Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

In our previous article, I wrote regarding the establishment of the Lord’s church. In that article, I presented evidence to demonstrate that the Lord’s church was established on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of the Lord. Those who have any knowledge whatsoever of the New Testament know that the Lord only established one church (Eph. 4:4); any other religious body stands condemned of God. Reconciliation of man to God occurs in this one body (Eph. 2:16).

Where did all of the denominations of the world come from? The answer to this question lies in the annals of human history. The religious reference books relate the establishment of the various denominations. I propose in this article to mention the date and circumstances of the establishment of several of the major denominations in America today. The historical circumstances in which they were born will demonstrate that they cannot be the Lord’s church because of the differences in time in their establishment and that of the Lord’s church.

A word needs to be said here regarding this method of argumentation. Some of today’s denominations are departures from God’s revealed truth at a time that can be historically marked. (For example, the Christian Church departed from God’s word regarding the instruments of music and church support of missionary societies. They were at one time, however, faithful to the Lord.) Others were never a part of Christ’s blood-bought body because they have never taught the truth regarding salvation. Hence, whereas some of these denominations must trace their history from their departure from some specific truth to the acceptance and practice of false doctrines, others can be mentioned from their very beginning as religious bodies separate and apart from Christ’s church.

Denominational Origins

1. The Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church came into existence through a gradual apostasy from the New Testament in areas too numerous to mention. The Bible itself foretold the falling away which occurred, leading to the establishment of the Catholic Church (Acts 20:29-21; 2 Thess. 2:1-12). The apostasy took centuries to develop into the Catholic Church as we know it under the leadership of a pope. The Encyclopedia Britannica states that “pope” is “an ecclesiastical title now used in the West exclusively to designate the head of the Roman Catholic Church. In the 4th and 5th centuries it was frequently used by any bishop (Du Cange, s.v.); but it gradually came to be reserved to the bishop of Rome, becoming official” (Vol. 18, p. 222). Williston Walker wrote, “In 502 Bishop Ennodius of Pavia urged that the Pope can be judged by God alone. The later claims of the medieval papacy were, therefore, sketched by the beginning of the sixth century . . . . The full realization of the papal ideal, thus early established, was to be a task of centuries, and was to encounter many vicissitudes” (A History of the Christian Church, p. 124).

During the course of their digression, the Catholics have accepted numberless false doctrines including the following: (1) salvation by works; (2) unauthorized acts of worship such as (a) mechanical instruments of music, (b) choirs, (c) candle, (d) rosaries, (e) veneration of saints, (f) use of holy water, and other items; (3) development of a separate priesthood; (4) purgatory; (5) penance; (6) perverted the Lord’s Supper. The list could be extended indefinitely.

The Catholic Church is, therefore, an apostate religion which came into existence as early Christians forsook the Lord’s commandments and established their own kind of worship. This Catholic Church has evolved through many centuries to become what it is today. It is not the Lord’s church; its deviations from revealed religion make this abundantly apparent.

2. The Baptist Church. The Baptist Church came out of the Reformation period of history. They were a group which rejected infant baptism and the administration of “baptism” by sprinkling and pouring. They are usually dated to have begun in 1608 under the leadership of John Smyth. They began in Holland, not in Jerusalem. Though the Baptists have departed from this to a wide extent in recent years, most early Baptists were strongly Calvinistic (most accepted all five points of Calvinism whereas today most Baptist groups only hold to two points of Calvinism).

3. The Presbyterian Church. This Protestant denomination traces its history back to John Calvin (1509-1564). They were founded in Geneva. The main tenets of Calvinist theology are (a) Inherited total depravity, (b) Unconditional election, (c) Limited atonement, (d) Irresistible grace, and (e) perseverance of the saints. The group was generally a reaction to the apostate Catholic Church of the 14-15th centuries.

4. The Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Church can be dated from the time when Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five objections to the Roman Catholic Church on the door of the church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. The doctrines held by Martin Luther and John Calvin were, in many respects, similar inasmuch as both movements were reactions to the work-righteousness of Roman Catholicism.

