Each guy that founded a church, why did he? And on what authority?

Question

I can understand that Jesus founded a church, presumably cause he had the authority; but after his time, there came others who founded churches.
Can you pick one and tell me why, and on what authority did he do it? It better be good. I may be a troll, but I can spot phoney baloney.

Answer 1

A philosopher asked Buddha: `Without words, without the wordless, will you you tell me truth?'

The Buddha kept silence.

The philosopher bowed and thanked the Buddha, saying: `With your loving kindness I have cleared away my delusions and entered the true path.'

After the philosopher had gone, Ananda asked the Buddha what he had attained.

The Buddha replied, `A good horse runs even at the shadow of the whip.'

Mumon's Comment: Ananda was the disciple of the Buddha. Even so, his opinion did not surpass that of outsiders. I want to ask you monks: How much difference is there between disciples and outsiders?

To tread the sharp edge of a sword
To run on smooth-frozen ice,
One needs no footsteps to follow.
Walk over the cliffs with hands free.

Answer 2

Two men come to mind..

Martin Luther, he disagreed with many of the catholics views and practices after being a catholic priest himself. especially the paying for indulgence. How after he was excommunicated it wasn't him that stated Lutheranism. It's was a group of rich business men that saw an opportunity and took was views to form a church.

Of course the controversial Joseph Smith. He was looking for the correct church, knowing their could be only one. however he was never sure which was right. after reading the Bible he prayed and had a vision of God and Jesus telling him the true church would be restored through him. Depending on what you believe, he got his authority directly from Jesus. Note: he died defending his story to his last breath, unlike others.

You have a wonderful point though. Where is the correct authority? with out the correct authority how can you prove your right? good luck.

FYI, Jesus didn't start Catholicism. Where in the Bible does he appoint the next Pope and establish the guidelines of choosing the next one (as one example)? Sorry, original Roman Catholicism was start by Constantine out of fear of losing control of his empire.

Answer 3

Nobody had the authority. There is only ONE Church. The Creeds of the Early Fathers are clear: "ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC and APOSTOLIC."

Of that Church, Christ put His Apostles in Charge, with Peter being the First Amongst Equals.

Outside of the Apostolic Succession ("Jesus Breathed on His Disciples and said 'Receive ye the Holy Spirit' ") - there is no Church.

KATH = "according to" HOLOS = "the whole" - the Whole is One and indivisible.

Answer 4

Hey ya Troll, Jesus founded one church only and it is still here to this day, the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic church which has spawned many imitations but has never been overcome.
there have been many disillusioned folk who have gone off the deep end and started various sects but these are not nor can they ever be the true church of Christ.

Answer 5

That is a great question. This is why I am a Catholic.

Answer 6

The clinical term is SOCIOPATHY!!!