What Denomination?

[rizen1]

I don't need any labels. Not Baptist, Catholic, Mormon, Pentecostal, Methodist, etc. The only label I hold is Christian. That's it. I think the whole denominations labeling is just stupidity at its greatest form and quite frankly, not Christ like at all. There is one body. Why are there many denominations? Pride. Lack of giving the Holy Spirit the full 100% of yourself to guide you instead of walking your own path. Thousands years go by and we have all these ridiculous denominations.

There is One Jesus. One body of Christ. One Holy Bible. That's it.

amen.

I dont wear labels..call me Christian or follower of Christ.

If you ask me what church I worship at, then I'll tell you. I'm not a walking talking advertisement for any denomination that was created by " man ", if its not in the bible why call yourself that.

The devil uses all these labels for us to focus on differences and not on him. We spend more time Dissecting each other's beliefs and who reads what translation, and the world stands by in amusement, not even in shock.
They know the debates between denomination A and B .
We've become so predictable to non Christians.

I'm not a slave to no one but God, no denomination can brand me their own.
I like the term non denomination, has a nice ring to it. Some professed Christians won't visit others churches if its not their label. They've been warned by their pastors not to go, my guess maybe they dont have discernment and have to play it safe.

There is one truth,one gospel, one body, under one God, bought by one blood. We may worship under different houses but the Holy Spirit that lives will give us discernment. I visit lots of churches, I love worshiping with God's people, if you tell me to worship a rock..we'll have problems.


There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.Galatians 3:28

Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

But hold up...we are to watch and pray

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;1 Timothy 4:1

2 Peter 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,

1 John 4:6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


My thing is this, if your label forbids you from fellowshiping with other Christians because they don't wear your designer label...thats wrong.

JohnWhaley
I find denominations confusing, I thought all God's Church's were linked together thro Jesus Christ

They are linked ,but because of human emotions and pride, we focus more on the differences.

I'm not talking about cults..but churches who are under God's authority and not man.

My designer is God, and his label for me is princess because he's King.

I have to get back to bed....I won't be able to reply.
God bless everyone.

 

[faithworks]

I do not like labels either and do not belong to anyone, but Jesus Christ. He is the head of the body that is what the word of God says. I get so tired of people always asking me oh what church do you go to? I tell them I am a born-again believer and a follower of Jesus Christ and then ask them do they want to follow Jesus. That starts up some good talks about Jesus the true head of the church.

blessings,
debbi

 

[spirit1st]

JESUS CHRIST is the HEAD of the PERFECT CHURCH.

We belong to HIS BODY!

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

1Ti 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

 

[rizen1]

I do not like labels either and do not belong to anyone, but Jesus Christ. He is the head of the body that is what the word of God says. I get so tired of people always asking me oh what church do you go to? I tell them I am a born-again believer and a follower of Jesus Christ and then ask them do they want to follow Jesus. That starts up some good talks about Jesus the true head of the church.

blessings,
debbi

Sister Debbie, can I use that..wow

I am a born-again believer and a follower of Jesus Christ do you want to follow Jesus...

loving it.....To God be the glory.


spirit1st preach it....:thumbs_up

 

[jbpichu]

I am a member of a church, but we preach the full gospel; believe me, our pastor doesn't water down ANYTHING. He did one sermon on doubt; over half of the congregation was at the altar towards the end to pray.

 

[faithworks]

This pastors and the body need to disciple people, I see this does not happen anymore. All we do is get them saved and then let them go... I see this so much in the churches it is so sad. when I go into the jails I am trying to make disciples not just converts..... I don't see how many get saved. I always tell them there is a cost to following Jesus ,your life. Then I let them think and pray about that. then I come back ask them next week are they willing to pay the price. Churches need to quit worrying about getting members and start making disciples.
then jbpichu, that is a blessing you have a pastor who will speak the truth, God Bless you.

Blessings to all,
debbi

 

[jbpichu]

This pastors and the body need to disciple people, I see this does not happen anymore. All we do is get them saved and then let them go... I see this so much in the churches it is so sad. when I go into the jails I am trying to make disciples not just converts..... I don't see how many get saved. I always tell them there is a cost to following Jesus ,your life. Then I let them think and pray about that. then I come back ask them next week are they willing to pay the price. Churches need to quit worrying about getting members and start making disciples.
then jbpichu, that is a blessing you have a pastor who will speak the truth, God Bless you.

