Transcription
This is every Christian denomination on a map, starting with Roman Catholics. You don't need me to tell you that the smallest country in the world is the Vatican City, and this is the headquarters of the largest Christian denomination, but did you know that 16% of the world's entire population follow the Pope's teachings? With Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines containing the most Catholics globally, Catholics see the Pope as Christ's representative on Earth. Have you heard of one of Jesus' disciples called Peter? Well, Catholics say that he was the very first pope. So, who's in charge now? Well, it's still the Pope based in the Vatican City, but his influence stretches to Latin America, Ireland, Poland, Italy, huge parts of Africa, and even Rhode Island in the US. Okay?
But I need you to know the main difference between Catholics and Protestants. And it's this. Catholics pray to saints and use rosary to meditate on Jesus' life. They also honor Mary with special titles. They confess their sins to priests and they believe that the bread and wine in communion truly becomes Christ in that very moment. Now, Protestants on the other hand, they pray to God directly. They don't use rosary. They respect but don't put Mary on a pedestal. And they also confess their sins straight to God. And they see communion as symbolic.
You might be wondering, what denomination am I? Well, since I've never shared this publicly in all the 10 years that I've been making videos on YouTube, I thought maybe today is the day. So, let's see if you can figure out which denomination I'm part of before I spill the beans a little bit later in the video.
I am going to get a lot of hate for saying this, but Jesus did tip us off to watch out for wolves in sheep's clothing. And not everyone who says they are Christian are Christian. So, please remember that some of the denominations in this video have very unbiblical beliefs. and one such Christian denomination that you should avoid. And by the way, I'm not saying that everyone in this denomination is unsaved. But if someone says that they are part of the word of faith movement, question marks should arise on the screen.
So where in the world are you most likely to bump into one of these Christians? You might not be expecting this, but actually in the deep south USA and especially Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, where arguably the very leader of the prosperity gospel runs his empire, Kenneth Copeland. Whilst not far behind is this country, Nigeria, where the word of faith movement also thrives through preachers like Bishop David Oetipo from Winner's Chapel.
But let me answer the question you've already been thinking. Why is the word of faith or the prosperity gospel a problem? Or why is it not very Christian? Well, I'll tell you why. These kinds of churches teach that faith can unlock blessings, wealth, and health. This has famously been nicknamed name it and claim it theology. Speak positively, give generously, and expect divine rewards. Even if you don't read the Bible often, you probably know that it didn't end well for early Christians who followed Jesus. And even the savior himself didn't exactly live his best life. Now Christ even said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." So come on now, be honest with me. It is pretty difficult to preach from that passage after you've just climbed off your private jet with your 60 grand veneers.
I'm not going to lie, I cannot believe how many people have recently been converting to this Christian denomination. And it's the Orthodox tradition. Do you recognize this guy from social media? Or what about this one? One of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history. Even the world's greatest inventor was in the Orthodox Christian Club.
Now, please, please don't misunderstand me. I'm going to use the word Orthodox very loosely here because there are so many branches to this tree and they're all over the world. You've got the Eastern Orthodox Church with its majestic cathedrals, mystic chants, and ancient roots stretching through Greece, Russia, Serbia, Romania, and Ukraine. Then there's the Oriental Orthodox Church, which split off even earlier, including groups like the Coptics in Egypt, the Ethiopians, the Armenians, and the Syriaks. What all Orthodoxes have in common is their belief in how they think Christianity was originally practiced. They believe like Catholics that the bread and wine in communion really do become Jesus. And they take their worship very seriously, full of mystery and full of meaning. But here is the big difference from Catholics. Orthodox churches don't follow the pope. Instead, they have a group of leaders called patriarchs who work together to guide their churches. This was the major reason why the Orthodox and Catholic churches split all the way back in 1054 which was called the great schism. So even though they share a lot with Catholics, Orthodox Christians have their own style and way of doing things that they claim goes all the way back to the earliest days of the church.
