Anti-denominational followers of Jesus

[TheLearner]

Someone I was witnessing to rejected Christianity on the basis it’s an organized religion and that a true religion from God wouldn’t require people to do anything because God would have made it perfect and seemless with our existence.

Turns out, that’s actually what God did for Adam and Eve before sin entered the world. That creates more questions than answers sometimes.

The story of how we got from paradise to where we are now is how we understand why we need Jesus. It’s parsing information from Genesis to Revelation, trying to understand what happened and why is why there are so many divisions.

So I agree with you. Being the people God created us to be seems like a more pressing matter for the church.

God is an God of order, not disorder.

 

[TheLearner]

My wife thinks our house looks like this


But it really looks like this

 

[ChristianTonyB]

View attachment 241994

What's your point???

 

[ChristianTonyB]

Being the people God created us to be seems like a more pressing matter for the church.

Yes, that's true.

We sure have complicated things, we've allowed Satan to come in and rob the church of its true identity in my ooinion. I can't see how Jesus can reverse what has happened, except for when God calls an end to the time of the gentiles. But then again, He is God, I am not, and He can do things I can't even contemplate. In the meantime I believe He has stripped out for Himself a remnant.

 

[ChristianTonyB]

One of many reasons I attend the church that the papists abandoned for their idolatry.

Excuse my confusion, but what are the names of churches you are referring to?

 

[Dirtman]

Excuse my confusion, but what are the names of churches you are referring to?

Today known as Lutheran. Luther did not want to start hos own church, He wanted reform. The pope decided rather that he would keep his political authority and the profitability of fleecing the flock. So He used his political/secular authority to kick Luther and his students out of the Roman Empire known as "catholicism". Luther continued to carry on teaching, that as many as had faith in Jesus by Grace are saved and are the church;regardless of what the Emperor of Vatican had to say.

In this way the papacy abandoned the Church.

 

[ChristianTonyB]

Today known as Lutheran. Luther did not want to start hos own church, He wanted reform. The pope decided rather that he would keep his political authority and the profitability of fleecing the flock. So He used his political/secular authority to kick Luther and his students out of the Roman Empire known as "catholicism". Luther continued to carry on teaching, that as many as had faith in Jesus by Grace are saved and are the church;regardless of what the Emperor of Vatican had to say.

In this way the papacy abandoned the Church.

I suspect Luther wouldn't be chuffed about a church being named after him, he would say we are Christ's, not of Paul or Apollos or him.

 

[Lanolin]

I think the Church of Christ already took that name so they had to come up with something else.

Also if you happen to live in Christchurch, the entire city is supposedly meant to be the church.

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

Are there any other members of CC that believe divisions/sects/denominations or independent churches that hold formalised religious services, are not in the best interest of the Lord Jesus?

Dividing Jesus' body up into different belief systems can't be good, and repetitive religious observances seem to hark back to the superseded, old testament and ritualistic system, that we've been freed from.

Wouldn't it be great if we were all just simply known as followers of Christ, or Christians, with no other labels. No theological complexities, a common front to those on the outside, and putting our efforts only into developing behaviour that emulates Jesus'.

Some have said that even though they fellowship with a denominational church, they have no specific allegiance to it. But aren't they doing that by association, and in effect supporting division?

SO You want to start the "Anti-Denominational Denomination" then???

 

[Runningman]

Wouldn't it be great if we were all just simply known as followers of Christ, or Christians, with no other labels. No theological complexities, a common front to those on the outside, and putting our efforts only into developing behaviour that emulates Jesus'.

It would be great, but unfortunately that’s unlikely since it isn’t happening nearly 2,000 years later. The Bible is vague enough on many points that people can make it say just about anything they want it to say and they do.

 

[Amanuensis]

When the first 3000 got saved at Pentecost (can you say MegaChurch) they devoted themselves to the fellowship.

God's method and plan has always been that we devote ourselves to the gathering with the saints and fellowship, teaching, prayer, breaking of bread, etc.

If we find ourselves falling out of fellowship with the saints, we find ourselves falling out of fellowship with God.

There is nothing more anti God than being anti church.

 

[ChristianTonyB]

When the first 3000 got saved at Pentecost (can you say MegaChurch) they devoted themselves to the fellowship.

God's method and plan has always been that we devote ourselves to the gathering with the saints and fellowship, teaching, prayer, breaking of bread, etc.

If we find ourselves falling out of fellowship with the saints, we find ourselves falling out of fellowship with God.

There is nothing more anti God than being anti church.

True....and no doubt you would add, being divisive and breaking up the church into different sects with their own polarised view of what it is to act like Christ's followers, is equally anti-God/anti-Christ!

 

[ChristianTonyB]

SO You want to start the "Anti-Denominational Denomination" then???

I wouldn't call this response funny, but more cynical and ignorant. Denominations of any kind are unacceptable to God, and anyone that thinks otherwise is thumbing their nose at the Lord Jesus. That, in my opinion, would be a hateful decision to take.

