Daphne-lam
Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2015
- Messages
- 4
Why are there so many denominations in Christianity?
I should go which is better?
who can share it to me ?
I should go which is better?
who can share it to me ?
Why are there so many denominations in Christianity?
- Thread starter Daphne-lam
- Start date
Dave M
Loyal
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2015
- Messages
- 4,714
the best one is the one that brings you closes to God and only uses the bible to teach. Sadly A lot of the denominations are more concerned with their man made traditions then the word. FOr this very reason I recently switched to a non denomination bible teaching church for the first time in 49 years.
Shutterbug
Active
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2007
- Messages
- 452
Why are there so many denominations in Christianity? Pride plays a part, and starting out new plays a part, too. The Roman Catholic and eastern Orthodox churches have existed the longest. Lutheran and Anglican came into existence handy the 16th century. The United Church is the union of several smaller church congregations. Jehovah Witness, Latter Day Saints, and the Pentecostal Movement began in the 1800s. The Oneness Pentecostal was organized in the early 1900s.
Where you choose to go is determined in part by geographic location to nearby churches. At the very least, you should attend one which treats the Bible as a stand alone authority, and a church which lives by example as much as possible. Trust in God, and He will lead you to where you should be.
Where you choose to go is determined in part by geographic location to nearby churches. At the very least, you should attend one which treats the Bible as a stand alone authority, and a church which lives by example as much as possible. Trust in God, and He will lead you to where you should be.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,078
A common question, but also there just may be one good thing as far as denominations go. In a sense, this would be it:
Romans 12:4-8
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
This is a good article from GotQuestions:
Why are there so many Christian denominations?
"Why are there so many Christian denominations?"
To answer this question, we must first differentiate between denominations within the body of Christ and non-Christian cults and false religions. Presbyterians and Lutherans are examples of Christian denominations. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are examples of cults (groups claiming to be Christian but denying one or more of the essentials of the Christian faith). Islam and Buddhism are entirely separate religions.
The rise of denominations within the Christian faith can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation, the movement to “reform” the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th century, out of which four major divisions or traditions of Protestantism would emerge: Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, and Anglican. From these four, other denominations grew over the centuries.
The Lutheran denomination was named after Martin Luther and was based on his teachings. The Methodists got their name because their founder, John Wesley, was famous for coming up with “methods” for spiritual growth. Presbyterians are named for their view on church leadership—the Greek word for elder is presbyteros. Baptists got their name because they have always emphasized the importance of baptism. Each denomination has a slightly different doctrine or emphasis from the others, such as the method of baptism; the availability of the Lord’s Supper to all or just to those whose testimonies can be verified by church leaders; the sovereignty of God vs. free will in the matter of salvation; the future of Israel and the church; pre-tribulation vs. post-tribulation rapture; the existence of the “sign” gifts in the modern era, and so on. The point of these divisions is never Christ as Lord and Savior, but rather honest differences of opinion by godly, albeit flawed, people seeking to honor God and retain doctrinal purity according to their consciences and their understanding of His Word.
Denominations today are many and varied. The original “mainline” denominations mentioned above have spawned numerous offshoots such as Assemblies of God, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Nazarenes, Evangelical Free, independent Bible churches, and others. Some denominations emphasize slight doctrinal differences, but more often they simply offer different styles of worship to fit the differing tastes and preferences of Christians. But make no mistake: as believers, we must be of one mind on the essentials of the faith, but beyond that there is great deal of latitude in how Christians should worship in a corporate setting. This latitude is what causes so many different “flavors” of Christianity. A Presbyterian church in Uganda will have a style of worship much different from a Presbyterian church in Colorado, but their doctrinal stand will be, for the most part, the same. Diversity is a good thing, but disunity is not. If two churches disagree doctrinally, debate and dialogue over the Word may be called for. This type of “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17) is beneficial to all. If they disagree on style and form, however, it is fine for them to remain separate. This separation, though, does not lift the responsibility Christians have to love one another (1 John 4:11-12) and ultimately be united as one in Christ (John 17:21-22).
