Christian Denominations!

"Christianity" includes hundreds of different denominations that disagree with one another in name, organization, doctrine, worship, and plan of salvation. Such a situation clearly constitutes division, not unity. Yet all the denominations claim to be Christian and to follow Jesus Christ.

John 17:20-23 - Jesus prayed for all who believe on Him to be one as He and His Father are one. Jesus, the Head of the church, prayed for unity. Denominations claim that He is their head, yet they practice division!

Divisions in the church are a result of sin. Ever since Babel, mankind has been cursed with a sectarian spirit. Even the church in C1 Corinth, under the influence of the blessed apostle himself was riven by sectarianism. You'd have thought they'd all unite as a body under such infallible Scriptural teaching, but no. "I am of Paul" cried some, "I am of Apollos" shouted others, and still others "I am of Cephas".

How does Paul deal with such sinful division? In chapter 1:10-28 he appeals for unity under the message of the gospel.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.(v10)

Yet later in the same epistle in verse 11:19, Paul concedes that divisions, sinful though they are, serve a purpose in the mysterious providence of God. These divisions serve to show "who have God's approval."

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 that no man should say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void. (1 Corinthians 1:14-17).

No Christian has perfect knowledge and understanding. If we did, we would be as God. We may be right or wrong in some of our beliefs and still be in fellowship with God and with one another. This does not mean we can be right or wrong about every belief or practice. God is clear about that. There are many divisions in the body of Christ because some believe that they must separate from everyone who does not believe exactly as they do. This is wrong and it must be corrected if there is ever going to be the unity in the body of Christ that Christ prayed for and that we are to endeavor to maintain. All Christians have a responsibility in this matter. We can either be working with those who promote unity in Christ or among those who cause division in the body of Christ. When we cause divisions we are to be pointed out and avoided (Rom. 16:17). When we promote division we are carnal and behaving like mere men (1 Cor. 3:3). Heresies (self-willed opinions that lead to division and the formation of sects) are listed as a work of the flesh that precludes one from inheriting the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). Titus, a New Testament evangelist was instructed to reject a divisive person after the first and second admonition (Titus 3:10).

God purposed in Himself to gather together in one, all things in Christ (Eph. 1:9,10). Jesus Christ prayed that all who would believe in Him would be one with God, one with Him and one with one another (John 17:20-22).

 The apostles pleaded with the church in the city of Corinth to all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among them (1 Cor. 1:10). The apostles also made a plea for the church in Ephesus to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one God, one Lord, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one body and one hope (Eph. 4:3,4). In order to be one with God and one with Christ we must be willing to believe in and practice the teaching of Jesus Christ. He is the only way to God (John 14:6; the only Savior (Acts 4:12) and the one Mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5). As Christians, we are required to accept the "essential" doctrine of Christ. "Essential doctrine" would include whatever Jesus and the apostles equated with (made equal to) salvation and stated as commands, charges, orders, mandatory and/or exclusionary.

Founders and dates of some Churches!

