Why I have no denomination

[Blain]

Not all of us have the gift of pastor teacher. We need to find a man who has the gift and submit to his teaching. If we pick the wrong one, we find another one.

90% of us can't make squat out of the bible. We need to be taught by a gifted teacher who is operating in his gift.

GOD teaches His word to us through gifted men.

Heb 13:17~~New American Standard Bible
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Our Spirit will testify to us if they are teaching truth...........if we are operating in the Spirit.

when I became saved I had no one to teach me what it meant to be a Christian or how to be one not even a church to go to, I didn't know how to pray or how to do anything as a believer I was alone. So I said to myself I will just go to the best teacher of all- God himself. I spent all day everyday with him seeking him out learning slowly yet surely how to connect with him how to pray how to think as a believer what it means to be a Christian what it means to be strong.

denominations only confused me they didn't feel right to me it seemed to me as if denominations were only causing the body of Christ to stumble and separate making the body so much less affective. So before I even knew there was such a thing as nondenominational I chose to not belong to a single denomination but instead be called a child of God.

 

[ElizabethPeter]

Does this mean you're trying to separating yourself from people who separate themselves from others?

I'm not trying to do anything. Because anything I do in my flesh, is sin. But it's Christ who works in me. I still mingle with everyone and anyone. Christ didn't tell me to separate from anyone. But spiritually, it's different. Everything people do is all physical. But that isn't going to save you.

 

[ElizabethPeter]

this is basically true, but be careful with this thinking. we all still are in the flesh, and that can lead to wrong beliefs. so having a Godly pastor or leader is a good idea.

That's why we're given a choice to either walk in the Spirit or in the flesh. A pastor, is still human. Humans are made of the dust of this earth and will continually sin from the day they are born till the day they die. God didn't say that they were any greater than us.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

No denominations are not the only thing to be a part of to be part of the body of Christ.

Like the she said in post #3 and the bible concurs that as long as you have 2 or more gathered in His name you are part of that body. So if you assemble with a couple of others at your house to hold worship then you are still following the command to not forsake the assembling, as the bible makes no restrictions on how small or large that group has to be.

And what kind of work are you three doing in the community? How is God using you with the people around you? How are you able to disciple each other, and keep each other accountable?

If that is true, we can make up any doctrine we want, and start our own church. Sorry, But yes, we can do church things as a group of 2 or three. but as far as being a member of a local body, 2 or 3 is not enough.

 

[Blain]

Denominations, for the most part, don't preach different "gospels." They do, however, engage in different styles of worship and embrace different theological approaches to the Bible. As I stated in the OP of my thread detailing why I'm a Baptist, the various Protestant denominations align themselves with the Augsburg Confession, the Canons of Dort, or the Westminster Confession. Even Reformed Baptists have adopted that last document. I espouse none of them, but the simple Word of God. That's what Baptists do. You don't have to be a Baptist to embrace the Bible as sole authority over life, the church, and our ministry.

The great thing about being Southern Baptist, as I am, is that regardless of what SBC church I enter on any given Sunday -- or any other day of the week, for that matter -- I'm 98% certain that I'm going to hear the pure Gospel preached, and know that that church isn't taking its "orders" from some far-removed guy whose been selected to "keep the doctrine pure." If you preach from the Bible, you dont' have to worry about pure doctrine. It's when bureaucracies get involved that we need to start worrying.

the pure gospel? or what you perceive to be the true gospel? can you explain to me what the true gospel is? in detail?

 

[KennethC]

A man of God, such as a pastor or a priest's duty is to preach the word. The moment we have faith to believe in the true Gospel, the Holy Spirit enters into us as a promise of God to guide us and lead us and to teach us. Man cannot rely on another.

This is exactly true as man can always deceive another man if that is who we place our trust in, but the bible says we are to put are faith and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth.

Now if He leads us to another person or source then we know we can trust them, and the bible says test all spirits and that includes those who stand in front of the congregation to give the word. If what they say does not align with the word, or causes divisions and strife it is not from God.

Sorry for derailing earlier as I try to have respectful discussions on the word, but some times others will not let that continue that way. Which goes along with your OP of causing strife, contentions, and divisions among the body of believers !!!

