Adventist
Anglican / Episcopal
Baptist
Christian Science
"Church of God"Church
of Christ
Disciples of Christ
Jehovah's Witnesses
Lutheran
Methodist
Mormon
Presbyterian
Nazarene
Roman Catholic Unitarianism See
a Chart on Church Origins.
William Miller was born in 1782 and died in 1849. As a result of his highly speculative and mistaken interpretations of some Bible prophecies, he predicted the end of the world between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When the expected return of Christ did not materialize, Miller and his associates set another date, October 22, 1844. Afterward various advocates in the Adventist Movement set other dates: 1847, 1850, 1852, 1854, 1855, 1863, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1877, et. al. As the dates came and went, many disciples of Adventism deserted the ranks, but explanations were always forthcoming, loopholes were found, and some doggedly embraced its principles and followed its leaders. William Miller and others were, and some still are, considered prophets of God.
In spite of the failures of Miller's predictions, a sizable group met in Albany, New York in 1845 and formed the "American Millerite Association." Some afterward formed the Evangelical Association." a group that has dwindled away. In 1861 under the leadership of Jonathan Cummings, the "Advent Christian Church" was organized.
James
White & Ellen G. Harmon, who became Mrs James White, found a way to patch up
Miller's predictions by transferring the fulfillment from earth (where it
clearly did not occur) to heaven (where they could claim that it did).
They and others championed the idea of observing the Sabbath of the Old
Testament. Through their efforts the "Seventy-Day Adventist Church
was organized. Headquarters were set up in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1855;
in 1903 they were moved to Washington, D. C. It was in 1860 that the name
"Seventh-Day Adventist" was officially adopted.
Mrs. White claimed to have had visions and to have received revelations.
She authored several letters, testimonies, articles and books. Her claim:
"In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting
to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write one article
in the paper expressing merely my ideas. They are what God opened before
me in vision - the precious rays of light shining from the throne"
(Testimony No. 31, p. 63) She said also: "If you lessen the confidence of
God's people in the testimonies he has sent them (meaning, of course, Mrs.
White's testimonies-B.C.), you are rebelling against God as certainly as were
Kora, Dathan, and Abiram." (Testimony No. 31, p. 62). Mrs. White was
no more inspired than was Joseph Smith (founder of "Mormonism") or was
Mrs. Eddy (founder of "Christian Science"), and the church she
established was no more the Lord's church than were the churches they
established.
The "Protestant Episcopal Church" is now the name of "The Self-Governing Branch" of the Anglican Church (or Church of England). For the first century and a half of its existence in America it was known as the Church of England and was considered as part of the Anglican Church, which was the state religion of England. Primarily as a result of the American Revolution against England the Anglican Church in America became self-governing; in 1783 the name "Protestant Episcopal Church" was adopted. In 1789 a constitution was adopted in Philadelphia, and the "Book of Common Prayer" of the Anglican Church was Revised for use in America. Substantially the Episcopal Church is Identical with the Anglican Church in doctrine, worship and practice.
Now let us give our attention to the Anglican Church. Originally the Anglican Church was an integral part of the Roman Catholic Church. In England, as in many nations today, Roman Catholicism was the religion of the state, and the state was the protector (and often servant) of the church. Well, King Henry VIII (who ruled from 1509 to 1547) was married to Catherine of Aragon (Spain); he wanted to divorce Catherine and marry young Anne Boleyn. Such permission had to come from the Pope (Clement VII), who was head of the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world. But the Pope thought too much of the power of Charles V, King of Spain and uncle of Catherine. The divorce was refused, and, as a result, Henry VIII, using his power as king, severed the Catholic Church in England from the Papal authority. An act of the English Parliament made it official and also made the King head of the New Angelican Church. During the reign of Edward VI, son of Henry VIII, the Common Prayer Book and the Forty-Two Articles of Religion were adopted as the creed of the church. From the circumstances of its origin one can readily see why, in spite of its breaking away from Roman Catholicism, the Anglican Church closely parallels Catholicism in many particulars. This is also true of the Episcopal Church. There is a vast difference between the church of the New Testament, the church that Jesus built, and the churches of human origin. For the most part Episcopal priests are extreme liberals. The Ex-Episcopal Bishop of San Francisco, James A. Pike (now deceased), called the Bible account of the garden of Eden a "myth" and described the Virgin Birth of Jesus as a "myth." In February of 1961 he said of the Biblical account of the Garden of Eden, "Yet I do not know a single member of the Anglican Communion-Bishop, Presbyter, Deacon or Layman-who believes this story literally."
ANGLICAN LIBERALISM
The following will give you some idea how liberal are the leaders in many Episcopal and Anglican Churches:
"We should make prostitution a legal business and then we would be able to put a tax on it." "I suggest we will never stamp out prostitution. Why not let the profession regulate itself? Put prostitution on the free enterprise system." -From a letter by Robert W. Cromey, Vican of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, San Francisco.
The wife of Robert Hedges, rector of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Des Moines, Iowa, filled an order from a local lounge owner for four paintings, two of the portraits of nude women. So realistic were the nudes that Vice detectives ordered them taken down. -AP News release of May 5, 1967.
The suffragan Bishop of Woolwich, England, Dr. John A. T. Robinson, wrote a book called, "Honest To God." An AP News release from London dated March 27, 1963 says, "The Bishop calls on Christians to stop thinking of God as being 'up there' or out there' or anywhere. He says they must go through 'The agonizing process of detaching themselves from this idol.' And he says moral laws are not necessarily valid all the time."
In October of 1966 a symposium on the art of listening was conducted in England. "The Rt. Rev." Edward Wickham, the bishop of Middleton, said: "There is nothing like a drink or two to induce honesty, frankness, revelation and mutual response to overcome inhibition." -AP News release from London, May 5, 1967.
