RISE OF CATHOLICISM AND DENOMINATIONALISM

RISE OF CATHOLICISM AND DENOMINATIONALISM
By Leroy Brownlow

The Lord established his church a little more than 1900 years ago. This sacred institution remained pure and uncorrupted for a time. Then the predicted apostasy began to be fulfilled (Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thes. 2:1-4; 1 Tim. 4:1-3). The commandments and inventions of men led to the gradual development of the Roman Catholic Church. At a later date men tried to reform the Catholic
Church, but their efforts only resulted in the establishment of more man-made churches. Their efforts gave birth to denominationalism with its hundreds of contradictory doctrines. All historians know that denominationalism is the offspring of Catholicism. However, the church founded by Jesus and the apostles in the first century was neither the Roman Catholic Church nor the Protestant Church, but was Christ's church, the true church. Members were neither Catholics nor Protestants, but were Christians.

DENOMINATIONALISM VS. UNDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIANITY
 
Many bodies or churches             One body or church (Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 12:20)

Founded by men                           Founded by Christ (Matt. 16:18)

Human heads                                Christ the head (Eph. 1:22, 23)

Human creeds                               Bible as only creed (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)

Wear human names                      Wear the name Christian (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16)

Follow men                                     Following men is condemned (1 Cor. 1:10-13)

Membership is no salvation            Membership in the church essential to salvation (Eph. 5:23)

Rewrite creeds every few years      Bible remains the same (Matt. 24:35)

Many faiths                                     One faith (Eph. 4:5)

Many baptisms                               One baptism (Eph. 4:5)

Join churches                                 
God adds to the church (Acts 2:47)