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).  It is a strange thing that the denominations claim to believe the Bible to be God's word, but at the same time they take their man-made denominational creeds over what the Bible says.  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 of the more than 600 different kinds of denominational churches which teaches and practices what God says in the Bible that one must do in order to be saved and go to Heaven.  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.  God's word warns, "If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:9).  One cannot go to Heaven and continue to be a member of a denomination; but sadly he will end up in the eternal torments of Hell.  
     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.  Denominationalism is making a joke of Christianity.  Satan uses the many denominational churches, which are all counterfeits of the Lord's one true church, to fool people and cause them to be eternally lost in Hell.  

African Methodist Episcopal Church

     The AME Church is doctrinally Methodist.  It had its beginning in 1787 because of racial discrimination within the Methodist Church.  The denomination is Methodist in terms of its basic doctrine and order of worship.  They believe in "The Apostles' Creed", "The Twenty Five Articles of Religion", and their own written creed over what God says in the Bible.  Its name comes from being organized by people of African descent, its roots are in the Methodist Church, and operates under an Episcopal form of church government.  Just as the Methodist Church, they believe in salvation by "faith only", and they "baptize" young children.  To join their church you start as a probationary member, then after some classes and having been "baptized" you will be received into "Full Membership".  They "baptize" by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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 "to call on Him in prayer and to believe that when you ask Him for salvation He gives it to you".  They say that one is saved before and without baptism.  This is false and is contrary to what God requires in the Bible for one to be saved.  But Jesus says, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).  Here Jesus says that one must believe and be baptized before he is saved.  Their false doctrine of "faith only" will cause them to be eternally lost in the fires of Hell.  After one is saved they say that he should be baptized in water as a public expression of his faith and not a condition of salvation.  They, like the majority of denominational churches, say one is saved and his sins forgiven before he is baptized in water.  They look for a false premillenial 1000 year reign of Christ here on the earth.  But the Bible 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).  When Jesus comes there is not going to be a 1000 year reign here on the earth, but the earth is going to be burned up.  They also falsely claim to do “divine healing”.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

Baptist Churches

     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 the people were told to, “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 Bible says we are to be baptized to wash away our sins so we can be saved, but Baptists say differently.
     The Baptists say one is saved by “faith only”.  But what does the Bible say about "faith only"?  James 2:19, 24, 26 says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble...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.”  One who believes in "faith only" is no different than the devils.  One who believes in "faith only" has a dead faith.  The Bible plainly says that we are not saved by "faith only".  Before one, who is to become a Baptist, is "baptized" he is usually asked to confess that he believes that God has already pardoned his sins.  The purpose of Baptist "baptism" is to join the Baptist Church.  With Baptist "baptism", one is not "baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13) which is the Lord's one church (Ephesians 1:21-22), but he is "baptized" into the Baptist Church, which is a counterfeit church.  Since Baptist "baptism" is not done for the purpose of forgiveness of one’s sins, to be saved, and to be baptized into one body, (which is the Lord's one true church), then with Baptist "baptism", one’s sins are not forgiven and one is not saved.  One has only joined one of Satan's many counterfeit churches and got wet in doing so.  One still has every sin he has ever committed and is still lost.  
     Many Baptists 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.  But 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.”  There are 29 different kinds of Baptist Churches and none of them teach or practice what God requires in the Bible for one to be saved in order to go to Heaven.  Click here to see Quotes from their 29 websites, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation. 

Catholic Church

     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 doctrines 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.
     For an adult to be "saved" in the Catholic Church one must go through a process called RCIA, which stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  RCIA includes a lengthy study of Catholic doctrine (catechism), which can last as long as several years.  When the parish feels the catechumen is ready to be "baptized" (sprinkled) he/she is then scheduled for the Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation, which takes place on Holy Saturday which is the Saturday before Easter. 
     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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation. 