In 1967 Ernest Harrison, an Anglican clergyman of Toronton, Canada, published his book, "A Church without God," in which he denies the divinity of Christ, the inspiration of the Bible and many other fundamentals. He said, "Life has shown us that nobody has the final answers for all time, that we learn from experience and each other." -AP News release of May 6, 1967.
A newspaper article in 1967 from New York stated: "A daylong symposium of 90 Episcopal priests have produced general agreement that the church should classify homosexual acts between consenting adults as 'morally neutral' rather than condemn such as wrong in themselves."
While I was living in Fort Worth, the St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Arlington, Texas had some "sacred Dances" performed during Sunday worship services by a college physical education and dance instructor and some of her students. Back in May of 1962 the Trinity Episcopal Church of Greeley, Colo. had a Jazz band to render its religious music. "This is the Music of a 20th Century folk mass," said "Father" Fred F. King.
Today there are more than twenty (about ten major divisions) Baptist denominations. Back beyond the seventeenth Century history records neither Baptist Churches nor Baptist people. They had their beginning in the early part of the seventeenth century as a fruit of the Protestant Reformation Movement.
"The first regularly organized Baptist Church of which we possess any account is dated from 1607, and was formed in London by a Mr. Smyth, who had been a clergyman of the Church of England. It was formed on the principles of the 'General Baptist.' In the year 1633 the first Particular Baptist Church was formed in London under Mr. Spilsbury." Benedict's History of the Baptist, p. 304. "The difference was small. Smyth is regarded as the founder of the General Baptists of England, which are Amenian in doctrine and 'close,' or 'restricted,' in communion; while the Particular Baptist are, for the most part, Calvinistic in doctrine and open in communion." Story of the Baptist, by Dr. Cook, p. 2. This is Baptist History by Baptist Historians.
John Smyth, not being satisfied with his own infant baptism, baptized himself. At least he administered to himself what he considered baptism; history shows that he sprinkled water upon himself. At first Baptists were called "Anabaptists" due to the fact that they denied the validity of infant baptism and thus baptized again all who were baptized in infancy.
I have in my library a book entitled "Baptist Confessions of Faith" by W. D. McGlothlin, a former professor in the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The first sentence of the "Introduction" says: "Primitive Christianity drew up no Confessions of Faith." How true that is. Early Christians had the preaching and writing of inspired men; in the New Testament we still have the same, and it is complete and sufficient. But Baptists have drawn up many confessions of faith. Among the more notable are: The First London Confession of Faith (1644), The Second London Confession of Faith (1677), the Philadelphia Confession of Faith (1742) and the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1833).
Religious
practices and doctrines cannot be, at the same time and both, good and bad,
right and wrong. Nor can they be neutral, neither good nor bad, neither
right nor wrong. Just as surely as the Bible is the word of God, it is all
the word of God, authoritative and understandable. Some Baptist doctrines
and practices contrary to the scriptures are these:
11.Missionary and Benevolent societies.
12.Youth churches.
14.Instrumental music in worship.
15.Unscriptural money-raising endeavors.
16.Collections at nearly every service.
17.The Lord's Supper quarterly or monthly.
18.And many others.
Mary Baker Glover Patterson Eddy (thrice-married; Glover died, divorced from Patterson; lived from 1821-1910) has been referred to, both by herself and by her followers, as the "Discoverer" of "Christian Science." It would be more appropriate to refer to her as the "founder" of what is misleadingly called "Christian Science"-it is neither Christian nor science. "The Church of Christ Scientist" today occupies a place of intellectual dignity in the minds of both its members and others who are not acquainted with its origin. The Mary Baker Eddy of books written by "Christian Scientists" is more legend than fact. The Mrs. Eddy of history was emotionally unstable, very limited in education, selfish, greedy for material gain and guilty of woeful plagarism, misrepresentation and false testimony.
Mrs. Eddy
claimed to have discovered Christian Science in 1866. In 1875 she
published the first edition of "Science and Health With Key to the
Scriptures" (The Bible of Christian Science). Actually her book was
largely taken from a manuscript entitled "Science of Man" and written
by Phineas Parkhurt Quimby (1802-1866). "Dr." Quimby was a
prominent New England "mental healer" of whom Mrs. Eddy had become an
ardent disciple. It was after Quimby's death that her system and her book
were advanced. Due to Mrs. Eddy's limited education, the first four
editions of her book were in her own crude style. In 1885 she received the
services of James Henry Wiggins, a retired Unitarian clergyman, whom she
prevailed upon to polish and even rewrite her own manuscript. It was he
who gave Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures some
degree of literary respectability. Through the years Mrs. Eddy continued
to revise in ways small or large her book, but without the services of Mr.
Wiggins, her "Bible" (and she called it that) would hardly have been
taken seriously as it subsequently was.
The first Christian Science Church was established in Boston in 1879; it was reorganized in 1892. It is called "The First Church of Christ Scientist" and referred to as the "Mother Church." "Christian Science" enabled Mrs. Eddy to become and die a millionaire. The church Mrs. Eddy established is not the church Jesus built, and the book she is responsible for producing is not a revelation from God.
"Christian Science" denies the existence and reality of matter, disease, sickness, infirmity, the devil, sin, hell and death, but Mrs. Eddy, its founder, died December 3,1910.
Literally scores of separate religious groups wear the name "Church of God" in one form or another. Most of then. have originated during the latter part of the nineteenth century or the early part of the twentieth century, but some began earlier.
About the turn of this century A. J. Tomlinson of North Carolina inaugurated a movement of which he served as general overseer from 1903 to 1923. Disagreement over the form of government and a dispute over who would be Tomlinson's successor led to the dividing of the movement into several groups. Of the three main bodies two have their headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee and one in Queens Village, New York. Followers of Tomlinson claim that more than forty denominations have arisen from his efforts. Since Jesus established His church more than 1900 years ago, I would be ashamed to have it said that I founded even one denomination.
