Returning

[littledoll]

I am not necessarily a new Christian, more a returning one.
I am having a lot of trouble choosing a denomination,

Could anyone help me? Please?

 

[Peripatetic]

Welcome! And welcome back! What denomination were you before? What did or didn't you like about it? Have you had any exposure to others? Do you have any Christian friends or family that can tell you about the denominations that they call their own? There really aren't obviously good or bad denominations (especially if you are considering the ones that are more well-known). They just match different styles and preferences. They also vary from church to church.

 

[Aibrean]

It really depends on your beliefs.

- Do you believe in Real Presence in communion?
- Do you believe that infants can/should be baptized?
- Do you believe that women should be pastors?
- Do you believe that baptism is just a symbol or does God work in it?
- Do you believe in the Nicene/Apostle's Creed?
- Do you believe the Bible is inerrant?
- Do you like liturgical worship?
- Do you believe speaking in tongues is present today?

 

[texastig]

I would suggest to just choose a non-denominational church.

 

[salida]

Google the Denomination test　
http://www.selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client=christiandenom
Maybe this will point you in the right direction.

Take one day at a time and get some inspirational friends that love God by their actions.

 

[Aibrean]

I would suggest to just choose a non-denominational church.

A church that doesn't believe anything other than the "Bible" and "Jesus"...that's the problem with them. Everyone in the congregation can have a different idea on what is right/wrong and it's ok.

 

[WretchedMan]

I am not necessarily a new Christian, more a returning one.
I am having a lot of trouble choosing a denomination,

Could anyone help me? Please?

Welcome back! I pray God will keep you and strengthen you. I pray He will give you wisdom and guide you where He wants you.

Pray for God to lead you where He wants you. See what the church you consider teaches and make sure it is in line with what the scriptures teach. Make sure the word is taught and try to avoid useless doctrines of men. Pray for God to give you wisdom and discernment and He will let you know by giving you peace when you are where He wants you to be.

A church that doesn't believe anything other than the "Bible" and "Jesus"...that's the problem with them. Everyone in the congregation can have a different idea on what is right/wrong and it's ok.

Why the hostility toward non-denominational churches? I'm pretty sure that there was no Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, or Assembly of God when Jesus established the Church. God doesn't need a denomination to call and equip the saints or to lead the lost to repentance, but that also doesn't mean that He doesn't work within the various denominations that are followers of Christ. We are supposed to be one church, the body of Christ, and we should reserve our conflict to fighting against heresies and false doctrines, not against others that are also in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:4-17 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul, " or"I follow Apollos, " or"I follow Cephas, " or"I follow Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else. ) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Ephesian 3:1-6 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Are there some differences in personality, preference in style of worship, or in peripheral doctrinal issues? Yes. However, we should be unified in Christ and work together to save the lost, equip the saints, and to honor and Glorify God rather than act like we are in a turf war.

Mark 3:24-25 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

Non-denominational does not equal postmodernism where whatever suits your fancy goes and a denomination with hundreds of years of tradition does not guarantee that there is a real work of God going on in its walls. Whether denominational or not, we have to be on guard for the same problems and we have to be diligent and united in following God and doing His will.

 

[Aibrean]

My issue is that non-denomination have really very few core beliefs. As I said, everyone can have a different idea on what is right/wrong on what you call "peripheral" doctrines which can lead to false doctrine and heresy.

There are certain things that I certainly would not consider to be a "peripheral" that non-denomination churches do. There is also the issue of the pulpit preaching of things that are are merely one type of interpretation (such as dispensationalism).

When people in a church are not unified in their theology I can only see it as a nightmare. What do the children, learn, exactly?

Your verses are about Christians as a whole (believers in Christ). The early church became the Roman Catholic/Orthodox church.

 

[salida]

I would suggest to just choose a non-denominational church.

I agree with your non-denomination choice as the bible tends to trumph over man made theology. There are denominations like this too like mine ha.

 

[Aibrean]

^ "Man-made" theology comes from interpretation of the Bible. Some interpretation can be Spirit-led. Some can be by ones wants - some who use snippets of scripture rather than context to build up their validity.

Why was the Nicene Creed developed in the first place?

 

[littledoll]

I would prefer a denominational church as I would like guidance.

I believe very much that a lot of teachings should come from personal contact with God.

