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Why Are There So Many Christian Religions?

Why are there so many "Christian" religions? People claim to be Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Presbyterians, etc. Their teachings and practices sometimes seem to be as varied as their names, yet all consider themselves "Christian." It just does not seem right. Shouldn't people from all these groups have common ground in Jesus Christ, since they all bear the name "Christian"? Why is there so much discrepancy and variation—and even strife—between them?

We should first understand that people are not Christians, according to the Bible's definition, simply because they go to a particular church. News articles often promote this idea when they casually refer to people from certain churches as "Christians." This is no more true than the idea that going to an Italian restaurant makes you Italian. The article titled, "What is the Gospel" explains what a true Christian is.

Distinctions That Should Be Made

After the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the apostle Paul traveled to many places telling the gospel (the good news) of Jesus Christ. It was a message both simple and profound, proclaiming that the Son of God came to earth as a man to die for the sins of mankind, and that by believing in Him we are forgiven of our sins and given peace with God. Paul spoke with assurance that we who receive this salvation can know we are new creations, destined for eternity with God in glory. As he met with local church gatherings, Paul also warned about error that would come among them. He said:

"I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." Acts 20:29

In another place Paul spoke very plainly about those who would distort the gospel,

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9

These are strong words, but God has established only one way for man to be saved from his sin. He will not change His mind and make other ways. The gospel is not to be altered in any way. To change it is to lead people astray from the truth. Therefore, the primary question when considering all these "Christian" churches is, "What do they teach concerning how to get to heaven?" This is also what we mean by "How to be saved." If the teaching is not in agreement with the Bible, then it is a different gospel. The churches which propagate it are not truly Christian churches. They may claim to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for the sins of the world—which is entirely true!. At the same time they may also believe that a person must do certain works to earn a place in God's heaven. The latter is contrary to God's Word and is man's invention! Those who teach this mix a lie with the truth and create a dangerous teaching that sounds credible. It is a false gospel. There are many churches like this, and we would say boldly that such are not according to the truth of the Bible, and are not really Christian churches. They may name the name of Jesus Christ, but they do not know Him. This is one of the reasons why there are so many "Christian" religions. Many of them simply should not be called Christian in the first place.

Some of these may have taught the truth at one time. But sadly, as men depart from accepting the authority of the scriptures, they begin to deny one doctrine after another until all that remains is a mere system of man-made religion. When men say, "The Bible may say such and such, but I think..." it is clear that truth is being sacrificed and man's ideas have been elevated above God's Word. Christ said in accusation against the Pharisees (the religious leaders of His day),

"You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me.' 'But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts (or rules) of men.'" Matthew 15:7-9

Sadly, this denunciation applies to many today.

Distinctions That Should Not Be Made

There is another reason why there are many Christian religions. Among the churches that do teach the true gospel, men have created divisions where none should exist. Since God has instructed us concerning how to be saved through faith in His Son, we should not be surprised that God also instructs us in the way we are to live, and how the local church is to function. When man adds his own ideas, however, the result is division because of issues like:

• Other teachings not related to salvation
• How the worship is conducted
• What type of music is used
• Methods of church government
• Methods of baptism
• Which translation of the Bible is used

On the night our Lord was about to be taken to be crucified, he prayed for his disciples and for all who would believe through their testimony. You can read this in John chapter 17. One desire he mentioned several times is "… that they may be one, even as We are." He also asked, "… that they may be perfected in unity." The divisions among those who truly have received God's salvation though His Son, Jesus Christ, are not according to God's will. The Bible does not mention such names as the Baptist Church, the Evangelical Free Church, the Independent Fundamental Churches of America, or any others. It simply refers to the church. If all Christians truly took the Bible as the only guide for their beliefs and practices, then we would be more of one mind and would receive as fellow Christians those whom the Lord receives.

I have heard someone say, "We consider ourselves to be Christians first and Baptists second." Is it not scriptural to be simply Christians? Now as long as there are differences of practice or different emphases on particular teachings, it would seem somewhat helpful to identify such with a name. Yet this seems to be a poor solution—it highlights the differences among God's children when we should be growing closer to be of one mind.

Therefore, when a church is teaching the true way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, it is highly unfortunate that divisions exist—such schisms are not according to the Bible. They are confusing to anyone searching for a good church. This highlights the importance of measuring the qualities of every church by the Bible's standard.

One last thing ought to be said. Sometimes people find a particular Bible teacher or preacher to be a fine speaker, and knowledgeable about the scriptures. The danger is that they may drift into following this man instead of the Lord Jesus. They elevate this man inappropriately. This problem existed in the Corinthian church of the first century. The apostle Paul wrote to this church:

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." 1 Cor. 1:10-12

It was not right that God's people were dividing in this manner. As Paul went on to say, "Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas were merely men through whom they had believed. Christ was the object of their faith, and He is the one to be followed exclusively.

Conclusion

To fully answer the question "Why are there so many Christian religions?" we should also recognize that Satan is the great deceiver and often tries to turn God's plans around, promoting that which is opposite to the original design. As God desires his children to be of one mind, Satan desires to confuse and to divide them. If he can change the definition of "Christian" to include those who do not truly trust Christ for salvation, it helps his goals. If he can get true Christians to divide over small issues and split into many groups, this also achieves his purpose. Be discerning. Not all who are called Christians believe the one true gospel of faith in Jesus Christ. Do not follow any man. Do not blindly follow the teachings of any particular church. Rather, study the Bible and compare it in all ways to what is taught in a church. The Bible will never lead you into error.