The Downside of Christian Denominations:
There seems to be at least two major problems with denominationalism. First, nowhere in Scripture is there a mandate for denominationalism; to the contrary the mandate is for union and connectivity. Thus, the second problem is that history tells us that denominationalism is the result of, or caused by, conflict and confrontation which leads to division and separation. Jesus told us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This general principle can and should be applied to the church. We find an example of this in the Corinthian church which was struggling with issues of division and separation. There were those who thought that they should follow Paul and those who thought they should follow the teaching of Apollos, 1 Corinthians 1:12, "What I am saying is this: each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” This alone should tell you what Paul thought of denominations or anything else that separates and divides the body. But let’s look further; in verse 13, Paul asks very pointed questions, "Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?” This makes clear how Paul feels, he (Paul) is not the Christ, he is not the one crucified and his message has never been one that divides the church or would lead someone to worship Paul instead of Christ. Obviously, according to Paul, there is only one church and one body of believers and anything that is different weakens and destroys the church (see verse 17). He makes this point stronger in 3:4 by saying that anyone who says they are of Paul or of Apollos is carnal.
Some of the problems we are faced with today as we look at denominationalism and its more recent history:
1. Denominations are based on disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture. An example would be the meaning and purpose of baptism. Is baptism a requirement for salvation or is it symbolic of the salvation process? There are denominations on both sides of this issue. In fact, baptism – its meaning, its mode, who can receive it, etc. – has been a central issue in the separation of churches and forming of new denominations.
2. Disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture are taken personally and become points of contention. This leads to arguments which can and have done much to destroy the witness of the church.
3. The church should be able to resolves its differences inside the body, but once again history tells us that this doesn’t happen. Today the media uses our differences against us to demonstrate that we are not unified in thought or purpose.
4. Denominations are used by man out of self-interest. There are denominations today that are in a state of self-destruction as they are being led into apostasy by those who are promoting their personal agendas.
5. The value of unity is found in the ability to pool our gifts and resources to promote the Kingdom to a lost world. This runs contrary to divisions caused by denominationalism.
What is a believer to do? Should we ignore denominations, should we just not go to church and worship on our own at home? The answer to both questions is no. What we should be seeking is a body of believers where the Gospel of Christ is preached, where you as an individual can have a personal relationship with the Lord, where you can join in biblical ministries that are spreading the Gospel and glorifying God. Church is important and all believers need to belong to a body that fits the above criteria. We need relationships that can only be found in the body of believers, we need the support that only the church can offer, and we need to serve God in community as well as individually. Pick a church on the basis of its relationship to Christ and how well it is serving the community. Pick a church where the pastor is preaching the Gospel without fear and is encouraged to do so. As believers, there are certain basic doctrines that we must believe, but beyond that there is latitude on how we can serve and worship; it is this latitude that is the only good reason for denominations. This is diversity and not disunity. The first allows us to be individuals in Christ, the latter divides and destroys.
Romans 12:4-8
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
This is a good article from GotQuestions:
Why are there so many Christian denominations?
"Why are there so many Christian denominations?"
To answer this question, we must first differentiate between denominations within the body of Christ and non-Christian cults and false religions. Presbyterians and Lutherans are examples of Christian denominations. Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are examples of cults (groups claiming to be Christian but denying one or more of the essentials of the Christian faith). Islam and Buddhism are entirely separate religions.
The rise of denominations within the Christian faith can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation, the movement to “reform” the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th century, out of which four major divisions or traditions of Protestantism would emerge: Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, and Anglican. From these four, other denominations grew over the centuries.
