For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Steve Nearman
The scriptures say there is only one church, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one God and Father. Which faith is that? Which church is the one? Eph 4:4-6
What is a believer to do?… Well, if you ask any "church" they will all say "the Gospel of Christ is preached here, we are spreading the Gospel and glorifying God." But what does God’s word say? Should I join the "church" of my choice? No! God, himself, added me to His one and only church when saved and has set each of the members in the one body as it has pleased him. Act 2:47, 1Cor 12:12-27
Men's "churches" i.e. denotations, are "works of the flesh," they all come under the head of "variance." Gal 5:19-20. "For whereas there is among you (professing Christians) divisions, are ye not carnal, (fleshly) and walk as mere men? (in their old nature not the new man) 1Cor 3:3-4. The answer YES.
DO NOT be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? (no man-made church is free from hypocrites and unbelievers) And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore“COME OUT from among them And BE SEPARATE, says the Lord. Do not touch what is UNCLEAN, And I will receive you.” 2Cor 6:14-17.
Obedience to this plain command of our Lord will bring us to Him in our walk. We will not forsake the "assembling of ourselves together" but our gatherings will be always and only in His Name (Col 3:17, Phi 2:9) and with the organization of divine love and life.
If you find it quite a shock to learn that God calls your "church" an "idol", remember that "the whole world is under the sway of the wicked one." I Joh 5:19. True, denominations have a "form of godliness," but if you "prove all things," you will "know the truth and the truth will make you free." The whole secret of knowing the will of God is in humbling your heart and reading His Word. As the Lord Jesus Christ said, "Let these words sink down into your ears." Luk 9:44. Remember, "him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.." Jam 4:17.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ICor 1:10.
Joey Lopido
Kindly clarify the things that makes a true Christian Denomination / Church from a Christian sect. In our country thete are various Denominations all claim to be the true church. All believe in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, as Son of man and Son of God. All believe in God the Father as God. The differences are based on Jesus Christ as not God and the Holy Spirit is not also God.Another teach there are God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and need to pray to dead persons /saints. what is the true Church?
Ewald Lieske
Another major reason for denominations is language, nationality and evangelists.
Steve Nearman
Joey, there is no such thing as a "true Christian Denomination". You find the opposite in the scriptures. There is only one faith and one church authorized by God (Eph. 4:4-6). What the world presents as "Christian" churches, God’s word exposes them as counterfeits, men walking carnally in their devisions and heresies (1 Cor. 3:3-4). They may be saved children of God and have a form of godliness (2 Tim. 3:5) but do not obey (Luke 6:46) His plain commands to walk in love and unity with each other (1 John 3:11, 23; 1 Pet. 1:22; John 13:34, 15:12). Many walk in this error ignorantly.
If Paul was alive today his letter to Corinth may read something like this (1 Cor. 1:10-13): I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been told, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am a Baptist,” or “I am Lutheran,” or “I am Methodist,” or “I am Church of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Answer is NO. He continues: (1 Cor.3:1-3) I could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you milk not solid food; even now you are not able to receive it, even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. Where there is envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? Answer is YES.
Ed Smith
There are so many denominations because men have taken it upon themselves to start new churches. These churches have not been authorized by God. By whose authority have men started these churches? Jesus said He would build His church. I'm afraid that the following statement of Jesus may apply to those churches started by man: "But he answered and said, 'Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.'" (Matt. 15:13).
Marvin Reynolds
Interesting when you seek to understand why Denomination occured. Usually it was based on an agenda of the State that had a political or person desire. The formation of the Church of England was over the dispute of the King against the Pope when he wanted to divoice and marry another. End result was the ban on the Catholic Church and the change in England to Church of England with a new Pope.
Another was the Lutheran Church which most ASSUME Luther established it in Germany during his life time. Not Correct. It was formed AFTER he died as he remained a Catholic Preist till his death. It was by his contact with the Pope the ordered his assination that he was set free from the assination attempt. The doctrine of the two has changed quite a bit at this point but Luthern is a German creation not Rome.
Common factor is the issue of WHO ORDAINS the Priest or Pastors. All the ones based on Catholic traditions have a doctrine that says their MUST be ordained by one in the line of PETER. That makes a common tie of most Denominations we have other then Baptist types.
Steve Nearman
Marvin, a quote from Martin Luther.
"I pray you, leave my name alone, and do not call yourselves Lutherans, but Christians. Who is Luther? My doctrine is not mine! I have not been crucified for anyone. Saint Paul would not that anyone should call themselves of Paul, nor of Peter, but of Christ (1 Cor. 3). How then does it benefit me who am but miserable dust and ashes, to give my name to he children of Christ?"
"Cease, my dear friends, to cling to these party names and distinctions. Away with them all. Let us call ourselves Christians, after Him from whom our doctrine comes."
From "The Sin of Sectarianism"
http://chihuahua-pups.com/Bible/Sin_of_Sectarianism.pdf
A collection of quotes from main stream Christian leaders who express truth with their lips but do not walk in the truth they preach.
Is. 29:13; Mark 7:6; Matt. 15:8; Matt. 23:1-12