 

[Blain]

That's why we're given a choice to either walk in the Spirit or in the flesh. A pastor, is still human. Humans are made of the dust of this earth and will continually sin from the day they are born till the day they die. God didn't say that they were any greater than us.

I understand where you are coming from but it is very important to still be with other believers and going to church is choice but I have been blessed beyond belief by going to church and listening to the pastor and listening and being with others praising God. the internet is indeed a fantastic way to reach ppl all around the world to talk with and be with other believers via the web but honestly it's not the same as actually being with the person themselves

True the pastor is still human and may mess up even in the sermon but the same goes for anyone who will ever meet even and especially online.

 

[JesusLives]

Christ said, "As long as 2 or 3 are gathered, I am in their midst". He didn't say this in reference to different denominations and their gatherings. He said this relating to the faith these individuals should have. Even though there are a few, faith will cause Christ to indwell in them. What I'm trying to say is that meeting with people doesn't mean you have a denomination. A denomination is a label that you put on yourself telling the world that you believe in a different Gospel compared to your so called brothers and sisters in Christ. Denomination separates, Christianity brings people together. There's a big difference between the two.

I was just asking because it can get lonely out there if you are on your own but as long as you have a group of people to meet with and help bear each others burdens I have always said going to church won't save you. But it is nice to have people to pray with and speak about God and praise Him together. Good for you loving Jesus at 17 a lot of teens don't.

 

[Elom]

Ageed. All denominations have their own errors and misconceptions. It's important to allow the scriptures be the final authority on everything.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

the pure gospel? or what you perceive to be the true gospel? can you explain to me what the true gospel is? in detail?

Detail would require me to post the Baptist Faith & Message, or some similar tome to explain it adequately. This will give an overview, and show the things we must help the unbeliever realize for his/her own salvation.

• God loves us and desires relationship with us, His creation.
• Man is sinful and separated from God, unable to know God's love, or the basis of the relationship God desires.
• Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sinfulness, and through Him man can know the love of God and experience the loving relationship He desires.
• In order to receive Christ's provision, man must understand and admit he is a sinner, and believe Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord -- Savior, having paid the penalty for sin, and Lord, that He guides and direct our lives.
• Confessing that truthfully and sincerely, God sends the Holy Spirit to us, a Comforter, Healer, and Helper, becoming in us the conduit for God's love.

That's it in its simplest terms. For detail, it will require a longer post.

 

[convallaria]

denominations do cause strife, but if it is the only thing yu have in the city to be a part of the local body of Christ, it is better than nothing.

I don't agree. We are not to be part of any body of believers that teaches heresy (and I count pre-trib rapture under that heading) and we are commanded specifically to turn away from those who have the form of godliness but deny the power. That would rule out many of those places who teach that the gifts are not for today, or that there are no prophets or apostles any more.

What has gone wrong with denominational Christianity is they largely reject Godly authority by making the pastor take the leading and central role. This means that many are subject to dead sermons which they are spoon-fed week after week, and they never have any opportunity to explore for themselves what their true calling is, so that they can take their rightful place in the assembly and function in their ministry.

If we think denominational Christianity is ok, it is a good idea to read all of 1 Corinthians 12 through and remind ourselves how things are supposed to be, soberly judging if our own church fellowship measures up. If it doesn't, then get out of there. Don't risk your eternity falling asleep in the pew...remember Jesus will spew the lukewarm out of His mouth.
1 Cor 12:
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

 

[Blain]

Detail would require me to post the Baptist Faith & Message, or some similar tome to explain it adequately. This will give an overview, and show the things we must help the unbeliever realize for his/her own salvation.

• God loves us and desires relationship with us, His creation.
• Man is sinful and separated from God, unable to know God's love, or the basis of the relationship God desires.
• Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sinfulness, and through Him man can know the love of God and experience the loving relationship He desires.
• In order to receive Christ's provision, man must understand and admit he is a sinner, and believe Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord -- Savior, having paid the penalty for sin, and Lord, that He guides and direct our lives.
• Confessing that truthfully and sincerely, God sends the Holy Spirit to us, a Comforter, Healer, and Helper, becoming in us the conduit for God's love.

