GOD’S PLAN FOR GOD’S PLAN FOR REDEEMING MANREDEEMING MAN

God’s Eternal Plan for Us As Revealed in the Word

Lesson 8: The Sects and the Denominations

SECTS AND DENOMINATIONS NOT SECTS AND DENOMINATIONS NOT IN GOD’S PLAN FOR SAVING IN GOD’S PLAN FOR SAVING

MAN!MAN! Before the foundation of the world, God had Before the foundation of the world, God had

a plan to choose a people of His own, a a plan to choose a people of His own, a people who should be holy and blameless people who should be holy and blameless before Him.before Him.

EPHESIANS 1:3-4.EPHESIANS 1:3-4. “ “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord

Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” be holy and blameless before him.”

Then His Son came and said He would build Then His Son came and said He would build His church.His church.

MATTHEW 16:16-19.MATTHEW 16:16-19. ““Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ,

the Son of the living God.’ 17 And Jesus the Son of the living God.’ 17 And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.”of death shall not prevail against it.”

The church is God’s people whom He The church is God’s people whom He washed, justified and sanctified in washed, justified and sanctified in Christ.Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 6:11.1 CORINTHIANS 6:11.““But you were washed, you were But you were washed, you were

sanctified, you were justified in the sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” the Spirit of our God.”

Since the church is now that people, Since the church is now that people, a people who have been washed, a people who have been washed, justified and sanctified, it follows that justified and sanctified, it follows that the church has been a part of God’s the church has been a part of God’s plan for the ages. plan for the ages.

The church was the institution which God The church was the institution which God purchased with His own blood.purchased with His own blood.

ACTS 20:28.ACTS 20:28. ““Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and

to all the flock, over the which the Holy to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” purchased with his own blood.”

This means that the crucifixion and death This means that the crucifixion and death of Jesus has been a part of God’s plan to of Jesus has been a part of God’s plan to choose a people of His own.choose a people of His own.

Through the supervision of the Holy Through the supervision of the Holy Spirit who was sent by the Father Spirit who was sent by the Father and the Son and the Son (JOHN 14:26; 15:26; (JOHN 14:26; 15:26; LUKE 24:49)LUKE 24:49), the house of God—the , the house of God—the church—was built in the city of church—was built in the city of Jerusalem on that first Pentecost day Jerusalem on that first Pentecost day after Jesus rose from the dead. after Jesus rose from the dead.

Preaching the Good News of His death, Preaching the Good News of His death, burial and resurrection, persuading those burial and resurrection, persuading those who believe to repent and be baptized in who believe to repent and be baptized in order for their sins to be remitted—these order for their sins to be remitted—these are all included in God’s plan.are all included in God’s plan.

LUKE 24:44-47.LUKE 24:44-47. ““And he said unto them, These are the And he said unto them, These are the

words which I spoke to you, while I was yet words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.concerning me.

““45 Then opened he their 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” beginning at Jerusalem.”

Three thousand souls were baptized on Three thousand souls were baptized on that Pentecost day. that Pentecost day.

Then was fulfilled God’s purpose to choose Then was fulfilled God’s purpose to choose a people, a kingdom, a church of His own. a people, a kingdom, a church of His own.

The church that began in AD 30 has The church that began in AD 30 has continued to flourish in our time, ever-continued to flourish in our time, ever-multiplying, ever-conquering, marching multiplying, ever-conquering, marching victoriously on to the beat of the Divine victoriously on to the beat of the Divine Drummer. And this is the church we are Drummer. And this is the church we are members of.members of.

The church of the Lord came before The church of the Lord came before there ever were sects and there ever were sects and denominations in the world.denominations in the world.

If God was able to save a people, If God was able to save a people, justify them, and sanctify them, justify them, and sanctify them, without starting a sect or a without starting a sect or a denomination, what then is the need denomination, what then is the need for these human institutions? for these human institutions?

PPSALM 127:1 SALM 127:1 sayssays,, “Except the “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” vain that build it.”

The house of God is the church of the The house of God is the church of the living God (1 TIM. 3:15). “Except the living God (1 TIM. 3:15). “Except the Lord builds the church, they labor in Lord builds the church, they labor in vain who build it.”vain who build it.”