- Do you believe in Real Presence in communion?
I don't understand
- Do you believe that infants can/should be baptized?
No. Although I was baptised as an infant.
- Do you believe that women should be pastors?
Sure? Why not?
- Do you believe that baptism is just a symbol or does God work in it?
I believe baptism brings us closer to God. I see it like a confirmation, but not a ticket into heaven.
- Do you believe in the Nicene/Apostle's Creed?
I have no clue what that is.
- Do you believe the Bible is inerrant?
I do not believe the Bible is literal! Although I don't think it contains "errors"
- Do you like liturgical worship?
Yes, I do.
- Do you believe speaking in tongues is present today?
Speaking in tongues? What on Earth is that? :S

 

[Aibrean]

It sounds like whatever church you went to wasn't a liturgical one.

- Real Presence is believing that Christ is truly present (physically and spiritually) in Communion. Those who believe in Real Presence are Roman Catholics (although they've tried to further explain the change and how things change), Episcopalian/Anglican, Orthodox, Methodist, and Lutheran. There are other denominations such as Presbyterians that believe Christ is only spiritually present.
- Many denominations will baptize infants. In general these denominations are the older ones (RCC, Orthodox, Anglican/Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and Nazarene). Some of this has to do with Biblical texts saying whole families were baptized (and children in those households are assumed) and because (with the exclusion of a couple on the list) God acts in baptism (not just a symbol - but God imparts grace). In the Lutheran church, a sponsor will speak on behalf of an infant.
- The Nicene/Apostle's creeds are statements of faith. The Nicene creed is on this website. (The Nicene and Apostles' Creeds | Christian Bible Studies has them both)
- I'm sure none of us would believe the Bible to taken literally word-for-word in its entirety.
- Speaking in tongues is part of the charismatic movement.

Example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2STDH14aJVk
Some would say you aren't complete if you can't speak in tongues. I say that is looney talk (and really...it does sound like looney talk).

 

[JCFantasy23]

I would prefer a denominational church as I would like guidance.

I believe very much that a lot of teachings should come from personal contact with God.

- Do you believe in Real Presence in communion?
I don't understand
- Do you believe that infants can/should be baptized?
No. Although I was baptised as an infant.
- Do you believe that women should be pastors?
Sure? Why not?
- Do you believe that baptism is just a symbol or does God work in it?
I believe baptism brings us closer to God. I see it like a confirmation, but not a ticket into heaven.
- Do you believe in the Nicene/Apostle's Creed?
I have no clue what that is.
- Do you believe the Bible is inerrant?
I do not believe the Bible is literal! Although I don't think it contains "errors"
- Do you like liturgical worship?
Yes, I do.
- Do you believe speaking in tongues is present today?
Speaking in tongues? What on Earth is that? :S

I find the views on communion when choosing a denomination to be very important. It would be a good idea to research this and pray about it, to see a good guiding point.

Personally it doesn't matter to me much on whether the church I attend believes in infant baptism or not, although some denominations stress it highly and it would be good to agree/disagree to join that denomination.

Most denominations believe in speaking of tongues, although mainly the charismatic movement seems to practice and emphasis this more.

Many, many church goers are not very familiar with the terms Nicene Creed and Apostle's Creed, so I would not base a denominational choice on this per se. It's always good to read on the history of it though.

 

[SharonL]

My choice would be a non-denominational church also. My experience after 75 years of being a Christian and going to many churches, the people who settle in the non-denominational churches have usually been through all the legalisms of a certain denomination and are tired of all the man-made rules and the constant telling you of what you can't do that they forget to tell you what God can do.

I find that when worship is centered on the love of God and the close walk with Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit is a beautiful walk and free of all the do's and don'ts that you can hear the voice of the leading of the Holy Spirit much clearer.

Just follow the leading of the Holy Spirit which will give you peace when you are in the church that is for you - only listen to that leading and not what others have to say - everyone has a different story.

 

[Aibrean]

That's all fine and dandy until you get to communion for instance. I've seen non-denoms let the kids drink all the extra juice in cups and all the bread in the communion plate. I don't see a whole lot of reverence and awe.

 

[SharonL]

It is not possible to judge all by what some do - I have never seen anything but reverence in communion.

 

[WretchedMan]

My issue is that non-denomination have really very few core beliefs. As I said, everyone can have a different idea on what is right/wrong on what you call "peripheral" doctrines which can lead to false doctrine and heresy.

