CHURCH DENOMINATIONS (part 2)

Most denominational churches are governed by some form of either an "Episcopal" or a "Congregational" system, neither of which are scriptural. The Catholic and Anglican would be the most common example of the first type, and the Baptist would probably be the most common of the congregational type of structure, but the Pentecostal, Wesleyan and others use the same basic format. Their terminology may differ as to the use of terms like elders, deacons, board members etc. but the basic structure of the congregational form of government consists of a board of some sort that are voted into office by the members. In most of these churches the pastor is also voted in or out of office by the members. The Bishop usually appoints the priest or pastor in an Episcopal type of church, with or without the approval of the members.

As mentioned in part 1 of this series, the Church that Jesus said He would build in (Matt 16:18), and which we see functioning in the book of Acts, is not like any of these church structures. There has always been a remnant of the "True Church" in the world down through history. They always suffered persecution, often at the hands of the so-called "State Churches", which were usually patterned after the church of Rome. Often these believers had to meet in homes, or out in the woods somewhere to avoid persecution, not unlike members of the "persecuted church" in parts of the world today! These believers were known by different names, such as the "Anabaptists", who stood for water baptism following a born again experience by its members. Many of these people came out of the state churches who practiced infant baptism, and once they were converted to Christ the first thing they wanted to do was to be baptised as believers. This of course caused them to be hated by the church leaders, and many were martyred for their beliefs.

Then we see that many denominations were started by men to whom God revealed some truth that had been lost during the dark ages. Luther, Calvin, and Wesley would be examples of men who received certain revelations that they then declared and gained a following, that eventually developed into a new denomination. Of course each new denomination developed their own particular doctrines, based on their understanding of scripture. History proves that each new group were condemned and opposed by the former groups, who in turn opposed the next group to appear. This has been a big factor in the forming of so many different denominations.

Sincerely submitted.

Gramp