The Birth of Extra Denominations
🔥Introduction
🔷 When we look at christianity, a lot of Religions are fairly new and we know that the church from the time of Jesus Christ has always being an unbroken chain as Jesus said.
📖 Matthew 16:18 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
📌 This means that the true church has always been, also the word of God has always been.
📖 Psalms 12:6-7 (KJV) The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
📌 So there has always been a true church available and the word of God always available, many try and say that the church was corrupted and lost also the word of God corrupted and lost just so they can bring in a new doctrine and teaching, but the Bible declares that there is no private interpretation.
📖 2 Peter 1:19-21 (KJV) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
📌 There is no more extra revelations as Jesus is the word of God and Jesus has finished the revelations we have the end of the world and how to live there is nothing more we need in the Bible, in fact Jesus declared.
📖 Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
1️⃣ The 19th and Early 20th Century Was a Time of Religious Ferment
🔷 This period was marked by intense religious questioning and revivalism, especially in America and Europe. Several factors contributed to the rise of new movements:
The Second Great Awakening (1790s–1840s): A revival movement that emphasized personal faith, new revelations, and the expectation of Christ’s imminent return.
Restorationist Movements: Many groups sought to "restore" the original, apostolic faith, leading to new interpretations of doctrine.
Challenges to Traditional Christianity: Movements arose in response to modernism, skepticism, and scientific advancements that shook traditional religious beliefs.
Mass Communication: The rise of printing, newspapers, and radio allowed religious leaders to spread their messages rapidly.
📌 The Second Great Awakening is not a genuine move of God, but a strategic time where Satan sowed counterfeit movements, drawing people away from biblical truth, a time of confusion and many different beliefs.
📖 1 Corinthians 14:32-33 (KJV) And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
📌 From the second great awakening came all the birth of new denominations, Because emotions became the new normal where people relied on emotions for truth rather than scriptural truths, They trusted feelings, dreams, and visions over the written Word of God. This opened the door for new revelations, cults, and false teachings.
2️⃣ Notable Religious Movements from This Era
Many groups that departed from traditional biblical Christianity emerged in the 1800s and early 1900s:
Mormonism (1830) – Founded by Joseph Smith, teaching additional scriptures (Book of Mormon) and unique doctrines about God, Jesus, and salvation.
Jehovah’s Witnesses (1870s) – Founded by Charles Taze Russell, denying the Trinity and emphasizing end-times prophecies.
Seventh-day Adventism (1863) – Emerged from the failed predictions of William Miller, emphasizing Sabbath-keeping and dietary laws.
Christian Science (1879) – Founded by Mary Baker Eddy, promoting faith healing and rejecting traditional medicine.
Pentecostalism (1901-1906) – Though still within Christianity, it introduced new emphases on spiritual gifts and speaking in tongues.
Oneness Pentecostalism (1916) – A radical offshoot rejecting the Trinity, advocating baptism in "Jesus' name only."
📌 It is very interesting to see all these new denominations spring out around the same time after one event the second great awakening? A lot of dreamers and skeptics were free to create their own churches because people disregarded traditional church authority and laying on of hands to be ordained as pastors (Acts 6:3-6)! This meant it was a time for a lot of new movements to start, some came and gone and some held up.
3️⃣ Emotionalism Over Sound Doctrine
📌 During the Second Great Awakening, preachers often emphasized emotional experiences—such as crying, shouting, falling, and ecstatic joy over clear, biblical teaching. Revival meetings were designed to stir intense feelings, and emotions were treated as proof of salvation. But this approach often bypassed genuine repentance, spiritual understanding, and lasting transformation.
People began to seek feelings instead of truth. Salvation was reduced to a quick emotional decision, often disconnected from the true gospel message of faith in Jesus Christ.
Feelings change. God’s Word does not.
Basing salvation or assurance on emotions makes faith unstable.
Many claimed they were saved because they “felt something,” not because they trusted the truth of God’s Word.
📖 Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
📌 We shouldn’t base our beliefs on emotions as our flesh is not the authority, God is, and the Bible is God because Jesus is the Word and the Word is God (John 1:1), When we look at biblical revival it was done through hard preaching of the truth.
📖 Acts 2:36-38 (KJV) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
💭 We see here that Peter had a confrontational style of preaching as he placed the blame on the Jews for killing Jesus, and we see that they were pricked in their hearts? They weren’t manipulated by music or dramatic appeals. It was the Word of God that had the power to change people, as mentioned….
📖 Hebrews 4:12 KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
📌Also the apostle Paul created revivals, he planted churches all through Minor Asia (modern Turkey) and he was constantly being attacked for his strong preaching against cultures and false religions proving them wrong. It wasn’t emotional experiences that created revivals but rather direct preaching of the Word of God.
📖 2 Timothy 4:2-4 (KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
📌 This is where the raise of other false religions began through fables, which leads us to the our next point.
3️⃣ A Common Theme: "New Revelation" or "Restoration"
🔷 A key characteristic of many of these groups is the claim that Christianity had become corrupted and that they were restoring "the true faith." They often introduced extra-biblical revelations, alternative scriptures, or new doctrines not found in the KJV Bible or historical Christianity.
📌 We will see how fables became the birth for new denominations.
🔥Mormons
1. 🆕 They Added Another Book
Joseph Smith claimed to receive divine visions and translated the Book of Mormon (published in 1830).
This book was promoted as “another testament of Jesus Christ.”
📖 Deuteronomy 4:2 — “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you...”
📖 Revelation 22:18 — “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues...”
🔎 Biblical Problem: Scripture warns not to add new revelation or alter God’s Word.