Christian Church

     The Christian Church was formed when it apostatized from the church of Christ.  The apostasy began to occur when the "American Christian Missionary Society" was formed in October 1849.  The next apostasy occurred in 1859 when the instrument of music began to be added.  The Christian Church in trying to justify their use of instrumental music and the other things they have added, take the position that if God does not condemn a thing then it is all right to do it.  Also the Christian Church specializes in choirs, solos, and other special elaborate ceremonies with the purpose to draw a crowd with their entertainment.  They follow the practice of all the other denominations in religiously observing special days such as: Easter, Christmas, etc.  But the Lord authorized His church to observe the first day of the week when the Lord’s Supper is observed.  The Bible condemns the religious observance of special days.  "You observe days and months and seasons and years.  I am afraid of you lest I have labored for you in vain" (Galatians 4:10-11).  But Jesus says "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:7).  When worship is vain, it is useless and will cause one to be eternally lost in Hell.
     Christian Church preachers wear the name "Reverend" and are referred to as "Pastor".  Only God deserves to be called reverend for we read in Psalms 111:9 KJV concerning God, "Holy and reverend is His name."  Most Christian Churches fellowship the other denominational churches and some have women as preachers or pastors.  Today they have developed into two main groups: the Independent Christian Church and the more liberal Disciples Of Christ.  Jesus says, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted" (Matthew 15:13).
     Even though the Christian Church baptizes for the remission of sins, their "baptism" is a false baptism because it puts one into a false apostate body.  We read in 1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by one Spirit were we all baptized into one body".  The Lord only has one spiritual body (Ephesians 4:4), which is His one church (Ephesians 1:22-23), which He is going to save (Ephesians 5:23).  None of the multitude of denominational churches, including the Christian Church, belong to the Lord.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.  

Christian Scientist Church

     Christian Scientist Church 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”.  Mary Baker Eddy's book entitled, "Science And Health With Key To The Scriptures" still governs her church to this day.  In their creed book, Mary Baker Eddy teaches that Jesus did not die, that the blood of Christ does not cleanse sin, that man is incapable of sin, sickness, and death, and many other foolish ideas.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.  

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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.  

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".  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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 one of their creed books, "The Thirty-Nine Articles Of Religion", they say, “Wherefore that we are justified by Faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine and very full of comfort” (Article XI).  Their creed book also states, “The Baptism of young children is in any wise to be retained” (Article 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. Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

 Foursquare Gospel Church

     The Foursquare Gospel Church, a Pentecostal type of denomination, came about during an intense revival in the city of Oakland, Calif., in July 1922, when Mrs. Aimee McPherson preached to a large croud.  She died in 1944 at the age of 54, and her son, Rolf Kennedy McPherson became the head of The Foursquare Church.  He served as the president and chairman of the board of directors for 44 years, retiring in 1988.  Following Rolf McPherson’s retirement, John R. Holland became the third head of The Foursquare Church.  Since that time the mantle of the presidency has passed to Paul Risser (1998-2004) and Jack Hayford (2004-2009).  Glenn Burris Jr., was elected president by the convention voting body in June 2010, and is now serving his first term as president.  As you can see this man-made church is headed by men and is not the Lord’s one church. They believe in the false doctrines of "faith only" salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit when people speak in tongues not known to them.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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.
     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 one of the godparents.  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 church buildings, 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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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, “Baptism Does Not Wash Away One's Sins” (page 40).  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).  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

Lutheran Church

     The Lutheran Church had its beginning with the teachings of 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 which says, "The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son".  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.  Romans 6:4 says, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death"  and we read in John 3:23, "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there".  They teach that one should confess his sins to the pastor and will receive forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself. Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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 theMennonite 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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

Methodist Church

     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 and practice.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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 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 the sun, moon, and stars gave no light upon the face of the land and 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 there 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, but they get their authority to do so from 3 Nephi 11:33-34 of the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is a false counterfeit.  One cannot be saved by obeying a counterfeit.  They teach that one 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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

Nazarene Church

     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.  One cannot go to Heaven and follow the false Nazarene doctrine, but will end up in the eternal torments of Hell.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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 false 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.  But this contradicts what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:3-4, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  God "desires all men to be saved", but each person makes the choice to obey God and go to Heaven or not to obey Him and be eternally lost in Hell.  They falsely teach that 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 believe that one cannot fall from God’s grace and be lost, but the Bible says differently in Galatians 5:4.  Their "baptismal mode" is usually sprinkling or pouring.  They practice infant "baptism".  They also have women preachers.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation. 

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?  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

Seventh Day Adventist Church

     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).  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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 the 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, and the other three prominent "Jesus only" denominations mentioned above, teach 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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

Unitarian Universalist Church

     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 also 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.  Click here to see Quotes from their website, showing what they falsely teach and practice concerning salvation.

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Many Conflicting Beliefs

     There is so much confusion in this world pertaining to religious beliefs, which can be traced to an ignorance of God’s word or ignoring what it says.  There are more than 600 different denominational churches, all with different and conflicting doctrines, beliefs, and teachings.  Confronted by so many different conflicting doctrines of religion, people are so confused; they don’t know what to believe.  The hundreds of different religious denominations all wear different names, teach different doctrines, practice different forms of worship, have different plans of salvation, and each has its own earthly headquarters.  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.