That's it in its simplest terms. For detail, it will require a longer post.

very good I hope you didn't think I was being rude in any way I was merely questioning you because many seem to think they know the (true) Gospel when it is far from the truth. proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

very good I hope you didn't think I was being rude in any way I was merely questioning you because many seem to think they know the (true) Gospel when it is far from the truth. proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

No, brother, didn't think anything rude about it at all. If people are going to talk about the "true gospel," they better be able to say what it is, Amen!

 

[seed_time_harvest]

IMO the way people that agree with a group of others interpretation of the scriptures and how they should be practiced will like being around someone that believes the same way and that's how they branch into denominations.

 

[Blain]

IMO the way people that agree with a group of others interpretation of the scriptures and how they should be practiced like being around someone that believes the same and that's how they branch into denominations.

If I were to believe in being in a denomination I wouldn't fit in one as I have seen truth in many different denominations so I wouldn't belong to merely one of them. I have learned that many not all but many denominations within the Christian faith each hold a piece of the puzzle of the heart and truth of God. However many call a different view or belief of the bible or scripture heresy because this is not what they consider the truth.

Like how Convallaria considers the pretrib heresy for instance, she has a good heart and is indeed wise in the ways of God but to say that a view of the timing of the rapture is heresy is simply not true, no one really knows the timing of it whether it's pre mid or post we simply have a belief of when it is it has never been fully proven of the timing of it.
Something I have been discussing with God in all seriousness is for him to allow me to read his word I mean really read it. I see how each scripture seems to have several if not many different interpretations and views, how doctrines and denominations were and are formed from what we perceived the be the true meaning of what we read and claiming it was the holy spirit that revealed it to us.

there are many interpretations of the bible but only one true interpretation, clearly most of us do not have the eyes to see nor do we have the heart to understand the bible as God intended and the many different interpretations and beliefs are the fruit of this. I refuse to accept this, if I do not have the eyes to see and truly read the bible then how can I say I understand what the word says? that my view is the correct one? until God gives me the right eyes and the right heart I am very careful as to what I think and believe from the scriptures

 

[KennethC]

IMO the way people that agree with a group of others interpretation of the scriptures and how they should be practiced will like being around someone that believes the same way and that's how they branch into denominations.

You mean like this;

2 Timothy 4:3-4


For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

[atwhatcost]

Denominations are never mentioned in the Bible, yet many "Christians" separate themselves through it. Denominations aren't meant for Christianity because there's only one Gospel. One Gospel that makes us Christians. And that's it.

De = of or from

Nom = name

Denomination = of or from the Name.

The Name = Jesus the Christ.

 

[atwhatcost]

I also am denominational because I see no reason to belong to a certain part of the body of Christ when the entire body is what is the church. Denominations don't seem to do anything for Christ but because of how denominations quarrel with each other it seems to have benefited satan pretty well

Take this at face value. It seems to me the ones who most quarrel about denominations are those who consider themselves not of a denomination.

 

[notuptome]

Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, and Acts 2:38 is not Holy Spirit baptism !!!

Your exegesis is wrong. The construction in the Greek indicates that it is in fact Holy Spirit baptism in Acts 2:38. Matthew and Mark passages are not water nor are they Holy Spirit baptism.

Jesus never commanded us to be water baptized nor was He required to be baptized. Acts 10 where Philip baptizes the eunuch is a clear presentation of water baptism if you care to look at it.

We have denominations because of the carnal nature of man. Man is hopelessly religious and cannot stop himself from creating organizations like denominations to give him order and discipline. From this inherit need comes all kinds of conflict and strife. The needs God allows us have is so that we will be drawn to Him to satisfy those needs. Mans nature is to attempt to meet those needs within himself instead of turning to God.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[KennethC]

Take this at face value. It seems to me the ones who most quarrel about denominations are those who consider themselves not of a denomination.

Well yes that would come from just your opinion, as I have seen Protestants causing strife back and forth with Catholics, Baptists doing the same with Lutheran's and JW's, and so on and so on...........

I have seen some from Non-Denom's doing this as well, but for the most part we do not and the strife that usually involves somebody from a Non-Denom stance is strife coming from denominations at them.