SECTARIAN SPIRIT THE SECTARIAN SPIRIT THE CAUSE OF RELIGIOUS CAUSE OF RELIGIOUS

DIVISION!DIVISION! Jesus prayed for all believers to be one. Jesus prayed for all believers to be one. JOHN 17:20-21.JOHN 17:20-21. ““I do not pray for these only, but also I do not pray for these only, but also

for those who believe in me through for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”hast sent me.”

The rise of the sects is contrary to The rise of the sects is contrary to God’s plan. Our plea to achieve God’s plan. Our plea to achieve religious unity is for all believers to religious unity is for all believers to go back to the Bible as the basis of go back to the Bible as the basis of our teaching and practice. our teaching and practice.

Sectarianism divides, as illustrated in Sectarianism divides, as illustrated in the religious system we now know as the religious system we now know as Catholicism: Catholicism:

The Catholics in the East (under the The Catholics in the East (under the patriarch of Constantinople) and the patriarch of Constantinople) and the Catholics in the West (under the bishop of Catholics in the West (under the bishop of Rome) had divided over the filioque issue, Rome) had divided over the filioque issue, anathematizing each other, and finally anathematizing each other, and finally separating in AD 1054. separating in AD 1054.

(1) Eastern Catholics became the (1) Eastern Catholics became the “ORTHODOX CHURCH.”“ORTHODOX CHURCH.”

(2) Those in the West became the “ROMAN (2) Those in the West became the “ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.” CATHOLIC CHURCH.”

(3) Martin Luther’s protest over the (3) Martin Luther’s protest over the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church abuses of the Roman Catholic Church led to his group’s separation from led to his group’s separation from the main Catholic body, and the the main Catholic body, and the founding of the “LUTHERAN founding of the “LUTHERAN CHURCH” in 1530. CHURCH” in 1530.

The Lutherans also call themselves The Lutherans also call themselves German Catholics.German Catholics.

(4) Because the pope would not let (4) Because the pope would not let him divorce his Catholic wife, Henry him divorce his Catholic wife, Henry VIII split from Rome in 1534 and VIII split from Rome in 1534 and became the head of the English became the head of the English Catholic church, or the CHURCH OF Catholic church, or the CHURCH OF ENGLAND. ENGLAND.

(5) Half a million German Catholics, (5) Half a million German Catholics, led by the theologian Johann Joseph led by the theologian Johann Joseph Ignaz von Dollinger, separated from Ignaz von Dollinger, separated from the main Roman Catholic body over the main Roman Catholic body over the disagreement on papal the disagreement on papal infallibility, in 1871, and became infallibility, in 1871, and became what is now known as “OLD what is now known as “OLD CATHOLICS.” CATHOLICS.”

(6) Filipino Catholics, led by Gregorio (6) Filipino Catholics, led by Gregorio Aglipay, separated from the Roman Aglipay, separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1902 and formed Catholic Church in 1902 and formed the “PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT the “PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC CHURCH.”CATHOLIC CHURCH.”

Sectarianism divides, and divides Sectarianism divides, and divides again. again.

If we all agree to speak where the If we all agree to speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent, then we may put an Bible is silent, then we may put an end to this blight in Christendom.end to this blight in Christendom.

LIST OF SOME SECTS LIST OF SOME SECTS FOUNDED BY MENFOUNDED BY MEN

(1) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH(1) ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHAlso known as the Also known as the Western ChurchWestern Church..Head: The “Pope” of RomeHead: The “Pope” of RomeFirst “pope”: Boniface VI (607 AD)First “pope”: Boniface VI (607 AD)Headquarters: Rome, ItalyHeadquarters: Rome, Italy

The Roman Catholic Church fulfills this The Roman Catholic Church fulfills this prophecy of Paul.prophecy of Paul.

1 TIMOTHY 4:1-3.1 TIMOTHY 4:1-3. ““Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in

the latter times some shall depart from the the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”know the truth.”

