinary, and are here meant, and hereafter specified.

1Cor 12:28 – “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

VI. What unites the true Christian churches?

Regardless of all the differences between denominations and individual believers, there are some basic things that unite all true believers:

First and foremost: the Holy Spirit who dwells in all true believers (see Rom 8:16, Eph 4:4-6, Eph 4:30)
The correct understanding of who Jesus Christ is (see Matt 16:16, John 1:1, John 8:58, 2Tim 1:12, Eph 4:4-6)
Understanding that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (see Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, John 14:6)

VII. Food for thought:

Can we ever fully understand everything in the Bible? (see Isa 55:9, 1Cor 13:12)
Can we at least reach correct conclusions about major doctrinal differences? as a whole? as individuals? (see 2 Tim 3:14-17)
Should we be satisfied with the opinion of our teachers and pastors or our denomination’s “official” viewpoint if we have not done a thorough study ourselves? (see Acts 17:11)
Is a church a true Christian church if they do not believe that the Bible is the final authority for a Christian?
Can a church be a true Christian church if they do not believe that the Bible is the literal and inerrant Word of God?
With so many Bible versions available today, how do we know which Bible is the Word of God (versus Bibles that may ‘contain’ the Word of God)?

A Brief Overview Of “Christian” Churches & Denominations

This article is an attempt to briefly explain what various churches and denominations are like, for the benefit of someone who is either a new Christian and is looking for a church to attend or for someone who is just curious about why there are so many different kinds of Christian churches. This paper does not attempt to name every so-called Christian church or denomination, but rather to give you an overview of some of the more common churches. The cults and free-will churches are not given much coverage. They all preach a false “free-will” gospel and so they should be avoided. The “reformed” churches and denominations are described in more detail since they are the only ones who have the correct/biblical view of God’s sovereignty, man’s depravity and the efficacy of the atonement of Christ.

Under the category of “Christian” churches you have:

CATHOLIC & CATHOLIC-LIKE:

Roman Catholic – The biggest Christian-like cult on the planet. This Church puts the word of the Pope above the Word of God – the Bible. They use the Catholic Catechism, papal edicts and writings of their Magisterium as their written authority superseding the Bible. The Catholic Church, also known as “the Church of Rome” is both a political as well as a religious organization with their own “city-state” (the Vatican) and their own ambassadors to most nations around the world. The claim to be the “one true Church” started by Jesus Christ yet they don’t even preach the true gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ and His merits alone.

Eastern Orthodox – Also known as Orthodox Catholic Church. Not much better theologically than the Roman Catholic church. They split off from the Roman Catholic Church in 1054, primarily over the authority of the pope.

CULTS & CULT-LIKE:

Seventh Day Adventist – This church is made up of people who prefer the teachings of William Miller and Ellen G White over the teachings of the Bible. Their preferred teachings are derived from Ellen White’s book “The Great Controversy”.

Mormon – also known as Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These folks prefer the teachings of Joseph Smith and his comrades (like Brigham Young) over and above the teachings of the Bible. Their preferred teachings are derived from the “Book Of Mormon” written by Mr. Smith.

Jehovah’s Witness – Their church buildings are called “kingdom halls”. They prefer the teachings of Charles Taze Russell over the teachings of the Bible. They’ve written their own bible (The New World Translation) to justify teaching doctrines that cannot be found in other Bibles.

Amish – This is primarily a religion one is born into. Its members have Swiss and German ancestors. They view baptism as entrance into church membership and adulthood more than a profession of faith. They are isolationists and don’t appear to practice evangelism. So what do they believe the gospel is? Good question. Because of their desire to live simple and primitive lives, the Amish actually split off from the Mennonites about 300 years ago.

Worldwide Church Of God – This cult was started by Herbert W Armstrong and its beliefs are referred to as Armstrongism.

PROTESTANT:

Protestant (or simply non-Catholic). Some churches in this large category do not consider themselves “Protestant” since their particular sect or denomination did not have its roots in the Protestant Reformation that began in Europe with Martin Luther in the 1500s. And in some cases the line from that 16th century religious movement to any particular church today may be a bit fuzzy.

Protestant denominations that are typically not pentecostal/charismatic:

Anglican – Arminian in doctrine. Very old Protestant denomination that broke away from the Catholic Church during the 16th century to become “the Church of England”. They are not a “Bible alone” denomination, basing their beliefs on the Bible PLUS church tradition and writings of the “church fathers”.

Church Of Christ – Most in this denomination believe that water baptism is actually necessary to acquire salvation, and not a sign of allegiance to Christ and His body (the Church) performed by a saved person.

Church Of The Brethren

Church Of The Nazarene – Yet another church with an Arminian gospel and a church that has its roots in the Holiness Movement.

