Is there really one Christian church? This is hardly true anymore. There are over 1,500 recognized Christian denominations. Whether you are a member of a Christian church or not, you may be curious as to how exactly the single church that Jesus Christ organized when he was on the earth has become so many different faiths with so many different doctrines and theologies. Why has the Christian church changed over time?
Jesus Christ set up the Christian church when he was on the earth. He called apostles and gave them instructions about how it was supposed to be run. He gave one man, Simon Peter, the authority to lead the church. They largely preached to and taught the Jewish people because that is where they lived. They were Jewish. But the Jews largely rejected Jesus and his message of being the long-awaited Messiah. They crucified him. After he was crucified the apostles of the Christian church continued to teach the gospel to the Jews. Then, a man named Saul (later changed to Paul) was converted to the Christian church and began to teach the gospel to the Gentiles (those who were not of the Jewish faith.) This was essentially the first division that occurred in the Christian church because although it was what Christ taught, it was not what many of the early Christians wanted.
In 70 A.D. a group called the Gnostics, which would later become the Eastern Orthodox Church proclaimed a higher law and gospel. In around 300 A. D. the Roman Empire recognized the Christian church as an official religion and thus, the Roman Catholic Church was born. The Gnostics and the Catholics continued to disagree and the rift became wider until they completely split just after 1000 A.D.
Then in the early 1500’s people began to question the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church-namely that church members could not read or interpret the scriptures on their own. The priests were the only ones allowed to do this. Some also questioned the method of baptism, which was sprinkling of infants. They felt that it should be baptism by immersion of adults like Jesus Christ. This led to the religious reformation and the exodus of many to America to find religious freedom.
In the 1800’s in America an Awakening occurred. People began to search for truths on their own, rather than just staying with their religion of birth. When they did not find what they were looking for, some began their own churches. It continues to this day. People continue to search for a Christianity that fits their way of life and their belief system.
Comment by: milagros gamboa
2008-02-01 18:43 | hi, god bless you yes Iam going to move to north carolina in charlotte area and I will like to know where I can find spanish pentecostal churches in that area please I will be gratefful if can help me send the information to my email
God bless you,
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Comment by: PASTOR DONALD ABRAHAM CHELLIAH
2008-03-24 10:35 | Dear in Christ Sweet greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ MIRACLE OF JESUS MINISTRIES is a God given and God-ordained ministry. Founder Pastor. Donald Abraham Heard the voice of God to build 'HIS' Church in an Obscure place called Coimbatore, in South India. It was the year 1986, 22 rd of April, when God gave Him a Mandate from Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me ..... To preach the Gospel to the poor "."Call the poor, the beggars, the needy and the sick And I will heal and bless them and they in turn will become a blessing for you", was God's clear command to Him. And Pastor Donald Abraham, entrusted with this Mission, tread on faithfully, looking on to His Mentor. The journey was long, and the road full of Thistles, but nevertheless, the Pillar of fire was his Guiding force. From then on the pillar never stood Still nor did the fire smother, but it grew brighter and stronger all the while. And praise be to God, Today, Pastor Donald Abraham is ministering to one of the more than 300 members. who assist him in reaching out to the un-reached all over the State praying for them and fellowshipping with them every week. Following the prophesy as mentioned in Isaiah 54:2, The Weekly Sunday Deliverance Meeting sees a crowd of More than 300 people from all walks of life. Tremendous outpouring of the power of God is witnessed in these meetings as lives are changed, sick are healed, addicts are set free and the deprived receive solace. Pastor Donald Abraham's wife, SIS. SARALA DONALD is also an anointed preacher who supports him In the ministry and is the first woman Pastor in the Coimbatore District and among the chosen few in the State. A talented Singer, her impeccable command over The Tamil & English language and her vivid style of Doing it, appeals to one and all. No wonder she Remains one of the best in the trade. She has a great Compassion and burden for women and their families and Is an inspiration for many. She is a much sought after Woman of GOD. We have two children's son D.NATHANAEL AVID GOD SON Daughter D.PRINCES DEOBORAH. WE ARE DOING MINISTRY 1. GOOD NEWS MEERINGS WE ARE GOING TO PREACHE THE GOSPEL MANY CHURCHES. IN CALLED MANY CHURCHES. 2. DELIVERENSE MEETINGS WE ARE CONDUCTING EVERY YEAR IN COIMBATORE THE DELIVERNSE MEETING SO MANY PEOPLE COME AND HEARD THE WORD OF GOD.AND DELIVERENSE. 3. PERSONAL PRAYER.EVERY WEEK WE ARE MEET SICK AND BONDAGE PEOPLE IN OUR RENTED OFFICE.TUSDAY AND WEDNESDAY 4. FASTING PRAYER WE ARE CONDUCTING FASTING PRAYER IN EVERY MONTH FIRST SATURDAY.WE ARE TAKE ONE COMMEN RENTED HALL. 400 PEOPLE ATTEND THIS MEETING. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES . Reaching the Gospel all over India . Reaching out to the sick, the poor, the weary and Worried, Irrespective of their caste, creed or color. . to conduct Blessing Meetings / Crusades all over The State and all Over India and poor village . To conduct Life changing sessions: "Life in the Spirit Seminar". . The Lord's will we start of Orphanage. . In future 24 Hours Prayer Center. . In future Television and Radio Ministry. . in future Literature Ministry. . in future Village Ministry. . Music Ministry. You pray the Lord spoken to you pray for this ministry. And you visit to India we are conducting crusade. you help our ministry Thank you, Your most loving brother Donald Abraham Chelliah OUR E MAIL donaldsarala@yahoo.com miracledonaldabraham@yahoo.co.in WE ARE INTRESTED JOIN YOUR ORGANASATION OUR MINISTRIES ADDRESS MIRACLE OF JESUS MINISTRIES 835.METTUPALAYAM ROAD NEAR POOMARKET BUS STOP COIMBATORE. 641002 SOUTH INDIA OUR PHONE NUMBERS 00919842219223, 00919865133856
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Comment by: petros
2008-07-14 10:12 | The Eastern Orthodox Church were never "gnostics". Gnostics were a heretical sect condemned by the Church. Also, the "Roman Catholic Church" was not "born" around 300 AD. Rome had always been a part of the Church since the beginning, it was only after they schismed in 1054 AD that they called themselves "Roman Catholic". Catholic is from the Greek word "katholiki", which means "universal", hence the term being used in the Nicene Creed. The Eastern Church which composed of the other four Patriarchates, Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Constantinople becamse known as the "Eastern Orthodox Church". To say that the Orthodox Church used to be known as "gnostic" is completely wrong...The Orthodox Church (along with Rome, who at the time was part of the "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church"), condemned gnostics as heretics. I think you need to check your history again before you think about giving any advice to anyone. And people who view this site, if they have the courage to even post this comment, take head the advice you receive from here. Come to the TRUE Church of Christ in Orthodoxy.
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Comment by: Petros
2008-07-14 10:15 | I must also add that the Orthodox Church, does ( and always had) practice Baptism by triple immersion..
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