Denominational Doctrines

Denominational Doctrines

     Below are brief descriptions giving where and when each of the denominations listed began and who started them. Also given are some of their basic beliefs especially what they falsely teach and practice that one must do to be saved. Anything that is more than, less than, or different from what the Bible teaches is false doctrine (Revelation 22:18-19). Their denominational creeds are accepted over the Bible. Satan has many false doctrines which are designed to cause people to be eternally lost. Satan uses people to teach his false doctrines. Quotations from the Bible are in red. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 says, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder; for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness.” Also near the bottom of this page is a list of these false doctrines with a link to a page giving the Bible’s answer to each one. I do not know of any denominational group which teaches God's plan of salvation as is contained in the Bible. Most of them reject, condemn, and even laugh at what God says in the Bible that we must do to be saved so we can go to Heaven. One cannot go to Heaven and be a member of a denomination.
     Denominations are man-made organizations which were started by men and not by Christ. There are more than 600 different denominational churches, all with different and conflicting doctrines, beliefs, and teachings. They all wear different names, practice different forms of worship, have different plans of salvation, and each has its own earthly headquarters. None of this is authorized by the Lord in the New Testament. How could anyone conclude that scripture authorizes any of this present confusion or that God is at all pleased by the wholesale abandonment of His plan as found in the Bible? “For God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33), but man is. If the more than 600 different denominational churches were all teaching and following only God’s word as found only in the Bible then there would only be one church, the church of Christ.

Assembly of God

     In 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas several Pentecostal type of churches combined into the General Council of the Assemblies of God. They chose Springfield, Missouri as their headquarters. They believe that one is saved by “faith only” when one accepts Christ as his Saviour and receives the Holy Spirit. They say one is saved and cleansed from sin when he is baptized with the Holy Spirit, which is evidenced by speaking in tongues. After one is saved they say that he should be baptized in water as a public expression of his faith. They, like the majority of denominational churches, say one is saved and his sins forgiven before he is baptized in water. They look for the premillenial 1000 year reign of Christ here on the earth. They also claim to do “divine healing”.

Baptist

     John Smyth is generally considered to be the founder of the Baptist Church in Holland in 1608. Most Baptists teach that “one must accept Jesus as your personal Saviour” and say “the sinner’s prayer” in order to be saved and have your sins forgiven. They say that baptism is not essential to salvation and not essential for the forgiveness of sins. They claim that they are saved and their sins are forgiven before and without baptism. But where in the Bible is any of this found? It is not there because men, with the help of Satan, have come up with these false ideas. But what does the Bible say? Jesus says in Mark 16:16, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”. But just as 1+1=2, Jesus says belief + baptism = saved. In Acts 2:38 we read, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”. And in Acts 22:16 one was told, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord”.
     The Baptists say one is saved by “faith only”. But what does the Bible say about faith only? James 2:24, 26 says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only…For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Before one, who is to become a Baptist, is baptized he is asked to confess that he believes that God has already pardoned his sins. The purpose of Baptist "baptism" is to join the Baptist Church. Since Baptist "baptism" is not done for the purpose of forgiveness of one’s sins and to be saved, then with Baptist "baptism", one’s sins are not forgiven and one is not saved. One still has every sin he has ever committed and is still lost.
     They say that after one is saved it is impossible for one to be eternally lost. This is the false doctrine of “once saved, always saved”. They say that you cannot fall from God’s grace and be eternally lost. In Galatians 5:4 KJV, the Bible says, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace”. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Catholic

