The Church, Jesus Built VS 35,000+ Man Made Churches

[pmathew2011]

It is disturbing to note that there are around 35,000+ churches today, all claiming to be the one and only true church of Christ, and all claiming to be led by the Holy Spirit to build new churches all the time. The point to note is that all these 35,000+ churches contradict each others teachings too.
The Bible states that Jesus built one and only one church as in Mathew 16:18.
And Jesus our Lord said to Peter “And so I tell you, Peter,; you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.”
The Catholics don’t claim any man to have built our Church, unlike the 35,000+ man-made organizations!
I wonder under what authority these self proclaimed founders of the 35,000+ churches establish new churches in opposition to the ONE and ONLY church that our Lord JESUS built on PETER! Looks like the founders of these churches believe that both Jesus and His Word are outdated and have taken it upon themselves to keep coming up with newer versions of what they think a Church should look like. The leaders and members of these churches need to explain who is anti-Jesus and who is Unbiblical!

Another very important point to make, is regarding the Protestant belief of SOLA Scripture.

1. Which of the 35,000+ founders of these churches finds a mention in the BIBLE, and so we can safely infer that they are NOT TRUE CHURCHES!
2. And where in the Bible does Jesus command his apostles to build a church in opposition to the ONE and ONLY Church that He Himself BUILT?
   So by the virtue of their own teachings of ‘Scripture Alone’, we find that ONLY Peter, our first Pope and ONLY our Catholic Church, find a mention in the BIBLE!

 

[Joe_5859]

That “35,000” number is a little off. It includes a couple hundred "Catholic denominations because it counts the Catholic Church (and any other protestant denomination) separately for each country. (Thus, they list an Italian Catholic Church, and a French Catholic Church, etc.)

 

[Jim_Dandy]

That “35,000” number is a little off. It includes a couple hundred "Catholic denominations because it counts the Catholic Church (and any other protestant denomination) separately for each country. (Thus, they list an Italian Catholic Church, and a French Catholic Church, etc.)

No matter how the number is calculated, it is absolute fact that there are thousands of Protestant denominations worldwide, and the number grows every day. All are based on the same incomplete 66-book Bible cut by Martin Luther, yet no two of them agree about what the Bible means.

 

[ChrisRedfield47]

40,000 according to EWTN. 5 are created every week…

 

[Luvtosew]

Well then more peole are becoming Christian, a good thing.

 

[Carlan]

I wonder under what authority these self proclaimed founders of the 35,000+ churches establish new churches in opposition to the ONE and ONLY church that our Lord JESUS built on PETER!
Looks like the founders of these churches believe that both Jesus and His Word are outdated and have taken it upon themselves to keep coming up with newer versions of what they think a Church should look like. The leaders and members of these churches need to explain who is anti-Jesus and who is Unbiblical!

The many thousand Denominations stemmed from the disobedience of the so called reformers. They opened up the present can of worms(dissenters)
All of these Denominations go by the authority of their own particular Church Pope, usually their present pastor.
Peace, Carlan

 

[Phyllo]

What I find more disturbing is a Catholic pastor honoring these Protestant churches by having an ecumenical meeting. In this meeting he was saying that it is the HS that is leading all these churches. I don’t really think that the HS wants to see Jesus body fractured in thousands of pieces.

There was a woman “priest” there that called herself mother. I am not sure but I think she was Angelica. I asked her why she left the true church. Her answer, because I wanted to be a priest. To me that was a slap in Jesus face and the pastor of this parish was applauding her.

I didn’t stay until the end of the meeting because by that time I was ready to explode.

I wrote that pastor a 3 page letter and he never replied.

What a surprise!!!

 

[ConstantineTG]

That “35,000” number is a little off. It includes a couple hundred "Catholic denominations because it counts the Catholic Church (and any other protestant denomination) separately for each country. (Thus, they list an Italian Catholic Church, and a French Catholic Church, etc.)

I wouldn’t say its off. There are many of these small groups of not more than a dozen people meeting in someone’s garage doing prayer groups, bible studies, etc. Although they do follow a similar formula with some Evangelical groups, they are not really affiliated with one another. Although some of them do seem to seamlessly move about from one to another.

 

[Lincoln7]

Hi all,

That “35,000” number is a little off. It includes a couple hundred "Catholic denominations because it counts the Catholic Church (and any other protestant denomination) separately for each country. (Thus, they list an Italian Catholic Church, and a French Catholic Church, etc.)

Thanks for the fair assessment, this number gets brought up a lot, it’s been soundly answered many times.

I see a discussion here about final authorities brewing…

Lincs

 

[Catholic4Christ]

It is disturbing to note that there are around 35,000+ churches today, all claiming to be the one and only true church of Christ, and all claiming to be led by the Holy Spirit to build new churches all the time.