5. The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is a direct descendant from the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. The Anglican Church is usually dated from the time when Henry VIII threw off the supremacy of the Pope in England during the Protestant Reformation. The Church of England came to America with our English forefathers but it nearly died during the revolution. In 1789, the Church of England in America officially became a separate denomination from its mother in England and took the name of Protestant Episcopal Church. There is very little difference in belief in the two groups inasmuch as the Episcopal Church was formed in America to offset the general animosity that Americans had toward the English.

6. The Methodist Church. Another American religious movement which has come from the Church of England is the Methodist Church. Under the leadership of John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, this church was borne in 1739. This group originally became involved in a good bit of emphasis on emotional religion (especially as it was associated with conversion). Though the Wesleys’ sought to work within the Church of England to bring about their reforms, they were forced to officially separate from them, which they did in 1779.

7. The Christian Church. As many of our readers know, the Christian Church was formerly a group of people committed to the restoration of New Testament Christianity. However, in 180 the American Christian Missionary Society was started; church support of this society led to a division in the ranks of brethren. The Christian Church people opted to support these societies-from their church treasury. Soon the mechanical instruments of music were brought into the worship services. These innovations were but the beginning of a number of other departures from the word of God by this group. In 1906, the breach between the disciples who were faithfully clinging to God’s word and those who decided to accept these innovations was officially recognized by the U.S. census. The exact date when these people actually became a denomination is difficult to give; perhaps only God knows for sure. However, the Disciples of Christ, the most liberal wing of the Christian Church, officially reorganized to become a full-fledged denomination in 1968.

8. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). This movement was founded in Fayette, New York in 1830. Joseph Smith is supposed to have received a special revelation from God which was written in the Book of Mormon. Other revelations which Smith is thought to have received include the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. The Mormon group believes in present day miracles and continuous revelation, as seen in their recent “revelation” that the priesthood could finally be given to the Blacks.

9. Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though the Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge no human founder, they were started in 1884 under the leadership of “Pastor” Charles Taze Russell. His work was started in Pittsburgh in 1872 but was moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1909. Their peculiar doctrines include the belief that Jesus is a created being, the denial of the immortality of the soul, the denial of the existence of a place of eternal punishment, and other doctrines.

10. Seventh-Day Adventists. Adventism in general can be traced back to the work of William Miller who predicted the end of the world to occur on March 21, 1843 and on March 21, 1844. As each successive prophesy of the end of the world failed, he predicted anew the end of the world. Finally, the movement began to deteriorate to such a degree that collapse seem inevitable. At this point the work of Ellen G. White became important as she moved to salvage the collapsing movement. The result was the birth of the Seventh-Day Adventists. In addition to observing the seventh day in worship to God, these people also cling to dietary regulations of the Old Testament, tithing, foot washing, etc.

11. Christian Scientists. The Christian Scientists came into existence because of the work of Mary Baker Eddy. The first Christian Science church was established in Boston in 1879. It is the Mother Church of all other Christian Science churches. This movement is based on accepting the idea that the writings of Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures are inspired Scriptures.

Conclusion

One could proceed through the lists of denominations in America citing the pertinent information. relative to the establishment of each. I hope that you will excuse my brevity in this list; for more detailed information on this subject, you can write to Truth Magazine Bookstore (Box 403, Marion, IN 46952) and order a copy of Frank S. Mead’s Handbook of Denominations. It details the origin, history, and basic tenets of each of America’s denominations.

Why give such a history as this? I have recorded this to demonstrate that these various religious groups cannot be the church of our Lord Jesus Christ because they were not established at the time and in the place which the Lord’s church was established. The Lord’s church began in Jerusalem, not in Boston, Wittenberg, Geneva, England, Holland, New York, or some other place. It began on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not during the Protestant Reformation, 1830, or some other date. Any church which began this side of the events which occurred on the day of Pentecost cannot be considered the Lord’s church.

Is the Church of Christ any different from these denominations? Some would answer, “No” and point to the work of Alexander Campbell to mark the beginning of the Church of Christ. If an individual went into Podunk to start a Baptist church and took a copy of one of the Baptist Confessions of Faith, would the establishment of that church be the first time that a Baptist Church had ever been established? If not, why is it considered true that when Alexander Campbell (and others both before and after him) went into West Virginia and took the Bible to establish the church of the Bible, that this is the first time that the church which you can read about in the Bible existed? Hence, Alexander Campbell is not the founder of the churches of Christ; indeed, we can read of them existing in Rom. 16:16, nearly 1800 years before Alexander Campbell was born. Therefore, he cannot be considered the founder of the Churches of Christ.