The Lutheran denomination was named after Martin Luther and was based on his teachings. The Methodists got their name because their founder, John Wesley, was famous for coming up with “methods” for spiritual growth. Presbyterians are named for their view on church leadership—the Greek word for elder is presbyteros. Baptists got their name because they have always emphasized the importance of baptism. Each denomination has a slightly different doctrine or emphasis from the others, such as the method of baptism; the availability of the Lord’s Supper to all or just to those whose testimonies can be verified by church leaders; the sovereignty of God vs. free will in the matter of salvation; the future of Israel and the church; pre-tribulation vs. post-tribulation rapture; the existence of the “sign” gifts in the modern era, and so on. The point of these divisions is never Christ as Lord and Savior, but rather honest differences of opinion by godly, albeit flawed, people seeking to honor God and retain doctrinal purity according to their consciences and their understanding of His Word.
Denominations today are many and varied. The original “mainline” denominations mentioned above have spawned numerous offshoots such as Assemblies of God, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Nazarenes, Evangelical Free, independent Bible churches, and others. Some denominations emphasize slight doctrinal differences, but more often they simply offer different styles of worship to fit the differing tastes and preferences of Christians. But make no mistake: as believers, we must be of one mind on the essentials of the faith, but beyond that there is great deal of latitude in how Christians should worship in a corporate setting. This latitude is what causes so many different “flavors” of Christianity. A Presbyterian church in Uganda will have a style of worship much different from a Presbyterian church in Colorado, but their doctrinal stand will be, for the most part, the same. Diversity is a good thing, but disunity is not. If two churches disagree doctrinally, debate and dialogue over the Word may be called for. This type of “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17) is beneficial to all. If they disagree on style and form, however, it is fine for them to remain separate. This separation, though, does not lift the responsibility Christians have to love one another (1 John 4:11-12) and ultimately be united as one in Christ (John 17:21-22).
The Downside of Christian Denominations:
There seems to be at least two major problems with denominationalism. First, nowhere in Scripture is there a mandate for denominationalism; to the contrary the mandate is for union and connectivity. Thus, the second problem is that history tells us that denominationalism is the result of, or caused by, conflict and confrontation which leads to division and separation. Jesus told us that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This general principle can and should be applied to the church. We find an example of this in the Corinthian church which was struggling with issues of division and separation. There were those who thought that they should follow Paul and those who thought they should follow the teaching of Apollos, 1 Corinthians 1:12, "What I am saying is this: each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” This alone should tell you what Paul thought of denominations or anything else that separates and divides the body. But let’s look further; in verse 13, Paul asks very pointed questions, "Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?” This makes clear how Paul feels, he (Paul) is not the Christ, he is not the one crucified and his message has never been one that divides the church or would lead someone to worship Paul instead of Christ. Obviously, according to Paul, there is only one church and one body of believers and anything that is different weakens and destroys the church (see verse 17). He makes this point stronger in 3:4 by saying that anyone who says they are of Paul or of Apollos is carnal.
Some of the problems we are faced with today as we look at denominationalism and its more recent history:
1. Denominations are based on disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture. An example would be the meaning and purpose of baptism. Is baptism a requirement for salvation or is it symbolic of the salvation process? There are denominations on both sides of this issue. In fact, baptism – its meaning, its mode, who can receive it, etc. – has been a central issue in the separation of churches and forming of new denominations.
2. Disagreements over the interpretation of Scripture are taken personally and become points of contention. This leads to arguments which can and have done much to destroy the witness of the church.
3. The church should be able to resolves its differences inside the body, but once again history tells us that this doesn’t happen. Today the media uses our differences against us to demonstrate that we are not unified in thought or purpose.
4. Denominations are used by man out of self-interest. There are denominations today that are in a state of self-destruction as they are being led into apostasy by those who are promoting their personal agendas.
5. The value of unity is found in the ability to pool our gifts and resources to promote the Kingdom to a lost world. This runs contrary to divisions caused by denominationalism.
