Christians-Why do you think there are so many different "sects" or "denominations"?

Question

If we all follow the same doctrine?
If we are set free in Christ, who are we to "label" ourselves as "Baptist", "Lutheran" or "Methodist" as if to appeal to the fact that we, who are all supposed to be united in ONE way are following so many different beliefs? Thereby separating ourselves? Because we do understand that each "denomination" teaches different things, or holds to the belief of some things strongly over another. Why is this so? Is the body of Christ separated? (In your opinion) And if you believe so, then, why? All denominations answers welcome.
Thank You

Answer 1

Because HUMANS want to twist the Truth of God into lies that fit THEIR personal/cultural biases.

If everyone insisted on NOT changing the Word to fit their own agendas, there would not be denominations.

Answer 2

Hi BLI,

I am a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. I don't believe that any denomination can save a person. "Only Jesus saves." I am concern about the departure from the word of God that I see throughout the body of Christ today. We need to take a strong stand against Immorality, Evolution and against those who claim to be in the faith but openly marginalize the word of God.

Not all denominations believe in the deity of Christ. Seventh-day Adventists strongly teach that Jesus is God. That we are saved through his vicarius death on the Cross for our sins. We pray in the name of Jesus. We believe in salvation through Christ and Christ alone. We also believe that we should keep his Commandments as he Commanded that his church should do. John 14:15. There must be a harmonious balance between grace and law.

John 3:16
1 John 1:9
Romans 3:31
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9
Ephesians 2:8,9
Revelation 3:20

Have faith dear friends in God.

Answer 3

It all depends on what you want to believe out of the Bible. Doctrine does divide. To believe what the Apostles taught is the doctrine of the first church. This is how God designed His church. This is the true doctrine. Satan has done a wonderful job of perverting this truth. The early church fathers were under constant battle with gnosis (man's limited knowledge) infecting the true gospel. We must be born again of the water and of the spirit, this is what Jesus Christ taught the apostles. St. Peter preached this on the Day of Pentecost which is the first day of the first church. We must believe that Jesus is the savior of the world, we must be baptized by immersion for the forgiveness of our sins, then we will receive the Holy Ghost which is another comforter and the Holy Ghost will lead us in all truth. If we don't have the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, we will have to rely on man's limited knowledge and different interpretations of the Holy Word of God, and we all know that there is only one interpretation of the scriptures and we need to be led by the Holy Ghost to get it. There is only one Gospel and the Apostles taught it. If what we believe doesn't line up with what the Apostles taught, then we are believing a lie.

Answer 4

That's something I've never really understood. Personally, I think it's because opinions are like buttholes (everyone has one, and everybody else's stinks) and, even when it comes to the teaching of the Gospel, people want to put their own spin on things. I don't believe in denominations.. I think it's nothing more than a label, and I think every church should have to put a big sign outside simply saying "CHURCH".. It would probably settle a lot of the problems in the church world today. I mean, everybody has their own ideas and opinions.. but, as Christians, aren't we all supposed to fellowship together and love one another, regardless?

Answer 5

Religion is nothing more than MAN'S view of God. This in itself is why there are so many variations or "denominations" of the truth! What's so strange about it all is that we're ALL going to have to give an account of "...every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God". Seeing as how the Scripture says that there is but "One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all who is above all, through all, and in you all", I wonder where we get off "slicing and dicing" the truth into all these different denominations and calling that the truth! We have to give an account for our lives against the ENTIRE standard of God's Word, yet somehow got it in our minds that only a few verses here and there are enough basis for what we believe? Personally, I believe that EVERY Christian denomination of Earth has PIECES of the truth that they teach and preach, but not all of it. The problem is that these pieces have been separated and diluted by our own interpretation/moral standpoints until it's become virtually IMPOSSIBLE to know the fullness of what God intended for us!

Answer 6

Actually the answer to your question is inside the bible itself.

In the book of Acts, you will see that Paul runs into this problem right away.

Paul attempts to address the problem of the people following Apollos, or Paul himself, or Peter etc. He tells them that they are not following a man, they are following Jesus Christ. The apostles are only teaching how to follow Christ.

Alas, the people did not listen any better then, than they do now, and we have different denominations that follow Jesus Christ, but a mans version of what Christ wants. There are still non denominational churches that follow the bible alone and teach from All of it, not just parts, but you have to look to find them.

They are not flashy mega churches, no fancy outsides. They care about the inside, so their numbers are much smaller, but their hearts are huge.

Answer 7

I believe we are divided. Christ never wanted this, neither did Paul. Just like you said, certain denominations hold tight to certain criteria of scripture more than others. Apostalic's are firm Acts 2:38 believers and they believe it's the only way to Salvation. I believe Acts 2:38 through and through, but I do not believe it's the sole way unto Salvations. I base my objection on Romans 10:8-10 and other scriptures as well.

Answer 8

The problem here is egos and attitudes! Everybody should be united as one. But the problem is my religion is correct and yours is not! Also ever notice the different twists on the Bible. Your Bible is not correct mine is. That comes from different interpretations of the BIBLE. I do a lot of charity work in Central America. So many so called missionaries here trying to convert Christians to Christianity. Again my denomination is right your's is not. I sat with a Buddhist Monk in Thailand who stated something I will never forget. IN THE END WE ARE ALL CHILDREN FROM GOD!! DOES NOT MATER HOW YOU GET THERE JUST GET THERE! ALL MAJOR WARS IN HISTORY HAVE BOILED DOWN TO ONE THING!! MY RELIGION IS RIGHT AND YOURS IS WRONG! BELIEVE IN MINE OR I WILL EXTERMINATE YOU!! VERY SAD REALLY! MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS AND PEACE BE IN YOUR HEART!

Answer 9

I believe that there are many sects and denominations in Christianity because as we all have free-will, we believe in different things. For example, the Church of England believes in abortion in most cases, whereas Catholicism does not. It all depends on what your own personal opinion is and whether you agree with the beliefs of a particular sect.

Answer 10

beacuse each one interprets the Bible differently or has a different perspective on certain verses or passages. This in turn creates a new covenant within a group of people and are known as that religion. Take for example the catholics have 4 extra books in the old testament which the Baptist and others do not.
The catholics also have a Pope which most all different religions do not.
The penecostals believe in speaking in tongues,etc.

Answer 11

A true believer is just that, they don't label themselves as a Baptist or whatever. Anything that is against sound doctrine, the Bible, is not where you should be. Man adds his traditions to the Bible and that in fact is teaching false doctrine. Read your Bible and pray, God will direct you. The body of Christ is not separated, it cannot be, so they that teach other than the Bible are false and may die in their sin.