(2) GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH(2) GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Also known as the Also known as the Eastern Church Orthodox Eastern Church Orthodox

ChurchChurch Head: Patriarch of IstanbulHead: Patriarch of Istanbul Headquarters: Istanbul, TurkeyHeadquarters: Istanbul, Turkey Year: 1054.Year: 1054. Cause of separation from the Western Cause of separation from the Western

Church: The filioque issue.Church: The filioque issue. For additional info on the sect, visit this site: For additional info on the sect, visit this site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Churchttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Churchh

(3) LUTHERAN CHURCH(3) LUTHERAN CHURCH Founder: Martin Luther, a former Founder: Martin Luther, a former

Agustinian monkAgustinian monk Place: Germany Place: Germany Year: 1517 was the start of Luther’s Year: 1517 was the start of Luther’s

controversy with Rome. His followers controversy with Rome. His followers began calling themselves “began calling themselves “LutheransLutherans” in ” in 1530.1530.

Cause of separation: The abuses of the Cause of separation: The abuses of the Roman Catholic Church.Roman Catholic Church.

For additional info, visit this site: For additional info, visit this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheranismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheranism

(4) CHURCH OF ENGLAND(4) CHURCH OF ENGLAND Founder: King Henry VIII of EnglandFounder: King Henry VIII of England Head: King or Queen of EnglandHead: King or Queen of England Place: EnglandPlace: England Year: 1534Year: 1534 Cause of separation from the Roman Church: Cause of separation from the Roman Church:

Because the “pope” would not allow him to Because the “pope” would not allow him to divorce his wife and marry another.divorce his wife and marry another.

For additional info, visit this site: For additional info, visit this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Englanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Englandd

(5) PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH(5) PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHFounder: John Calvin Founder: John Calvin Year: 1535 Year: 1535 Place: Geneva Place: Geneva Please visit this site for additional info: Please visit this site for additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterianismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterianism

(6) CHURCH OF SCOTLAND(6) CHURCH OF SCOTLANDFounder: John Knox Founder: John Knox Year: 1560 Year: 1560 Place: ScotlandPlace: ScotlandPlease visit this site for additional Please visit this site for additional

info: info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Scotlandtland

(7) BAPTIST CHURCH(7) BAPTIST CHURCHFounder: John SmithFounder: John SmithYear: 1609Year: 1609Place: Amsterdam, HollandPlace: Amsterdam, HollandFor additional info, please visit this For additional info, please visit this

site: site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist_Churchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist_Church

(8) QUAKERS(8) QUAKERSFounder: George Fox Founder: George Fox

Year: 1647 Year: 1647 Place: EnglandPlace: EnglandFor additional info, visit this site: For additional info, visit this site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers

(9) METHODIST CHURCH(9) METHODIST CHURCHFounder: John Wesley Founder: John Wesley Year: 1729Year: 1729Place: EnglandPlace: EnglandFor additional info, visit this site:For additional info, visit this site:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodist

(10) MORMON CHURCH(10) MORMON CHURCHFounder: Joseph Smith Founder: Joseph Smith

Year: 1830 Year: 1830 Place: New YorkPlace: New YorkVisit this site for additional info: Visit this site for additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonismm

(11) SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST (11) SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHCHURCH

Founder: William Miller Founder: William Miller Year: 1844 Year: 1844 Place: New YorkPlace: New YorkAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh-day_Adventist_Churchday_Adventist_Church

(12) SALVATION ARMY(12) SALVATION ARMYFounder: William Booth Founder: William Booth Year: 1865 Year: 1865 Place: EnglandPlace: EnglandAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation_Armhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation_Armyy

(13) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES(13) JEHOVAH’S WITNESSESFounder: Charles T. Russell and J. F. Founder: Charles T. Russell and J. F.

Rutherford Rutherford Year: 1872 Year: 1872 Place: Pennsylvania Place: Pennsylvania Additional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnessessses

(14) CHURCH OF CHRIST-(14) CHURCH OF CHRIST-SCIENTISTSCIENTIST

Founder: Mary B. Eddy Founder: Mary B. Eddy Year: 1879 Year: 1879 Place: Massachusetts Place: Massachusetts Additional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ,_Scihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ,_Scientistentist

(15) CHURCH OF GOD(15) CHURCH OF GODFounder: Richard Spurling Founder: Richard Spurling

Year: 1886 Year: 1886 Place: TennesseePlace: TennesseeAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_God_(Clevehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_God_(Cleveland,_Tennessee)land,_Tennessee)