What is a believer to do? Should we ignore denominations, should we just not go to church and worship on our own at home? The answer to both questions is no. What we should be seeking is a body of believers where the Gospel of Christ is preached, where you as an individual can have a personal relationship with the Lord, where you can join in biblical ministries that are spreading the Gospel and glorifying God. Church is important and all believers need to belong to a body that fits the above criteria. We need relationships that can only be found in the body of believers, we need the support that only the church can offer, and we need to serve God in community as well as individually. Pick a church on the basis of its relationship to Christ and how well it is serving the community. Pick a church where the pastor is preaching the Gospel without fear and is encouraged to do so. As believers, there are certain basic doctrines that we must believe, but beyond that there is latitude on how we can serve and worship; it is this latitude that is the only good reason for denominations. This is diversity and not disunity. The first allows us to be individuals in Christ, the latter divides and destroys.
Waggles
Loyal
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2015
- Messages
- 2,541
Unbelief and arguing against the Word of God.
Disobedience is preferred over obedience and submission.
The gospel of salvation as one can read in the New Testament is pretty straightforward and simple.
Read the Gospel of John carefully. Read Acts (of the Apostles) and do it.
Some in the USA call this the Apostolic gospel, in Australia we call it the Pentecostal gospel.
Either way to be a true worshipper in Spirit and in truth requires one to be born again by water and the Holy Spirit as Jesus commands in John 3.
And yet most "christians" will argue over the necessity of this today and most despise the Bible evidence of speaking (praying) in tongues.
In the end, do what I did, and pray to Jesus himself to lead you to the truth and to a correct doctrine Spirit-filled Church.
Afterall, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life...
Trust in the Lord - even Muslims and Buddhists have embraced the gospel of salvation by calling out to Jesus.
Brighthouse
Active
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1,567
Not Much I can add, as Brother Chad did a fine job explaining. Being brought up in the Lutheran Club( denomination) it was taught that our church had more truth then other churches.When I was a boy I got into a lot of fights, because all of the children around me were Catholic. LOL Plus I was the only child that was left handed instead of right handed. LOL In catechism class I asked the Pastor why are we divided up among others who call themselves believers? What makes us so special?
( which is really what a club is) I did not think of this at the time though.He said something to the effect that our church was founded to be included rather then excluded from the Catholic church,founded by Martin Luther,who saw so many flaws in the Catholic doctrine.( not bashing Catholics by the way!!) So because we Lutherans believe the way we do,hence how our church was founded.
Sounds good anyway doesn't it?? LOL The real truth I found out much later in childhood! To me they were as most clubs are,believers while they are at the club, but act the same way as unbelievers outside the club. Not all!! But most! ( James 1:22) I only saw the most as a kid. I was lied to about Santa Claus,about the Easter bunny,the tooth fairy,etc.. Then I was told there was a man by the name of Jesus whom this club believed in, as we all should. They told me about his love and how he never lied,yet by my own parents they lived a lie, telling me lies as a kid!
They played church,with many masks upon all who went to this Club,I saw this as a kid,like every time we went to this church it was more like a Halloween party,smiling faces indeed do tell lies.Just never in Church. Yikes! Of course when i could, I never went any more.
22 years later after 2 tours in Vietnam Jesus himself found me! I had a dramatic salvation which would fill many pages to go into here!! ( John 14:16) and ( John 15:16) i was trained by Holy Spirit( 1 John 2:27) and have been in his school ever since!
Understanding through HIS very wisdom ( 1 Cor 1:30-31) That the very purpose of the gifts we each have through our Jesus can bring unity in the midst of diversity!( 1 Cor 12:12-31) Indeed the more excellent way!! verse 31!! This is now our nature, because Jesus lives inside us!!( 1 Cor 13:4-8) We do not measure ourselves by others, as most do in the club,but rather as true believers we measure our self by the Word himself!( 2 Cor 13:5!!) I hope i have helped in bringing a bit more understanding in not so much what, and who others have become,but rather in who we in Christ have become!( 2 Cor 5:17-21!!!) Our ministry is to reconcile others, as Jesus himself reconciled us to his very nature!!! LOVE!!! ( John 13:34-35!!)