* 30 A.D., The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:18, John 19:34, Acts 2:1-4, 1Timothy 3:15
* 1521, Martin Luther started Protestantism by forming the Lutherans, when he broke away from the One True Church that had already existed for almost 15 centuries.
* 1521, Thomas Munser, a Catholic priest, started Anabaptists in the same year that Luther broke away. Protestantism started splitting within itself immediately. By 1600 there were 100 splits. By 1900 there were 1000, and today there are over 36,400. Where is the One Fold (John 10:16)?
* 1525, Mennonites started by Grebel, Mantz, and Blaurock in Switzerland.
* 1534, Henry VIII started the Church of England (Anglican).
* 1536, John Calvin, teaching predestination, formed the Calvinists.
* 1560, John Knox, who studied under Luther, started Presbyterians.
* 1582, Congregationalists started by Rob Brown, as a branch from Puritanism.
* 1609, John Smyth formed the Baptists in Holland.
* 1639, Roger Williams started the Baptists in America. They have since splintered severely.
* 1647, George Fox started the Quakers in England.
* 1739, John and Charles Wesley started the Methodists.
* 1770, Universalists were started by John Murray in New Jersey.
* 1774, Theophilus Lindley started Unitarians.
* 1789, Samuel Seabury started Episcopalians.
* 1793 to 1809, the Churches of Christ had four separate founders.
* 1803, Evangelicals were founded by Jacob Albright in Pennsylvania.
* 1830, Joseph Smith founded the Mormons in Palmyra New York.
* 1860, William Miller, a farmer, started the Adventists.
* 1863, Ellen Gould White started the Seventh-Day Adventists.
* 1865, William Booth started The Salvation Army.
* 1879, Mary Baker Eddy started Christian Scientists.
* 1879, Charles Russell started the Jehovah's Witnesses.
* 1875, New Age was started by Helena Blavatsky. *COL 2:8
* 1895, French Abbe, Alfred Loisy and English Jesuit, George Tyrrell started Modernism.
Modernism was condemned by Pope Saint Pius X in 1907.
* 1901, Pentecostalism was started in the United States.
* 1914, Felix Manalo started Iglesia ni Cristo.
* 1914, Assembly of GOD was started by a General Assembly in Arkansas.
* 1919, Church of the Nazarene was started by a Union at a General Assembly.
* 1930, Independent Churches of America (IFCA), a consortium of churches .
* 1934, Evangelical Reformed was started by Union at a General Assembly.
* 1952, L. Ron Hubbard started the Church of Scientology.
* 1965, Chuck Smith began Calvary Chapel.
* 1968, Disciples of Christ, separated from the Churches of Christ.
* 1974, Ken Gullickson started the Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
* Pentecostal Gospel, and other splinter Pentecostal groups, are some of the hundreds of new sects founded by mere men in the 20th century.
"Has Christ been divided up?" 1Corinthians 1:13
"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it." Psalms 127:1

why do catholics have a Priest when there is a High Priest Jesus ?

Although Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and man, there are many subordinate mediators who are good and acceptable to God our Savior. Because God is our Father and we are His children, God invites us to participate in Christ's role as mediator. God allows us to participate in His work, not because He needs our help, but because He loves us and wants to exalt us in His Son. It is like the father who lets his child join him in carrying the groceries in the house. The father does not need help, but he invites the child to assist to raise up the child in dignity and love.
I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human (1 Tim 2:1-5)
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:4-5)
And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. (2 Cor 5:18-6:1)
Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. (James 5:14-16)

The parish Priest is ordained as a priest unto the priestly people of God, and so delegated by the Bishop as Chief Shepherd/Pastor of the Diocese, all under Jesus Christ the Great High Priest.

A High Priest is the priest above the other priests; if there are no other priests, then there could be no High Priest. The fact that are priests makes him the High Priest. The New Testament also mentions the priests of The Church.

The three offices of the Old Testament priesthood are: (1). high priest – Aaron (Ex. 28:1); (2). Ministerial priests – Aaron’s sons (Ex. 19:6; 28:1); and (3). Universal priests – Israel (Ex. 19:6). The New Testament priesthood also has three offices: (1) High Priest – Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:1); (2) Ministerial priests – the ordained bishops and priests (Rom. 15:16; 1 Tim. 3:1,8; 5:17; Titus 1:7); and (3) Universal priests - all the baptized (1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6).

We will look at both, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
We know God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...
Exodus 19:6 "but you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."
...therefore, priests yesterday, priests today, priests tomorrow.
God teaches Moses how to pass on the rights of priesthood and leadership. He appointed Josue to succeed Moses with the ceremony of THE LAYING ON OF HANDS.
Numbers 27:18-20, "Yahweh answered Moses, "Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man in whom the Spirit dwells, and lay your hands on him. Then bring him before Eleazar, the priest, and the whole community, to instruct him in their presence and to give him a share of your authority, so that the whole community of the sons of Israel may obey him.
Deutoronomy 34:9, "But Joshua, son of Nun, was full of the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands upon him. The children of Israel obeyed him and did as Yahweh had commanded Moses."
We see this ceremony repeated in the NT numerous times. These are some of them:

Acts 6:6, "They presented these men to the apostles who first prayed over them and then laid hands upon them."
Acts 8:17, "So Peter and John laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
Acts 9:17, "So Ananias left and went to the house. He laid his hands upon Saul and said, 'Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me to you so that you may receive your sight and be filled with Holy Spirit'."
1 Thimoty 4:14, "Do not neglect the spiritual gift conferred on you with prophetic words when the elders laid their hands upon you."
Clearly we see in the NT how the new priests are ordained... just like in the OT!
Paul confirms the Church has priests...
Philippians 1:1, "From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to the saints in Philippi, with their bishops and deacons.
In the OT God tells us that there will be new priests because He made void the covenant of the Levi priests.

Malachi 2:8 "But you, says Yahweh of hosts, have strayed from my way, and moreover caused many to stumble because of your teaching. You have broken my covenant with Levi."
Once again Paul confirms it...
Hebrew 7:11-12, "The institutions of the chosen people are founded upon the Levitical priesthood, but with it they could not attain what is perfect and permanent. If that were possible, why would there be need of another priest after the order of Melchizedek instead of Aaron's? If there is a change in the priesthood, the Law also has to be changed. Thus the Levitical priesthood will be replaced by the everlasting priesthood of the order of Melchisedech."

God had prophesied through Isaiah that He would give castrated men (celibate priests) a new name, a new place, a new and everlasting name; that strangers would worship God in a NEW HOUSE, an altar of SACRIFICE that will be pleasing to God, a HOUSE OF PRAYER, and NEW PRIESTS for ALL THE NATIONS:
Isaiah 56:4-8, "For this is what Yahweh says: To the castrated men who keep my sabbaths, who choose to do what pleases me and remain faithful to my covenant: I will give them in my house and within its walls, a memorial and a name that are worth more than sons and daughters; I will give them a name that will never die away or be forgotten. Yahweh says to the foreigners who join him, serving him and loving his name, keeping his sabbath unprofaned and remaining faithful to his covenant: I will bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. I will accept on my altar their burnt offerings and sacrifices, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations. Thus says the Lord God, Yahweh, who gathers the exiles of Israel: There are others I will gather besides those already gathered."
Haggai 2:9, "Great shall be the glory of this LAST HOUSE of God with humility."
The Catholic Church is God's Last House, founded by Jesus in the first century, a house filled with Priests.

Jesus would not be a priest according to the Old Covenant because he did not have a Levitical geneology. Yes the priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek refers perfectly to Jesus, but it also refers to NT priests. While I hear what you are saying about eventual death, your logic is flawed.
There are two issues concerning being a "priest forever." The first is the term limits applied to Levitical priests. There ministry began at 30 and ended at 50 (Num 4:3, 43). There was no such age restriction in force during pre-Levitical times. In other words they exercised their priesthood for as long as they lived. This is true of Jesus and priests in the NT.

Concerning infirmities and eventual death, Jesus died! Of course he rose and ascended to heaven, and inturn opened up the possibility of everlasting life to us all. I'm not saying all priests necessarily go to heaven, but they are represented as living in heaven (Rev. 4:4, 5:14; 11:16, 14:3, 19:4). So you can't argue NT priests would not qualify.
As far as sacrificial priesthood in the NT, Bishops and elders have to fall into that category in order to be ministers of the Gospel and Christ's Church. Otherwise they wouldn't be "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:20a) Regardless whether you believe in the real presence or not Jesus offered a sacrifice of bread and wine, like Melchizedek at the last supper (Mt 26:26-28; Mark. 14:22,24; Luke 22;19-20). Jesus told them to do the same and necessary said they should offer the same sacrifice (however you understand it). Paul affirms this and directly correlates it to sacrifice.

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. Look at Israel according to the flesh; are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? So what am I saying? That meat sacrificed to idols is anything? Or that an idol is anything? No, I mean that what they sacrifice, (they sacrifice) to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to become participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons. (1 Cor 10:16-21)
Making a distinction between the ministerial or universal priesthood is an issue I don't have time to talk about right now. Regardless, the NT testament mentions a sacrificial priesthood.