Another "Church of God" has its headquarters at Anderson, Indiana and originated about 1880. It teaches much of the truth and is therefore much nearer to the New Testament pattern than the Tomlinson-originated bodies, but it is no less a human denomination.
Another "Church of God" has its headquarters at Chattanooga, Tennessee and was organized in 1886 following a split among the followers of a preacher named R. Spurling. In 1922 the church was incorporated and the word "Original" was added to the name.
Still another "Church of God" has its headquarters at Stanberry, Missouri. Though formally organized only in 1865, the scattered remnants which were at that time united had roots that began as early as the latter part of the seventeenth century. This movement taught the observance of the Sabbath (the Seventh-day rest of the law of Moses), and many of its followers, sometimes entire congregations, joined the Seventh Day Adventist movement led by Mrs. Ellen G. White. Those who did not organized as the "Church of God." In 1933 a group withdrew from the main body and formed the "Church of' God (Seventh-Day)," but in 1949 the two groups merged.
The "Church of God and Saints of Christ," composed of negro people, was founded in 1896 by William S. Crowley. Crowley claimed to have seen visions and to have received a divine commission. He, naturally, became the first "Bishop" of the church and was also known as "The Prophet." Amusingly and pathetically "Prophet" Crowley led the negro people to believe that they were descendants of the "Lost tribes of Israel."
The "Church of God in Christ" is also composed of negro people and is the largest among the groups wearing the name "Church of God." It was organized in 1897 by C. H. Manson, a negro (as was Crowley also). It is headed by a "Chief Apostle" or "General Overseer."
How can anyone familiar with the New Testament condone religious denominationalism? The Lord never sanctioned His disciples becoming divided nor men establishing other churches. (John 17:20-21; Matt. 15:13-14).
By the time that the "Protestant Reformation" movement was well under way and had given birth to a number of new denominations, there were initiated some widely separated efforts to lay aside religious creeds, names, organizations and practices that were of human origin and to embrace only those that were of divine origin. In view of the fact that these were, basically, efforts to restore among men the primitive church set up by Christ under the divine direction of the apostles rather than efforts to reform some existing human church, these efforts have become known as the "Restoration Movement." Some of the efforts were short-lived; some fell far short of the goal; some merged; some, after seemingly accomplishing their goals, began to drift away from their lofty aims.
In the eighteenth century such efforts as described above were led in Scotland by such men as John Glas, Robert Sandeman and the Haldane brothers, James and Robert. In the United States, at the close of the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth centuries, they were led by such men as James O'Kelly, Elias Smith, Abner Jones, Barton W. Stone and 'Thomas and Alexander (father and son) Campbell. O'Kelley come out of the Methodist Episcopal Church and worked in North Carolina and Virginia; Smith and Jones came out of the Baptists and worked in Vermont and New Hampshire; Stone came out of the Presbyterian Church and began his work in Kentucky; the Campbells came out of the Seceder Presbyterian Church after coming to America from Scotland.
Some of these efforts at restoration fell short of their goal and crystallized into new denominations. Such was the origin of the "Christian Church" which in 1931 united with the "Congregational Church (thus forming the "Congregational Christian Church"). However, when most people speak of the Christian Church, they have in mind that religious denomination better known as the "Disciples of Christ." Let us briefly trace her origin:
During the fourth and fifth decades of the nineteenth Century the "Restoration Movement" in America had accelerated to such a degree that tens of thousands of people in various states were forsaking denominations in order to become simply Christians and members of the Lord's church. By turning away from human creeds, names, organizations, ways of worship and practices and embracing the New Testament as the final, complete and sufficient guide, they were having part not in the birth of a new denomination but, in a sense, in the restoration among men of the church as it existed back in the first century. But then disaster came; dark clouds arose. From among the very people who seemed so intent upon being nothing more nor less than the Lord's church in the nineteenth century was destined to arise one of the most liberal of all denominations.
While, from the standpoint of numerical growth, the "Restoration Movement" was becoming so successful, at the same time a climate ripe for departure was building up. Multitudes of people had left various denominations and entered the Lord's church; so many of these had learned little more than first principles, were still steeped in denominational ideas and practices, and were certainly neglected in the matter of "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you" (Matt. 28:20). Most preachers were busy in new fields, preaching the rudiments of the first principles and reaping new converts. In so many congregations the development of babes in Christ was neglected; qualified teachers were too few to supply the need.
To make matters worse there arose a host of new preachers not of the same quality as the early evangelists who had paved frontiers before them. These new preachers had more formal education and less devotion to the principles of the restoration. Most of them were zealous and energetic, but many were beset with new ideas and goals without regard to scriptural authority.
A desire to bring the disciples and churches closer together and to keep abreast of what was going on led to area meetings of members from many churches. A desire for concerted efforts and cooperative endeavors among congregations led to voluntary county missionary societies, state missionary societies and finally a national missionary society. Out of the restoration there had arisen independent congregations after the New Testament order; now there had arisen a human institution which in time was made a test of fellowship and would eventually dominate churches. "The American Christian Missionary Society" was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1849. At Midway, Kentucky in 1859 an instrument of music, a melodian, was introduced into the worship; 'ere long many churches were worshiping with mechanical music.
As is usually the case, the majority of churches and disciples soon endorsed the innovations. Many who opposed them were forced by their convictions to either go elsewhere to worship or to establish new congregations. A few churches began to build elaborate buildings for show; organizations within churches were developed; organ recitals were conducted; church bazaars were held; some preachers began to accept the title "Reverend"; located preachers became "Pastors"; discrepant sounds were echoing. Within a few decades following the inception of the national missionary society many preachers and members in the church began to look upon the church as a denomination; not a few preachers began to question the inspiration of portions of scripture. The idea that what God does not specifically forbid or condemn is permissible was championed. Those who opposed the societies, the instruments and other unauthorized features were branded as "nonprogressives" "legalists," "anti-missionary," "anti-cooperative," "anti- organ," and even "anti-music." In 1919 the various existing boards and societies were grouped together in the "United Christian Missionary Society." An "International Convention of Disciples of Christ" began as an annual affair.
