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Jesus only Started one Church

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Jesus never called out Paul.
So Paul was not a member of Jesus' church.

Paul assumed himself called. Set the stage for many to assume themselves called out.
So you end up with a religion of many leaders, many conflicting ideas. No authority.
The church of Jesus along with any authority was lost in time.
 

exchemist

Veteran Member
That is pure fantasy.

There were Catholic Christians and there were heresies.

Those heresies can still be found in some small pockets, but protestant Christians reject these heresies just as Catholics do. Those who hold these heresies were never part of the Church Jesus started.

That's the reason Jesus started a Church with authority and told the rest of us to listen to it.
That is the history of the early church, I'm afraid. You can read about it in numerous sources. The one I have to hand is "A History of Christianity" by Diarmaid MacCulloch, who is Professor of Church History* at Oxford University. He will know what he is talking about.

What we now call the Catholic church was the Western part of the Chalcedonian branch of the church, after the Great Schism with the Eastern Orthodox in 1054. The Protestant churches split from Catholicism at or after the Reformation. But non-Chalcedonian Christianity also persists to this day, in churches such as the Coptic and Syriac churches.

*My own grandfather was professor of church history at Glasgow, as it happens. So my father grew up with some of this stuff and I picked up a bit of it from him.
 
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Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
How do you know anything about Jesus if not by the Church?

You don't just get to make up what he taught, right?

Do you agree that Jesus started a Church and promised to be with it until the end of time?
My understanding is that Jesus gave many teachings to all kind of people, and when they accepted His teaching, they carried the church within them.
 

KW

Well-Known Member
I mean, the Catholic church did not exist during Jesus's time.

Worship of Jesus is also something we don't really even see in the gospels. Add this to the fact that once again all of the gospels are a later development and we kind of have a problem with the idea that the catholic church is the group Jesus founded.

John is probably the first gospel we have in the new testament that even has a high christology. I think it's important to note as well that the gospels don't even agree on what actually happened during Jesus's lifetime and you know that might be kind of a big deal?

I would invite you to read the gospels side by side. What happens during the crucifixion?

In the gospel of Luke we have Jesus pretty much in control the whole time.
Luke chapter 23 verses 26 - 43
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’a]">[a]

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”b]">[b] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.c]">[c]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In the gospel of Mark we are more or less given a sad story of a man being mocked and executed. There is no confidence, there is no speech, there is no redemption. There is a man in shock dying.

Mark Chapter 15 verse 27 - 37
27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] a]">[a] 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).b]">[b]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

In Matthew we have
Matthew chapter 27 verses 45 - 50
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,a]">[a] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).b]">[b]

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

None of this gets into how in John we then have yet another version of events. If you read through these it becomes obvious that we can't even agree on what actually happened during the crucifixion. The bible doesn't know what happened to what a Christian would consider it's most important character.


There is no where in the Torah or Tanakh where it says the messiah will die crucified or as a sacrifice to God for the sins of mankind.
Jeremiah chapter 23 verse 8
8 but, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.”
Jeremiah chapter 30 verse 3
3 For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’ ”

Pretty sure Jesus never brought the people back to the holy land.

Mashiach: The Messiah - Judaism 101 (JewFAQ)

I mean there are plenty of reasons to doubt that Jesus is the messiah. We have pretty much no reason to say Jesus is the messiah. I mean a moral teacher sure, but it seems like he has been dragged away from his message and had words stuffed into his mouth. It seems to me that people have made him a puppet for their own desires.

It reminds me of this part in Jesus Christ Superstar honestly.


Jesus started the Catholic Church, so of course it existed at this time. The apostles were the chosen leaders of his Church. They chose successors. There was never a break in the succession. It is the same Church.

This debate doesn't really matter to non Christians anyway.

This debate is for those who believe that Jesus is God Incarnate. Since you don't believe that, it shouldn't matter to you what Jesus taught his followers.
 

KW

Well-Known Member
That is the history of the early church, I'm afraid. You can read about it in numerous sources. The one I have to hand is "A History of Christianity" by Diarmaid MacCulloch, who is Professor of Church History* at Oxford University. He will know what he is talking about.

