Who Founded the Churches?
The Difference Between Denominational Christianity and the Church Jesus Built
Introduction
Many today assume that Christianity is a broad religious system made up of countless denominations, all equally valid expressions of the faith. But that assumption raises a crucial question: Who actually founded the churches?
Jesus stated clearly in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He established a system of independent, local churches—each with Christ as its head, each dependent upon the Holy Spirit, and each grounded in the Word of God.
This stands in stark contrast to denominational Christianity, which is rooted in man-made traditions. While many religious groups claim to follow Christ, they often trace their origins to human founders, councils, and movements rather than to the churches Jesus established.
Jesus Established Local, Independent Churches
The Bible never describes Christianity as a universal, invisible body. Instead, it consistently speaks of local, visible churches—independent assemblies of baptized believers following Christ’s teachings.
Consider the New Testament pattern:
Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia (Galatians 1:2).
He addressed the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2).
He gave instruction to the churches of Asia (Revelation 1:4).
Each church operated independently, accountable only to Christ and governed by His Word. There was no denominational oversight, no centralized hierarchy—just self-governing churches that faithfully followed Christ’s commands.
This means true Christianity is not a denominational system but a continuation of the independent local churches Jesus established.
Where Did Denominations Come From?
If Jesus built independent churches, why are there so many denominations today? The answer is simple: men created them.
The Rise of the Catholic Church
After Christianity was legalized in the fourth century, church leaders in Rome began consolidating power, departing from the local church model. They created a religious hierarchy, appointing bishops, councils, and eventually a pope who claimed authority over all Christians. This system evolved into what we now know as the Roman Catholic Church, but it was never part of the churches Jesus established.
The Protestant Reformation and Denominationalism
By the 1500s, corruption in the Catholic Church led to the Protestant Reformation. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin rejected many Catholic doctrines but instead of returning to biblical local churches, they created new state-controlled denominations like Lutheranism, Presbyterianism, and Anglicanism.
These groups may have broken from Rome, but they continued many of its unbiblical traditions—hierarchical church government, infant baptism, and creeds not found in Scripture.
The Spread of Modern Denominations
Since the Reformation, thousands of new denominations have emerged—each claiming to restore true Christianity but differing in doctrine, practice, and leadership. This confusion exists because men introduced their own teachings instead of following the biblical model of Christ’s churches.
Key Differences Between Christ’s Churches and Denominations
1. Christ’s Churches Are Local and Independent
Jesus established churches that were local assemblies of baptized believers, not part of a larger religious system. Denominations, however, create human-led organizations that impose outside control.
2. Christ’s Churches Follow Biblical Doctrine
True churches remain faithful to the doctrine of Christ (Acts 2:42), while denominations often mix Scripture with man-made traditions.
Paul warned in Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Denominations exist because men introduced other gospels.
3. Christ’s Churches Have No Earthly Headquarters
Denominations have governing boards, councils, and headquarters, but true churches operate independently under Christ’s authority. Jesus never appointed a pope or denominational headquarters—each church answers to Him alone.
4. Christ’s Churches Practice Biblical Baptism
Biblical churches practice believer’s baptism by immersion, following salvation (Matthew 28:19-20). Many denominations have corrupted this practice by introducing:
Infant baptism (which has no biblical basis).
Baptism by sprinkling or pouring (which contradicts biblical immersion).
Baptism as a requirement for salvation (which contradicts salvation by grace through faith).
True churches remain faithful to Christ’s commands.
Have Christ’s Churches Always Existed?
Some ask, “If Jesus’ churches are separate from Catholicism and Protestantism, have they always existed?”
Yes! Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell would not prevail against His churches. Though history doesn’t always record their names, faithful, independent churches have always continued outside of the Catholic and Protestant systems. These churches never needed reformation because they never departed from biblical truth.
Are You in One of Christ’s Churches?
Many assume that belonging to a Christian denomination is enough, but Jesus never established denominations—He established local, biblical churches.
Ask yourself:
Can my church trace its origins to Jesus or to a man-made movement?
Does my church operate independently under Christ, or does it answer to a human organization?
Is my church grounded in Scripture alone, or does it mix in traditions and new doctrines?
If your church’s origins lead back to a man-made system rather than Jesus’ churches, it may be time to seek out a true, biblical, local church—one that stands apart from denominational confusion and remains faithful to God’s Word.
Conclusion: Return to Biblical Churches
Jesus’ churches are local, independent, Christ-centered, and Bible-based—separate from Catholicism and Protestantism. Denominations are man-made institutions that developed later, but Christ’s true churches have continued since the Gospels.
Biblical Christianity is not about picking a denomination—it’s about being part of a true, biblical church that follows Christ, not man-made traditions.
The churches Jesus established still exist today. The only question is: Are you in one?
Thank you sir