Christian and Missionary Alliance – Arminian in doctrine

Episcopal – Arminian and very liberal in all their various branches.

Lutheran – Two man branches are: 1. the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America (ELCA) and 2. the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Both are off-base on salvation and the ELCA is extremely liberal with their practice of ordaining sodomites.

Mennonite – Mennonite churches tend to be very conservative in lifestyle but Arminian (unbiblical) in their view of salvation. While there is a variety of beliefs and lifestyles among Mennonites, some branches are almost identical to the Amish, shunning modern conveniences such as cars and electronics.

Methodist – Definitely preach a false “free-will” gospel. Started by a believer in Arminianism named John Wesley.

Quakers (a.k.a. the Religious Society of Friends) – These people, like Pentecostals, have the dangerous belief in “continuous revelation” rather than the view that the Bible is the final authority for the believer in Christ. Although, like the Pentecostals, they may say that any new revelations will not contradict the Bible or will be about things outside of the Bible.

Sovereign Grace churches: These folks are strong believers in Calvinism and very outspoken against Arminianism. They usually do not fellowship with other churches unless they are very like-minded with respect to the Doctrines Of Grace. The leaders of these churches post most of their sermons and Bible messages at this website: Freegraceradio.com

Sovereign Grace Ministries – this new group is both Calvinistic and charismatic although I don’t believe they are as loony as the Pentecostal churches regarding “gifts of the Spirit”. As with any group that seems to have sprouted up out of nowhere overnight, this group is not without its problems (See: http://sgmsurvivors.com)

Unitarian – These folks do not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ.

Baptist: (usually independent of other Baptist churches)

Free-will Baptist (this can include various flavors of Baptist churches)

Reformed Baptist – these generally believe in the Biblical view of God, man and salvation as summarized in Calvinism and so they tend to be much more doctrinally sound than most other Baptist denominations/branches, especially regarding salvation and the sovereignty of God. Reformed Baptist beliefs usually coincide with the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. However, many Reformed Baptist preachers tend to avoid telling Arminian preachers that they are preaching a false “free-will” gospel. Which is why I prefer the preaching of most Sovereign Grace preachers who tend to be less afraid of “telling it like it is”, even if it means alienating free-will preachers, who don’t like to be told that they are promulgating a false gospel. Reformed Baptists tend to have independent churches are are loosely/informally affiliated with other Reformed Baptist churches. Like almost every other Baptist denomination, Reformed Baptists believe water baptism is by immersion and is for “believers” only… those who have been born-again – “born from above” by the Holy Spirit.

Presbyterian:

Free Presbyterian Church Of Scotland – Very conservative and puritanistic. They are Reformed/Calvinistic and sing only the Psalms, though they actually use altered versions of the Psalms that have been rewritten to rhyme (known as the Scottish Psalter of 1650). A well organized version of this psalter can be found online here: http://www.cgmusic.org/workshop/smp_frame.htm

OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) – These folks are reformed/Calvinistic. The denomination’s website can be found here: http://opc.org/ Their theology regarding God, man, and salvation is very similar to the Reformed Baptists. They do however believe in baptizing infants, unlike the Reformed Baptists.

PCA (Presbyterian Church In America) – This branch of Presbyterian Church is more conservative than the PCUSA branch. However, it is not recommended since their churches are not necessarily reformed in their teachings nowadays. The denomination’s website can be found here: http://www.pcanet.org/ On This site is a “sinner’s prayer” which is a modern day misleading addition to the Gospel that leads people to think that Salvation depends on them accepting Christ rather than Christ accepting them as the Bible teaches.

PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA) – This Presbyterian branch is very liberal and allows sodomites in leadership. The denomination’s website can be found here: http://www.pcusa.org/

Presbyterian Reformed Church – Reformed and very conservative. Similar to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

Various non-Pentecostal non-denominational

Many churches call themselves non-denominational. They are typically independent, not having any “sister” churches that share their exact views on doctrine or church practice.

Protestant denominations that are pentecostal/charismatic:

Assembly Of God – They have an Arminian (free-will) gospel and are preoccupied with signs and wonders. They get most of their doctrine from a publishing house in the state of Missouri which is probably why their bad doctrine never gets reformed (purged from their ranks).

Various Apostolic churches

Various “full gospel” or “spirit filled” churches – Their use of the term “full gospel” is an insult to the completed work of Christ who “saves sinners to the uttermost” and to Scripture which states that we are “complete in Christ”, without any need for the so-called “second work of grace” (i.e. speaking in tongues) that these apostate churches say we need.

Various non-denominational churches that adhere to signs, wonders, tongues speaking as well as any other extra-biblical dreams, visions and utterances.

