Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The One True Church vs. Thousands of Man-Made Churches: Understanding the Big Difference

He founded One Church, not thousands.
Introduction

Jesus Christ did not leave the world in confusion. He founded One Church, not thousands. Yet today, we see a world flooded with denominations, sects, and “Bible-only” churches—each claiming to be “Christian,” yet teaching different doctrines. So how do we know which Church is truly founded by Christ?

Let’s explore the clear difference between the One True Church established by Jesus and the countless churches invented by men.


1. Who Founded Your Church?

  • The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ Himself over 2,000 years ago (Matthew 16:18). He gave authority to Peter and the Apostles, saying:

    “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church… and I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 16:18–19)

  • Protestant churches were founded by men:

    • Martin Luther (Lutheran) in 1517

    • John Calvin (Reformed Church) in 1536

    • Henry VIII (Anglican/Episcopal) in 1534

    • Joseph Smith (Mormons) in 1830

    • Ellen G. White (Seventh-Day Adventists) in the 1800s

    • Felix Manalo (Iglesia ni Cristo) in 1914

    • And thousands more…

💡 Truth cannot come from division. Jesus prayed: “That they may all be one” (John 17:21). Unity in faith, worship, and authority is the mark of the true Church.


2. Apostolic Succession vs. Self-Appointed Leaders

  • The Catholic Church has an unbroken line of bishops from the Apostles to the present Pope. This is called Apostolic Succession—a living chain of authority that Christ Himself instituted.

  • Most man-made churches were started by individuals with no divine authority, no apostolic succession, and no ordination from the bishops of the Church Christ founded.


3. Sacraments vs. Symbolism

  • In the Catholic Church, Jesus gave us seven sacraments as real channels of grace (e.g., Baptism, Eucharist, Confession).

    “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53)

  • Many modern churches reject the sacraments or treat them as mere symbols, without understanding or authority to administer them validly.


4. One Faith vs. Doctrinal Confusion

  • The Catholic Church teaches one consistent faith for over 2,000 years, guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).

  • In contrast, thousands of Protestant denominations disagree on major doctrines:

    • Some allow divorce; others don’t.

    • Some baptize infants; others only adults.

    • Some believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; most don’t.

    • Some allow female “pastors”; others forbid it.

📖 God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Truth is not relative. Christ gave one set of teachings, not conflicting opinions.


5. The Bible and Authority

  • The Catholic Church is the one who compiled, preserved, and canonized the Bible in the 4th century. It is the Church of the Bible.

  • Many non-Catholic churches use the Bible, yet interpret it privately, outside the authority of the Church that gave them the Bible in the first place. This leads to contradictions and heresies.

“No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)


6. Holiness and Universality

  • The Catholic Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic—as declared in the Nicene Creed.

  • It is present in every country, serves the poor, educates millions, and upholds the same core doctrines worldwide.

  • Its saints, martyrs, and missionaries are living proof of its divine mission.

Man-made churches often break apart, fade out, or contradict themselves over time.


Conclusion: Come Home to the Church Christ Founded

The evidence is overwhelming: Only the Catholic Church has the full marks of the Church founded by Christ:

  • Founded by Jesus, not by man

  • Has apostolic succession and authority

  • Guards the fullness of the faith

  • Administers true sacraments

  • Teaches with unity and consistency

  • Is universal and enduring

If you are sincerely seeking truth, don’t settle for imitation churches that offer partial truths or man-made doctrines. Come home to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church—the only Church founded by Jesus Christ Himself.

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