Several thousand, but not 38,000. The original research which came up with 38,000 didn’t recognize that its source referred to country-specific denominations as separate denominations. One could reasonably assert that the Church of Norway is the same denomination as the Church of Sweden, although they have separate leadership and thereby make denominational decisions separately. One would also presumably say that a mission church of the Southern Baptist Convention of the United States in Nigeria is the same denomination as the Southern Baptist Convention of the United States.
There’s only one Jesus and He is the only way to heaven by grace through faith in Him.
Churches don’t save so denominational labels aren’t really much more than informative.
Denominations are not nearly as big a deal as some make them out to be. There’s often precious little difference in doctrinal positions in many of them, and if there are, they are over issues that are not important to the salvation of one’s soul.
And since there are so many denominations, the exact number is up for grabs depending on the definition of *denominations*, and therefore meaningless.
This, however, is not at all true:
Svendsen then says “Barrett indicates that what he means by “denomination” is any ecclesial body that retains a “jurisdiction” (i.e., semi-autonomy). As an example, Baptist denominations comprise approximately 321 of the total Protestant figure. In other words, if there are ten Independent Baptist churches in a given city, even though all of them are identical in belief and practice, each one is counted as a separate denomination due to its autonomy in jurisdiction.
If that were true, there would be tens of thousands of Baptists denominations counted, not 321. There are 321 Baptist CONVENTIONS in the world. It’s an exaggeration to count them all as separate denominations, since many have formal relationships among them. But there are scores of separate Baptist denominations with theological distinctions among them.
Here’s what I would reasonably use as a test of Christian unity. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to research it to get a simple number.
Suppose the First Lutheran (ELCA) Church of Springfield burnt down. Would congregants agree as to what church to attend together until it was re-built? Would they all go to the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield? If so, the two Churches are the same denomination. Might some also go to the First Presbyterian Church of West Springfield? Still the same denomination. But would some feel they needed to travel to the First Lutheran Church of Shelbyville? Separate denomiation.
Many demoninations keep the people in control of their beliefs, money, and worship style. While not taking away the gospel of Jesus Christ it does keep one man from being head of the church. Jesus Christ is the only true head of a body of believers.
It’s much simpler than that. It’s the Christian Churches that don’t follow the seven sacraments. That’s what drives the number way up.
Reminds me of this joke:
A man was stranded on a deserted Pacific island for years. Finally one day a boat comes sailing into view, and the man frantically waves and draws the skipper’s attention. The boat comes near the island and the sailor gets out and greets the stranded man.
After a while the sailor asks, “What are those three huts you have here?”
“Well, that’s my house there.”
“What’s that next hut?” asks the sailor.
“I built that hut to be my church.”
“What about the other hut?”
“Oh, that’s where I used to go to church.”
I hear this lie, give or take a few tens of thousands, all the time from leftist propagandists. I always ask them, “okay, list them.” They always decline.
I don't know. But apparently, there are 38,000 genders.
Perhaps we should ask, how many of those “denominations” are Nicene Creed believers.
See Revelation 12:9 Satan has deceived the whole world.
If there is no one on earth who can infallibly interpret Scripture or infallibly teach Christian doctrine, then why does any individual Christian have to obey the teachings of any denomination?
Wouldn’t each Christian be his own “denomination”?
There is only ONE Catholic Church....among it various rites. Are you familiar with them?
And that’s just the Baptists.....but we will unite behind Jesus when the time comes.