Christianity did not begin as a collection of competing denominations.
It began with Jesus Christ, His Apostles and communities gathered around their teaching.
Start With Acts 2
After Pentecost, Acts describes believers devoted to:
- the Apostles' teaching;
- fellowship;
- the breaking of bread;
- prayers.
People are baptized and incorporated into a visible community.
Leadership Appears Immediately
The New Testament speaks of:
- Apostles;
- bishops/overseers;
- presbyters/elders;
- deacons;
- teachers and other ministries.
The terminology and structures develop, but Christianity is visibly organized from its earliest period.
Doctrine Matters
The Apostles do not treat contradictory versions of Christianity as equally valid.
Acts 15 depicts a major dispute being addressed ecclesially by Apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
Paul repeatedly warns against false gospels and false teaching.
Worship Matters
The New Testament already contains:
- Baptism;
- laying on of hands;
- breaking of bread / Lord's Supper;
- anointing of the sick;
- confession;
- communal prayer;
- Sunday resurrection tradition.
The Question That Changes the Journey
Do not first ask:
Which modern denomination is closest to me?
Ask:
What happened to this Apostolic Church after the Apostles died?
That takes us directly to Christians who knew the Apostles or lived within a generation or two of them.