Throckmorton column: How Christianity came to have different demoninations

It can be difficult for many Christians, especially new Christians, to understand the reason for the different Christian denominations. The word “denomination” comes from the Latin word “denominare,” which means “to name.”

After Jesus was crucified, one of His disciples, Simon Peter, became a great leader in the Jewish Christian faith. Afterward, James, possibly Jesus’ brother, assumed leadership. These believers of Christ saw themselves as a reform movement within Judaism; however, they continued to follow many Jewish laws.

During this period after Jesus’ death, Saul of Tarsus, who lived from 2 BC to 64-65 AD, was originally one of the greatest persecutors of the early Jewish Christians. After converting to Christianity on the road to Damascus, Saul became Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul. It is believed that Saint Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible, then referred to as the Pauline epistles. These books, called Pauline Christianity, were mainly directed to Gentiles (persons not Jewish) rather than Jews.

These books by the Apostle Paul resulted in the early Christian church becoming divided. Those who claimed Gnostic Christianity believed they were more knowledgeable than others. They taught that Jesus was a spirit being only, sent by God to share knowledge with humans, enabling them to escape the miseries on earth. While some Gnosticists may claim to be Christian, they are decidedly non-Christian.

In addition to Gnostic, Jewish, and Pauline (Saint Paul), other interpretations of Christianity were being taught, gradually dividing the beliefs and doctrines of the Christian Church.

Jerusalem fell in 70 AD, resulting in the scattering of Jewish Christian beliefs. Pauline and Gnostic Christianity were left as the dominant Christian denominations.

The Roman Empire recognized Pauline Christianity as a valid religion in 313 AD. Later in that century, Pauline Christianity became the official religion in the Roman Empire. During the following 1,000 years, only Catholics were recognized as Christians.

The first significant division in Christianity occurred in the 16th century with the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation was born in 1517 by Martin Luther. He nailed his 95 theses, a series of propositions, to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. In these theses, he argued that the Bible is the ultimate Christian religious authority and that humans can only get to heaven through faith in God, not by doing good deeds.

Before Luther’s theses, Catholicism was the dominant religion in Europe. The 95 theses not only altered Catholicism but also inspired the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s ideas about the authority of the Bible and the importance of faith over good works continue to influence Christian theology to this day.

In 1529, “Protestation” was published by German princes who wanted the freedom to choose the faith of their territory. These princes called for individual interpretation of Scripture and religious freedom.

That Reformation resulted in the birth of denominations as we know them today. Catholics who remained faithful to Roman Catholicism believed that church leaders’ primary regulation of doctrines was necessary to prevent confusion and division within the church and corruption of its beliefs.

Catholics who broke away from the church believed this central control led to the corruption of the true faith. Protestants, meanwhile, held firm that believers read the Word of God for themselves. Until that period, the Bible was only printed and available in Latin.

A review of Christian history is the best way to make sense of the volume and variety of denominations today. A few examples of Christian denominations and their origins are as follows:

The Church at Rome, later known as Roman Catholicism, began in apostolic times. That refers to the time of the apostles, meaning the pope, especially when he is regarded as the successor to Saint Peter, who died around AD 64.

Baptists originated in England during the early 17th century and later spread to the United States.

Methodism originated in England during the 18th century. The movement was first known as the Church of England.

Lutheranism originated in Germany during the 16the century due to the Protestant Reformation.

Presbyterian originated in Scotland during the 16th century due to the Protestant Reformation.

There are many other Christian denominations with their own beliefs and histories. Many of them profess diverse and conflicting beliefs. Read your Bibles, and hold steadfast to the uncompromised Word of God.