As time
continued, the liberal movement became too liberal for many among the
"Disciples of Christ," and they called a halt and endeavored to hold
on to some conservative ground. Some "Christian Churches" today
are thus referred to as liberal (better known as "Disciples of
Christ") and some as conservative.
Many of the
preachers and leaders among the Disciples of Christ do not believe that the
Bible is inspired of God, that Jesus was truly divine, that he was born of a
virgin, that he worked miracles, that he was raised from the dead, that he
ascended into heaven, that the soul of man is immortal, that the devil is a real
being, that the dead will be raised in the judgment, and that heaven and bell
are eternal realities. Modernism has permeated her pulpits and her
"theological seminaries." The "social gospel" is highly
endorsed. The road of apostasy always leads to infidelity.
Among Disciples of Christ we find the pastor system; titled preachers; women preachers and elders; open membership; organizations-inter-church and intra-church-of men, women and young people; instruments of music in worship; choirs; church benevolent, evangelistic and educational institutions; recreational and entertainment activities; and many other things that were no part of the churches that existed in New Testament times. The "Church of Christ" did not split off from the "Christian Church"; the "Christian Church" is the result of apostasy from the truth.
"Jehovah's Witnesses," as they style themselves, have in the past been known as "Millennial Dawnists," "International Bible Students," and, contrary to their own wishes but in accord with the facts, "Russellites," after their founder, C. T. Russell.
Charles Taze Russell was born February 16, 1852 and died October 31, 1916. He was colorful, controversial, zealous, shrewd and unscrupulous. The Russell of Witness literature today is afar cry from the Russell of history. Such facts as these are engraved upon the pages of authentic history:
A. Charles Taze Russell founded a religious cult and used it as a
money-making scheme.
B. The money that flowed in through the societies he organized was under the
control of a holding company in which Russell held 99 per cent of the capital.
C. He fraudulently advertised and sold wheat at $1.00 a pound which he labeled
"miracle wheat," but which was actually low in quality according to
government tests.
D. He made a trip around the world in 1912 and sent back for newspaper
publication glowing reports about speeches that were never delivered to
audiences that never assembled.
E. While under oath he repeatedly perjured himself in more than one libel suit
which he himself had initiated.
F. He was, according to his own admission, guilty of immorality. In court
he said: "I am like a jelly fish; I float around here and there; I touch
this one and that one, and if she responds, I take her to me, and if not, I
float to others." In spite of his character, hundreds of thousands of
zealous and sincere persons have entrusted their eternal destinies to the
doctrines he taught.
At the age of 18 Russell organized a Bible class which elected him their "Pastor" when he was 24. In 1879 he founded the paper "Zion's Watch Tower." In 1881 he organized "The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society" at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Russell authored six books under the title "Studies in the Scripture"; the first was printed in 1886 and the last in 1904. A seventh volume was added in 1917, a year after Russell's death. In 1908 headquarters of the movement were set up in Brooklyn, N.Y. It was not until 1931 that the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" was adopted. "Pastor" Russell was the first "President" of the religious organization he founded. He was succeeded by "Judge" J. F. Rutherford, who did much to embellish and strengthen the organization. In 1942 at Rutherford's death Nathan H. Knorr took the helm.
"Russellism is a mixture of Universalism, Unitarianism, Adventism and Materialism." Charles Russell and His followers deny that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three beings composing the Godhead, that Jesus was divine (they make him "A God" rather than "God" - John 1:1), that the body of Jesus was raised from the tomb, that punishment is everlasting, that the wicked will be raised, that the soul is immortal, that hell is an eternal reality, that salvation is extended to all the lost and that Jesus died as an atonement for all mankind. Russell taught that Christ and His apostles came to earth in October of 1874 and have been here (invisible, of course) since. He taught that the consummation of the ages and the rule of Christ would come and did come in 1914. According to Rutherford in 1918 Jesus "came to the temple of Jehovah." They are again predicting, as they have so many times in the past, the end of all human organizations, civil and religious-this time in 1975. But if 1975 comes and goes with an obvious failure of their prophecies, they will find some way to patch it up as they have in the past.
I close with the quotation of Russell's blasphemous statement concerning the Bible and his own "Studies in the Scriptures":
"If the six volumes of 'Scripture Studies' are practically the Bible, topically arranged with Bible proof tests given, we might not improperly name the volumes 'The Bible in an arranged form.' That is to say, They are not mere comments on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself. Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the 'Scripture Studies' aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years-if he lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood the Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the 'Scripture Studies' with their references and had not read a page of the Bible as such, he would have the light of the Scriptures." From "The Watchtower," September 15, 1910, page 298.
"Jehovah's Witnesses" are a human organization with a human founder and human doctrines.
Today there are almost a score of Lutheran denominations, but all of them wear the name "Lutheran," and look to Martin Luther as the founder of the Lutheran Church. Be it said to Luther's credit that he did not intend to found a church nor did he intend for anybody to become a "Lutheran." He even pled for those who followed in his footsteps not to call themselves Lutherans, but Christians.
Martin Luther was born in 1483. He was reared in the Roman Catholic Church. He entered a monastery at 22 and was ordained a priest at 24. Afterward he became a teacher in the University of Whittenberg in Germany. Luther's study of the Scriptures led him to oppose many of the doctrines and practices of Catholicism. He voiced his objections to the sale of indulgences and to the claims being made for them. In 1517 he nailed his famous ninety-five theses of objections to Catholicism to the door of the church building in Whittenberg. After defying a Papal "Bull," Luther was excommunicated.