I do wonder if you think because of my accent, this next Christian denomination that we're going to look at is the one that I am a member of. Well, let's see. If you ever visit England, you won't have to drive far without passing an Anglican church. I even went to a Church of England school where all the teachers pretend that they believe in God just so that they get the job. But when they have their own lessons, they tell the students that the Bible is full of fairy tales. But what even is an Anglican? If you're from the USA, it's known as Episcopal. And Anglicanism has spread to Nigeria, Canada, and even Australia. You're still confused, aren't you? Well, allow me to introduce you to the guy who started it all, King Henry VIII. In a nutshell, he had a rather dramatic exit from Catholicism because he wanted to marry another lady called Anne Berlin. And the Pope said no. So, what did Henry do? He basically said, "Fine, I'm going to make my own church." And just like that, the Church of England was born. I didn't realize how broad the Anglican Church was until I started visiting them. I've been to huge incense fil cathedrals with robed choirs and ancient liturgies. And I've also been to laid-back urban churches where someone in jeans plays guitar. Some Anglicans sound almost Catholic and others are basically evangelical. It's like a spiritual buffet and you just don't know what's on the menu until you arrive.
Hey, now we're trekking over to Germany, Scandinavia, and Minnesota because we are on the lookout for Lutheran. I'm embarrassed to admit to this, but I've never knowingly met a Lutheran, even though I'm a big fan of their CEO, Martin Luther. In 1517, he took a hammer, a piece of paper, and frustration and nailed his 95 thesises to the door of a church in Wittenberg. That act was basically the medieval version of going viral, and it lit the fuse for the Protestant Reformation. He literally shook Europe theologically and reshaped Christianity forever. Today, Lutheran are all about salvation by grace through faith. They stand on the authority of scripture. They love singing old hymns, and they still avoid the Pope and the bells and smells from Rome.
Here's a denomination that's seen a recent revival. Let's fly over to Scotland, then to South Korea, and then over to the USA to states like Kentucky, North and South Carolina, and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. because we've arrived on Presbyterian turf. Presbyterianism is rooted in the teachings of John Calvin and it really took off in Scotland. For instance, when I go for my annual vacation to the aisle of Lewis, 98% of the many churches that are there are Presbyterian and they adore something called covenant theology, which essentially is the belief that God relates to his people through a series of covenants that reveal his plan of salvation through the Bible. This means they baptize their children. They treat Sunday as a day of rest. And they live with a strong sense of God's covenant faithfulness in family and community life.
Okay, guys. Where we're going next is insanely different to our Presbyterian friends. Jump back to Nigeria with me, then over to Ghana, Brazil, and the good old Bible belts. Welcome to the Pentecostal denomination. Let's just say Pentecostals are the lively ones in Christianity. If the church was a concert, they'd be on the front row, hands up, shouting hallelujah with no volume limits. And that's why we call them the charismatics. From Lagos to Rio to downtown LA, Pentecostalism has absolutely taken off. So, what do pentes actually believe? Well, for them, it's all about the Holy Spirit. They expect miracles. They speak in tongues. They pray for healing. And they believe that God still moves like the book of Acts. They desire revival, not routine.
I've often wondered what it's like to live in Lancaster country, Pennsylvania, or even Ohio or Indiana. Why? Because it's here you will find a unique glimpse into a world that seems frozen in time. Imagine a place where horsedrawn boogies share the road with modern cars, where every man has a neck beard and the women still wear bonnets. A place where electricity is avoided and technology is seen to be ungodly. What community do you think I'm describing? It's the Amish. Come on, guys. We've all seen these fascinating people on TV. But what denomination are the Amish? They're part of the Ana Baptist tradition, which means they believe baptism is a choice made when you're grown up, not when you're a baby. They focus on simple living, gentleness, and strong community ties. Their faith shapes everything from plain dress to horsedrawn boogies. And they live out their beliefs in a way that sets them apart from the modern world.