What is happening in the churches of Christ at the present, however, is leading to the formation of a Church of Christ denomination. The apostasies of the liberals among us is following in exactly the same footsteps as that of the Christian Church which preceded them by one hundred years. These liberals are in the process of establishing a Church of Christ denomination. Only God knows when the process will be complete.

Those committed to the establishment of New Testament church have no interest in being a part of modern, twentieth-century denominationalism. They are determined to be a part of the church which you can read about in the Bible. What they believe, teach, and practice is found authorized in the Scriptures; they are committed to ceasing to practice anything for which they cannot find Bible authority.

If any of my brethren who think that the Church of Christ is a denomination would be so kind as to tell me what I would have to do to become a part of the church which is mentioned in the New Testament, I would be glad to forsake the church of which I am a member and become a part of the church which one can read about in the Bible. Let these brethren kindly tell us what we should call ourselves, what kind of organization we should have, what kind of worship we should offer, what works we should be involved in, and other such important information necessary to being just like the church you can read about in the Bible. When we have a list of such things which we must forsake to be like the New Testament church, we can busy ourselves with becoming like the New Testament church.

I predict that such a list will never be compiled by those who claim that the Church of Christ is a denomination. It will not be compiled because when the list is completed, it would include things which are already being practiced in the Churches of Christ across this nation and on foreign soils. If I am incorrect in this statement, let them point out in what respects we have departed from the Scriptures in order that full correction might be made. The truth is that these brethren who claim that the Church of Christ is a denomination have no appreciation for a plea to be like the church which you can read about in the Bible. They have no interest in becoming like it. They have no interest in getting together to discuss the points of difference between us with a view of change being made where each one departs from the word of God. Rather, they are interested in becoming a part of twentieth-century Protestant denominationalism and the statements that someone is only the New Testament church irritate them. Hence, they charge that the Church of Christ is a denomination. I repeat, maybe the church of which they are a member is a denomination but the church of which I am a member is simply the church you can read about in the Bible. If they know something about the church of which I am a member which shows that it is not the church which you can read about in the Bible, let them enumerate the points in which we have apostatized in order that we can correct them. Otherwise, let all recognize that this charge is unfounded and that it is a smokescreen created to remove attention from their abandonment of New Testament practices.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 18, pp. 291-294
May 3, 1979

By Ron Halbrook

In the introduction, let us explain the descriptive terms which we will be using. Webster says that “liberal” means: “not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; not conservative:” The word “conservative” means: “disposed to maintain existing institutions or views; opposed to change.”

I believe these two terms describe the views of churches of Christ today. Many churches of Christ no longer hold to the New Testament as a blueprint that is to be followed in every detail. They do many things for which there is neither command, example or necessary inference. On the other hand, there are many churches of Christ who are opposed to these departures from the New Testament pattern. They believe we must have book, chapter and verse for all we do and practice.

Let us contrast some of the views and practices of the two groups:

“Liberal” Churches	“Conservative” Churches
1. Have missionary, benevolent and educational organizations to execute the work of the church.	1. Have no missionary, benevolent and educational organizations to execute the work of the church. They believe the local church is God’s only organization to do His work (Phil. 1:12; Acts 14:23).
2. Have “educational directors,” “associate ministers,” “youth directors,” and “superintendents” over their human organizations.	2. Have evangelists, elders (pastors), and teachers (Eph. 4:11).
3. Seek to get crowds with “youth meetings,” “rallies,” carnal rewards such as trips to Opryland and all kinds of promotions (such as the “bus ministry”).	3. Engage in none of these things, but seek to draw men to Christ with the preaching of the gospel (John 6:45; Rom. 1:16).
4. Emphasize society and the physical man by appealing to the carnal nature with “church banquets,” “church kitchens,” “church camps” and “fellowship halls,” and all kinds of parties.	4. Do not believe the church is to provide the social needs of man (Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 11:33, 34; John 18:36).
5. Elevate their preachers above the rest of the members by using such titles as “doctor.”	5. Reject all such titles as unscriptural (Matt. 23:7-12).
6. Support and operate schools for secular education, beginning with kindergarten and going through schools of higher education.	6. Do not support or operate any schools. They believe that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).
7. Do much of their work through what they call the “sponsoring church” arrangement – many churches pooling their funds under one eldership to do a general work all churches are equally related to.	7. Reject this arrangement as a violation of the New Testament pattern of congregational cooperation. In New Testament times one church only helped another church when the receiving church was in want (or need) – unable to do its own work (Acts 11:27-30). (Cooperation in such work does not require the centralized “sponsoring church.”)
8. Base many of their practices on the silence of the scriptures, and appeal to the traditions of the past.	8. Base all their practices on the unadulterated gospel of Christ (Matt. 28:18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
9. Expect their preachers to be modern-day “pastors,” running after the members and visiting the hospitals on a regular basis and to be the “head planner” of all their projects and promotions.	9. Do not expect their preachers to leave the work of God to serve tables (Acts 6:2). They have deacons and godly women to take care of the “physical needs” of the congregation and elders to do the planning (Acts 20:28). The preacher is left free to study, meditate, pray and carry on the work of preaching the gospel to the lost (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:12-16). The preacher is to visit the sick because he is a Christian (Matt. 25:36), not as a “preacher duty.”
10. Have “special singing” in the assembly – different choral groups are invited in to sing.	11. Have nothing but congregational singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

 

NOTE: The above article was written by Donald Townsley and slightly modified for use here. It fairly well sums up the specific issues and differences which have been dividing churches of Christ for thirty years. The innovations listed above are idols to which Ephraim is so committed that warnings and pleas for a return to the New Testament pattern are ignored, in most cases.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 18, p. 290
May 3, 1979

By Norman E. Fultz

Faithful Christians do well to occasionally have their grand estate in Christ reaffirmed. Not only does it strengthen one’s own faith, it better prepares him to show the alien his condition out of Christ and compare it with what he could enjoy in Christ.

One of the difficulties with which we have to contend today, it appears to me, is showing folk that the “hereafter,” not just the “here and now,” is worthy of one’s attention. Particularly do young people have trouble becoming really concerned with eternal matters in a society where the getting of “things” consumes the greater part of man’s attention. Christianity often seems to be translated by them as applicable only to something which seems to them to be far removed and with which they are not presently concerned. But that it is applicable to the “here and now” we shall see.

Christianity is practical. But to properly appreciate the proposition, let us look at the terms. By Christianity, this article means the religion of Christ, true religion as revealed in the New Testament-not some watered-down version of it as seen in denominationalism and among many who claim to be “of Christ.” We shall be using “Christianity” and “godliness” as interchangeables. By practical, we mean that it is useful, workable, capable of being turned into use or account as opposed to that which is only theoretical or speculative. The religion of Christ is a taught religion-“teach . . . baptize . . . teach them” (Mat. 28:19-20); “the thing that thou hast heard . . . commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2j) “they shall be all taught of God” (Jn. 6:45)-but it is a system of teaching that is practical or useful because it meets definite needs.

1 Timothy 4:6-11

Please read this passage carefully. Space will not permit a lengthy exegesis, but note that Paul advises Timothy to “refuse profane and old wives’ fables.” This is in contrast to his being “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” which will enable him to “exercise thyself . . . unto godliness.” “Bodily excercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is (the here and now), and of that which is to come (the hereafter).” The “all things” in which godliness is said to profit is to be understood as meaning the life that now is and that is to come.

Christianity Is Practical Because It Meets The Needs of This Life

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psa. 84:11). The needs of man are many and they are as varied as they are many, but all man’s needs-whatever is really necessary-will be supplied. There is not a worthwhile interest of man that godliness will not promote.

Godliness will promote the health of the body. Abstinence from evil which harms is expected (1 Thes. 5:22). Moderation and temperance in all things is advised (Phil. 4:5; 1 Cor. 9:25), and physical excercise is profitable (1 Tim. 4:8).

Godliness is favorable to a clearness and vigor of the intellect as it sets before one the relative value of objects. The value of the soul is set over against the value of the world (Mat. 16:26). The use of the mind is encouraged in study and investigation (2 Tim. 2:15).

