To Be Led By God, Is To Be Called A Catholic

Written By: Deanna Marie Battista

        To be led by God, 

refined like silver, and to be cast in the middle of the fire to rightfully then be purified until you reflect like his image. What a gift our Father has in store for the few children he has chosen to proclaim to the rest of the lost and fallen world, exactly how to get to heaven! 

Be led by him, not driven away from him!

Who founded the Protestant church? Martin Luther in 1517 **The Lutheran Church was founded by Martin Luther, a German monk, in 1517, when he posted his "Ninety-Five Theses" in Wittenberg, Germany, challenging Catholic Church practices, officially starting the Protestant Reformation and the distinct Lutheran movement. 

•  Luther nailed his theses, questioning indulgences and church authority, to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

• Significance: This act sparked the Protestant Reformation, leading to the establishment of Lutheranism as the first Protestant denomination, emphasizing salvation by faith alone (sola fide) and scripture as the ultimate authority (sola scriptura) *(Defined by google)

Who founded the Calvinist church? John Calvin in 1536  *** John Calvin, a French theologian, significantly shaped the "Calvinist" or Reformed tradition during the Protestant Reformation, with key moments being his 1536 arrival in Geneva and the publication of his influential book, Institutes of the Christian Religion, also in 1536, establishing the foundation for this branch of Protestantism. While he didn't found a single "church," his systematic theology became the basis for many Presbyterian and Reformed churches*** ( Defined by google) 

Who founded the Presbyterian church? John Knox in 1560 *** John Calvin (France/Switzerland): Developed Reformed theology (mid-1530s), influencing Knox and Presbyterian thought. 

• John Knox (Scotland): A student of Calvin, he led the Scottish Reformation, returning to Scotland in 1559 to champion Presbyterian structure.

• 1560: The Scottish Parliament formally adopted the Scots Confession, establishing -

• Protestantism (Presbyterianism) as the state church, replacing Roman Catholicism.

First Book of Discipline (1560): Knox and other ministers drafted this constitution for the new Church of Scotland (the Kirk)*** (Defined by google)

Who founded the Baptist church? John Smyth in 1609  The modern Baptist church was founded by English Separatist John Smyth in Amsterdam around 1609, establishing the first congregation by practicing believer's baptism (baptizing himself and followers) after separating from the Church of England, with key principles of voluntary membership and Bible interpretation- John Smyth (c. 1609): Often called the "Father of the Baptists," he formed the first Baptist church in Amsterdam, emphasizing adult believers' baptism.

• Thomas Helwys (c. 1612): A follower of Smyth who returned to England, establishing the first Baptist church in London and championing universal religious freedom.

• Roger Williams (1638): Founded the first Baptist church in America in Providence, Rhode Island, promoting separation of church and state*** (Defined by google)

Who founded the Pentecostel church? Charles F. Parham in 1901 ***The Pentecostal movement, not a single church, began with Charles Fox Parham's Bible school in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901, where students first spoke in tongues, but it exploded globally with William J. Seymour's Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles starting in 1906, which drew international attention and spread the movement worldwide, making Seymour a key figure in its widespread growth. 

• Charles Fox Parham (1901): A holiness preacher who taught that speaking in tongues (glossolalia) was the initial evidence of the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" at his Bethel Bible School in Topeka, Kansas, starting January 1, 1901.

• William J. Seymour (1906): A preacher who, after hearing Parham, brought these teachings to Los Angeles, leading the famous Azusa Street Revival, which lasted for years and attracted people from around the world, greatly accelerating Pentecostalism's spread. *(Defined by google)

In Summary: While Parham initiated the core doctrine in 1901, Seymour's Azusa Street Revival in 1906 is considered the catalyst for the modern Pentecostal movement's massive global expansion