Luther was the first great champion of justification by faith "only." In his zeal to support it he rejected the book of James, declaring it not inspired and added "only" to Romans 3:28 in his German Language translation of the New Testament. (Dr. Robert G. Bratcher, Baptist, has exceeded Martin Luther; in his translation, "Good News for Modern Man, The New Testament in Today's English Version," published by the American Bible Society, he has added the word "only" in Rom. 3:28 and Gal 2:16 and the word "alone" in Rom. 1:17.) In 1529 Luther wrote his Longer and Shorter Catechisms; in 1530 the Augsburg Confession of Faith was written by Luther's associate, Philipp Melanchthon. Lutheranism, therefore, traces itself back to Martin Luther in Origin, name and principle doctrines. It was not founded by Christ and is unlike the church founded by Christ in doctrine, name, organization, mission and worship.
There are some twenty Methodist denominations in America today. However, the three largest (Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal Church South and Methodist Protestant Church) were united in 1939 into what was called the Methodist Church. In 1968 the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church became the United Methodist Church. Methodism in general goes back to the early 1700's and freely acknowledges John Wesley as its founder. Two words stand out: "Episcopal," which brings out the fact that the Methodist Church had its origin within the Ranks of the Episcopal or Anglican Church and "Methodist" (from "Method"), a name given in derision by enemies of the movement and later accepted by its adherents.
Methodism had its beginning in 1729 among a group of students of Oxford University in England. These students were members of the Church of England. Outstanding among them were John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield. It was the intention of John Wesley to instill fervor and spirit within the cold, formal ritualism of the Anglican Church. At first he considered the meetings conducted and the societies formed as a movement within the Church of England, but eventually Methodism emerged as a separate and new denomination. In 1739 John Wesley drew up a set of general rules; he also prepared the Articles of Religion, which are held to this day. The Methodist Church is a human church (like all denominations), having a human founder and a human creed. The earliest name of the church in England bore the name of Wesley, and his name is still prevalent in the churches, colleges and societies of the various branches of Methodism.
METHODIST DOCTRINE
Vs
BIBLE DOCTRINE
1. Methodist doctrine teaches that salvation is by faith only, declaring this to be "most wholesome" and "full of comfort." The Bible teaches that salvation is by faith (Rom. 5:1), but denies that it is by faith only (James 2:24) and makes obedience to the Lord's commandments essential to salvation (Matt. 7:21; Rom. 6:17-18; Heb. 5:8-9).
2. Methodist doctrine permits infant baptism and infant church membership. The Bible teaches that infants are innocent of sin and not in need of baptism or church membership (Deut. 1: 39; Luke 18: 15-17). The Bible requires hearing of the word of God, believing in Christ, repenting of sins and confessing faith in Christ as prerequisites to baptism (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8: 35-38; Rom. 10:10; Acts 18:8), infants cannot and need not comply with any of these.
3. Methodist doctrine encourages and permits the practice of sprinkling or pouring (of water on the head of a "candidate") for baptism. According to the Bible baptism is a burial in and resurrection from water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; Acts 8:38; John 3:23).
4. Methodist doctrine has arranged for the church to be centrally governed by a College of Bishops; the Bishops, in turn, who compose that ruling body are over the various districts and the conferences in the districts. Bible doctrine makes no arrangement for a central governing body over the church. Christ is the only head of His church (Col. 1: 18), and He exercises His authority by His word (Matt. 28:20; 2 John 9). The only organization provided by Christ is the local congregation; each local congregation is independent and ruled by a plurality of men known as bishops or elders or pastors (Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; Philip. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
5. According to Methodist doctrine the Methodist Church is to be guided by the "Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church."'The church that Jesus built was and is to be guided by the doctrine of Christ as delivered by the apostles (2 John 9; Acts 2:42).
6. Methodist doctrine provides for a "preparatory membership roll" which includes "baptized" children and others who have enrolled in "confirmation preparation." The New Testament church had no such provisions.
7. Methodist doctrine teaches that baptism is not essential to one's salvation. Bible doctrine places baptism between a lost soul and salvation (Mark. 16:16). remission of sins (Acts 2:38), washing away of sins (Acts 22:16), getting into Christ (Gal. 3:27), getting into the death of Christ (Rom. 6:3).
8. Methodist doctrine leads one to rest his case on his "feelings," "experiences," "conscience," "satisfaction of heart," and human wisdom. According to Bible doctrine one must walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Gal. 5:6; Rom. 1:16-17), and this faith must come as a result of hearing and accepting God's word (Rom. 10:17; Acts 15:7).
There are presently five denominations (there have been many more, but these have ceased to exist) among the religious people commonly called "Mormons," but who call themselves "Latter- Day Saints." Three of these are very small. The two largest groups have their headquarters at Salt Lake City, Utah and at Independence, Missouri. Each of the five groups believes itself to be the original "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," as founded by Joseph Smith. The divisions in the ranks of Mormonism arose shortly after the death of Smith. Among the early leaders of these separate groups were Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, Jr. (son of the founder of Mormonism, who was also known as Joseph Smith, Jr.), Sidney Rigdon, Alphaeus Cutler and James J. Strang.
Joseph Smith was born December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont and was killed June 27, 1844 in Carthage, Illinois. He claimed to have had a series of visions beginning when he was a boy of FOURTEEN! In these "visions" he saw God, Christ and Angels, particularly the angel, "Moroni," was told that all existing churches were wrong, that he was to join none, that the pure gospel and the true church be re-established through him, and was given information and instructions which led to the "discovery" and "translation" of certain "plates of gold," from whence is supposed to have come the "Book of Mormon." The Book of Mormon to be an account of the ancient inhabitants of this continent and a history of some of the Jews. Its background is fraudulent and its contents ridiculous.