( which is really what a club is) I did not think of this at the time though.He said something to the effect that our church was founded to be included rather then excluded from the Catholic church,founded by Martin Luther,who saw so many flaws in the Catholic doctrine.( not bashing Catholics by the way!!) So because we Lutherans believe the way we do,hence how our church was founded.
Sounds good anyway doesn't it?? LOL The real truth I found out much later in childhood! To me they were as most clubs are,believers while they are at the club, but act the same way as unbelievers outside the club. Not all!! But most! ( James 1:22) I only saw the most as a kid. I was lied to about Santa Claus,about the Easter bunny,the tooth fairy,etc.. Then I was told there was a man by the name of Jesus whom this club believed in, as we all should. They told me about his love and how he never lied,yet by my own parents they lived a lie, telling me lies as a kid!
They played church,with many masks upon all who went to this Club,I saw this as a kid,like every time we went to this church it was more like a Halloween party,smiling faces indeed do tell lies.Just never in Church. Yikes! Of course when i could, I never went any more.
22 years later after 2 tours in Vietnam Jesus himself found me! I had a dramatic salvation which would fill many pages to go into here!! ( John 14:16) and ( John 15:16) i was trained by Holy Spirit( 1 John 2:27) and have been in his school ever since!
Understanding through HIS very wisdom ( 1 Cor 1:30-31) That the very purpose of the gifts we each have through our Jesus can bring unity in the midst of diversity!( 1 Cor 12:12-31) Indeed the more excellent way!! verse 31!! This is now our nature, because Jesus lives inside us!!( 1 Cor 13:4-8) We do not measure ourselves by others, as most do in the club,but rather as true believers we measure our self by the Word himself!( 2 Cor 13:5!!) I hope i have helped in bringing a bit more understanding in not so much what, and who others have become,but rather in who we in Christ have become!( 2 Cor 5:17-21!!!) Our ministry is to reconcile others, as Jesus himself reconciled us to his very nature!!! LOVE!!! ( John 13:34-35!!)
Waggles
Loyal
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2015
- Messages
- 2,541
B-A-C
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 11,227
I am a Heinz 57 varieties Christian.
I grew up Pentecostal. But since then, I have been a member of several different churches.
Lutheran, Baptist, Southern Baptist, Vineyard, non-denominational (which are always somewhat denominational).
and a few others.
denominations were even a problem in Bible times...
1 Cor 1:10; Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor 1:11; For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
1 Cor 1:12; Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”
1 Cor 1:13; Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Cor 3:1; And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
1 Cor 3:2; I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
1 Cor 3:3; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
1 Cor 3:4; For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
We take pride in our divisions. Not recognizing that even though we have our differences we should be one body.
Paul isn't saying that having different people teaching you is wrong. He is saying that having those teachings divide
us is a sin.
Of course we have to draw the line somewhere. There are denominations that call themselves Christian that are anything but Christian. But whether you are Baptist, or Pentecostal, or Lutheran, or something else.. as long as your church is following
the Bible, and being a part of Christ. We are all one body.
In some cases, the difference between one denomination and another is just the interpretation of one or two verses. In other cases it's a simple as what kind of leadership
the church has (elders or simply a single pastor for example).
Most of the time, the differences between denominations are petty.
I grew up Pentecostal. But since then, I have been a member of several different churches.
Lutheran, Baptist, Southern Baptist, Vineyard, non-denominational (which are always somewhat denominational).
and a few others.
denominations were even a problem in Bible times...
1 Cor 1:10; Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor 1:11; For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
1 Cor 1:12; Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”
1 Cor 1:13; Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Cor 3:1; And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
1 Cor 3:2; I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
1 Cor 3:3; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
1 Cor 3:4; For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
We take pride in our divisions. Not recognizing that even though we have our differences we should be one body.
Paul isn't saying that having different people teaching you is wrong. He is saying that having those teachings divide
us is a sin.
Of course we have to draw the line somewhere. There are denominations that call themselves Christian that are anything but Christian. But whether you are Baptist, or Pentecostal, or Lutheran, or something else.. as long as your church is following
the Bible, and being a part of Christ. We are all one body.