What we now call the Catholic church was the Western part of the Chalcedonian branch of the church, after the Great Schism with the Eastern Orthodox in 1054. The Protestant churches split from Catholicism at or after the Reformation. But non-Chalcedonian Christianity also persists to this day, in churches such as the Coptic and Syriac churches.

*My own grandfather was professor of church history at Glasgow, as it happens. So my father grew up with some of this stuff and I picked up a bit of it from him.

He was an Anglican. Anglicans skew history to fit their own personal views. They still believe they are part of the Church even though their Church was started by a horny king who rejected the authority of the Church Jesus started.

You are mistaken if you think that there was no central authority from day 1. Read Acts 15. Those with a doctrinal dispute in Antioch didn't just consult the scriptures or take a vote, they consulted the leaders of the Church.

This is how the Church was structured from the beginning. The truth that some individuals and groups left the Church doesn't change this core fact.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I have no idea where you got that idea, but it is not in the bible nor is it in Christian history.
As i said :) it is my understanding, it may be wrong.
It is how i have come to understanding it, from many years as a spiritual person.
 
Jesus started the Catholic Church, so of course it existed at this time. The apostles were the chosen leaders of his Church. They chose successors. There was never a break in the succession. It is the same Church.

This debate doesn't really matter to non Christians anyway.

This debate is for those who believe that Jesus is God Incarnate. Since you don't believe that, it shouldn't matter to you what Jesus taught his followers.
I mean that is pretty silly. The idea that someone can't be interested in historical reality because they don't follow the person in question seems a bit of an odd way to look at it? I suppose if you are just absolutely bent on the idea that is fine enough though.
 

KW

Well-Known Member
As i said :) it is my understanding, it may be wrong.
It is how i have come to understanding it, from many years as a spiritual person.

You can make up whatever you want. I won't stop you.

That's not what Jesus taught though.

Matt 18:17
If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
 

KW

Well-Known Member
I mean that is pretty silly. The idea that someone can't be interested in historical reality because they don't follow the person in question seems a bit of an odd way to look at it? I suppose if you are just absolutely bent on the idea that is fine enough though.

I didn't mean that. Of course it is interesting even for non Christians.

However, this particular debate is much more important to those who believe that Jesus is the creator of the universe. It is not just an academic question. If you believe in the divinity of Christ you want to follow him completely and as he intended.
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Which Church fits these descriptions?

John 20
21Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” 22When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”

Matt 16
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Matt 18:17

If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

1 Tim 3:15

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Luke 10:16
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Any person that Believes in Jesus as a Messenger from God, who Peter said was the Christ, which means Jesus was 'Annointed' by the Holy Spirit of God becomes a member of the Church of Jesus the Christ.

Those that then live as Jesus Christ asked us to do, and give praise to God in fellowship join that universal Church.

Thus the many sheep of many folds become One.

To remain faithful in the Church, one then must embrace the promise and not reject the returned Christ.

It is in this age that this verse takes on a whole new meaning, it has been made new.

Luke 10:16
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Thus I offer that is Baha'u'llah (The Glory of God, the Father)

Since such a world ending, world shaking declaration, is a sensitive matter to many, I also offer IMHO

Regards Tony
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
The "church" of Jesus died 2000 years ago.

The Church was raised in the Spirit of Christ, as Peter offered and is in my heart. I would suggest it is in many millions of other hearts as well.

The key is the oneness of God. I will add IMHO

Regards Tony
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
I believe the Church is within the heart of each Christian who practice the teaching given by Jesus...

There are many sheep that are not of the Christian fold. I would hope that not too far into the future, there will be one flock, with one Shepherd, which is God.

The Messengers are the Gate to our One God and the veil of Names needs to be lifted.

Of course all that is offered IMHO

Regards Tony
 

KW

Well-Known Member
Any person that Believes in Jesus as a Messenger from God, who Peter said was the Christ, which means Jesus was 'Annointed' by the Holy Spirit of God becomes a member of the Church of Jesus the Christ.

Those that then live as Jesus Christ asked us to do, and give praise to God in fellowship join that universal Church.

Thus the many sheep of many folds become One.

To remain faithful in the Church, one then must embrace the promise and not reject the returned Christ.

It is in this age that this verse takes on a whole new meaning, it has been made new.