This is false. The nondenominational churches that I've had experience with were much more solid in their biblical foundations than most of the denominational churches I've been in. I think that the old institutions have done quite well in not establishing their members in the gospel and in promoting false doctrines and heresies.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit will teach us:

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

And John writes:

1 John 2:26-27 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

We don't need governing bodies between God and men telling us what God's will is. I don't advocate anarchy, and accountability to God and to one another is very important, but this idea that we need these massive institutions and their teaching, that have nothing to do with abiding in fellowship with the Father and with Jesus Christ, is ridiculous.

There are certain things that I certainly would not consider to be a "peripheral" that non-denomination churches do. There is also the issue of the pulpit preaching of things that are are merely one type of interpretation (such as dispensationalism).

This goes both ways. Just because you don't think that dispensations are valid, and I think I can make a solid case from scripture that they are, doesn't make it a heresy or make it a problem if it is preached from a pulpit.

While I think that we are missing out on important revelations in scripture if we deny the dispensations, believing dispensations, or not, has nothing to do with salvation or living a life directed by the Holy Spirit and pleasing to God. In other words, it is "peripheral".

When people in a church are not unified in their theology I can only see it as a nightmare. What do the children, learn, exactly?

Why do we require massive, expensive, and, many times, corrupt institutions in order for people to be unified in their theology? You may feel you need it, and I won't condemn you for it because people's personalities and preferences are different. If that suits you, ok, but don't think that the rest of us are somehow lost in a chaotic nightmare of uncertainty, because we don't.

As far as what the children learn, they learn the gospel, they learn the Christian and the Jewish scriptures. They learn to love others the way that Jesus calls us to, and they learn to have the heart of a servant for other people.

They don't learn new age gibberish or paganism paraded as Godliness and they sure don't learn to ask dead people to intercede for them when the scripture tells us:

1 Timothy 2:5-6 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

I'm speaking generally here. I know there are some kooky, heretical churches, but you get that in denominations, too. A person has to be discerning and walk with Jesus so that they don't get led away by false teaching in any church.

John tells us in 1 John that he was writing the epistle so that we will have full joy, fellowship with other believers and with the Father and the Son, so that we won't sin, so that we have assurance that we have eternal life in Jesus, so that we will test the spirits and recognize those who seek to lead us astray, and so that we will have confidence when He returns and not be ashamed.

It's each of our responsibilities to search the scriptures and make sure that what we are being taught matches what God has revealed to us, just like the Bareans did:

Acts 17:10-11 10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Your verses are about Christians as a whole (believers in Christ). The early church became the Roman Catholic/Orthodox church.

Yes, the verses are about the whole church, i.e., the body of Christ, and no, the body of Christ did not become the Roman Catholic/Orthodox Church. There were fellowships and communities of Christians in many places before, during, and after Rome decided to co-opt "Christianity" for their own purposes. While I believe that there are many Christians within the RCC, I don't see anything about the institution itself that would lead me to conclude that it is truly led by Jesus.

^ "Man-made" theology comes from interpretation of the Bible. Some interpretation can be Spirit-led. Some can be by ones wants - some who use snippets of scripture rather than context to build up their validity.

Why was the Nicene Creed developed in the first place?

Some of it comes from incorrectly interpreting scripture, true. Much of it has absolutely nothing to do with scripture at all. Praying to something other than God is one, elevating people to the status of saints is another (the scriptures tell us that all that are redeemed by Jesus are saints). Things like forbidding dancing, makeup, or women in pants are some others. Then there is denying the gifts of the Spirit, and no, I am not claiming that everyone is to speak in tongues or that we are to be carried away in the flesh by our emotions, but to deny the work of the Spirit seems to match this scripture:

2 Timothy 3:1-9 1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

The Nicene Creed was to counter the doctrine of Arianism which taught that Jesus was not divine, but merely a created being.

 

[WretchedMan]

Littledoll,

As you can see, there are many opinions about what you should do. Just remember that if you are born again through the sacrifice that Jesus made for you, you are a child of God and part of the church, the body of Christ. Where you worship, learn, and serve are important, but if someone says that you have to attend their church or their denomination to truly be a Christian, run away.

Make sure that what is taught in any church you attend is scriptural. Pray and seek discernment and wisdom. God is not going to lead you astray, but, as John told us, test the spirits and make sure they are from God.

Jesus tells us a couple of different ways to recognize a true Christian, so watch for this in your pastor:

Matthew 7:15-20 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

And this:

John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."