I’m not trying to nitpick, but I’ve found that very few denominations of Christianity claim to be the “one and only true church of Christ.” For instance, most Protestants (including much of my family) will tell you that the “true Church” is the full community of Christian believers, regardless of denomination (though admittedly some select people will argue that Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Greek Orthodox, and/or certain other groups don’t count as “Christian Believers”). If I’m not mistaken, most denominations that claim to be the “one and only true church of Christ” are the apostolic Churches (Catholic, EO, OO, etc.) or Churches who place an apostolic claim (Anglican Communion, for instance).

It is a common misconception by many of us Catholics that every individual Reformed branch lays claim to being the One Church. We think everyone is like Reverend Lovejoy from the Simpsons: "Bart, we’re here to convert you back to the one true faith – the Western Branch of American Reform Presbylutheranism.” You’ll find that most Protestants don’t see it the same way that we do.

Again, I hate to nitpick, but it IS an important point to make.

 

[Thaelros]

Well then more peole are becoming Christian, a good thing.

Nope, it is not good at all. Is it morally permissible for us to allow this continual accidental miscontruity with the truth regarding Christ’s actions? They are truly only nominal Christians because they have changed the rules according to their liking.

 

[Lincoln7]

Greetings,

Nope, it is not good at all. Is it morally permissible for us to allow this continual accidental miscontruity with the truth regarding Christ’s actions? They are truly only nominal Christians because they have changed the rules according to their liking.

I’d say starting churches to bring people to faith in Christ is a good thing, we are merely carrying out the great commission.

Lincs

 

[Carlan]

Nope, it is not good at all. Is it morally permissible for us to allow this continual accidental miscontruity with the truth regarding Christ’s actions? They are truly only nominal Christians because they have changed the rules according to their liking.

They certainly have and do. Peace, Carlan

 

[Thaelros]

Greetings,

I’d say starting churches to bring people to faith in Christ is a good thing, we are merely carrying out the great commission.

Lincs

That is a valid point; however, it is too idealistic and not realistic, especially when some of these “churches” disparage the true Church, which inhibits the Protestant’s ability to make the best decision.

 

[Lincoln7]

Greetings Thaelros,

Disparaging the “true church” would mean we believe it to be so, obviously as a Protestant I do not. Where do we proceed from here? I see local communities, churches, being started all over the globe, to bring The Gospel to all nations. We know what to believe because we find it in scripture, as well as learning the missionary methods of the Apostles it reveals.

Can you clarify what is meant by “inhibits the Protestants ability to make the best decision” please? I am unsure what you mean by it. I am assuming you mean decision over what church to belong to?

Lincs

 

[rom422]

I’d say starting churches to bring people to faith in Christ is a good thing, we are merely carrying out the great commission.

The Great Commission is not to start new churches, but to make more converts to the One True Church.

 

[Thaelros]

Greetings Thaelros,

Disparaging the “true church” would mean we believe it to be so, obviously as a Protestant I do not. Where do we proceed from here? I see local communities, churches, being started all over the globe, to bring The Gospel to all nations. We know what to believe because we find it in scripture, as well as learning the missionary methods of the Apostles it reveals.

Can you clarify what is meant by “inhibits the Protestants ability to make the best decision” please? I am unsure what you mean by it. I am assuming you mean decision over what church to belong to?

Lincs

As an answer to your question, yes. As a bit of clarification, Protestantism is not completely wrong because of the good intention that many denominations have, but how far can that good intention take the Protestants? Personally I believe that the Protestants are lacking in the full truth; and, as a Catholic, I want what is best for all Christians–that becoming part of the Catholic Church.

 

[Lincoln7]

Greeting rom422,

Here we arrive at the main debate here; final authorities. My reading of scripture has not led to me view church in the way it is believed by Rome.

Lincs

 

[Lincoln7]

As an answer to your question, yes. As a bit of clarification, Protestantism is not completely wrong because of the good intention that many denominations have, but how far can that good intention take the Protestants? Personally I believe that the Protestants are lacking in the full truth; and, as a Catholic, I want what is best for all Christians–that becoming part of the Catholic Church.

Thanks for the clarification. In my above post I’ve highlighted what were really all discussing, or so I think!

Lincs

 

[Thaelros]

Greeting rom422,

Here we arrive at the main debate here; final authorities. My reading of scripture has not led to me view church in the way it is believed by Rome.

Lincs

Cool. Well according to scripture, what makes you think that the Roman Catholic Church is not the final authority regarding Christ’s teachings? Are you basing this off of just reading the New Testament? (By the way I may become slower in my responses.)