All these Pentecostal churches are to be avoided, as they elevate experiences, dreams, visions, “tongues” experiences, etc. above scripture. People who love emotional experiences are drawn to these kinds of churches, especially people who are not saved and who don’t like to work too hard at studying the Bible.

SUMMARY:

Of all of the above “Christian” churches, most of them are extremely unbiblical except perhaps for some of the Reformed/Calvinistic churches. By “reformed” I mean, they teach the Doctrines of Grace (also known as the 5 points of Calvinism). However, even the majority of these churches hold onto an unbiblical clergy/laity system that gives preeminence to certain members of the congregation (i.e. the clergy) whose status should be equal to all other members of the congregation, even if their roles are different. See our articles on “doing church” for more information.

The “reformed” churches vary in their levels of strictness and conformance to scripture, primarily with respect to the Sovereign Grace churches are inclined to not associate/fellowship with non-Calvinists and more inclined to consider people as unsaved if they do not adhere to the doctrines of grace (i.e. Calvinism). Also, Sovereign Grace churches do not like to be called or considered “reformed”. The group of reformed Presbyterians, known as “covenanters” (such as the Puritan Reformed Church Of Edmonton) are perhaps the strictest of all reformed churches, and do not believe in the use of instruments in worship/singing, do not believe in associating with those outside their own sect, and do not believe in sharing communion with people outside their sect either. Needless to say, they are as rare as hen’s teeth, though they do claim to be most faithful to the beliefs and practices of the Puritans.

So which church has cornered the market on truth? Well, I would say that all the reformed churches mentioned in the preceding paragraph have their strengths. I would also say that in some areas their strictness borders on legalism, though it depends on the attitude of the heart… are they of this mind regarding their doctrine:

Luke 18:11 – “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”

or of this mind:

Luke 18:13 – “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

WATCH OUT FOR THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT!

Many churches today are ecumenical, meaning they are unequally yoked with unbelievers in various interdenominational ministries. This unequal yoke causes biblical truth to be sacrificed on the altar of “unity”. See the article: “Warnings About Ecumenicalism” for more information on this issue.

POPULAR INTERDENOMINATIONAL MINISTRIES:

Prison Fellowship (promotes the false “free-will” gospel)
Campus Crusade For Christ (promotes the false “free-will” gospel)

OUR RECOMMENDATION:

We recommend getting involved in a house church according to the biblical patterns laid out in the New Testament if you can find such a church. Also, pray about starting your own house church if you know enough like-minded believers (including folks with a gift of hospitality – to host the church). If you think you must go to a conventional church, check out “Sovereign Grace Churches” if any are nearby or Reformed Baptist churches, Orthodox Presbyterian churches, or “reformed” Brethren churches.

Why Are There So Many Protestant Denominations?

There are many reasons why there are so many Christian churches. We will look at several of those reasons here.

I. Things that differentiate true Christian churches:

Different methods of interpreting the Bible (sola scriptural, historical, etc.) (1Cor 2:13)

Different interpretations of doctrine (2Pet 1:20)

Different views on the importance of biblical doctrine versus extra-biblical tradition (2Thes 2:15, 2Thes 3:6)

Different styles of worship service (1Cor 11:1-2)

Different racial, age, economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds (Gal 3:28)

Different personalities of church leaders (1Cor 1:12-13)

II. Some major doctrinal differences that separate churches from each other:

Opinions of what the Gospel is (i.e. Some have a false free-will gospel. Some have the true Gospel of salvation by grace alone.)

Views about the nature of God (Some correctly believe that God is Sovereign and He alone chooses individuals for salvation based solely upon whom Christ suffered and died for at Calvary. Some wrongly believe God loves everybody and He wants to save everybody but He is unable to do so because it is up to the sinner to accept Christ and so they believe that the sinner’s choice gets him or her saved.)

Methods of water Baptism (sprinkling, pouring, total immersion)

Views on eternal security (assurance of salvation – can you lose your salvation?)

Interpretations of the gifts of the Spirit (‘sign’ gifts such as speaking in tongues, miraculous healings, prophecy)

The importance of traditions (both biblical and extra-biblical)

End-time prophecy (rapture timing, millennialism, etc.)

Right doctrine but wrong practice (not practicing what they are preaching)

Structure of leadership (multiple-elder run, pastor run, congregation run)

Format of church meetings (highly structured, run by a select few, very informal, everyone participates)

The condition of man and the doctrines of Grace (i.e. Does man have a ‘free’ will?, Did Christ die for everyone?, Is man totally depraved?, Can man resist God and His grace?)

Bible versions and views on the preservation and inerrancy of God’s word

Views on who can receive communion (members only, etc.)

Views on the role of women in the church (with respect to authority over men)

III. Why then do true Christian churches differ?