Blessings to all,
debbi

Yeah, now if the numbers of our church were due to lost souls who were looking for the truth then that'd be different. But if it's just wanting people to come to fill up seats who were there only half-hearted, then that'd be a wrong intention to have numbers. But as long as it's for Christians to have fellowship and for non-Christians to find the truth, then I don't see anything wrong with wanting numbers; but like I said, as long as it's for the right intentions.

 

[faithworks]

Yes for them to finding truth. Also, will say this in the church the way it was in Acts and the way I believe it should be now. Is the church was for only believers un-believers did not come in. the believers went out into the streets and witnessed to the lost. the lost weren't allowed to fellowship in the body of believers till they got saved then they disicpled them in the body of believers. We are so far from the the way Jesus wants the body of believers to be.
I go into the jails and minister and I have more fellowship there than I do for an hour or two on Sunday. that is sad, but true.
I still say it is not about numbers but people we are talking about their souls.

Blessings,
debbi

 

[Maureen]

faithworks
you put down in writing just what I was thinking while reading posts ahead of your own.

The church in Acts was for believers, unbelievers did not go in.
It is so differant today, but again, on the other side of that, the people outside do not want to hear so how can we witness to them their life is full to overflowing of material things they have no room for Jesus, neither are they interested to make room.


I guess if they are found in church there must be a softening in their heart to want to hear,
When I think of my own conversion, I did not have a desire to go to church until I got saved, then I was bursting at the seams to get inside.
Nobody came to witness to me, nobody was speaking about the gospel, I just knew it in my heart that Jesus was there and He was waiting for people like me to ask Him in.
Guess it came from Sunday School days or whatever but it was lying dormant for a long time.
Not until a had a great need in my life, did I call upon the great healer.

 

[ushalk]

i am not going to put down any denominations. the truth is though that there are no denominations in the body of christ. we are believers or we are not. it does not matter what denomination is what.

that is not to say that we cant or should not go to church. i believe that we can find fellowship in churches. i do think that we need to truly pay attention to what is being preached and know that it is the truth.

there are a lot of false gospels out there such as the prosperity gospel and we never have any hard times with christ and we find favor in the worlds eyes. those are all garbage especially in todays world.

 

[By His Grace]

I fully agree with Rizen1, it doesnt matter where you worship as long as they proclaim the word of God. Ask the Holy spirit to led you where to worship.

 

[faithworks]

Yes, Maureen we can reach the lost out there . The Lord has been leading my husband and myself to do just that. We go out and do outreaches and visit the jails they are ready to hear some of them. I will not say all of them, but alot of them. I always tell them I ma not here to promote a church, but Jesus and His ways. I also tell them pray aobut where the Lord will lead you when you get out. We in the body should be encouraging each other to go out into the high-ways and by-ways. I am finding out now for than ever people will listen quicker when you are there reaching them, they do not want to come into a building. (so many have been hurt) But, once then come to know Jesus personally then they want to fellowship with like-minded believers. That is my experince.

Blessings,
debbi

 

[Maureen]

there are a lot of false gospels out there such as the prosperity gospel and we never have any hard times with christ and we find favor in the worlds eyes. those are all garbage especially in todays world.

you sure hit the nail clean smack on the head there. Amen

 

[Dreamer]

Yes, Maureen we can reach the lost out there . The Lord has been leading my husband and myself to do just that. We go out and do outreaches and visit the jails they are ready to hear some of them. I will not say all of them, but alot of them. I always tell them I ma not here to promote a church, but Jesus and His ways. I also tell them pray aobut where the Lord will lead you when you get out. We in the body should be encouraging each other to go out into the high-ways and by-ways. I am finding out now for than ever people will listen quicker when you are there reaching them, they do not want to come into a building. (so many have been hurt) But, once then come to know Jesus personally then they want to fellowship with like-minded believers. That is my experince.

Blessings,
debbi

Debbi, I've also done jail ministry and shelter ministry. Many people are too hurt and afraid of "bible belt church people" to come inside a formal church. New fellowships can be planted where new Christians are fed and feel accepted and loved.

Churches need to open their arms and their hearts. We should not pursue members to join our churches who are in our cookie-cutter vision of who members should be!: (Nice house, nice life, nice job and all their skeletons of the past hid well)

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

You know, I don't feel that denomination matters.