     The Catholic Church came into being by men departing from the truth of God’s word in the Bible. The changes occurred in the organization, worship, name, and what God required for one to be saved. In 606 AD, Boniface III was the first to assume the title of universal bishop or pope. It was not until 1870 AD that the Vatican Council proclaimed the pope infallible in all his decisions pertaining to the Catholic Church. Anything man says that does not come from the Bible is false doctrine and is vain which will cause one to lose his soul in eternity. Jesus says, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).
     One of the doctrines and commandments of men of the Catholic Church is the false doctrine of the “original sin” which they say newborn infants inherit from Adam. But the Bible says, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20). We do not inherit sin, we commit sin. 1 John 3:4 says, “sin is the transgression of the law”. Infants do not commit sin. In order to get rid of the “original sin” in infants they sprinkle or pour water on them and call it baptism. Infants do not have any sin and are not candidates for baptism because they cannot believe. In Acts 8:36-37 a question is asked and the answer given, “See here is water, what hinders me from being baptized? Then Philip said, If you believe with all your heart you may”. An infant cannot believe and he does not have any sin that needs to be washed away. And not only that, sprinkling or pouring is not a scriptural baptism. The original Greek word used in the Bible is BAPTIZO which is translated baptize. BAPTIZO only means immerse and does not mean to sprinkle or pour. One who has been sprinkled or poured has not been baptized and still has every sin he has ever committed and is still lost. When a person who was sprinkled as an infant becomes accountable and begins to sin, he thinks he does not need to “repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Since he does not obey the Lord’s command to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, he still has every sin he has ever committed and is still lost. Satan has many ways of causing people to be eternally lost.
     The Council of Trent and the Lateran Council of 1215 AD gave the priests the power to forgive sins, but only God can forgive sin. There are many other false doctrines and commandments of men held by the Catholic Church.

Christian Scientist

     Christian Scientist also known as “Church of Christ, Scientist” was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts, which became the mother church. She made miraculous healing the central point of her religion. They do not baptize or partake of the Lord’s Supper. They refer to God as “Father-Mother”, rather than “Father”. The writings of Mary Baker Eddy still govern her church to this day.

Church of God

     The Church of God is headquartered at Cleveland, Tennessee. Its roots can be traced to a crude meeting house on the Tennessee-North Carolina border in 1886. They believe that eternal salvation is obtained by "faith only" where one accepts Jesus as their personal Saviour and says the "sinner's prayer". They also say that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is to cleanse the heart and that the speaking in tongues is initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. After one is "saved" they baptize the individual in water. Even though they are generally good moral people, one cannot go to Heaven by practicing their false doctrine. They believe in miraculous healing and practice foot washing. They also believe in the false 1000 year premillenial reign of Christ here on the earth.

Church of God in Christ

     The Church of God in Christ was founded in 1897 by C. H. Mason. He claims the name "Church of God in Christ" was revealed to him by God while walking along a certain street in Little Rock, Arkansas. This denomination has its headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. They say that baptism "is an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior". They believe that following conversion one is baptized with the Holy Ghost which is evident by the speaking in tongues, and that one cannot be saved without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. They believe in and claim to practice "divine healing".

Episcopal Church

     The Episcopal Church originated from the Anglican Church of England. Instead of being called the Anglican Church of America and because of the Revolutionary War with England, it is called the Episcopal Church. Some of their doctrine is similar to Catholicism and some is similar to Methodism.
     They believe one is saved by “faith only”. In their creed book, the Book of Common Prayer, they say, “Wherefore that we are justified by Faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine and very full of comfort” (No XI). Their creed book also states, “The Baptism of young children is in any wise to be retained” (No. XXVII). They say infants are born in sin inherited from their parents. Pouring is their usual form of “baptism”. When the child, who was baptized as an infant, grows of age, he is confirmed.

Greek Orthodox Church

     The doctrines of the Greek Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church are quite similar. They both hold their "Sacred Traditions" on the same level as or above the Bible. In 1054 AD they split and went their separate ways after a rivalry of many years.
     They do say that baptism is necessary to be saved, but the children of Greek Orthodox families are normally "baptized" shortly after birth, even though they can’t believe (Mark 16:16) or repent (Acts 2:38). Before an infant is "baptized", the Orthodox priest takes some oil and blesses it. The priest pours some of the oil into the hands of the godparent. He then takes the oil and makes the sign of the cross on the child's forehead, breast, and between his/her shoulders. Baptism is administered by bishops and priests; however, in emergencies any Eastern Orthodox member can baptize.
     Chrismation (sometimes called confirmation) is the mystery by which a baptized person is granted the gift of the Holy Spirit through anointing with "Holy Chrism". The "Holy Chrism" is the "holy anointing oil" or "consecrated oil" with which one is anointed. A baptized and chrismated Eastern Orthodox member is a full member of the Greek Orthodox Church, and may receive the communion regardless of age. Chrismation is another false doctrine of men which is foreign to the Bible.
     In partaking of the communion, they use leavened bread and they believe the bread and wine become the genuine body and blood of Christ through the operation of the Holy Spirit. Communion is given only to baptized and chrismated Eastern Orthodox members who have prepared by fasting, prayer and confession. The priest will administer the gifts with a spoon, called a "cochlear", directly into the recipient's mouth from the chalice. From baptism, young infants and children are carried to the chalice to receive holy communion. They worship the icons of their saints who are in picture frames and painted on the inside walls of their churches, to whom they burn candles and pray. They burn incense in their worship, but where do they get the authority for this and the other false doctrines mentioned above except from their traditions of men? Jesus says, "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men" (Mark 7:7-8). The tradition of men is vain and useless, which will cause people to be eternally lost. Anything that is more than, less than, or different from what the Bible says is a false and perverted doctrine.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

