What Denomination?

[QuietProtest4t]

There is much controversy about christian denominations. On what kind of church we should attend. I mean I grew up in a non-denominational church. And I've been going to one ever since I like it . Even though now I'm looking for a new church home I still love it.

Could you guys let me know what denomation you're under or what church.I feel to a certian point as long as it's teaching what's right. And by the bible it does'nt matter.

But there are differences in some christian churches. What do you guys feel about non-denominational churches and other denominations? Is it right for people to say this is the right and only one?

 

[Cody]

I go to a Baptist church and I love it. I don't agree with a lot of other denominations and I don't want to name any of them off. I don't believe Baptist churches are the only right church, in fact there are a lot of Baptist churches that practice wrong in my opinion. Baptist churches usually go by the Bible only, not traditions or feelings. Baptist churches are strict and with order and I like that because the Bible teaches us to worship God in order.

The denomination of your church is not what gets you to heaven, nor if you're on a church roll. The main thing is that you put your trust in Jesus Christ, live by the Bible and repent. I suggest you see what the church you're going to believes in and then you study on the subjects and see what the Bible says about it. I hope this helps. God Bless

 

[Maureen]

I attend an Independant Methodist Church, I am not a member because I do not want a 'label' as being that 'type' of Christian, I believe we belong to the Church of God built by Jesus Christ and that is my answer to anyone who asks me.

Like Cody2 there are churches who have strayed from the true word of God, I have been to Baptist and also Brethren who are on the same lines of the church I go to. They go back to the roots of the Bible, don't water down the gospel, and preach salvation in none other than Jesus Christ himself.

I have read a book recently called 'The other side of the River' by Kevin Reeves what an eye opener, make your hair curl, at just what others do get up to in the name of God.

We must be aware of these places, and pray the Lord will help us to discern what we must follow, which is his leading, and that were we go to worship is of Him truly.

 

[Word of Life]

I think you will know where to go and you will know if you are in the right place, when you start to see the fruit of spirit, in the people, which are attending such worship places.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

(Gal 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

(Eph 5:9) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

For example, I went to a place, which was a non-denominational church, and there was no consideration for others there, no respect for other Christians. These are your own brothers or sisters, more so then most of our own relatives are. When one is queuing up for things, people were jumping the line..???. The 6pm Sunday Service, was normally packed out, and I had to get there, just after 5pm so I could get a seat, because others were book-marking there seats and only coming in at a later stage, say 5-10 minutes before the service started . Others there, didn't want other people sitting next to them, so they placed a blanket down, across say 4 seats, and half way through the service, the blanket was neatly folded away. I watched this and I just could not believe what I was seeing, because I do not see this as being Christian at all...? I see this as being extremely selfish and inconsiderate for others. I even thought one Sunday, I would get there even earlier and find the appropriate scripture to place on these so called booked marked seats, and trust God to work on there hearts. Because if I spoke with my words, it would mean nothing, but the one thing I do know, God's words will mean far much more.

I have disciplined myself to worship God daily. But I do get slack sometimes though, but I am working on it. It's so important to put aside at least an hour a day of praise, prayer and worship, for our Father so that we just think of Him and nothing else, with no interruptions. This can be achieved, if we just re-schedule a daily routine.

 

[Maureen]

You just reminded me of writing scripture on a 'Car Boot' poster one time 'My house will be known as a house of prayer' as these things always remind of me when Jesus cleared the temple of such things, I think car boots, fete's, jumble sales, etc are the modern day equivilent to these.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Word of Life]

You just reminded me of writing scripture on a 'Car Boot' poster one time 'My house will be known as a house of prayer' as these things always remind of me when Jesus cleared the temple of such things, I think car boots, fete's, jumble sales, etc are the modern day equivilent to these.

Just my thoughts.

That scriptures comes to my mind a lot.

Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Most of time I don't blame the pastor, when I see these type of things going on. It's the people within the congregation that are wrong and they know it too, but help is availble, if they want it and if they want to seek it. God is always willing, if people want to become a living sacrifice

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Other scriptures, which come to my mind, when I see these things happening are these:

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.


Act 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

 

[willb]

I goto a baptist church. I go there because i agree with its principles (believers baptism etc).

I like the fact that the church is led by the Holy Spirit through the congragation - there is no outside individual that can exert authority on the church.

 

[CrossBow]

"1 Cor 1:9-12 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ."

"1 Cor 3:1-9 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building."

Denominational divisions occured early in the church because of the carnality of man. After 2000 years they have flourished and continue to seperate born again believers, dividing the body of Christ.

"Eph 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

This is to be the order and outcome of the Church that Jesus is building. It will not happen in the denominational systems authorized by man.

"2 Cor 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

 

[rizen1]

Jesus is Lord.

I am not into Churchianity, I think labelling yourself a member of a church is irrelevant and only causes division. It's our way of a caste system where we can judge others doctrines and beliefs, who are mainly slaves of tradition.

I'm a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I do not wear the church I attend as a designer label, for there is one body, and that's the body of Christ. Every church believe they are the saved church, or they alone can lead you. But Jesus is the only way, no building, no pastor. God's word is our only manual to life.

I answer the question, with, " I am a member of the body of Christ ", the only designer label I wear is Jesus Christ. Now if you're question was what church I worship at, I will say Non Denominational.

If we all desire truth and to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you would know to test the spirit of where you worship, if it lines up with the word of God, then that's the assemble you are not to forsake.

 

[Maureen]

right what if you are in a sound doctine church, but they go by a denominational name,
I cannot call it 'my church' because as I've said I belong to the church of God built by Jesus Christ,
the reason the church I go to changed it's name was because the mainsteam one started drifting from the true gospel.

 

[ushalk]

personally i do not believe there is a such thing as denominations. not saying that any are wrong or right. i feel the most important thing is knowing that whoever you are fellowshipping with are saved and know the word of god for what it says. i think personally that there is to much worldly theology in churches today and not enough people studiing the word of god on their own and asking for the true revelation of the word of god. there seems to be to many false teachings even in the churches today.

take for instance many churches teach that if you claim christ with your mouth then you are saved. they get this out of the book of romans. however they are not looking at the fact that the book of romans was written to a church that was already established. there is another teaching taken out of the book of romans that is false. the one concerning baptism with water. churches have disputed that teaching and has made it about a public recognition of ones new faith. nowhere in the bible is baptism defined as such. the only true definition of baptism is for the remission of sins. that is the only definition of it in the word of god.

there are many false teachings of the gospel coming from churches and pastors that went to a theology school. there is also teaching by man made agendas. this also not written in the word of god. not that they are all bad. but if the holy spirit is moving through the person speaking then they do not need man made agendas to get the gospel out.

 

[sam j]

I belong to the eastern orthodox church, and believe that it is the unbroken continuation of Jesus' original teachings. Theologically I do not see any of the other churches in a negative light, but I disagree with many policies. Celibate priesthood is not so much a good idea in my eyes. I have read interpretations that differed from mine and those I were tought, but everyone seems to have their heart in the right place.

 

[Ronda]

I believe denomination is irrelevant when we are truly believers-there are many fingers but one body - the word church or iklesia was not a religious term for the early Christians but meant a gathering. They could gather for good or bad. Rome assumed the believers to be bad!!!
Since we are the body of Christ we should not be at war with each other - the Armor of God given to us in Eph is to wage war against the powers of darkness. If you truly believe in Christ as your savior, then I would say we are all part of the same church or body!

 

[ushalk]

excellent post ronda. man i love the truth and when it comes out it is so beutiful.

many denom churches baptize people into there denom or religion church. this is a false teaching within itself. there are non of us baptized into any church. this is made very clear in the first chapter of 1 corinthians. nor do we belong to any denom, we are ambassidors for our lord jesus christ. no church denom no pope no government. we belong to christ.

we are not taught the word of god by man. we receive revelation and that of jesus christ out lord aswell galations 1. in this we know we have the truth for he is the truth. he does not lead us astray nor does he lie to us or harm us.

if we have our faith in a denom where do we have christ. if i have offended anyone with this i tell you that i am not sorry. for the truth is the truth and christ reigns.