Who founded the Lutheran church? Martin Luther in 1517 *** Yes, Martin Luther is considered the father of the Protestant Reformation, the movement that challenged the Catholic Church, and his teachings formed the basis for Lutheranism, a major branch of Protestantism. He started it in 1517 by posting his 95 Theses, protesting practices like indulgences, and his ideas on salvation by faith and grace (Sola Fide/Gratia) became core Lutheran beliefs, leading to a new church structure.”***(Defined by google)

Who founded the Methodist church? John Wesley in 1730  **The Methodist Church was founded by John Wesley, with his brother Charles Wesley, as a reform movement within the Anglican Church starting in the 1730s, experiencing a key spiritual awakening in 1738 in London, leading to organized preaching and societies that grew into the distinct denomination over time, with formal U.S. establishment in 1784 and modern unification in 1968- 

• John Wesley (1703-1791): An Anglican cleric who, after a profound religious experience in 1738, began evangelical preaching, emphasizing personal holiness and reaching the masses.

• Charles Wesley (1707-1788): John's brother, also instrumental in the movement's early days at Oxford and in developing its theology and hymns.

• The "Holy Club" (1720s): A group at Oxford University, including the Wesleys, known for their strict, methodical approach to faith, earning them the nickname "Methodists".

• 1738 Spiritual Awakening: Wesley's pivotal experience at a Moravian meeting, leading him to embrace salvation by faith and begin widespread open-air preaching.

• Formal U.S. Church (1784): Wesley formally organized the Methodist Church in America, separate from the Church of England, to serve his followers after the Revolution.

• United Methodist Church (1968): The modern global denomination formed from the merger of several Methodist traditions, including the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. 

In essence, Methodism began as a revival within the Church of England in the 1730s and 40s, formally structured into a separate church in the U.S. in 1784, and evolved into the global Methodist Church we know today *** (Defined by google)

Who founded the Orthodox church? Cardinal Humbert in 1054 ***(representing Pope Leo IX) and Patriarch Cerularius of Constantinople excommunicated each other, symbolizing the formal split. Catholicism and Orthodoxy formally branched apart in the Great Schism of 1054, a mutual excommunication between the Pope's representative in Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople, though this finalized centuries of growing cultural, theological, and political divides between the Eastern (Greek-speaking) and Western (Latin-speaking) Christian worlds*** (Defined by google)

Who founded the denominations to split up Christianity? 

Could it truly be a misguided man’s ideas? Could it have been faith driven but also ambition driven to proclaim creation with the already perfect and created? Could it have been born from one of the seven deadly sins? Pride? Or the devil? Maybe all of the above, but to intend infighting with God’s children, seems to come from one fallen wingless angel in my mind. To further cast God’s children further away from the road they are meant to take to get to heaven, and to truly know God himself. How can the greatest light of the world cast darkness over the faith of his children? He would never. It’s not faith people are struggling with…. It’s religion. 

Why would there be so many denominations? Why would God intend for his children to be confused on which versions of scripture to adhere to and read? He wouldn’t. In fact he didn’t. The word denomination itself can spell the words demon nation- this is a direct root cause of why the confusion of the good news is needed to further the devil’s plans. He doesn't want daughters of Eve and sons of Adam to ever once see their reflection, and for the believers that do… He wants that reflection to be distorted still. 

Look at me, but see me to see him. Not just the Catholic girl most would condemn for even writing this. If the Catholic church isn’t the church that God himself founded, then why do so many condemn it? Why do so many mock it? Why are so many who proclaim Jesus' name against it? Why do so many of his children not understand it? Why does all of this equal the bettering position towards the devil? (He still loses in the end, but how many of God’s children will too?)

Why are we all led by God, but in different ways? All sons and daughters of Christ love him no more than I do. It’s not about who loves him the most, who listens the best, who upholds his laws the most obedient. It’s about stages replacing altars. The symbolism becomes hollow when it comes to the bread and body of Christ. Why is it that only Protestants have crackers and grape juice, compared to the Catholic church? Why is there nuance? Why is there such offense when these questions are posed? 

