Catholics keep saying that there are 20,000 Protestant denominations. That's just not true!

As of 2007, there are 39000!  And it is projected there will be 55000 by 2025.

Here is the current total number of "Christian denominations" as of 2007 according to the "Global Christianity" pages at Gordon-Conwell, and projected for 2025 if present trends continue:

SOURCE: Global Christianity -- Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary database

MEMBERSHIP BY 6 ECCLESIASTICAL MEGABLOCS
	1900	1970	mid-2000	mid-2007	2025 projected
Roman Catholics	106,430,000	665,484,000	1,055,498,000	1,142,968,000	1,353,674,000
Independents	96,926,000	377,830,000	437,673,000	602,190,000
Protestants	103,025,000	211,054,000	346,889,000	385,815,000	497,703,000
Orthodox	115,844,000	139,646,000	214,091,000	220,488,000	236,364,000
Anglicans	30,571,000	47,409,000	75,335,000	82,632,000	109,690,000
Marginal Christians	928,000	11,100,000	29,500,000	35,133,000	49,775,000
CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS
Denominations	1,900	18,800	33,800	39,000	55,000
Congregations (worship centers)	400,000	1,450,000	3,448,000	3,826,000	5,000,000

The vast majority of this projected "growth" in denominations are due to Protestants (another 500+ denominations added from 2000 to 2025) and Independents (another 20,000+ denominations added from 2000 to 2025). See Barrett's Encyclopedia, Table 1-5, pages 16-18.

Pretty sad state of affairs.  It certainly isn't what Jesus wanted:

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Is there, "No Salvation outside the Church"?

Is there salvation outside the Church?  The way I understand it, not in this life, but in the next, maybe.

Here's what I mean.  Scripture says:

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Let's break this down.

Circumcision is nothing

This is a reference to the Old Law which required circumcision and 612 other ordinances.  Jesus annulled this law, nailing it to the cross.  These were the means of receiving grace in the Old Testament.

Uncircumcision is nothing

In my opinion, the Apostle Paul  is making reference to the Sacraments here. These are the means of receiving grace in the New Testament.

But according to the Apostle, both are null and void, IF WE DON'T KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.

This is reiterated by St. James when he says:

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

So, then, a person, outside of the Church, who is caring for his fellow man, is fulfilling God's law and can be saved.  And that is why the Catholic Church teaches:

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337

If that's the case, what's the difference?  

Oh, it's a big difference.  Do you want to walk with the Saints, now or later?  You see, in the Sacraments our sins are washed away and we receive the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ.  That is why Scripture says:

Mark 16:16 King James Version (KJV)16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And the Catechism says:

1277 Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.

But outside the Church, there are no Sacraments.  Therefore, it is only in the Church that we can be saved and walk with the Saints because of our being saved through the Sacraments.

And those outside the Church, must wait for the Last Day, when all of us together will stand before Jesus Christ and be judged by what we did in our body, whether it was good or bad:

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

What do you think?