All right, this next denomination is the one people always suspect I'm part of. But are they correct? Whether you like it or not, we're going to meet some more friends of John Calvin. And according to them, you were predestined to watch this video. So let's go over to the Netherlands, South Africa and Switzerland because we are in reformed country. Now the reformed baptist and the congregationalist tradition is a little different to Presbyterianism in that they believe in believers baptism meaning baptism is for those who have personally professed faith in Jesus rather than baptizing infants. The fact is this, Calvinists are everywhere, especially on the internet. And they major on God's sovereignty over everything. In other words, everything is already laid out for us. And the only two men who had true free will was Adam and Jesus. As I mentioned, Calvinism is super popular these days with some of the world's most famous preachers all having a flower bed full of tulips.
I'm confident that every person watching this video has at some point come across a Mormon. So, throw away your Starbucks gift card and let's hop over to Utah where about 60% of the population are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I absolutely love talking to Mormons because they are some of the friendliest people around, but they have some very different beliefs about Jesus compared to traditional Christianity. So, next time you meet 19-year-old elder, last name Barry, here's a quick guide to understanding what he believes. Mormons believe Jesus is God's son and the savior. But they see him as separate from God the Father and teach that people can become gods one day. They all started because a guy called Joseph Smith arrived on the scene in 1830 and he claimed that he had been visited by an angel who showed him some ancient golden plates containing a new scripture, the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith then said he translated this and this is what he used to found a whole new church. One thing you're probably thinking is Mormons are not confined to only Utah. They are everywhere and you are absolutely correct.
But I would argue that our next non-ritarian denomination is even more widespread. Despite their global presence, it's not easy to figure out just how many Jehovah's Witnesses there are in the world. But if I had to hedge a bet, I'd say 144,000. All jokes aside, JWS have millions of members and are especially visible in the United States, Latin America, parts of Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. This organization started in the US in the 19th century, and they are well known for their door-to-door evangelism and their extensive watchtower literature. They do not believe in the Trinity, seeing Jehovah as the one true God and Jesus as the first of his creation, not equal to God. They also don't celebrate birthdays or Christmas, viewing these as having pagan origins. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 faithful Christians will go to heaven to reign with Christ. Hence my bad joke earlier. And the rest of the faithful, well, they hope to live forever on a restored paradise on earth. Sadly, Jehovah's Witnesses aren't always easy to have a conversation with because they're generally not allowed to accept literature from born-again Christians, and they are told to stick closely to only what the Watchtower teaches.
Strap on your seat belt because we are cruising over from Michigan to the healthiest group from our list in Loma, Linda, because it's time to find some 7th Day Adventist. By the way, SDAs are also a worldwide denomination with many living in Zambia, Peru, and even the islands of Papa Newu Guinea. My best friend at school was actually a 7th Day Adventist. And I always remember he was never free to play on Saturdays because he was at church. And pork was also a no no if he came over to our house for dinner. But there's a lot more to SDA beliefs than just Sabbath and diet. They believe Jesus is coming back soon. They take the Bible seriously from Genesis to Revelation. And they see Saturday as the true day of worship based on the Ten Commandments. Health, education, and mission work are also huge parts of their faith. It's a whole lifestyle built around living well and staying ready for Jesus' return.