In some cases, the difference between one denomination and another is just the interpretation of one or two verses. In other cases it's a simple as what kind of leadership
the church has (elders or simply a single pastor for example).
Most of the time, the differences between denominations are petty.
Shutterbug
Active
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2007
- Messages
- 452
Reading this thread reminds of the Federal election held today in my country. While we agree that there should be a ruling Party, we disagree over which Party should be ruling and why. My wife is periodically updating me on the results. I have no vested interest in a specific party. At the moment, it appears 24 Sussex Drive will be getting new residents.
The same can be said for the Church as a whole. Some insist their way is the right way (the only way in some cases); many congregations just want someone in charge who gets it right. In some cases, it applies to personal agendas while to others it applies to the overall situation. It's best to have a leader who recognizes spiritual weaknesses and corrects them while maintaining strengths. Politics in churches exists and is perhaps an unavoidable consequence. Having said that, I agree some issues should not have room for debate such as a love and concern for others, encouraging others to seek the will of God in prayer, accepting Jesus to rule their heart, and baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Some differences will arise partly because of experience, knowledge, personal attitude, and personal agendas. Many years ago, a young pastor eager to command a flock was dispatched to an Inuit village in the Far North. In his first sermon, he sets the tone and talks about building a bridge so that village can learn more about the greater world. After the sermon, an Elder approached the Pastor and said, "I don't have a problem with building a bridge for my people. But, you're talking about taking my people away, not bringing others to them so they can stay". That wasn't the message the Pastor thought he had preached. The two remained friends with each learning from the other until the pastor passed away a few years later.
I guess my point is that while believers may not always agree on everything, it should not be allowed to create a wall of division between believers. It is the will of God which should be put first and our will come last. I appreciate that it's that ideology we like to think exists, but sometimes it eludes us.
Matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Well, that's the theory.
The same can be said for the Church as a whole. Some insist their way is the right way (the only way in some cases); many congregations just want someone in charge who gets it right. In some cases, it applies to personal agendas while to others it applies to the overall situation. It's best to have a leader who recognizes spiritual weaknesses and corrects them while maintaining strengths. Politics in churches exists and is perhaps an unavoidable consequence. Having said that, I agree some issues should not have room for debate such as a love and concern for others, encouraging others to seek the will of God in prayer, accepting Jesus to rule their heart, and baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Some differences will arise partly because of experience, knowledge, personal attitude, and personal agendas. Many years ago, a young pastor eager to command a flock was dispatched to an Inuit village in the Far North. In his first sermon, he sets the tone and talks about building a bridge so that village can learn more about the greater world. After the sermon, an Elder approached the Pastor and said, "I don't have a problem with building a bridge for my people. But, you're talking about taking my people away, not bringing others to them so they can stay". That wasn't the message the Pastor thought he had preached. The two remained friends with each learning from the other until the pastor passed away a few years later.
I guess my point is that while believers may not always agree on everything, it should not be allowed to create a wall of division between believers. It is the will of God which should be put first and our will come last. I appreciate that it's that ideology we like to think exists, but sometimes it eludes us.
Matt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Well, that's the theory.
Ophel
Active
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2010
- Messages
- 868
Ask Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. Repent of your sins, and He will wash them away for good. Then, ask Him to lead you to where He wants you to be rooted. He will show you.
.
True Disciple
Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2015
- Messages
- 16
Romans 2:25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.26 And if the Gentiles obey God's law, won't God declare them to be his own people?27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God's law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God's law but don't obey it.
Denominations can crumble in an instant, they mean nothing if God's laws are not obeyed and if the way, the truth, and the life is not lived. Your best bet is to not limit yourself to any denomination and just focus on gaining understanding from Jesus Christ himself in the first four books of the New Testament.