     Jesus warns us against allowing the authority of the traditions of men to determine doctrine.  He says, "Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition…And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:6, 9).  All of the many doctrines that have come from men are vain and useless.  Any doctrine that teaches more or less than what God’s word teaches in the Bible is false doctrine, which is designed by Satan to cause people to be eternally lost in Hell.  Any person who is interested in his soul’s salvation can not afford to follow any of the many false doctrines that are being taught today, but will have a genuine interest to know the truth which is found only in the Bible.

     God’s word warns us to "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing" (Matthew 7:15), and "many false prophets have gone out in the world" (1 John 4:1).  There is so much false doctrine being taught today, which many people blindly accept.  On the Day of Judgment we are going to be judged only by what the Lord says in the Bible and not what men falsely teach.  Jesus says, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him: the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).  So, if we or any other person cannot point to it in the word of God, then please do not believe it, because there is too much at stake — your SOUL !!

     The Bible warns us "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men" (Ephesians 4:14).  Man cannot be pleasing to God and be saved by dreaming up his own plan as to how God is going to save him.  We must follow God’s plan and only God’s plan if we expect to be saved.  Christ is only "the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9).  If we follow any of the many plans men have devised we will be eternally lost.  Our salvation in Heaven is too great to lose, because if we don’t go to Heaven we will spend forever and ever in the torments of a real burning Hell (Mark 9:43-48).  We cannot afford to be wrong concerning our eternal salvation.

Satan Promotes Denominationalism

     Satan does not want anyone to be saved.  The Bible speaks of Satan as the one "who deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9).  Satan rejoices at all of the religious confusion and division that is going on in the world today.  Satan works ceaselessly to cause people to follow their false denominational doctrines instead of the Bible only.  Anything that is more than, less than, or different from what the Bible says is false doctrine which is designed by Satan to cause people to be eternally lost in the torments of Hell.  Satan has been very successful in fooling people today, just as he fooled Eve in the Garden of Eden with his lies.  
     Satan fights hard to prevent people from obtaining the salvation God wants us to have.  First Satan tries to keep people from believing in Christ.  If he fails at this then he tries to keep people from repenting.  If Satan fails at this and people want to be baptized, he tries to get them to substitute sprinkling or pouring instead of immersion.  If he fails at this and people want to be baptized (immersed), Satan then tries to get people to first "accept Jesus as your personal Saviour" and say "the Sinner’s Prayer" in order to be saved and have their sins forgiven.  Satan then tells people "who think they have already been saved" to go ahead and be baptized to join a denomination, but not to be baptized to be saved.  Those people who have been baptized, but not for forgiveness of their sins and to be saved, but just to join a denomination, still have every sin they have ever committed and will be eternally lost in Hell.  In all of the above cases Satan wins another soul to be with him in the eternal torments of Hell.  Also in addition to what God requires for one to be saved, Satan has also perverted what God requires in our worship.  Because of what Satan has done people are worshipping God in vain (Mark 7:7) and their worship is useless.  None of the more than 600 different denominations have any Biblical authority to exist, but are sinful and ungodly counterfeit organizations of Satan.  None of the more than 600 different denominations existing today teach or practice what God requires for one to be saved and to go to Heaven.  Anyone who follows their false doctrines will be eternally lost in the fires of Hell, but it will be too late to change when we stand before the Lord in Judgment.  Jesus says in John 12:48, "the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" and not the false doctrines of men.  The false doctrines of men will cause many, many people to be eternally lost.

      If you would like to locate a congregation of the Lord's one true church who follows only what God says in the Bible and who will help you in your being baptized for the forgiveness of your sins so you can be saved and go to Heaven, then locate a congregation of the Church of Christ in your community.  If you would like to locate a congregation of the Church of Christ near you then click on and search the following three directories: 

Directory #1

Directory #2

Directory #3

     If you have any questions or need help in locating a congregation of the Church of Christ then email me at ronboat@netbiblestudy.net 

 I deeply care. Ron Boatwright
 

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     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

15) Who Is Allah?

16) False Baptist Church Doctrines & Beliefs

17) False Catholic Church Doctrines & Beliefs

18) False Methodist Church Doctrines & Beliefs

19) False Lutheran Church Doctrines & Beliefs

20) False Presbyterian Church Doctrines & Beliefs

21) False Episcopal Church Doctrines & Beliefs

22) Are You A Member Of The Lord's One True Church?

23) Are You Prepared For Eternity?
 

 

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