In a moment, I want to tell you which Christian denomination I am. But first, let's run through a few more Christian denominations super quick. Right. Firstly, Plymouth Brethren. These guys started in the UK in the 1800s. They keep church super simple. No paid pastors, no big flashy stages, just Bible prayer and a whole lot of structure. You'll mostly find them in the UK because, as the name suggests, they began in Plymouth. But Australia and other parts of North America also have many brethren there. Then there's the Quakers or the Religious Society of Friends. They're all about silence, stillness, and listening for the inner light of God inside you. No rituals, no pastors, and no pressure. They've got a strong history of standing up for peace and justice and they are found especially in the US, the UK and Kenya. The Moravians are next. Get this. They are even older than the Protestants who came from Martin Luther. Big into music, unity, and a simple love for Jesus. You'll find them in Germany, parts of the US, and even the Caribbean. Now, Cristadelian, probably one you haven't heard much about. They don't believe in the Trinity and they see Jesus as God's son, but not God himself. No hell, no heaven forever. They believe Jesus coming back to rule the earth. They're mostly in the UK, Australia, and the USA. I'll be honest with you, I'm not a fan of the Cristadelians, but I am a fan of this next denomination, the Methodists. Founded by John Wesley in the 1700s, they're all about grace, doing good, and growing in holiness. You'll find big Methodist churches in the USA, in Africa, especially Nigeria and Kenya, and there's also plenty in the UK. But sadly, the Methodist church in the UK has fallen off, and it's hard to find decent ones these days. They've got hymns, hearts, and a strong community vibe. And finally, there's progressive Christians. They're not exactly a denomination, but more a movement found mostly in the US, the UK, Canada, and parts of Europe. I personally have big problems with this group as many progressive tend to interpret the Bible more like a suggestion than God's absolute truth which leads them to rethink traditional beliefs about Jesus sin and how we're meant to live as Bible believing Christians.
All right, have you got all of that? Because now you've waited long enough and it's about time I shared with you which denomination I am. Okay, so it's no secret that I take a more literal view of revelation which is called futurism. Meaning I believe many endtime events are still to come. It's no secret that I major on salvation is by grace alone through Christ alone and good works can never earn us a place in heaven. It's all about Jesus's finished work on the cross. It's no secret that I believe strongly in man's personal responsibility. And I believe the Bible clearly teaches that Christ died for all sinners. But that doesn't mean that all men will be saved because God has given us free will to choose either to repent and believe the gospel or we have free will to reject him and his son Jesus Christ. And lastly, it's no secret that I actually prefer a more basic worship setting and style. But this is just my opinion. And of course, it's nothing we should be falling out over as Christians. It's just a minor preference. So come on now, talk to me. What denomination do you think that puts me in?
Well, I can hear what you're saying. When you put it like that, Joe, I'm not sure that any such denomination exists. And I'll be honest, you'd be totally right, guys. I don't think there is one that would cater for all of my beliefs. But does that mean that I don't attend a church? Of course not. Even though going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car, I believe it is crucial for our faith to be in regular fellowship with other Christians. And that's why I have always attended evangelical churches or churches that hold to believers baptism. So if you really press me and you really ask me what denomination are you, Joe Kirby, I'd say I'm Baptist with a few quirky edges.
But if you remember one thing from this video, remember this. There is only one denomination in heaven and it's called the forgiven. Not the Baptists, not the Methodists, not the Pentecostals, not the Anglicans, not the theologically sound or the most spiritual, just the forgiven. Just sinners who've thrown themselves on the mercy of Jesus Christ. Because at the end of the day, Christianity isn't about climbing your way up to God through rituals and perfect theology. It's about a God who came down to us, who wrapped himself up in a human skin, walked in our shoes, and died in our place. Jesus didn't come to start a religion. He came to rescue the lost. And that includes me, and that includes you. The Bible says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And the wages of sin is death." But here, here is the good news. The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Forgiveness isn't earned. It's received and it's available to anyone. No matter what your past is, no matter what your denomination is, no matter how far you've run, Jesus Christ is always there with his arms wide open waiting to wrap those arms around anyone who'll come to him and cry out to him for forgiveness. So, if you've never made that decision, I'd encourage you today, don't settle for religion. Come to Jesus Christ this very moment right now. Confess your sin. Ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior. And let the one who rose from the grave make you new right now. Because in the end, heaven won't be divided by labels or traditions. There'll only be one simple question. Were you forgiven? And the beautiful part is this. You can be right now. You can be forgiven this very moment. Call out to him.
I am sad about one thing though. We've talked an absolute heap about church, but we've not talked much about the one person who it's all about, Jesus Christ. If you still doubt the existence of Christ or you want some solid historical evidence of the most famous man who ever lived, you should probably check out this video right Ow.