Godliness offers a recipe for happiness. For those who “would love life and see good days,” it is not a “do your own thing” philosophy of humanism. It rather involves compassion, loving as brethren, tenderheartedness, humblemindedness, a returning of blessing for evil and reviling, a controlled speech, doing of good, and seeking of peace. (See 1 Pet. 3:8-12.)

Christianity promotes a peace of conscience by leading to a faithful performance of one’s duties in all relationships of life (cf. Acts 24:16; 1 Jno. 3:18-21). There is instruction for the husband-wife relationship (Eph. 5:22-33; Gal. 3:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7; 1 Cor. 7:1-5). The parent-child relationship is dealt with (Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20-21). Under the figure of the servant and master, the employer and employee may learn how to treat each other (Col. 3:22-4:1; Eph. 6:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:18; Tit. 2:9-10). The citizen learns of his relationship to his government and how to fulfill his duty to it (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2). Nor is one left uninformed as to how to live before and treat his fellowman generally (1 Pet. 2:11-12; Mat. 7:12). The relationship of the creature to the Creator is one of obedience and worship (Eccl. 12:13-14; Jn. 4:23-24).

Godliness will produce a good name (Prov. 22:1), because it leads to honesty, industry, and sobriety as a course of life. There are the promises of physical needs being met (Mat. 6:33; Phi. 4:19; Psa. 37:25). And, finally, in meeting the needs of the life that now is, godliness offers comfort in trial (Deut. 33:27; Psa. 46:1), calmness in death (Psa. 24:4), and immortal peace beyond the grave (Rev. 14:13).

Christianity Is Practical Because It Provides For The Life That Is To Come

Infidelity makes no promise of future happiness. The Madelain Murray O’Hairs live only for the “here and now.” A life of sin and lust promises nothing but remorse at death and in death. And though many things (beauty, wealth, fame, power) hold flattering hopes of happiness here, they offer nothing of eternal bliss. Nothing but godliness can so promise. A life without aim is like a ship without a rudder, but godliness offers aim and direction in life (Col. 3:1-2), and its promise of eternal life (1 Jn. 2:25) is a stabilizing force (Heb. 6:13-20). The hope we have in Christ is not in this life only (1 Cor. 15:19). We hope for something far better (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Truly, Christianity is the only really sensible way for one to live. It enriches this life and promises bliss in that to come. Yet with all its promises, many defer it to the last period or life or reject it altogether. And some who once accepted it return to the weak and beggarly elements.

A Faithful Saying

Paul’s estimate of the promise in 1 Timothy 4:8 is found in verses nine and ten. It may be depended upon as true and it is worthy of being embraced. And that which godliness affords is worth one’s labor and even the suffering of reproach. “These things command and teach.”

Truth Magazine XXIII: 17, pp. 285-286
April 26, 1979

By Earl Robertson

The local church-congregation-is subject only to the Lord, and is independent of all other congregations. It is equal to every other church and is capable of governing its own affairs through its God-given organization. Each church being under Christ, functioning according to the commission of Christ, must, therefore, be governed alike and coo the same work. No differences obtain among the congregations identified in the New Testament as-pertaining to identity, organization, work and worship.

This being true, what is the sphere in which churches cooperated? The case of Antioch and Jerusalem will answer this question. “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: which also they did, and s*t it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul”/(Acts 11:27-30). This is a case of one church helping another church in benevolence. Antioch contributed to Jerusalem only when Jerusalem was in need. The Jerusalem church was not trying to do a work for the whole brotherhood, it was merely trying to do its own work. This same truth is exemplified in 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:12-15; 9:12-15.

These scriptures do not support some church today becoming a sponsoring church io do the work of all the churches. No church in the New Testament sent funds to another church for that receiving church to forward the funds on to some place else for a work to be done. When funds were sent in the First Century from one church to another church, it was always sent directly to the need and never sent through another church! This way no church became the agent for another church. Do you believers in sponsoring churches know of a passage that either commands or gives an example of one church being the agent of another church? Why then depart from the Lord’s word in this matter and create something bigger than the local church? Equality is taught in the scriptures (2 Cor. 8:14).

If there is equality there can be no agency among congregations. Agency subordinates; subordination destroys equality!

Truth Magazine XXIII: 17, pp. 284-285
April 26, 1979