The Mormon Church was organized April 16, 1830 at Fayette, New York. With Mormons revelation is continuous. Thus they embrace, not only The Book of Mormon, but other declarations and writings (principally the Book of Doctrines and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price) of Smith (whom they claim was a prophet of God) and the declarations and writings of others since. These could gain acceptance only to the extent that the Bible was disparaged and reflected upon; therefore, Mormonism accepts the Bible with a broad condition ("as far as it is correctly translated"-they say that they can have more confidence in The Book of Mormon because it was translated with divine direction) that is supposed to take care of the many, many points at which it condemns The Book of Mormon and other "inspired" writings.
The Mormon Church is a human organization, having a human founder and a human creed; it began 1800 years after the establishment of the Lord's church in Jerusalem.
THE BOOK OF MORMON
The first edition of the Book of Mormon, the "Bible" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was published in March, 1830 at Palmyra, New York. At a cost of $3,000 five thousand copies were printed.
On the flyleaf of that first edition "Joseph Smith, Junior" was referred to as "Author and Proprietor." In later editions this was changed to "Translated by Joseph Smith, Jun." The testimony of three witnesses, and then the testimony of eight witnesses were given in the back of the first edition. The eight witnesses also referred to "Joseph Smith, Jr." as "the Author and Proprietor of this work." In the 1837 edition, after two of these "witnesses" were dead this "testimony" was changed to read "Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work."
The self-styled prophet, Joseph Smith, claimed that the contents of the Book of Mormon came from records on "Golden Plates" by men who were supposed to be guided by God in the making and preservation of those records. Not only that; Smith himself claimed to have been given the translation in English, word by word, from God. He said himself, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystones of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book." (History Of The Church, Vol. IV, p. 461). Yet, in spite of this, literally thousands of changes have been made from the first edition to current editions-many of these changes in the text itself.
About ten years ago Jack Free of Ontario, Oregon compared a first edition reprint (which I also have in my library) of the Book of Mormon with a current edition. He tabulated 12,349 changes!
The tragedy of it all is that several hundred thousand people are casting their eternal salvation on the claim of a nineteenth century man to being a prophet of God. Precious souls hang in the balance, and I would not want to stand in the place of that imposter of a man when the judgement comes. The Book of Mormon cannot be true unless the Bible is true, but if the Bible is true- because of its very nature and claims and warnings, the Book of Mormon and all other professed revelations must be false.
MORMON ORGANIZATION
To give you some idea how far removed from the New Testament pattern the Mormon Church is, here is a brief depicture of the organization of the Utah Mormon Church:
They have two orders of the priesthood, the Melchizedek (the higher order) and the Aaronic (the lower). The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the power of the presidency and authority over various offices of the Church. Its members hold authority to officiate in all the "ordinances of the gospel." From higher to lower its offices are apostles, patriarchs, high priests, seventies and elders. The apostles are "special witnesses of Christ," and there are only twelve of these at a time. The patriarchs or evangelists have the duty of blessing the members; a presiding patriarch has the power to "bless or curse, to bind or loose on earth" and is a prophet, seer and revelator. The high priests are for a standing presidency and service. The elders have authority to bless children and take charge of meetings (there are 96 in a quorum). The seventies are traveling elders and are arranged in groups or quorums of 70; they work under the general direction of the twelve apostles and are presided over by seven presidents of equal rank among their number.
The Aaronic Priesthood is said to guide the temporal affairs of ,the church. Its offices in a descending scale are bishops, priests, teachers and deacons. One may become a deacon at age twelve (boys only); deacons are grouped in quorums of 12, presided over by one of the number serving as their president. Teachers are grouped in quorums of 24. The priests, who preach and teach, have 48 to a quorum.
Local congregations are wards, and each ward is headed by a bishop. Wards are grouped together into stakes, and each stake is headed by a high priest who in this capacity is called the president of the stake. Many stakes also include missions, which are not self-sustaining wards yet. The stake presidents and ward bishops, along with patriarchs, high priests and elders supervise the work within the various stakes and wards.
The council of the twelve apostles, chosen by "revelation," supervises (under the direction of the First Presidency) the whole work of the Church and ordains all "ministers."
The presiding council of the Church is the First Presidency composed of three high priests, one the president and two his counselors. Final and universal authority in spiritual and temporal affairs rests in the First Presidency. The president is regarded as "the mouthpiece of God."
Among the outstanding leaders in the Reformation Movement was John Calvin, who lived from 1509 to 1564. He was born in France, became well-educated, and, while a young man, sided with the "Protestant Movement." Due to his opposition to Roman Catholicism, he was forced to flee from France and took refuge in Geneva, Switzerland. There he developed what has since been appropriately called "Calvinism." Many denominations have embraced some of its tenets. It contained five cardinal points:
1. Hereditary Total Depravity. Calvin taught that, as a
result of Adam's sin, all of Adam's descendants are born totally depraved,
"opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil," unable to do
anything toward being saved.
2. Unconditional Predestination. He taught that God, before
the creation, unconditionally elected certain ones to be saved. In fact,
he believed that everything that came to pass was according to God's
unchangeable decrees.
3. Limited Atonement. Since only the elected ones could be
saved, according to Calvin, then Jesus died only for those who were to be saved.
4. Irresistibility of Grace. He taught that when God in His own due time
acted upon a sinner who was among the unconditionally elected, that the sinner
could not resist God's grace. He, of course, believed in a direct
operation of the Holy Spirit.
5. Perseverance of the Saints. He taught that none of the elect having
received the grace of God, could fall away and be lost. NOT ONE OF THESE
FIVE POINTS IS TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE: IN FACT, ALL OF THEM ARE REFUTED BY WHAT THE
BIBLE DOES TEACH.