     The Jehovah’s Witnesses denomination was founded by Charles Russell in 1872, although the name Jehovah’s Witnesses was not selected until October 1931. In their publication entitled, “Let God Be True” they say, “What then does Christian baptism signify? It is not a washing away of one’s sins, because cleansing of sin comes only through faith in Jesus Christ” (page 183-184). Also in their publication, “Make Sure Of All Things” they say, “Repentance must precede salvation, but Sins not Washed Away by Baptism” (page 30). They, along with the majority of the denominational world, say that one’s sins are not washed away and that one is not saved even though Jesus says, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). They baptize, but not for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) and for one to be saved (Mark 16:16), so the person they baptize just got wet and still has every sin he has committed and is still lost.
     They also state in “Make Sure Of All Things”, “The earthly globe will remain forever, will never be burned up or desolated, but will be restored to paradisaic conditions" (page 108). But God’s word says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 peter 3:10). “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

Lutheran Church

     The Lutheran Church was established by Martin Luther during the 1500’s. Lutherans endorse a number of creeds including the following: Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed, Athanasian Creed, Augsburg Confession, and Luther’s Catechism, which were all written by men. Luther originated the doctrine of salvation by “faith only”, which the Lutheran Church and the majority of the denominational world follow. They teach that baptism is not essential to salvation. The false doctrine of “faith only” is condemned by the Bible in James 2:24, 26.
     Lutherans teach that an infant inherits the “original sin” of Adam. But this contradicts what the Bible says in Ezekiel 18:20. There is a contradiction in their own doctrine since they teach that infants should be “baptized”. To justify their doctrine of “faith only” they say that infants are aided by the faith of others who bring them to baptism. They teach that baptism can be sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. But the Bible says immersion is the only form of baptism. They teach that one should confess his sins to the pastor and will receive forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself.

Mennonite and Amish

    In 1536 Menno Simons led a movement in Europe, which became known as Mennonites. The Mennonites are named after Menno Simmons, their founder. Because of persecution a number of Mennonite families settled in America. There was a split in the Mennonite Church in 1693 with the new group being known as Amish, which was named after Joseph Amman and the old group maintaining the Mennonite name. The Amish are a little more strict in their doctrine than the Mennonites.
     In the Mennonite General Conference in August 26, 1955, it was adopted “Although baptism is a most meaningful symbol and the rite for admission to the church and although it is based upon solemn vows, yet it is not an end in itself, nor is salvation dependent upon it." The Mennonites do not believe that baptism is essential to salvation, but Jesus says, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Usually the Mennonites and Amish pour for "baptism" and they observe communion twice a year.

Methodist

     John Wesley did not begin the Methodist Church, but he laid the foundation for it. They are governed by the Methodist Book Of Discipline. They teach that baptism is not essential to salvation. Their Discipline, Article 9 says, “Justification of faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort”. But this contradicts what the Bible says in James 2:24, 26. Their “baptism” is usually sprinkling, but this contradicts what the Bible says in John 3:23, Acts 8:38-39, Romans 6:4. They baptize (sprinkle) infants but this contradicts what the Bible says in Mark 16:16, Acts 8:36-37 since infants cannot believe. Only after 6 months probation is one admitted to full membership of the Methodist Church (Article 49). They are also governed by the Methodist General Conference which meets every 4 years to determine what they are to believe.

