A Little Long, but Very Helpful Information!

[Nice & Wavy]

The history of the Christian religion started in the first century when the Lord Jesus Christ established His Church in Jerusalem. From this only Church personally established by Christ, Christianity has proliferated to more than 33,000 denominations with different and/or conflicting doctrines and beliefs as compared to the original Church but all claim to use the Holy Bible as a basis of their faith.​

The following figures will give us an idea as to how many Christian religions or Christian denomination or Christian churches there are throughout the world today. In the 1983 edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia, this is recorded: "In 1900 there was a global total of 1,900 denominations; but this has subsequently proliferated to 18,780 in 1970, 19,410 in 1975, 20,780 in 1980, with a projected 22,190 in 1985." In the 2001 Edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia it listed 33,830 Christian denominations. ​

This phenomenon invites varied reactions. There are some who readily welcome the continuous increase of religions or churches. They do not find it offensive that Christianity has been divided in this manner. They rather see it as a good manifestation of man's attempt to return to God. The more religions or churches there are, the more religions to choose from to satisfy one's longing for religious liberty. Some believe that the more religions there are, the more people become closer to God.​

Truth, however, runs to the contrary to these options. There is only one Christian Church or Christian religion that was established by our Lord Jesus Christ in the first century, In Matthew 16:18, this is written: "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." The more religions there are, the greater the confusion faced by man. And since there is only one true religion, the more religions there are, the farther man becomes from the true God. Let us therefore study the truth written in the Holy Bible so we may come to understand the reason behind this phenomenon and appreciate the urgent need to find the true religion that will lead us back to God. ​

RELIGIONS AS CLASSIFIED

How is the Christian Religion as classified by religious scholars?

Religious scholars may classify the Christian religion in various ways with consideration as to Churches, sects and religious denominations. To illustrate, there are those who classify Christianity into three main branches, namely, Catholicism, Greek Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Protestantism is further classified to Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, Anglicanism and Independents. Further classification may include Christian denomination which are which are well known in your locality.​

How did our Lord Jesus Christ classified religion?

The most significant classification was that made by Jesus Christ. He classified religion into two by distinguishing between the religion that is of God and that which is not. He said:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that lead to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only few find it." (Mt. 7:13, New International Version) ​

Christ mentions about the wide and narrow gates in reference to religions.

The True Religion -- The small gate and the narrow road that leads to life. This is the religion that leads man to God and attain eternal life. ​

The False Religion -- The wide gate and the broad road refers to religion that separates man from God and lead him to destruction.​

Unfortunately, only a few, according to the Lord Himself, find the way to God. Even more lamentable is the fact that others refuse to search for the true religion or the narrow gate that will lead man to Him.
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The religions that do not belong to God are those whose teachers teach different or false doctrines and do not agree to sound words and instructions of our Lord Jesus Christ, and, therefore, pose danger to the life of man. In I Timothy 6:3-4, this is written:

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited {and} understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, (1 Timothy 6:3-4, New American Standard)​

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WHAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF RELIGION?

Man is a natural worshipper who always try to find meaning to his existence. This meaning is found in his relationship with his Creator. His existence is valued inasmuch as he is able to serve God who created him.​

What caused man to inadvertently establish his own religion which is not of God?

In his attempts at searching for life meaning and purpose, he stumbles into his private opinions and creates his personal way of serving God. The Bible says, In Isaiah 59:8 it is written:

The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace. (NKJV)​

With his religious zeal and interest in worshipping the creator behind his actions, add to his longing for God, man has made themselves crooked paths and thus established their own religions which is not of God.
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This is the main reason for the increase in religions.​

Are there objections regarding the intentions and motives of such people?

This is written in Romans 10:2-3:

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ​

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God (NKJV)​

The same verse in another version of the Bible for clarity:

"For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, They did not submit to God's righteousness. (New International Version)​

Apostle Paul attest to the devotion to God exhibited by this people. But, though they are deeply devoted to God, their devotion is not based on true knowledge.
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Unaware of the way in which God puts people right with Himself, they have tried to set up their own way and have not submitted to His righteousness. They have created their religions.
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WHO IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROLIFERATION OF RELIGIONS?

Someone is behind the increase in the number of religions, the purpose of whom contradicts the purpose of God. This is explained by Jesus Christ in a parable:

The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seeds in his field. But while everyone is sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.​

The owner's servants came to him and said, "Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then the weeds come from?​

An enemy did this, he replied. The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' No, he answered, because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds an tie them in bundles to be burned, then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn. (Mathew 13: 24-32, NIV)​

The explanation of the "Parable of the Weeds in the Field."

Then he left the crowed and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds on the field."​

"He answered, 'The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is at the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels."​

"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out angels, and they will weed out his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like a sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." (Mathew 13: 36-43, NIV)​

The parable explains why false religion continue to multiply in the world. The evil one is responsible for this, in his attempt of win people on his side and rally them against the true God.​

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Did the Apostles warned the early Christians about the coming of the evil one?​

Even the Apostles warned the early Christians about the coming of the evil one with the intention to deceive people into believing that their religions are true. Apostle Paul said that the evil one would come, In II Thessalonians 2: 9-12, it is written:

The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders, and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned." (Today's English Version)​

41.33 Can people easily notice the deception being made by the evil one?

The deception by the evil one will hardly be noticed by people. It will be very subtle. Unaware of the devil's scheme, ​

In II Timothy 3:5 Apostle Paul issues a warning:

having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (NKJV)​

In other versions of the Bible for clarity:

" people will hold to the outward form of the religion, but reject its real power." (Today's English Version).​

They will keep up the outward appearance of religion but will have rejected the inner power of it. Keep away from people like that. (New Jerusalem Bible)​

Unaware of the dangers that such deception might bring, they would even believe that they are on the right track. They will be duped into believing that their religion are of God. ​

God, however warns that:

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12, NIV)​

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[Nice & Wavy]

The true religion is the way to God. Christ mentions about the wide and narrow gates in reference to religions. As stated by our Lord Jesus Christ "only few will find the small gate and the narrow road that will lead to life."Therefore we should try our very best to find it.

In his attempts at searching for life meaning and purpose, manstumbles into his private opinions and creates his personal way of serving God. The Bible says: "They have turned them into crooked roads"With his religious zeal and interest in worshipping the creator behind his actions, add to his longing for God, man has established his own religions.

The devil is also behind the increase in the number of religions, the purpose of whom contradicts the purpose of God. This is explained by Jesus Christ in a parable: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seeds in his field. But while everyone is sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. "He explained "The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil." The parable explains why false religion continue to multiply in the world.

Even the Apostles warned the early Christians about the coming of the evil one with the intention to deceive people into believing that their religions are true. Apostle Paul said "The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders, and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish."

People today, particularly those who consider themselves Christians, know that Christ founded a church. The relevant question now is, which among the thousands of existing religions or churches is the true one? There is therefore a necessity for man to conduct a search on this lest he imperils the future of his soul.