Denominations?

Dillon88 · May 2, 2016

I have been a Christian for a while now I study a lot but maybe im not looking in the right place or just haven't came across the study yet but maybe some of you can help.

I have often wandered about our religion as Christians but yet we have so many different denominations
I personally am a babtist (southern babtist) but I question this, if we all are considered brothers and sisters in Christ
then why must we seek him differently most of us read the "holy bible" so why are we categorized into certain groups.
I hear alot of people tell me its just how different churches bring you to know jesus or teach the gospel if we read the last scriptures in revalations we know that it isn't to be added too or taken away so if we are trying to reach out shouldn't we reach out the same? tell me what im missing!

Willie-T · May 2, 2016

Really, you are not missing a heck of a lot, ................... unless, you decide it is somehow important to get all hung-up on what a particular denomination does, or does not do.

BTW, that remark in Rev pertains to that single book, not to the Bible. The Bible didn't exist when Rev was written.

Bushido8000 · May 2, 2016

Dillon88 said:

Really, all denominations are (mostly) just groups who agree on a more specific interpretation of the Bible.

Christianity is divided just like politics, left and right. At the most conservative side of Christianity, you have Baptists and Presbyterians. They are kind of like the Ronald Reagans of Christianity. The Bible should be taken very literally... except for a lot of the parts about spirituality. Things like spiritual warfare aren't usually emphasized in Conservative Christianity. They tend to follow personal logic, reason, and understanding of the Scriptures and reality. Most don't literally think you can move a mountain if you have enough faith, unlike many of the far left Charismatics.

Over on the left side of Christianity, you have Liberal Christianity (not to be confused with political liberals i.e. "democrats"). These kind of split into two subgroups just like political liberalism. You have a group that's left in the sense that it is built upon emotion, spirituality, and spiritual warfare (Charismatic sects like Pentecostals). Then, you have a group that is left in the sense that it is more relaxed and more receptive of non-traditional thinking spiritually like accepting ones belief of Annihilationism rather than Hellfire Torment. Things like that just aren't THAT big of a deal to them. These tend to be denominations like Disciples of Christ, Methodists, and Nondenominationals (however, nondenominational is a really broad term and could very well be Charismatic).

The "need" for denominations is for people to efficiently work together, as it is really hard to do when one half of your church is reading a completely different message than the other half.

Charismatics: The problem with this guy is that he's being attacked by the devil. He may even be demonically possessed.

Conservative Christians: The problem with this guy is that he needs to read this Bible passage and apply it to his life, or choose Hell.

Classically "relaxed" Liberal Christians: Man, that guy is kinda acting like a douche...

I hope this helps. I went through the same thoughts during my first couple of years as a Christian.

Bushido8000 · May 2, 2016

Willie-T said:

Also, this^. People tend to think of the Bible as a book instead of a collection of books, songs, and letters officially compiled by the Catholic Church. This is why I'm not offended when people think that there's other books that are deserving of being included in the Bible (example: Enoch and the Apocrypha. Many people don't know that the King James Version included the Apocrypha for many years).

tanakh · May 3, 2016

It all fell to bits at the Reformation. I am not saying that the Catholic Church was perfect but before the Reformation
there were very few if any alternatives so it tended to keep everyone ''singing from the same hymn book'' even though
there were and are still false teachings within it. Now it seems almost anyone can form a Denomination. There is no
central authority to appeal to. In the early days of the Church there were Apostles and Bishops that did the Job. Now
any Tom Dick or Mary can do it, if they can appeal to enough people.

wwjd_kilden · May 3, 2016

There are so many of them because we like to disagree and because we see unclearly:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known 1 Corinthians 13.15

Brother_J_BELGIUM · May 16, 2016

Dillon88 said:

You aren't missing anything, really. As a Christian, I face the same struggle myself. I don't belong to any denomination because they all have their own truth. I do read my Bible regularly and attend Bible studies with other Christians in my neighborhood. From what I know about Baptists is that most of their beliefs is in line with the Bible, although sometimes I hear things that aren't Biblical. I even consider Baptists to be one of the "better" denominations than others who are often lukewarm (Evangelical and Protestant churches). That is not to say that all Evangelical or Protestant churches are all bad ones, but that's just how it is. I've seen lukewarm Baptist churches as well so maybe you should check out every church in your neighborhood. As long as you are being fed spiritually by the Word of God in your church, you aren't missing anything!

FranC · May 16, 2016

Willie-T said:

Hi Willie
You're right about the remark in Revelation (Rev 22:18) BUT
You know how we attribute everything in the N.T. particularly, to be for everyone? Like for instance when Jesus tells the Apostles to go out and baptize and preach, He's speaking directly to them, but we could also understand that it's for us too. At least the preaching part.
Mathew 28:19 and also
John 15:18-27

In John, Jesus is speaking directly to the Apostles, but we could also take all He says spiritually and apply it to our own lives.

I'd say that the verse in Revelation is the same.
Also, this verse is widely used to denounce other writings, such as the Quran or the Book of Mormon.

Please allow us to be a little liberal with its use!

Fran

FranC · May 16, 2016

Dillon88 said:

What you're speaking about happens because people take verses out of the bible to prove whatever point it is they are seeking to prove.

This is incorrect. The bible is a complete book, with many chapters (66, if you're Catholic 73).
So we should have a complete idea of what it is this book is trying to tell us.

For instance, most Baptists believe you cannot ever lose your salvation once you come to believe in the Christ.
Mostly all other denominations believe you CAN lose your salvation.
Who's right? Each side can pull out scripture to prove their point.

What "picture" does the bible give you on this issue?

I would venture to say that whichever side you pick will have nothing to do with your salvation as long as you are living for God.

I DO think it's important to belong to a church. Guidance is good - being in fellowship with other Christians is good.
It would be nice to pick one and then just stick with it. You do have to agree with the fundamental doctrines of the church you attend, however. You'll know if you're not comfortable being there...

My two cents...

Fran

bikerchaz · May 16, 2016

I have looked at your profile and it doesn't give much information so please forgive me if I go amiss. I will not ask if you have received water baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit as a real entity into your inner being because you said you were more baptist than anything else. I commend you for understanding that there is more to knowing Christ Jesus. This was not given you from your mind but directly from God into your heart.

Now, knowing this, prayerfully and diligently search out/through the scriptures. Set yourself a goal to read through all scripture at least once a year. You said you read, that is good. Don't miss a word, even the boring bits, the begets and the begets. As an example I try and read three chapters a day, I very rarely do, its more like four or five LOL but even more sometimes. It just grabs me and it's like a good book I can't put it down LOL.

The thing is, we are told we will not need teachers, Sounds strange doesn't it, but it is scriptural, Jesus Himself said, He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is of me and make it known to you". If when you read you read prayerfully, asking for guidance from the Spirit of God who dwells within you, in faith, you will be guided into every understanding you will ever need.

Yes we do need help and always ask, but listen with your heart and not your mind. Always take what you hear and test it with the Spirit of God within you. Do not let anything that does not sit well with you be left unchallenged. Denominations do not come in to it. Broad is the way to death and narrow is the way to life. Keep focussed on Jesus and let your will be pliable to His. You will not go far wrong.
“‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
[SUP]25 [/SUP]the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
[SUP]26 [/SUP]the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’

Search

Denominations?

Dillon88

Guest

Willie-T

Banned

Bushido8000

Banned

Bushido8000

Banned

tanakh

Senior Member

wwjd_kilden

Guest

Brother_J_BELGIUM

Guest

FranC

Banned

FranC

Banned

bikerchaz

Guest