Denominations can crumble in an instant, they mean nothing if God's laws are not obeyed and if the way, the truth, and the life is not lived. Your best bet is to not limit yourself to any denomination and just focus on gaining understanding from Jesus Christ himself in the first four books of the New Testament.
amadeus2
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2008
- Messages
- 4,456
Why are there are so many is because every man is right in his own eyes and even the believers rarely hear the whole message of God to man. In other words, 'I am right' and I only get part of the message and fill in the blanks with bits and pieces from my own experiences or desires.
God separated the natural children of Israel into two nations because of the sins of Solomon, but it was a man who separated God's Church into two parts:
"And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David
If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." I Kings 12:26-28
Man did it then in the OT and man has done the same thing with what Jesus came to establish.
How do we get out of it? Simply be becoming his sheep who hear only their Master's voice and obeying it alone.
God separated the natural children of Israel into two nations because of the sins of Solomon, but it was a man who separated God's Church into two parts:
"And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David
If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." I Kings 12:26-28
Man did it then in the OT and man has done the same thing with what Jesus came to establish.
How do we get out of it? Simply be becoming his sheep who hear only their Master's voice and obeying it alone.
amadeus2
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2008
- Messages
- 4,456
Unless our choices happen to take away from rather than toward God
Bendito
Loyal
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2015
- Messages
- 3,854
From the time I was first saved I believed that denominationalism, or sectarianism is sin..If you asked me why I would tell you that I saw it in the Word many years ago, but in truth I never could find it when I looked for it. Today, in reading my new book I found the cause of sectarianism, of why Christians have divided themselves into separate and competitive, judgmental groups. And guess what? It is sin.
1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Each denomination is a division among the people. Disobedience, and pride..
But where did it come in?
"For from the first, with an instinct of Satan, they marked the Christian as their mortal foe, and perceiving with ever increasing alarm the failure of persecution after persecution, from Nero to Galerius, to suppress the new sect, felt that it could not be exterminated by open warfare, and must, therefore, be seduced and corrupted by craft. This plan was far more successful than the violence of persecution. Where the sword of the World failed its flatteries were victorious. The astonished Church beheld the frown of her cruel oppressor softening into a friendly smile ; was bewildered
with offers of peace and union from those who had hitherto breathed out threatenings and slaughter; and, becoming elated with the sudden change, was not indisposed for compromise. And thus the World became nominally Christian, and vast crowds of idolaters passed within the pale of the visible Church, bringing with them their old gods and goddesses under new names, as well as their incessant sacrifices, their rites, their vestments, their incense, and all the paraphernalia of their impious worship. Nor did the philosophers fail to contribute their share to the perplexing confusion
which speedily obscured every vital doctrine of Christianity. For, by skilfully blending their own systems with the truths of Scripture, they so bewildered the minds of the multitude that but retained
the power of distinguishing the revelation of God from the craftily interwoven teachings of men.
So complete, then, even in early times, was the corruption of the Word of God. Nor has the Church ever succeeded in freeing herself from it, though she did make a strenuous effort to do so at the epoch of the Reformation. From the time when the Adversary first sowed them, the tares have been ever mingled with the wheat as indeed they must continue until the harvest. And the result is that inconsistent and unsound interpretations have been handed down from generation to generation, and received as if they were integral parts of the Scriptures themselves ; while any texts which
seemed violently opposed were allegorised, spiritualised, or explained away, till they ceased to be troublesome, or, perchance, were even made subservient From time to time, too, systems and sects were formed more or less pure than the main body, but into which the Adversary never failed to foist some error ; and men, trained to look upon their own Church as the only perfect one, contended fiercely for its tenets, and freely, though often unconsciously, perverted Scripture in maintaining the struggle.