From the foundation laid by the work and teaching of John Calvin have come the various Presbyterian Denominations of today as well as other kindred denominations. The "Hugenots" of France, the "Puritans" of England, the "Covenanters" of Scotland and the "Dutch Reformed Church" of Holland were early allies in the movement called "Presbyterianism." The "Westminister Assembly," which convened in Westminister, England from 1643 to 1648 produced the "Westminister Confession of Faith" and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, which have long remained the creed of Presbyterianism. A meeting was conducted by a Southeast Texas Presbyterian Church. A leaflet advertising the meeting stated of the speaker: "His platform is that of the acceptance of the Bible as affording full and final authority in all matters of faith and practice." This is a wonderful platform, but the man-made creed of Presbyterianism and the Presbyterian Church itself are living demonstrations that deny this platform. The 178th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the USA, which convened in 1966, drafted a revised and updated confession of faith for the denomination. Some of the changes have aroused the ire of many Presbyterian members. The worst offender is this: "The Bible is to be interpreted in the light of its witness to God's work of reconciliation in Christ. The Scriptures, given under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, are nevertheless the words of men, conditioned by the language, thought forms, and literary fashions of the places and times at which they were written. They reflect views of life, history, and the cosmos which were then current."
The Nazarene Church, as it exists today, was brought into being at Pilot Point, Texas (north of Dallas) on October 13, 1908. On that date two denominations, the "Holiness Church of Christ" and the "Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene" united and agreed upon the name, "Church of the Nazarene." The "Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene" was the result of a merger in 1907 at Chicago of the "Association of Pentecostal
Churches in America" (concentrated in New York and New England) and the "Church of the Nazarene" (of California).
"The background of the Nazarenes is definitely Methodist; they adhere closely to the original Wesleyan (from John Wesley-B.C.) ideology. Most of the early Holiness groups in this country came out of the Methodist Episcopal Church; five of the original seven general superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene were ex-Methodist ministers, and the Nazarene Manual has been called 'A rewritten and modified Methodist Discipline.' (Handbook of Denominations, by Frank S. Mead, page 58).
A Port Arthur, Texas Nazarene preacher, W. M. Lynch, wrote, "Near the close of the 19th Century the Wesleyan doctrine of Christian perfection had become little more than a creedal matter among the larger denominations that once taught it as essential. The Church of the Nazarene was organized by church pioneers to conserve and promote this doctrine." ("Port Arthur News," May 11, 1957.)
The Nazarene Church teaches that one is regenerated and afterward, as a "second work of grace," receives sanctification by means of Holy Spirit baptism. The Bible makes no such distinction between regeneration and sanctification (1 Cor. 6: 11) nor does it promise Holy Spirit baptism to any today.
The Nazarene Church is another of the many denominations which are entirely human in origin. In New Testament times disciples were called Christians by God (Acts 11: 26); they were called "the sect of the Nazarenes" by men (Acts 24:5). They followed the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2:42), not a manual drawn up by an assembly of uninspired men.
In the debate with Eldred Stevens in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1952 Mr. Eric Beevers, a Roman Catholic priest, said: "If the Catholic Church is not the original, apostolic church, then tell us when it was founded and who founded it." Well, it so happens that no one can locate a specific date as the birth or beginning of nor specify some individual as the founder of the Roman Catholic Church. But this does not force us to the conclusion that Mr. Beevers was implying.
The Roman Catholic Church is the result of departure from the pattern of organization, doctrine, worship and work given by Christ through the apostles and contained in the New Testament. This departure began very early and moved very slowly, but surely; its final fruit bears little resemblance to the church that Jesus build.
The Roman Catholic Church tells us that such departure was not possible; the New Testament, on the other hand, not only shows its possibility, but prophecies it To the elders of the church at Ephesus the apostle Paul said: "I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock: and from among your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). To the church in Thessalonica he wrote: "Let no man beguile you in any wise; for it will not be except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God setting himself forth as God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? " (2 Thess. 2:3-5). The inspired apostle further stated: "For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work" (vs. 7). To Timothy he wrote: "But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of man that speak lies, branded in the own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth" (1 Tim. 4:1-3). The Roman Catholic Church is an apostate church. Some of its component parts are 18 centuries old; some of them are not one century old (E.G., the Bodily Assumption of Mary; the dogma of the Inallibility of the Pope is just over a hundred years old).
Beginning in the second century the process of corrupting the organization given through the apostles was begun. This was accompanied by departures in worship, doctrine and work.
The church that Jesus built had no pope; such began A.D. 606 when the title of "Universal Bishop" was conferred upon Boniface III.
The church that Jesus built had no councils; such began A.D. 325 when the council of Nicea convened.
The church that Jesus built had no orders of priests, diocesan bishops archbishops, cardinals, synods, dioceses, parishes, monks, nuns, convents, monasteries or parochial schools; such things began without authorization far this side of the New Testament.
The church that Jesus built had no holy water; such was introduced about 120 A.D.
The church that Jesus built had no doctrine of "Penance"; such began around 157 A.D.
The church that Jesus built had no latin mass (nor any other kind of Mass); such began A.D. 394.
The church that Jesus built had no doctrine of "Transubstantiation"; such was formed in the 8th century.
The church that Jesus built did not worship Mary; such was introduced in the 4th century.
The church that Jesus built did not use religious images and paintings; such were introduced in the 4th century.
The church that Jesus built had no doctrine of Purgatory; such was introduced in the 5th or 6th centuries.
The church that Jesus built had no doctrine of "Extreme Unction"; such began in the 6th Century.
The church that Jesus built had no doctrine of "Celibacy"; such was made a regulation in the 11th century.
The church that Jesus built did not sell "Indulgences"; such had its roots in the early centuries, but was not fully developed until the 12th century.
The church that Jesus built did not use instruments of music in worship to God; such was introduced about 666 A.D.