Mormonism

     Mormonism, also known as Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized by Joseph Smith in 1830 in New York.  They say that the Bible is not all of the word of God. The three books written by Joseph Smith, ”Pearl of Great Price”, “Doctrine and Covenants”, and the “Book of Mormon” falsely claim to also be the word of God. Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon was first published in 1830. It contained many, many grammatical errors, language blunders, absurdities, and contradictions. Since the 1830 edition, the Book of Mormon has had more than 3,000 corrections made to it. A Mormon apostle, Orson Pratt, wrote that, “The nature of the Book of Mormon is such that, if true, no one can possibly be saved and reject it; if false, no one can possibly be saved and receive it”. The Book of Mormon says that a man is a fool who says the Bible is sufficient and that it contains all of God’s revealed truth (2 Nephi 29:2-12). But the Bible says, “But even if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
     The Book of Mormon in Alma 7:10 says that Jesus was born in Jerusalem, but the Bible says Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1). The Book of Mormon in Alma 46:13-14 says the disciples were called Christians first in 73 BC, but the Bible says in Acts 11:26, “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” which was in about 40 AD, a difference of more than 110 years. The Book of Mormon (Halaman 14:20) says there was darkness over the land for three days after Jesus’ death, but the Bible says “about the sixth hour there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour” (Luke 23:44), which is three hours while Jesus was still hanging on the cross, not three days as the Book of Mormon falsely says.
     Mormonism falsely teaches that here are many gods, but the Bible says there is, “one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:6). They teach that God the Father has a body of flesh and bones, but the Bible says “God is Spirit” (John 4:24). Although they baptize for the forgiveness of sins, they teach that saints can be baptized for those who have already died. They also falsely teach that “there were several holy women that greatly loved Jesus…if all the acts were written, we, no doubt should learn that these beloved women were His wives” (The Seer, Vol. 1, p. 158-159). Pointing out all the errors of Mormonism would fill a book.

Nazarene

     The Nazarene Church was established in 1895 by Phineas Breesee in Los Angles, California. Their doctrine comes from the Nazarene Manual and is similar to the creed of the Methodist Church. They say one is saved and his sins are forgiven when one has repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Their salvation is by "faith only" and saying the "sinner's prayer". In believing that God has already forgiven your sins and saved you, they say you can then be "baptized". They say that "baptism" can be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Young children can be "baptized" upon the request of their parents.

Presbyterian Church

     The Presbyterian Church began in Scotland in 1560 under the leadership of John Knox. The Presbyterian Church gets its name from the Greek word “presbuteros” which means “elder”. They were governed by the Westminister Confession of Faith which was revised in 1967. John Calvin did not begin the Presbyterian Church, but he laid the foundation for much of its doctrine. Many of the Presbyterian beliefs came from Calvin. John Calvin is the founder of the doctrine called Calvinism as is represented in the word TULIP. Calvin’s doctrine can be summed up in five points: 1) Total Depravity, 2) Unconditional Election, 3) Limited Atonement, 4) Irresistible Grace, and 5) Perseverance of the Saints.
     From Calvinism they believe that God has predestined and foreordained from the beginning of the world those individual people who are to be saved and those to be lost. Because God has already selected the individual people who are to be saved they believe the Holy Spirit acts directly upon the heart of the individual to persuade him to obey the gospel. They do not believe that baptism is necessary for salvation. They believe in salvation by “faith only” and that one cannot fall from God’s grace and be lost. Their "baptismal mode" is usually sprinkling or pouring. They practice infant "baptism". They also have women preachers.

Quakers

     Quakers also known as Religious Society of Friends or as Friends had their beginning in England in 1652 by their founder George Fox. They got the name Quaker because George Fox told them to tremble at the word of the Lord. Quakers believe in continuing revelation. They believe one is saved by repentance which comes as a result of a personal faith in Jesus. They, along with the majority of the denominational world, believe in Satan’s doctrine of salvation by “faith only”. They consider Holy Spirit baptism essential. They do not baptize nor partake of the Lord’s Supper.

Salvation Army

     The Salvation Army was established by William Booth in England in 1878. Its official creed book, "The Salvation Army Handbook Of Doctrine", is published by its international headquarters in London. It requires its officers of all ranks, that their teaching shall conform to their eleven "Articles Of Faith". The Salvation Army does not baptize and does not partake of the Lord’s Supper. They say that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are neither necessary to salvation nor essential to spiritual progress. They say only repentance and faith are required for salvation. (Handbook pp. 185-186). They do not partake of the Lord's Supper so they can testify to themselves and others "against the danger of trusting in any rite as though it has a virtue in itself" (Handbook p. 188). They use instrumental music and women preachers in their worship. All of this is more of the vain doctrines and commandments of men (Mark 7:7). They along with the majority of denominational churches believe the false doctrine of salvation by “faith only”. What is accomplished in filling a man's belly with bread and beans if you are going to poison his soul with false doctrine so he ends up in the eternal torments of Hell?

