Is a doctrinal statement or the Scriptures the starting point for your church?

It seems that for most churches (at least denominational ones) once doctrine is written down, then that becomes the starting point.

For example, if I become a pastor in a Southern Baptist Church, or a Lutheran Church, or a Holiness Church, etc., dare I start my teaching by going to the Word and teaching what (I) think it says? No, I must begin with that church's doctrinal statement. I have liberty of Scriptural interpretation as long as I abide by the doctrinal statement.

I can't pastor a Southern Baptist Church unless I begin with OSAS
I can't pastor a Holiness Church unless I begin without OSAS
I can't pastor a Lutheran Church unless I begin with infant baptism
I can't pastor a Baptist church if I baptize infants
I can't pastor an Assemblies of God church if I preach tongues was for Acts only
I can't pastor most fundamental evangelical churches if I preach that tongues is needed to be filled with the Spirit

I don't want this thread to be just another discussion of these doctrinal issues; that is not the point here.

The question is how to resolve this dilimma? Of course, this is done by unaffiliated, independent churches. But what is the solution at a denominational level? What denominations actually begin with Scripture rather than doctrinal statements?

There is no dilemma here for God, he will utterly forsake them.

Who or what is ‘them’ in your statement?

1. There are no solutions at denominational levels.
2. Many non-denominational churches do exist.
3. Every church must have a clear Statement of Faith.
4. Every affirmation must have clear and unequivocal Scripture to support it.
5. Churches should be autonomous and directly accountable to Christ (Rev 1-3).
6. Every believer in that church must be accountable to the leadership within that church also.

All the cults listed.

Perhaps this could be a thread all its own:

What/which Scripture verse/s is/are accepted unequivocally?

As in, not contested by any other denomination.

Makes me wonder if there are any

Also to add, there will be no denomination that follows the scriptures because the Bible forbids denominations outright and furthermore Jesus warns, and not a few times at that but rather many, to beware these cults and nations and generations' doctrines and that the doctrines would wear these people down just like it did to the jews. There is only one Christianity. There is only the Virgin Bride and she is the true church and Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 11:19~ No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval.

Just a comment. I wonder if the Holy Spirit is enough? I know you know. God bless you always.

I am not sure that any of these pastors would agree that they don't start with scripture when they teach.

You seem to suggesting that they can't be all just teaching scripture alone because if they were they would not have differences.

But the problem and solution lies in Hermeneutics.

It is not a problem that the AG would deny credentials to a preacher that believes tongues has ceased. This is how credentialing works and why it exist.

Many denominational preachers would tell you that they were trained to exegete the scriptures in their original context. They don't do that by beginning with a doctrinal statement. Your accusation would be denied.

My guess is that many of your seminary trained evangelical pastors have all been taught from similar text books on hermeneutics which do not have anything to do with denominations. They all teach exegesis the exact same way.

The pastors would all tell you that they seek to exegete the scripture to ascertain authorial intent in its original context and strive not to bring denominational biased into a reading of the text.

If that is the case why do they still differ? The answers are many, but I think they are most often caused by a mistake in hermeneutics. How to resolve it? More study and prayer.

A lot more prayer. If the heart is right and we cry out to God in faith, and we apply ourselves in the diligent study required, not being lazy about hermeneutics, then illumination will come a lot more often than it does not.

And then there will be some things that won't be solved until Jesus comes back. It's ok. We are all pretty dense, and slow when it comes to spiritual truths and knowing that will help us stay open to more light. We desperately need the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us more and more everyday.

The heart must be constantly plowed by the Holy Spirit to be good ground in order to have understanding in the word of God.

Is a doctrinal statement or the Scriptures the starting point for your church?

Click to expand...

It's very sad that prayer is the "last thing" to be thought about, for it is prayer that brings believers to "one mind" on a subject, and brings the Presence and Power of God upon believers, for without this, Christians are no different to other groups of people! Exodus 33v15,16, Psalm 133 (all), Luke 24v49, Acts 1v4,14, 2v1 (Maj Text).

I think it might require re-educating them. I mean, if they aren’t using scripture there’s a pretty big problem. If they haven’t self-corrected that glaringly obvious error by now then they are probably don’t want to correct it. Yes the doctrinal statement may contain scripture, but normally it’s not actual scripture and is more like a statement of faith.

You’re essentially dealing with Christian cults and I don’t necessarily mean that in a derogatory way. It really just depends what exactly is in the doctrinal statement because Biblical things can be paraphrased.

How to resolve this dilemma? The old fashioned way. You gotta go talk to them. If they love you and respect you then you have a better chance of reaching them. Just marching up off the street with a Bible and quoting scripture at them will likely provoke an argument; they’ll close off to you completely and you’ll never get another chance with them.

Go to church, attend their services a while, network, make friends, etc. In Bible study just speak your mind.

My solution? Forget these denominations, move on, they're hindering the Spirit.

The title of this video says it's about home churches but it's not really. It's about leaving dead churches that the Lord has abandoned.

Good question. Why I am not part of a Denominational Church, or a Church Group that has some Standard of belief that one must accept so as to be a member.

The Holy Bible is all any Church Group/Denomination needs.....

Since the cults say the same thing, or almost the same thing, how will a visitor or potential member know where your church stands unless it is spelled out in black and white? So if this church deviates from its own Statement, it can be held accountable. But at the very least a visitor will not be duped by a heterodox group.

Listed where? You didn't list any.

Please.... don't judge the denominations!!!
We don't know how far God allows His grace to go concerning these things!!!
We could get in more trouble than we think they are in for doing it!!!

The Biblical Solution to Multiple Denominations is to hold Councils of Bishops, Pastors, Theologians etc. Let all gather together, pray and invoke the Holy Spirit for guidance, and then debate and discuss these issues with Scriptural References. The Holy Spirit will lead them into all Truth if the pray and continue to seek, and then, as in Acts 15-16, the combined decision of the Whole Church will be gradually accepted by others, through the action of the same Holy Spirit. I pray that Universal Christendom finds Perfect Unity in our lifetime, as imho the lack of the Unity Christ prayed for (Jn 17) is hindering the Great Commission and what He Himself promised would be the result of such a Perfect Unity among Christians: "
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (Jn 17:21). God Bless.