 

[ChristianTonyB]

It would be great, but unfortunately that’s unlikely since it isn’t happening nearly 2,000 years later. The Bible is vague enough on many points that people can make it say just about anything they want it to say and they do.

I understand what you are saying, and it makes sense to stay away from religious ritual controversies that just give vent for quarrelling and division.

But I for one, and I've no doubt there are others in the world, that have keep their loyalty true to the Lord Jesus and the church He made them members of when they were reborn by the Holy Spirit. They have refused to be corrupted by denominational or other man made religious institutions. Yes, it may well mean a life of singleness and loneliness in an alien world, but in the end the crown of salvation will be worth it.

 

[Amanuensis]

True....and no doubt you would add, being divisive and breaking up the church into different sects with their own polarised view of what it is to act like Christ's followers, is equally anti-God/anti-Christ!

I believe it is just fine to have different denominations, and local assemblies that don't agree on everything but still agree on the major salvific issues.

I don't have the same views as you do about this. I don't think it is wrong for churches to differ in opinions about things.

I think it is wrong for people to not find a local church and be involved in it. In the USA in most communities there are enough good ones to make staying at home a sign of being out of fellowship with God. Because God will lead you to a good local church if you are praying and having faith about that. No DOUBT ABOUT IT. God is not telling anyone to forsake the local assembly or that they don't need it or that they are not missing out on His plan for them.

You'll never convince me of that. The day you truly repent will be the day you understand the necessity of the local assembly and your part in it and you will make a way to be there every chance you get. And you will become a pillar there. That is the sign of a saved person. They devote themselves to the fellowship and the apostles teaching. In real life, face to face meetings.

 

[Amanuensis]

True....and no doubt you would add, being divisive and breaking up the church into different sects with their own polarised view of what it is to act like Christ's followers, is equally anti-God/anti-Christ!

Do you really believe that there isn't any church that is doing things the way you think they should? If so, why do you have confidence that no one in the world but you understands how the church should operate? Don't you doubt your own views if you can't find another soul that agrees with them?

Why would there be no church doing things right? Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the church. Don't you think it is still advancing and don't you think you can be part of a local assembly that does not deserve the wrath of God?

Surely you know that good ones exist. They don't have to be perfect to deserve our involvement.

I just think any thought patterns that justify our not finding a local church and being part is from satan. God's method is still the local assembly and we should all be devoted to this.

 

[Runningman]

I understand what you are saying, and it makes sense to stay away from religious ritual controversies that just give vent for quarrelling and division.

But I for one, and I've no doubt there are others in the world, that have keep their loyalty true to the Lord Jesus and the church He made them members of when they were reborn by the Holy Spirit. They have refused to be corrupted by denominational or other man made religious institutions. Yes, it may well mean a life of singleness and loneliness in an alien world, but in the end the crown of salvation will be worth it.

Yes that’s true. I’m pretty sure strict adherence to the Bible will create a mostly solitary Christian experience. I can’t seem to find any church congregations I really agree with. Mostly I just bump into individuals online every now and then. We can still almost universally find commonality on who the Lord and Savior is, but outside of that fellowship is often impossible if the pretense for church is just singing, listening to a preacher, and giving money.

If you know of any churches that come together to actually provoke one another to love and good works then I’m in:

Hebrews 10:24,25
24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

[Magenta]

I'm leaving CC soon.

I am sorry to hear that Good luck to you, and may God continue to richly bless you in all your endeavors

 

[ChristianTonyB]

Do you really believe that there isn't any church that is doing things the way you think they should? If so, why do you have confidence that no one in the world but you understands how the church should operate? Don't you doubt your own views if you can't find another soul that agrees with them?

Why would there be no church doing things right? Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the church. Don't you think it is still advancing and don't you think you can be part of a local assembly that does not deserve the wrath of God?

Surely you know that good ones exist. They don't have to be perfect to deserve our involvement.

I just think any thought patterns that justify our not finding a local church and being part is from satan. God's method is still the local assembly and we should all be devoted to this.

I feel you may be missing the main point that I am emphasing... and that is, if your spirit has been given life by the Holy Spirit you are automatically joined to the church of God. If subsequently you join yourself up to any other religious authority, which you do when you attach yourself (or leave yourself attached) to any denomination or any other man made religious institution, you are corrupting the purity of Jesus and His want for His followers to remain as one.

Fellowship is essential, meet up with people that have remained loyal to the Lord Jesus and have remained solely as members of the church that He founded at the beginning, that is where the true church is and where your real brothers and sisters commune... a holy communion of Christ's followers.

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

I feel you may be missing the main point that I am emphasing... and that is, if your spirit has been given life by the Holy Spirit you are automatically joined to the church of God.

True statement.

If subsequently you join yourself up to any other religious authority, which you do when you attach yourself (or leave yourself attached) to any denomination or any other man made religious institution, you are corrupting the purity of Jesus and His want for His followers to remain as one.

SO - without a specific meeting place/schedule, how do you propose to meet together and have fellowship??? and remember, Christian gatherings are always a mixture of "Wheat" and "Tares".