Protestants: Do denominations matter?

[Montalban]

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

 

[sunlover1]

Hi Montalban.
I try to follow the leading of the Spirit and so no.

Blessings,
sunlover

 

[wayseer]

No.

 

[B1inHim]

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

"IF" Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church... invisible?...
DENOMINATIOS ARE WHY THERE IS NO UNITY OF FATIH IN THE BODY OF CHRIST...
The lack of that unity has seriously stunted the spiritual growth of the Children of GOD and has made it harder to minister to strangers...
SO many different denominations with SO MANY different interpretations of the Word of GOD has caused so much distress...
One denomination claims that the gifts of GOD are not in operation and another says that they are in operation...
By reason of doctrinal indifferences, DENOMINATIONS have fragmented and disabled the Body of Christ...
Denominations should be abolished and Lord Jesus be uplifted, the WORD be the final judgment and GOD be glorified in all that we say, do and think...

Problem is, if we don’t agree with each other about an interpretation of scripture, we start a new denomination.
This is the evidence of men walking after their own wisdom and not by the power of the Spirit. For if we walked in the Spirit of GOD, we would not separate into different denominations, but rather, we would
EPH. 4:2Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.
4We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all. 7However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ. 8That is why the Scriptures say,
“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9Notice that it says “he ascended.” This means that Christ first came down to the lowly world in which we live. 10The same one who came down is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that his rule might fill the entire universe.
11He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, 13until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. 15Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

ARE we doing this by the power of denominationalisms?

NOT at all.​

​

Shalom

 

[MamaZ]

I go where the Lord leads me. So no

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

Since I am neither Protestant or RC, I would like to ask how the RCC, EO and other non-RCs view the "invisible church". What would be the "visible church"?
Never understood that terminology myself. Thanks

 

[DD2008]

There is only one truth. The reason there are so many different denominations is sin. If we would humbly put aside the sin and follow the word of God there would be unity.

So, denominationalism and the relative formula of our postmodern ecumenism is an open testimony to our sinfulness and disregard of the truth. It matters because truth matters. Many will be held accountable for false teachings on judgement day.

We should do our best to follow Christ as Lord by obeying the word of God in a childlike manner, and doing our best to eliminate all untruth from our practice. We are to worship God in spirit and in truth. Unity is only in truth.

 

[MamaZ]

Many members of one body. For the body of Christ is the Church. If I go and fellowship at a baptist church one sunday what does that matter. If I go and fellowship at a non denominational church another sunday. What does this matter?

 

[Albion]

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

Doesn't matter...to what?

In what respect are you asking if it matters?

 

[Montalban]

Since I am neither Protestant or RC, I would like to ask how the RCC, EO and other non-RCs view the "invisible church". What would be the "visible church"?
Never understood that terminology myself. Thanks

My understanding on this (and I've never been a Protestant, except in the first seven years of my life, so that doesn't really count when it comes to what I understood on this matter), is that Protestants believe that there's an invisible church - that is, it's a church one can't see. It's a church of believers everywhere, who all are 'saved' by their belief in Jesus as the Son of God come to save them.

That is, you could have a visible church (a congregation), say of Methodists with 60 people in it, and down the road is another visible church, of say Presbyterians, numbering 43. And of those two churches you might actually have only 30 in one church, and 15 in the other, known only to God, who are actually going to be saved.

So, in that sense 'denomination' (label of Methodist, or Presbyterian), doens't matter, but then it does, because they do accord themselves the title of Methodist church and Prebyterian church. Some Protestant churches worship God in form of worship that is greatly different from other Protestant churches.

But, I'm more than happy to be corrected on this.

 

[Albion]

Originally Posted by Montalban

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

​

Do denominations mattter...HOW? Do they matter with regard to WHAT? What exactly are you asking?

 

[Stryder06]

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

I'd say yes and no.

Truth is what matters. Thus one should look for truth and not a denomination. However if the denomination you choose doesn't teach bible truths than that is a denomination you should avoid...or at least that particular congregation, as we all know that some particular branches of a denomination may go against what the main church teaches.

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Montalban. I grew up in a country where religion was frowned upon. I have never been to church until I was 40 plus. My papers said that I was Protestant, and when in a Methodist-Church, I met Jesus again, whom I only knew as a wonderfully good man. In time I learned the Truth, and became a soldier for Christ, whose strong and only weapon is LOVE. I freely admit that I never thought much about denominations, in fact I thought people went to the nearest place of worship, and those who went further away, were going there because it made them feel good: A feel-good factor. I say this lovingly, and approvingly. I am absolutely sure that our Lord would be hurt if it is true, that some men and women, go for earthly/selfish reasons. I say this with all humility, Love is the goal we all want to reach to perfection, to become as God is. It is not easy and we do need each other more than ever, in this imperfect world. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[Chesterton]

It seems like it would matter to the biblical instruction to take our disputes between each other to other members of the Church, rather than to secular courts. If two Christians from different denominations wished to do this, whose Church would they take their problem to? It seems this instruction assumes there is to be one Church.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Many members of one body. For the body of Christ is the Church. If I go and fellowship at a baptist church one sunday what does that matter. If I go and fellowship at a non denominational church another sunday. What does this matter?

Would you also go to a JW's, Messianic or Mormon service

 

[Albion]

My answer is this--
I agree that denomination doesn't matter, but that it does. Just as you said, Montalban.

 

[New_Wineskin]

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

I stress the "universal" or "invisible" Church specifically to state that denominations don't matter .

 

[GenemZ]

If Protestants believe that they're all part of the one invisible church, does this mean that the actual 'denomination' they're in doesn't matter?

Denominations = Demon nations.

If all believers were being led of the Spirit there would be no denominations,
only churches growing and grace and knowledge of God's Word.


Denominations are created by men finding fleshly strongholds by manipulating God's Word that divide, and then won't budge.
They refuse correction by means of sound teaching, because they believe that they are of God.

2 Timothy 4:3
"For the time will come when men will not put up with
sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires,
they will gather around them a great number of teachers
to say what their itching ears want to hear.
​

So it has become. Many walk in what can be called, humble self righteousness.
These believers refuse to budge from behind the walls of what pleases their flesh.
Of course, its all done in the name of God. Self righteousness manifests itself in many ways.

Matthew 16:24
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come
after me, he must deny himself and take up his
cross and follow me."
​

Its that deny himself part that causes many to seek ways to reinvent Jesus,
so that they can feel comfortable and safe in following their version of Self Christ.

Denominations = Demon nations.

In Christ, GeneZ
​

 

[sungaunga]

imho I think denominations do not "really" matter. I believe what matters is that we get the Gospel right. As long as we're united in the central message of Christ that we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone, i would say that we would all be considered brothers and sisters in Christ. Obviously, i'm talking in regards to people with real faith, not dead faith. What do you guys think?

 

[Chesterton]

If I'm part of an invisible Church, can I tithe to it with invisible money?