How to Find the True Church?

Use this guideline as a measure...
*It was founded by Jesus Christ Himself in Mt 16:18.
*It would be built on Simon Peter, Mt 16:18.
*It would be defended by GOD Himself, Mt 16:18-19.
*It would have authority given by Jesus Christ, Mt 16:19,18:17-18.
*It would be guided by the Holy Spirit who will dwell within it, Jn 14:15-17, Act 15:28,16:6.
*It would be one and undivided, Mk 3:24-25.
*It would have one fold and one shepherd, Jn 10:16.
*It would have Priests, Bishops, and Deacons, 1Tim 3:1-13.
*It must have the Holy Eucharist celebration, Jn 6:42-70, Act 2:42.
*It must be found in all nations, Mt 28:19.
*It must be found in all centuries, Mt 28:20.
*Jesus Christ said He would be with His Church every day, in every year, until the end of the world, Mt 28:20. This means no gaps in time.
Examine your Church to see if it meets ALL of these requirements.
It must NOT have a human person founder.
It must have a continuous history going back over 1950 years.

96 Reasons to be Catholic Christian!

1. Catholic Church was prefigured by Old Testament prophets.
2. Catholic Church has a Holy Founder in Jesus Christ.
3. Catholic Church was built upon the Rock of Peter and the foundation of the Apostles.
4. God guaranteed that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against it.
5. Jesus Christ said it would last forever, as He would be with it always.
6. Therefore it can be found in every day, in every century, from the time He said it.
7. Jesus Christ left His legacy, the Kingdom of GOD, His Church, to the care of the Apostles.
8. Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit. Acts 15:28
9.Catholic Church is a living Church.
10. Catholic Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
11. Catholic Church can neither be confused nor separated from its head.
12. The thread of the Church is woven throughout Holy Scripture.
Catholic Church is a Christ based Church, whereas the Bible is Catholic Church based.
13. Catholic Church has all of the pieces to the puzzle.
14. Catholic Church is indefectible. Ephesians 5:27
15.Catholic Church is The Bride of Christ.
16. Catholic Church is infallible in matters of faith and morals since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
17. Catholic Church is infallible in its teaching of Holy Scripture since it is guided by the Holy Spirit.
18. Catholic Church fits the blueprint laid out for it in Holy Scripture.
19. Catholic Church is a visible Church that could not be hidden.
20. Jesus Christ would be the invisible head and we, the body of His Church.
21. His Church would cover the earth. Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8.
22. GOD appointed a visible Father Figure to shepherd His flock on earth, as He had always done.
23. Catholic Church is the Pillar and the Foundation of Truth. 1Timothy 3:15
24.Catholic Church alone has the fullness of truth.
25. GOD’s Church would have an hierarchal form of government.
26. GOD’s Church would have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons within it.
27. Catholic Church has a system of Apostolic Succession in order to perpetuate the visible Church on earth.
28. Catholic Church is traceable through an unbroken line of Apostolic Succession all the way back to St. Peter.
29This unbroken line is shown in secular encyclopedias as well as Catholic archives.
30. Catholic Church has a succession of truth in teaching all the way from 31.Jesus Christ down to present day Bishops.
32. Catholic Church is almost 1500 years older than the oldest Protestant church.
33. Catholic Church has the authority to abolish or enforce rules of conduct, through binding and loosing.
34. Catholic Church has the authority to forgive or to retain sins, through binding and loosing. John 20:21-23
35.Catholic Church teaches that we are not automatically saved, but our salvation depends upon us as well.
36. Catholic Church has the authority to form Councils when needed, in order to settle the issues that arise. Acts 15
37.Catholic Church was given the authority to decide the Canons of both the Old and New Testaments of Scripture.
38. Catholic Church decided the Canon of both testaments by infallible decision of several Councils.
39. Catholic Church more finely develops revealed public revelation.
40. Catholic Church does not twist Scripture to conform to its teachings. It conforms its teaching to Scripture.