I happen to be Baptist, but I love to visit non-denominational or Assembly of God or Pentecostal. As long as the Lord is worshipped and revered and His Word is upheld as complete truth, then that church is part of Christ's body.

I probably would have left the Baptist denomination a long time ago, except the Lord keeps calling me back to that denomination no matter what I do. For some reason, He wants to use me in that denomination. It could be because my viewpoint and perspective is fairly different than the average Southern Baptist. I'm not saying that I'm right or someone else is wrong. I love missions, but missions to me, start right where we live, on the street, across the street, down the road, in the parking lot of the tavern, at a motorcycle rally, at a shelter or halfway house, at the jail, or at a teen hang-out. Jesus our Lord did this and we should take His example!

I praise God for the body of Christ! Talk Jesus is part of the body of Christ.

 

[Maureen]

Debbi & Dreamer
you really are doing good work in Jesus name.
Makes me feel useless, I find it hard as my husband's not saved, therefore I have a battle on my hands with him, when it comes to reach out work.
I have gone round doors with tracts, wrapped doors etc.
but nothing compared to the work you are both doing.

It's a bit like constantly living with one of the enemy, it really does become a battle ground.
The Lord undertakes for me everytime, I'd never get through without Him, but then who would.

He calms the storm, even as one may just be seemingly to brew and get up gust, it's gone, so I praise His Holy name, and He keeps me calm while in them.

 

[Dreamer]

Maureen, you are a constant witness to your husband. Your husband is dear and priceless to Jesus. Jesus would do anything to leave the 99 and find your husband and carry him in His arms. God is using you. I am assuming also that you may have children. Your family is the most important to God before others. Sometimes I forget that. Myself, I have a 2 year old that will be 3 years old in June. Sometimes I feel it is boring to stay home with him. Right now I am on spring break from school and it seems like he is demanding and trying to drive me crazy. But I'm in God's will by raising my children and serving my husband.

You are very precious and usable by God, Maureen. I think you are precious and so much moreso, the Lord holds you as priceless and irreplaceble. He has plans for you, Maureen, and He's carrying them through right now. He will finish what He has started in you, until the end of time here on earth.

 

[Maureen]

Thank you for your reassurance Dreamer
much needed, I never saw myself as that person.
I know very often we don't see who we are in Christ, we seem unimportant not doing much for him, well I speak of myself, but I do sincerely thank you for pointing that out.

I do try to encourage him, the husband that is, he would ask me things, and it's strange but we can listen to the exact same sermon and he hears if totally differant from me, like tonight he said something from what he thought he'd heard at our meeting on Thursday night, but he'd heard totally wrong, isn't that odd, I put it down to the Holy Spirit being our helper therefore we're at an advantage.

He was willing to believe that what I told him the speaker had said wasn't how he'd heard it, this has happened before.
This latest one was about churches running bring and buy sales and what they bring is there rubbish to offer to a Holy God, which is true, I'm not for them at all, but then everyone has there own opinion.
I dont go, I see it if your buying you may as well be selling, I see no differance.
It just doesn't cut it with me. I read that God's house is a house of prayer.

Hubby heard it differant that how good it was that we brought our rubbish to sell and give to God's purposes.
strange isnt it, same meeting same words given, 2 differant versions, but one had the help of the Holy Spirit.

Well I sincerely do thank you and I won't feel useless anymore then.
If you think that, hopefully Jesus does also, and I please Him, as He is the only one I aim to please and love above all else.

 

[faithworks]

Yes, dreamer you are so right Maureen you a gift sent from God. God calls each one of us into different areas for Him. We can't all be in the same area of witnessing or what would happen to the other areas. Keep doing what the Lord puts in front of you, you are His child and He can use you wherever He wants. Just a thought have you ever tried being a prayer volunteer for Guideposts once a week, I do it. You get so blessed and it is free right from your own phone and costs you nothing but your time 1 hour and 3 hours for training on the phone. That is it. e-mail if you would be interested
[email protected]/ I have been doing for 5 years now. When I was really sick with cancer and was in isolation and could't do anything that is when I started it and been doing it ever since. Keep in touch
love ya debbi

 

[Maureen]

Debbie
so sorry to hear you had cancer, I pray it is healed by our Master Physican.

I've emailed you ref. that prayer Guideposts.
Thank you