 

[rizen1]

I believe denomination is irrelevant when we are truly believers-there are many fingers but one body - the word church or iklesia was not a religious term for the early Christians but meant a gathering. They could gather for good or bad. Rome assumed the believers to be bad!!!
Since we are the body of Christ we should not be at war with each other - the Armor of God given to us in Eph is to wage war against the powers of darkness. If you truly believe in Christ as your savior, then I would say we are all part of the same church or body!

Amen Sister, say out Loud...

=ushalk
if we have our faith in a denom where do we have christ

A great question for those who believe their denomination is the only saved and biblical church.

 

[Maureen]

well said, 'if we have our faith in a denom where do we have Christ?

I can only agree, that's why I do not believe in Denom's even though I do attend one, I don't feel as though 'I belong' to that denom, I belong to Jesus Christ and He to me.

I want to hear the True gospel preached, not a watered down version of it, were they are not afraid of speaking the Truth of Jesus, afterall He is the 'Truth' so I blot out the Denom 'thing' and when asked what church do I belong to, my answer is as I've said earlier, 'The church of God, built by Jesus Christ'

I've started going again to a large church which isn't denom, it's Evangelical, preaching the Good News, I don't were I'm being led at the moment, but it was sure enough true I had to be at that one on Wed night as I got a message straight to my heart.

Isn't our Lord amazing, great is our God, lead us on with yourself Jesus.

 

[ushalk]

thank you rizen1 and maureen. i really thought that i was going to get into trouble for my last post. but i am quite happy that the word of god is in so many people on this sight. the truth has to be spoken for what it says not what man has made it. there is all of this worldly love that is being taught as the love of christ but as i remember the word of god, jesus confronted sin directlytherefor if we claim that christs lives in us and we in him why do we look over sin and apoligize for man being offended by the word of god. have we forgotten that is the truth and the purity in the word of that has opened our eyes to see that we are unworthy of jesus christ, yet he payed the price by us sacricing him on the cross so that he can give us eternal life?

 

[Maureen]

pat on your spiritual back ushalk
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know your not. God forbid it.

I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME.

Our Mediator between God and man the Man Christ Jesus.

To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.
T.W.Tozer.

how right that is.

 

[spirit1st]

Nothing wrong with belonging to a group of Believers. But, The focus should never be the group. But, Only to lift up our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

The trouble as I see it? Is many groups lift up the group , above OUR LORD!

He said? If HE be lifted Up ? Then HE will draw all men unto HIM!

Once years ago, the pastor where i went wanted me to go door to door with him and others from that church. I said sure Pastor , But I will tell them about the LORD and that they could come to our church or any church where they preach JESUS CHRIST and the Cross. He said never mind gary!

He just wanted to build our church up!

He did not want to Allow the HOLY GHOST to lead people!

 

[jiggyfly]

Nothing wrong with belonging to a group of Believers. But, The focus should never be the group. But, Only to lift up our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

The trouble as I see it? Is many groups lift up the group , above OUR LORD!

He said? If HE be lifted Up ? Then HE will draw all men unto HIM!

Once years ago, the pastor where i went wanted me to go door to door with him and others from that church. I said sure Pastor , But I will tell them about the LORD and that they could come to our church or any church where they preach JESUS CHRIST and the Cross. He said never mind gary!

He just wanted to build our church up!

He did not want to Allow the HOLY GHOST to lead people!

Amen Spirit1st, they say it's not about their group but then they want a name to indentfy themselves from the others. It is a carnal thing if one is brave enough to really examine it closely. Even the first group of believers in Antioch were not looking for a name, it was given to them by unbelievers.