Seventh Day Adventist

     The Seventh Day Adventist movement was started by William Miller who won over 50,000 converts by his claiming that Jesus was going to return to this earth on October 21, 1843. When this prophesy failed, Miller declared he had miscalculated and he then reset the date to October 21, 1844 which also passed without incident, so most of his followers disbanded to form new groups of their own. One of these groups formed the Seventh Day Adventist Church which name was decided on in 1860. Much of the Seventh Day Adventist doctrine comes from Ellen G. White and her "prophetic utterances". They worship on the seventh day of the week and believe that Jesus will come soon and establish His earthly kingdom and rule in Jerusalem 1,000 years.
     They teach that salvation is by “faith only”. Their Seventh Day Adventist “Questions on Doctrine” (p 102) says, “that which saves is grace alone, through faith in the living Christ”. And this document also says, ”When we accept Him we are justified” (p 387). But the Bible says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).

United Pentecostal Church

     The beginning of the United Pentecostal Church, as another human institution, goes back to 1914. The Foreword of the UPC Manual states, "In the year 1914 came the revelation on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ". Here they invented the false doctrine of "Jesus only" or "Oneness holiness", in which they say that Jesus is the only member of the Godhead. They say there is no God the Father and no Holy Spirit, but only Jesus. The four prominent denominations that believe in the oneness position are: United Pentecostal Church, Apostolic Church, Church of the Firstborn, and Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ.
     The UPC Manual (page 41) promises a penalty to one "who speaks or writes in opposition to any Articles of Faith", that are contained in the UPC Manual. In order to be saved, the United Pentecostal Church teaches that people are to be baptized both in water in the name of Jesus only and baptized in the Holy Spirit. One’s salvation is complete only after he has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. They also claim sensational instant miraculous divine healing.

Unitarian Universalist

     The Unitarian Church was formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1825. Later in 1953 the Unitarian Church merged with the Universalist Church since there was very little difference in their liberal doctrines. They also reject the Bible as the infallible exclusive word of God. They do not regard Jesus as the Son of God who came to the earth to die for man’s salvation. They regard Jesus as one and perhaps the greatest of the prophets to the human race but they revere Moses, Buddha, Confucius, and Mohammed as the world’s other supreme religious leaders. They do not believe in the resurrection of the body, a Heaven, a Hell, or any kind of eternal punishment. They do have ceremonies of dedication of their children but they do not believe in the necessity of baptism for the forgiveness of sin. To join their church all you have to do is sign a card indicating your wishes to join. They believe that man evolved up from the lower animals. In May 1963 they passed an overwhelming resolution in support of abortion. They are a very, very liberal, denomination.

Answers To False Denominational Beliefs

     The following links discuss what the Bible says concerning these false denominational beliefs. Anything that is more than, less than, or different from what the Bible says is false doctrine.

1) Baptism Of Infants?

2) Can We Fall From God's Grace And Be Lost?

3) Is Baptism Sprinkling Or Pouring?

4) Are We Saved By Faith Only?

5) Is One Saved Before Baptism?

6) Saved By Accepting Jesus As Your Personal Saviour?

7) "Jesus Only" Or "Oneness Holiness"?

8) The Origin Of Denominations

9) The Deception Of Denominationalism

10) Denominations Are Counterfeit Faiths

11) To Be Saved One Must Come Out Of Denominationalism

12) The False Doctrine Of Predestination

13) The Evils Of Denominationalism

14) Denominations & World Religions

Appendix

     To learn what the Bible says we must do to be saved, please go to "Are You Really Sure Of Your Eternal Salvation?" at:
http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/Boatwright/index.html

To learn what the Bible says on how we are to worship God in a manner pleasing to Him, please go to "Are You Worshipping God In Spirit And In Truth?" at:
http://www.newtestamentchurch.org/Boatwright/worship/index.html

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