2. 👤 They Changed the Nature of God
Mormonism teaches that God the Father was once a man who progressed to godhood.
They teach that humans can become gods too.
📖 Malachi 3:6 — “I am the Lord, I change not...”
📖 Isaiah 43:10 — “Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”
🔎 Biblical Problem: God is eternal, unchanging, and unique not an exalted man.
3. ✝️ They Reinterpreted Jesus
Mormons teach that Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer, and a created being—not the eternal God.
This denies the deity and uniqueness of Christ.
📖 John 1:1,14 “The Word was God... and the Word was made flesh.”
📖 Colossians 2:9 “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
🔎 Biblical Problem: Jesus is not created He is God in the flesh, the eternal Son.
4. 🏛️ They Claimed All Churches Were False
Joseph Smith claimed that all churches were corrupt and that God used him to “restore” true Christianity.
This belief set Mormonism apart as the “only true church.”
📖 Matthew 16:18 — “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
🔎 Biblical Problem: Jesus promised His church would never be overcome, not disappear and need restoring.
✅ Conclusion:
The rise of Mormonism during the Second Great Awakening is a clear warning of what happens when:
Emotion replaces truth,
New revelation is accepted without testing,
And feelings override Scripture.
📖 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God...” — 1 John 4:1
🔥 Jehovah’s Witnesses
1. 👤 They Deny the Deity of Jesus
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is not God, but rather a created being Michael the Archangel in human form.
They deny the Trinity entirely.
2. 📖 They Corrupted the Bible (New World Translation)
Jehovah’s Witnesses rewrote the Bible (the New World Translation) to fit their doctrine.
For example, they changed John 1:1 to say, “the Word was a god”—which has no basis in Greek grammar.
📖 Proverbs 30:6 — “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee...”
🔎 Biblical Problem: They altered Scripture to match their theology.
3. ❌ They Teach Salvation by Works
Jehovah’s Witnesses must engage in door-to-door evangelism, attend meetings, and follow Watchtower teachings to hope for salvation.
They do not believe in being born again or trusting in Christ alone.
📖 Ephesians 2:8–9 — “By grace are ye saved through faith... not of works...”
📖 Titus 3:5 — “Not by works of righteousness which we have done...”
🔎 Biblical Problem: The gospel is by grace through faith, not religious performance.
4. 🏙️ They Teach a False View of Heaven
Only 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses are promised heaven.
The rest hope to live forever on a paradise earth if they obey enough.
5. ⛔ They Deny Eternal Punishment
Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the biblical doctrine of hell.
They teach that the wicked will be annihilated cease to exist.
📖 Matthew 25:46 — “These shall go away into everlasting punishment...”
📖 Revelation 20:10 — “...tormented day and night forever and ever.”
🔎 Biblical Problem: Scripture is clear that hell is real and eternal.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are another product of the religious chaos following the Second Great Awakening:
They present another Jesus,
Another gospel,
And a different spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4).
📖 Galatians 1:8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel... let him be accursed.”
🔥 The Adventist movement
1. ⏳ Failed Prophecies About Christ’s Return
William Miller set dates for Christ’s second coming, despite Matthew 24:36:
📖 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man...” — Matthew 24:36
🔎 Biblical Problem: Date-setting is forbidden and always leads to confusion and false hope.
2. 🏛️ Reinterpreting a Failed Prophecy
After the 1844 failure, leaders like Ellen G. White claimed that Jesus had actually entered the Most Holy Place in heaven to begin an “Investigative Judgment.”
This teaching is nowhere in Scripture and contradicts Christ’s finished work.
📖 “When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” — Hebrews 1:3
📖 “It is finished.” — John 19:30
🔎 Biblical Problem: Christ’s atonement was complete at the cross, not delayed.
3. 📚 Elevating Ellen G. White’s Writings
Ellen White became the prophetess of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Her writings are used to interpret Scripture and often supersede biblical authority.
📖 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” — Isaiah 8:20
🔎 Biblical Problem: No prophet or vision is equal to or above Scripture.
4. 🌿 Legalism and Sabbath Observance
Adventists teach that Saturday Sabbath keeping is a requirement for salvation and that Sunday worship is the mark of the beast (per Ellen White).
This contradicts Colossians 2:16–17, which clearly states that Sabbath laws are shadows fulfilled in Christ.
📖 “Let no man therefore judge you... in respect of an holyday... or of the sabbath days.” — Colossians 2:16
🔎 Biblical Problem: Salvation is by grace through faith, not by keeping Old Testament laws.
📌 We see that through made up stories and fables new doctrines where created and to add to the credibility they used fables of seeing angels or having some divine power that no one really saw but used the momentum for a greater push. Once you see past all the fables their doctrine becomes nothing.
4️⃣ Why Did This Happen in the 1900s?
Rise of Religious Individualism – People started rejecting traditional church authority, looking for "new truths."
End-Times Speculation – Many groups were obsessed with the return of Christ, leading to false prophecies.
Charismatic Leaders – Strong personalities led movements that gained large followings.
Lack of Biblical Knowledge – Many people were drawn to new teachings because they didn’t study the Bible deeply.
5️⃣ Biblical Warnings About False Movements
The Bible warns repeatedly about false teachers and new movements that distort the gospel:
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."
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
Matthew 24:24 – "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Conclusion
Yes, many false religious movements exploded in the 1800s and 1900s, departing from biblical Christianity. The best way to discern truth is to compare every doctrine with the Bible and test whether it aligns with the teachings of Christ and the apostles, if doctrine don’t align with the word of God then its not a doctrine or teaching worthy of listening too.
📖 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (KJV) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
