Why Are There So Many Churches Part III (Harlingen, TX)

Why Are There So Many Churches Part III

Why Are There So Many Churches Part III Late Second Century Eventually the presiding elder over a large city church assumed authority over smaller churches and rural churches. This presiding elder became known as the Bishop or Patriarch. THE SECOND AND THIRD CENTURIES Eventually the Patriarchs of the capital cities of the Roman disctricts Rome Constantinople Antioch Jerusalem and Alexandria became the five most important bishops. About 600 A.D. one became known as the Universal Bishop During the Second Century New doctrines are continously introduced that were neither practiced in or taught by the New Testament. 1) Sprinkling was substituted for immersion for the ill.2) Ascetism teh idea that suffering leads to or equals godliness is introduced.3) Gnosticism including the teaching that Jesus could not have come in the flesh becomes prevalent.4) A thousand year earthly reign of Jesus is first taught. AD 325 Emperor Constantine not even professing to be a Christian ordered a council of the church leaders to settle theological differences. This council composed the first human creed that was to be imposed uon all who were believers. This was another major step to denominationalism. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHURCH THAT IS LIKE THE ONE IN THE BIBLE ASK ME. Mat 16 18 And I tell you you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This was designed and published by the Rieber s of North Carolina.Reprinted and edited in this format with permission.Mike Stubbs