Don’t run away from the quest within these questions. If they inspire a profound offense, stoak in that offense. Not for the sake of being offended, but for the sake of your soul. Yes we are taught by our Father in heaven to be slow to anger, we ought to be. But bless those children that would righteously defend the name and teachings of Jesus Christ. We all love him, we all know him. But what truly is the best way to uphold our praise, worship, and prayer? 

Go to your churches without altars and with only stages. Go to the churches without a confessional and flashing lights. Go to the churches that let the world bleed within its teachings to be highlighted more than the bloodstains on a wooden cross on that day at Calvary. Go to the churches where they tell you by quoting only part of scripture, and using the thief on the cross as an example of "why baptism is not needed for us to get to heaven." Citing the old testament and yet not correlating it with the new testament; on that day on the cross Jesus told the thief "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43) This doesn’t apply to the argument of baptism? Why? Because Jesus hadn’t resurrected yet! So which is it? Is baptism needed, or not? Is baptism needed at the stage of infancy or is it purely symbolic at any age? Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist at the age of 30. Why? Did the son of God himself really need to be? What was Jesus doing? What was he teaching us? John the Baptist was said to go forth and ready the path for the son of Man this world needed, but also needed to be prepared for. We are all made in the image of God and called to be his reflection, and follow in his footsteps; are we not? Are we all not meant to uphold what our Father has taught us? The water didn’t baptize our Lord and savior…. Jesus baptized the water! 

John 3:5-6 (Nicodemus Visits Jesus) "Jesus answered 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born os the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit."

I write this with love and conviction from the holy spirit. This letter isn’t meant to establish a hierarchy within Christianity and what denomination is better or which one is callused. This letter is to cause an inward struggle in the child, regardless of age for the one that God himself is calling through me. I beg you, listen to that offense, that anger and heed the warning the devil would implore for you to shut down with a knee jerk reaction of running away from this. Listen, go to your church, and then go to a Catholic one. Sit in a pew, hear the mass. Watch the praise and reverence. Then witness the body and blood of Christ for yourself. No different than Mary at the foot of the cross, and how she bore witness to the murder of her son. Watch, witness and then surrender. Don’t let the perception of man dictate which way and in what manner your faith needs to be set in foundation. Listen, don’t interpret. Then ask God himself for guidance. Don’t just listen to me either. I have no authority. I am but a mustard seed. Yet God is using me for the greater good of his children and his kingdom. Heaven is weeping for you. The angels are crying, and the Mother of God is yet again bearing witness to the cross her son's blood stained we are all ignoring. Don’t stifle the struggle of this letter, feel it and then research to prove it false… if you dare? Seek and you will find.

Who founded the Catholic church? Jesus Christ.

(Picture found from google images)

I denounce Man’s interpretation of God’s church. Heaven is weeping for all of God’s children to find their way home. Follow the bride of Christ. Find your way to the Catholic church. So many confuse faith and religion. It’s about God’s design, not our own perception, creation, or interpretation of that design. Why question what other man(s) has melded to fit their own understanding or way to consider what the gospel teaches. Why denounce Catholicism when no one man founded it but Jesus Christ himself!

Where is the unity in Christ if his children are all separated? 

I wanted to cite my sources, but also do a surface level dive into this investigative expose. I did not read books, I did not search the web and read from various websites, or other versions of the bible. I simply googled who founded what church, in what year, and why? Just like God’s children can become a tool, so can we accidentally for the opposition within our own idea of what our will could do… when we think it aligns with God’s. We ask God to show us his will, and then speak for him by giving us the answer we want to hear in his voice, that is anything but and simply our own. This is not to tear apart any one ideology, but to bring clarity to the notion of man created vs son of man made. 

Catholicism isn’t a denomination, every branch from Christianity comes from the opposition of the Catholic church itself. 

If you think I’m wrong… research it, and find the answer God is waiting for you to find. 

        Because he did this for you and me.

       Don’t you love it? 

     https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+become+a+catholic

The girl God granted to now and to forever be...

always writing with light