Why Are There So Many “Churches” in the First Place? A Good
Question...
Our Wednesday night class is addressing questions regarding false doctrines and the
establishment of various “churches.” We would look at some of the reasons they exist. One
reason we have so many churches is because of something that John wrote. He said in 1 John
4:1: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many
false prophets are gone out into the world.” Indeed there are many false prophets that have gone
out into the world and some of these false prophets have created churches of their own. This is
part of Satan’s plan to divide the followers of Christ. The Bible teaches that if it is to his benefit
that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). We go on to read in the
next verse: “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of
righteousness” (11:15). In other words, there are people in the world today who appear to be
ministers of righteousness but who are actually working for Satan. How do you know the
difference? “Try [test] the spirits whether they are of God.”
Another reason we have so many churches is because many are not content to be just Christians.
They want to be Christians of a particular sort. This was the problem that the church at Corinth
was having. Paul rebuked them because they were calling themselves after something other
than Christ. Today many want to say that they are Baptist-Christians, Methodist-Christians,
Presbyterian-Christians, Pentecostal-Christians, Lutheran-Christians, etc. What was Paul’s
response to this type of thinking? He said, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or
were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor. 1:13). Instead of being followers of the one who
was crucified for them, instead of being content to be followers of the one in whose name they
were baptized, they wanted to be known as Paul-Christians or Peter-Christians, or ApollosChristians. They were not content with just being mere Christians.
The third reason we have so many churches is because many simply want their own way. They
want their way so much that they are willing to allow a church to be divided over their own
opinions. They confuse their opinion with what the Scriptures teach. To avoid this requires that
we study and know what the Bible teaches so we do not pawn off our own opinions as biblical
teaching and so we do not pawn off biblical teaching as our own opinions. We ought to care
more about the truth than ourselves.
What would you like to do my friend? Do you want the unity for which Jesus prayed? Will you
test the things that you believe against what the Scriptures say? Do you want to be “just a
Christian?”
Then I offer you this challenge this very day. Find a church. Question them regarding what they
believe and practice. If the Scriptures do not teach it,
then reject it. If they are doing what the Scriptures teach and only what the Scriptures teach,
then accept it and become part of that church today. It is my personal conviction that the church
of which I am a member, the church that belongs to Christ—the church of Christ—is doing
exactly this, nothing more and nothing less.
Johnny Oxendine
PO Box 5026; San Mateo, CA 94402
A PARADOX
America has troops in countries using military power to enable those countries to become what
we are, that is, a democratic society. Muslim countries have people in America using the Koran and
the Islamic religion to make America what many of them claim to be, that is, a theocratic society.
Our soldiers are suffering all the atrocities of was. The outcome from their sacrifices remains
uncertain. The Islamic people who come to this country are enjoying the blessings of our country,
including religious freedom. And the Muslim religion is reported to be one of the fastest growing
religions in America.
The Muslim people have much to gain through the successful mission of the American soldiers.
The growth of the Muslim religion in America, through the teaching of the Koran, presents the
American people with serious problems that did not previously exist in America.
Those problems are inevitable if Muslims follow the teaching of the Koran to be ruthless to
“unbelievers.” The Koran says “Muhammad is God’s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to
the unbelievers but merciful to one another” (Victory 48:29). Who are the “unbelievers” to whom
Muslims are to be ruthless? “Unbelievers are those who declare God is the Messiah, the son of
Mary” (The Tablet 5:15). The unbelievers are professed Christians!
“Believers make war on the infidels who dwell around you” (Repentance 9:123). Who are the
infidels with whom the Muslims are to make war? “The Jews say Ezra is the son of God while
Christians say the Messiah is the son of God, such are their assertions by which they imitate infidels
of old” (Repentance 9:30).
Some Muslims may say you have taken those statements out of context. A context is the “weaving
together of words” (Webster). In this country, you cannot use a “weaving together of words” to be
“ruthless to the unbeliever” and “make war on infidels.” And “slay the idolaters where ever you find
them” (Repentance 9:5) is unlawful in America in any context.
What will keep Muslims in America from doing what some Muslims throughout much of the world
are doing? They “make war on the infidels” with the destruction of their own bodies. How can we
fight enemies who remain unknown until they destroy themselves in their efforts to destroy us?
WALLACE MAXWELL