The church that Jesus built did not practice "Auricular Confession"; such began in the 13th Century.
The church that Jesus built did not sprinkle for baptism; such was introduced in the 3rd century, but not formally adopted until 1311.
The church that Jesus built had no Rosary, lighting of candles, burning of incense, Sacraments, Christmas, Easter, Lent, Religious Titles, Religious vestures, choirs, prayers to dead saints, prayers for the dead, Sacramentals, Eucharist, Confirmation, or infant "Baptism" and membership, but the Roman Catholic Church has them all.
In May of 1961 the Unitarian Universalist Association came into existence-the result of a merger between the Unitarian and the Universalist Churches. Both of the consolidating churches were very liberal in theological background and posture.
Basically, the principal idea of Unitarianism was the oneness of God and the complete humanity of Jesus in opposition to the deity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And, basically, the principal idea of Universalism was the ultimate salvation of all men in opposition to the salvation of only a limited number and the destruction of the rest. But so liberal are the leaders and members of the Unitarian Universalist Association that the majority among them no longer believe that there is a personal God of any sort or that the soul is immortal and will live beyond this live.
Unitarians pride themselves on having no formulated creed and on binding no particular doctrine upon their members-each one is supposedly left to believe what he wants to believe (or disbelieve). When asked to define their values and principles, about all that they can do is give the results of a poll conducted among the members. And such polls show that most of the members do not accept the inspiration of the Bible, the divine creation of the universe and man, the miracles of the Bible, the virgin birth of Christ, the death of Christ for man's sins, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the judgement of all men, eternal life in heaven, eternal punishment in bell, the existence of Satan, the authorativeness of the Scriptures, and many other fundamentals. What so many people are blind to is the fact thatmost major denominations are drifting toward a like rejection of these very same fundamentals. Many theological seminaries and many "Protestant Ministers" already stand on common ground with the average Unitarian.
Ironically, though, nearly half of the Unitarians prefer to call themselves Christians. What a paradox that professed followers of Christ should reject every fundamental that makes Jesus the Christ. What most Unitarians want from their association meetings is, in their own words, "mental stimulation, a chance for personal meditation and intellectual fellowship." But, apparently, they do not want much of these, for many Unitarian churches have begun the practice of dispensing with services through the summers months.
Most Unitarians believe that God is simply an idea, a process or a principle; that the Bible is a product of man's wisdom and filled with contradictions, exaggerations and absurdities; that Jesus was born of earthly parents, became a great leader and teacher, and died for his beliefs; that his followers exaggerated and invented many tales about him-his birth of a virgin, his miracle working, his death for sins, his resurrection, his ascension; that our salvation and our heaven must be entirely in this life; that there is no fixed standard for human conduct; that each person should be allowed to believe what he wants to and accepted on that basis.
In October and November of this year year (1970) the local (Beaumont, Texas) Spindletop Unitarian Church sponsored an ad which said: "What should children be taught in Sunday School? That God created the world in six days? (Technically, Genesis one teaches that God created the heavens and the earth "in the beginning" and that the work of the six days came afterward-BC) That man is not a creature of evolution? That Jesus was virgin-born, did miracles, and was literally raised from the dead? That Jesus may come down from the sky just any day now? That only those who believe such assertions with all their hearts are saved while everybody else will burn for forever in hell? Or that creation should be studied from all of the world's religious views, plus the views of modern science. That man has evolved from a wonderful evolutionary process, and is part and product of nature. That Jesus was most likely a good man who taught many good things, and like many of the religious leaders of the world had myths invented about him by his followers. That religion should deal in the here and now with complete trust in the forces that brought us into existence without morbid fear of death. (Implying falsely that we don't deal in the here and now and that we have a fear of death, a morbid one at that-BC.) If you agree with us in teaching our children a broad free view of religion, come visit us." Pity the little children that fall under the influence of such infidel philosophy.
Consider the Following In Contrast to what You have just read
"Church of Christ" is certainly a scriptural designation (1 Cor. 12:27; 12:27; Col. 1:18; Rom. 16:16), and many churches thus designate themselves. But, as in the case of other scriptural designations ("Church of God," "The Lord's Church," "The Church"), more is required than this to constitute the true church of Christ. The church that is "of Christ" (belongs to Christ) is composed of all those who have been saved from their sins (Acts 2:47), and it is necessarily nondenominational (not inter-denominational) and non-sectarian. It is scriptural in designation, doctrine and practice; it bears the same identifying marks which characterize the church of the Lord depicted in the New Testament.
The church of Christ was formulated in the mind of God as part of His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:10-11) and foretold by Old Testament prophets (Dan. 2 & Isa. 2). Jesus Christ the Son of God stated His intention to build it upon the rock of the great confession made by Peter (Matt. 16:13-19). He, indeed, is its builder (Heb. 8:2), its foundation (1 Cor. 3:10-11), and its head (Eph. 1:22-23). It began in the city of Jerusalem on the Jewish feast day called Pentecost; it began about 30 A.D. and shortly after the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ (Acts 2). It was brought into existence, extended and strengthened by the preaching and direction of the Spirit-filled and Spirit-guided apostles (John 16:13; Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:1-4, 42). It was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28-only those redeemed by His blood compose it); it is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15); in it the lost are reconciled unto God (Eph. 2:6). It is not a denomination or a collection of denominations; it was not founded by man, and it has no human creed.
Under the direction of the apostles, members of the church of Christ banded themselves together into local churches or congregations; this enabled them to work and worship together, to keep themselves saved and to help save the lost as God intended. These congregations were independent; in time each appointed its own rulers (elders, overseers, shepherds) and its own special servants (deacons) (1 Tim. 3:1-13).
When men and women today believe and obey the gospel of Christ as revealed in the New Testament, they become members of the same church of Christ. When they work and worship together as did first century Christians, they constitute a church of Christ.