(16) THE NAZARENE CHURCH(16) THE NAZARENE CHURCH Founders: Bresee & Widney Founders: Bresee & Widney

Year: 1895 Year: 1895 Place: CaliforniaPlace: CaliforniaAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazarene_Churhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazarene_Churchch

(17) CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST(17) CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRISTFounders: Jones & Mason Founders: Jones & Mason

Year: 1897. Some say 1907. Year: 1897. Some say 1907. Place: TennesseePlace: TennesseeAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Godhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_God_in_Christ_in_Christ

(18) PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT (18) PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC CHURCH (Aglipayans)CATHOLIC CHURCH (Aglipayans)

Founder: Gregorio Aglipay Founder: Gregorio Aglipay Year: 1902 Year: 1902 Place: PhilippinesPlace: PhilippinesAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglipayanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglipayan

(19) PENTECOSTAL CHURCH(19) PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Outgrowth of Azusa Street ChurchOutgrowth of Azusa Street ChurchYear: 1906 Year: 1906 Place: CaliforniaPlace: CaliforniaAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peniel_Mission#Azusahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peniel_Mission#Azusa_Street_and_the_Rise_of_Pentecostalism _Street_and_the_Rise_of_Pentecostalism

(20) IGLESIA NI CRISTO - 1914(20) IGLESIA NI CRISTO - 1914 Founder: Felix Y. Manalo Founder: Felix Y. Manalo Year: 1914 Year: 1914 Place: Taguig, PhilippinesPlace: Taguig, Philippines Felix Manalo first became a member of the Felix Manalo first became a member of the

Church of Christ (instrumental group). Church of Christ (instrumental group). Leaving the group, he became an Leaving the group, he became an Adventist. Leaving the Adventist he Adventist. Leaving the Adventist he established his own church, first in Punta, established his own church, first in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.Sta. Ana, Manila.

Additional info: Additional info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_ni_Cristo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglesia_ni_Cristo

(21) ASSEMBLIES OF GOD(21) ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Founders: Group of Ministers Founders: Group of Ministers Year: 1914 Year: 1914 Place: ArkansasPlace: ArkansasAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assemblies_of_Ghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assemblies_of_God_USAod_USA

(22) MONCADISTA(22) MONCADISTAFounder: Hilario Moncado Founder: Hilario Moncado

Year: 1927 Year: 1927 Place: PhilippinesPlace: PhilippinesSome info may be gleaned here: Some info may be gleaned here:

http://commentary.mindanao.com/20http://commentary.mindanao.com/2007/02/i-finally-satisfied-my-curiosity/ 07/02/i-finally-satisfied-my-curiosity/

(23) UNIFICATION CHURCH(23) UNIFICATION CHURCHFounder: Sun Myung MoonFounder: Sun Myung Moon Year: 1946Year: 1946Place: South KoreaPlace: South KoreaAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unification_chuhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unification_church rch

(24) UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (24) UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE PHILIPPINES (UCCP)IN THE PHILIPPINES (UCCP)

Founders: Group of Ministers Founders: Group of Ministers Year: 1948 Year: 1948 Place: PhilippinesPlace: PhilippinesAdditional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_ofhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Christ_in_the_Philippines _Christ_in_the_Philippines

(25) PHILIPPINE BENEVOLENT (25) PHILIPPINE BENEVOLENT MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION (PBMA)(PBMA)

Founder: Ruben Ecleo, Sr. Founder: Ruben Ecleo, Sr.

Year: 1965 Year: 1965 Place: Dinagat Island, PhilippinesPlace: Dinagat Island, Philippines

(26) “CHILDREN OF GOD”(26) “CHILDREN OF GOD”

Founder: David Berg Founder: David Berg Year: 1968 Year: 1968 Place: CaliforniaPlace: CaliforniaAdditional info may be had here: Additional info may be had here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unification_churhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unification_church ch

(27) “ANG DATING DAAN”(27) “ANG DATING DAAN” (CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL)(CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL)

Founder: Eliseo Soriano Founder: Eliseo Soriano Year: 1977 Year: 1977 Place: Philippines Place: Philippines Additional info: Additional info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang_dating_daahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ang_dating_daan n

END OF LESSON SERIESEND OF LESSON SERIES