41. Catholic Church has faithfully copied and preserved Holy Scripture down through the ages.
42. Catholic Church has known that The Word was Heard and not Read by the masses before the printing press.
43. Catholic Church has the final authority. Matthew 18:15-18
44.Catholic Church holds many traditions which are followed by Catholics and Protestants alike.
45. Catholic Church is an "And" Church, not "Or".
46. Catholic Church is a teaching Church as commanded by Holy Scripture.
47. Catholic Church is consistent in its teaching and does not 'flip-flop' as do other churches for the whims of people.
48. Catholic Church faithfully feeds the sheep as commanded by Jesus Christ.
49. Catholic Church is rock solid and unchanging in its teaching.
50. Catholic Church stands upon a solid three legged stool, of Scripture, of Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium.
51. Catholic Church is the guardian of both Sacred Scripture and of Sacred Tradition.
52. Catholic Church has the True Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Matthew 26:26
53.The Apostles knew that the truth was in Jesus Christ and in His one true Church.
54. Catholic Church has Eucharistic Adoration.
55. Catholic Church offers a clean oblation around the world and around the clock, in the Holy Mass. Malachi 1:11
56.In every minute of every day, a Mass is being celebrated somewhere.
57. Catholic Church venerates Christ on the Cross as a sacrifice and not just a plain cross devoid of Christ.
58. Catholic Church preaches the Gospel to the whole world. Matthew 24:14
59.Catholic Church has produced many thousands of Holy Saints.
60. The Church venerates the Mother of GOD. Luke 1:26-56
61.The Church venerates the Saints who have done so much for it.
62. The Mother of GOD is also the Mother of the Church. John 19:26-27
63.Catholic Church has all seven Sacraments.
64. Catholic Church treats marriage as a Sacrament.
65. Catholic Church has an annulment procedure.
66. Catholic Church has many varied Devotions.
67. Catholic Church can be found by its name, the Catholic Church, in thousands of early writings.
68. Catholic Church can be shown from these same writings that it is the same Church which Jesus Christ founded.
69. Catholic Church houses the remains of all of the Apostles and Gospel writers.
70. Catholic Church is the New Jerusalem.
71. Catholic Church is our Mother Church.
72. Catholic Church has withstood the ravages of thousands of detractors and heretics from its very foundation.
73. Catholic Church has performed many successful exorcisms.
74. Catholic Church is unbending and unmovable in its pro-life stance.
75. Catholic Church has scores of separate services of help. 1Corinthians 12:28
76.Catholic Church preaches the Word of GOD to the entire world through E.W.T.N. and other resources.
77. Catholic Church tries to unite all of Christianity into one fold.
78. Catholic Church has incredible openness.
79. Catholic Church Has provided us with a comprehensive catechism.
80. Catholic Church has a vast influx of intellectuals.
81. Catholic Church has had a spectacular growth, with over one billion Catholics in the world now.
82. Catholic Church has the Holy Spirit dwelling within it.
83. Catholic Church has humbled itself by apologizing to GOD for the past sins of some of its members.
84. Catholic Church is the most outspoken advocate of morality on earth.
85. Catholic Church has issued so many beautiful Papal documents which are guidelines for the whole world.
86. Catholic Church has the largest collection of authentic Christian documents in the world in the Vatican archives.
87. Catholic Church is the last refuge for those who are persecuted.
88. Catholic Church is because the "Pillar and the foundation of truth" has said so.
89. Catholic Church is because common sense tells us so.
90. Catholic Church is the undisputed leader of Christianity in the world.
91. Catholic Church is its own City-State, and is represented in the United Nations. Acts 1:8
92.When Rome speaks, the whole world listens.
93. Catholic Church is the only Christian Church which proclaims Jubilee years.
94. Circumstantial evidence points to the Catholic Church and only the Catholic Church.
95. The Catholic Church hears and listens carefully to Jesus Christ, her founder.
96. Catholic Church always has what the world is lacking.