Luke 10:16
“Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Thus I offer that is Baha'u'llah (The Glory of God, the Father)

Since such a world ending, world shaking declaration, is a sensitive matter to many, I also offer IMHO

Regards Tony


You can make up anything you want, as others have. But that is not consistent with the words of Christ and those of the early Church.
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
If you believe in the divinity of Christ you want to follow him completely and as he intended

There is a big quandary, as human tendency is to add to what God intended and make of it their own. The warning is;

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"

This is that Day when the Father in Heaven has been manifested and given us a path to our oneness under Christ, to become one fold under one Shepherd, God.

IMHO

Regards Tony
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
You can make up anything you want, as others have. But that is not consistent with the words of Christ and those of the early Church.

The great thing is I do not have to make it up as there is a recorded Revelation given. I can only share it as it was shared 2000 years ago.

The quandary is, just as it was 2000 years ago, we all get to make our own choice.

Regards Tony
 

KW

Well-Known Member
There is a big quandary, as human tendency is to add to what God intended and make of it their own. The warning is;

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"

This is that Day when the Father in Heaven has been manifested and given us a path to our oneness under Christ, to become one fold under one Shepherd, God.

IMHO

Regards Tony


That's the question. What is God's will?

Jesus told us how to determine this. He told us to listen to the Church.

The problem we have is modern sects deciding, for example, that sexual immorality doesn't exist, that abortion is OK with God, that divorce is OK with God, etc.

If you can't acknowledge sin, then you can't repent and be reconciled to God.
 

KW

Well-Known Member
The great thing is I do not have to make it up as there is a recorded Revelation given. I can only share it as it was shared 2000 years ago.

The quandary is, just as it was 2000 years ago, we all get to make our own choice.

Regards Tony


Jesus started a Church to keep us on the path he desired.

Among protestants you have thousands of denominations teaching contradictory doctrines using the same bible.

You have gay pastors, churches that support abortion, etc.

Do you think this is what Jesus meant when he said that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. If there are contradictions, then there are falsehoods.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
There are many sheep that are not of the Christian fold. I would hope that not too far into the future, there will be one flock, with one Shepherd, which is God.

The Messengers are the Gate to our One God and the veil of Names needs to be lifted.

Of course all that is offered IMHO

Regards Tony
Then we hoping for the same my friend :)
 

Sgt. Pepper

All you need is love.
Honestly, nothing has really changed in the history of the Christian Church in regard to Christians insisting that their church is the "only true church" and all other Christian churches are heresies and are dead wrong in their beliefs about the Bible. The truth is, if you ask a group of diverse Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant) the same theological question, you'll get different answers to your question and all these Christians will use the Bible to justify their answer, despite the fact that their answers are obviously different. Christians can't agree if salvation in Jesus Christ is conditional or not (Is Calvinism biblical, or is Arminianism biblical?), or if baptism is a requirement for salvation or not. Is salvation by faith alone, or is a person's salvation earned by works?

Well, the answer to these theological questions depends on which Christians you ask.

According to Catholics, the Roman Catholic Church is the one and only "True Church," and salvation only comes by Christ and through his Catholic Church (source). However, I've heard Orthodox Christians claim that their Church is the one and only "True Church," and I've also heard plenty of Protestants claim that the true Christian Church is universal, and it includes all the believers in Jesus, despite their church affiliation. Which one of these churches is the true Church? That depends on which Christians you ask.

You could ask the Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians, Anglican Christians, or the Protestant Christians. And if you go the way of the Protestants, then do you ask the Baptists, the Episcopalians, the Adventists, the Methodist, the Nazarene, the Lutheran, the Messianic, the Pentecostal, the Presbyterians, or do you choose from the hundreds of other churches? Which one do you choose?

Which one of these hundreds of Christian churches is correct about their Bible interpretation? I wouldn't expect the same kind of answers because Christians tend to believe that they are absolutely correct in their biblical interpretation and theology and all other Christians are dead wrong in theirs. I realize I'm stating the obvious, but these diverse Christians can't all be correct when their biblical interpretation, church doctrines and dogma clearly contradict each other. My point is, Christianity is deeply divided and dissension has been common place among Christians since biblical times. Why should unbelievers believe that Christianity is the only true religion in the world when Christians can't even agree with each other about what the Bible actually teaches?
 
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