Why are there different denominations?

The reason there are different denominations within Christianity is because the Bible allows for us to have differences of opinions.

Within Christianity, there are very few essential doctrines that define what it means to be a Christian. These essential doctrines, however, are there.

The first one is that Jesus is both God and man. That is John 1 .1 .14, John 8 .24,

Colossians 2 .9, John 4 .1 -4. The second one is that Jesus rose from the dead physically.

That is John 2 .19 -21, 1 Corinthians 15 .14. Salvation is by grace through faith.

Romans 5 .1, Ephesians 2 .8 -9, Galatians 3, Galatians 5. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15 .1 -4, Galatians 1 .8 -9. And finally, there is only one

God. Exodus 20 .3, Isaiah 43 .10, 44 .6 -8. We also know that God exists as a trinity of persons.

There is the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. And we know also that Jesus was born of the

Virgin Mary. This is dealing with His incarnation. As long as a church believes in these essential doctrines, then it is

Christian. However, there are many things in the scriptures that have been interpreted in different ways.

For example, what day of the week should we worship on? Saturday, Sunday, or Wednesday? Should we be baptized by sprinkling, or baptized by immersion?

Do we take communion every Sunday, or once a month, or once a year? The answers to these questions do not affect whether or not someone is a

Christian. It is in these issues, and others like them, that denominations are formed.

It does not mean that one denomination contradicts another. It means that though they agree in the essentials, they differ in some of the non -essentials.

This is permitted by scripture. Romans 14, verses 1 -5 says this, 1.

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.

2. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3.

Let not him who eats regard with contempt he who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.

4. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls, and stand he will, for the

Lord is able to make him stand. 5. One man regards one day above another, and another regards every day alike.

6. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. Sadly, there is another reason for denominational differences, and that is the failure of the

Christians to live according to the will of God. The truth is that we are all sinners, and we do not see things eye to eye, not everything.

It is unfortunate, but it is true, that denominational differences are due to our short -sightedness and lack of love.

But the good thing is that God loves us so much that He puts up with our failures, He puts up with our differences.

There awaits for us, in spite of our many disagreements, a great reward in heaven.

Neither salvation nor damnation is dependent upon our differences of opinion on the non -essentials.