Weighing, then, all these causes, we surely need not accuse the Bible of vagueness or inconsistency in order to explain the diversities of its interpretation. For, if we be observant and honest, we must often ourselves feel the difficulty of approaching the sacred writings without bias, seeing that we bring with us a number of stereotyped ideas, which we have received as absolutely certain, and never think of testing, but only seek to confirm. And yet, could we but fearlessly and impartially investigate, we might find that some of these ideas are not in the Bible at all, while others are plainly
contradicted by it. For the tracts of many a popular doctrine may be followed through the long range of Church history, till at length we start with affright at the discovery- that we have traced them back to the very entrance of the enemy's camp."
from Earths Earliest Ages by G H Pember
So even as a baby Christian God was teaching me....even until today...Praise HIS Name!!
rag4aCrown
Active
- Joined
- May 14, 2014
- Messages
- 838
Jesus said, you think I come to bring you peace, I tell you no, but rather division.
There is a great division between the old sect (the law) and the new sect (the Spirit); the old is in charge in those places and will not allow the Holy Spirit to come in. They have been that way for a very long time and that is how they do things.
Jesus also spoke of the "old wine and the new wine"; they will not even taste of His Spirit, because of high minded, self righteous pride; they say the old is better.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them, for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here.
I went to hear the wisdom (God's wisdom) and I found worldly men, preaching of this world, coon dogs, going fishing, and how much a bale of hay costs. WOW, the Holy Spirit began to speak forth the Word of God; and they hated me. Demon spirits were stirred; doors started slamming, very unusual things began happening and no one had moved off their pew. They would not receive me for they had not received HIM who sent me. I watched a grey mist cover the congregation; it is not pretty.
Touch not the anointing of God; what God has cleansed, don't call it unclean.
All praise, glory and honor be unto God. Amen
There is a great division between the old sect (the law) and the new sect (the Spirit); the old is in charge in those places and will not allow the Holy Spirit to come in. They have been that way for a very long time and that is how they do things.
Jesus also spoke of the "old wine and the new wine"; they will not even taste of His Spirit, because of high minded, self righteous pride; they say the old is better.
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them, for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here.
I went to hear the wisdom (God's wisdom) and I found worldly men, preaching of this world, coon dogs, going fishing, and how much a bale of hay costs. WOW, the Holy Spirit began to speak forth the Word of God; and they hated me. Demon spirits were stirred; doors started slamming, very unusual things began happening and no one had moved off their pew. They would not receive me for they had not received HIM who sent me. I watched a grey mist cover the congregation; it is not pretty.
Touch not the anointing of God; what God has cleansed, don't call it unclean.
All praise, glory and honor be unto God. Amen
amadeus2
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2008
- Messages
- 4,456
Most people, or even all people, like to be settled and comfortable so they take hold of what feels good and sounds good and there they are. When a person climbs up a mountain to attain the top, he may come to a high plateau where it is flat and comfortable but it is not the top. Such a plateau is where so many people in religious groups claiming to be Christians come to rest. This rest is in the churches of men rather than in Jesus who is supposed to be our Rest.
We are to never stop climbing while there is still time. Only at the end of our course [natural death?] is our journey done. In the interim our Rest is to be Jesus. That is all of the rest that we really need, if we are continuing to trust in Him.
Yes, Jesus was there when he spoke to the people 2000 years ago and if we will hear him, he is here with us today. But, people do stop up their ears if they hear, or think they are going to hear anything different from what was found on the way to their "plateau". Just because a person is in a denomination doesn't mean it is time to stop growing toward God.
People are liking too much what they enjoy in this world, so they work hard at riding the fence, but that fence is the lukewarm place spoken about to the Laodicean church in Revelation. Those in that place God will spit out of His mouth.
In most places people, ministers, pastors, etc. have put up barriers against interlopers who would interfere with people's carnal comfort zones [though they will speak of it as if it was God's place of safety and comfort]. Actually this verse speaks of them:
"So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter." Ecc 4:1
Let us pray God that it never speaks of us!
rag4aCrown
Active
- Joined
- May 14, 2014
- Messages
- 838
I love you mine elder; I hear the wisdom and understanding of revelation knowledge of Jesus Christ. Soon, very soon I believe I will see you. Much love I send in the Lord. Until we meet my brother, I pray God, His Spirit be forever upon you and joy in your heart for the return of the King. Amen
