So, what I'm seeing so far (hopefully I can write this better than the original post
):
It really doesn't matter what denomination we belong to; denominations, by their very nature, are susceptible to problems, anyway. What matters is that we follow Jesus the best that we can, read the Bible, and try to be a good person.
Does that sound about right?
We all may have different reasons why we are where we are...and not all of us have yet finished the journey. I started life as RCC. After receiving Jesus into my life at 24, I joined the AOG. Got married, raised children in that church. 10 years later I fell away. A further 10 years and came to a point in my life when everything was falling apart. My older children, whom I had raised in the church and whom I had dedicated to Christ, were in the world doing all the things I had been doing before I was saved and what I had returned to. Drugs and/or alcohol.
My marriage was collapsing in an ugly heap and I knew it was all my fault. So I went out to the outside room, fell to my knees and wept for 2 hours laying everything out before my Lord in sorrow and repentance. I was crying, not for myself, but for those I had let down, failed. I pleaded with God for forgiveness for failing to raise my children in the ways of Christ as I had promised. I pleaded for forgiveness for failing to honour my wife and respect her as I should have. I asked the Lord for their lives. That He would rescue them from the world into which they were now joined, and by His grace and mercy heal my marriage. As for my own faith, I asked God to take me back to the beginning. I wanted to start from scratch. I wanted to learn again the foundational truths of faith and practice, and grow from there. I didn't want to pretend or even admit that I knew anything of theology, soteriology, or any other 'ology'. I remember having many unanswered questions when in the church previously...I wanted those answered and doubts settled. I wanted the TRUTH.
I hadn't read a Bible for over 10 years, and if asked, would not have been able to quote one scripture. But one came to mind as forcefully as if someone was next to me reading it aloud. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you".
Over the next 6 months, through Bible study, providence, miracles, much prayer and a willingness to seek and honor Him who had been so merciful to me a sinner, I discovered a number of Bible truths I had never known previously. And a number of beliefs I had held tight to that were proved wrong by scripture. I also discovered that the only church teaching those truths that I had discovered was the SDAs. I had never heard of them previously apart from being the former owners of a church building the AOG bought when I was a member there. I knew nothing of their history, or organisation. So I decided to study them. I wasn't about to be roped into a cult or false church after my previous fall from grace. I spent a further 6 months studying their doctrines, and reading their leading authors. And they have many authors. I began identifying myself as an adventist. But it took me another 5 years or so before becoming an official member of the church. I don't see it as a denomination as such. For the sake of organisation for missions and official ownership of property etc, it was necessary for the early adventists to become an officially recognised entity. But I, and most other adventists I know, believe we are a movement, made up of many ex-Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Baptists etc. And many ex-pentecostals. And of course new Christians. A movement that came together in unity over all the basic fundamental doctrines of faith...a movement which is continuing the reformation, in fact, the
only 'denomination' continuing the reformation, continuing to teach all the truths previously rediscovered by the reformers, but which they are now abandoning in favour of a return to Rome.
The Bible tells us of a power that would tear down the sanctuary, and trample truth underfoot. Have you noticed that the principle truths restored by the reformers leads one deeper and deeper into the sanctuary? That the truths they rebuilt in the church run side by side the articles of furniture in the sanctuary, and also the gospel lived by Christ? Look at this...
- He is the Door. John 10:1,2
- Jesus is the sacrifice. Matt. 5:17
- It is in Him we are to be baptized. John 4:10
- Jesus is the Bread of Life. John 6:35
- He is the Light of the world.John 8:12
- He is our Mediator. Eph. 5:2
- And He is the law personified. Matt. 5:17
Now check this out....
Israel was delivered from Egyptian bondage (a type of the Christian deliverance from sin) in the very same pattern.
- Now Passover Lamb……..sacrifice……..1 Cor.5:7…..Exodus 12:1-6
- Red Sea……..baptism…….1 Cor.10:2……Exod.14:16
- Manna….Bread…..John 6:58…..Exodus 16:4
- Israel chosen as a special nation to be a light to the Gentiles….Exodus 9:5,6.
- Moses made an intermediary (a type of Christ)….Exodus 19:9-11
- Israel given the law. ….Exodus 20
Now take a look at the life of Christ...
- Born in a stable among animals…born a living sacrifice…born to die..Luke2:7
- Baptized at age 30…Matt.3:16
- Led into the wilderness to be tempted which consisted of three elements
- 1. Change the stone to bread
- 2. presumptuous prayer
- 3. Bow in exchange for glory Matt.4:1-11
- Goes on to preach and teach the law of God coupled with the grace and the mercy of God. John 14:15. Matt.9:13
These basic truths had been lost during the long years of the dark ages. One by one, the truths were re-established in God’s church, and those truths broadcast and taught throughout the world.
In the 1300s John Wycliffe, ‘The Morning Star of the Reformation’, translated the scriptures into the common tongue. His followers and supporters were called the Lollards. In their day, they were considered a cult, and were persecuted relentlessly by the established church.
In the 1400s Martin Luther restored the truth of salvation by faith only. He restores the sacrifice of grace. Luther and his followers, the Lutherans, were considered a cult by those of his day, and were persecuted.
In the 1500s John Calvin, the founder of the Presbyterians, has a great burden for prayer. He railed against the rote prayers of the established church… In the day,Presbyterians were considered a cult; they were also persecuted, by the Lutherans.
In the 1600s God raised up a man by the name of John Smith. Smith restored the truth of baptism by immersion. His followers were known as Baptists…in their day they were considered a cult, and were persecuted by the Lutherans and the Presbyterians.
In the 1700s John Wesley founded the Methodists. John Wesley had a great burden for evangelism: for letting the light of the gospel to shine…he preached from one end of the country to another, and even to the United States. The Methodists were considered a cult and were persecuted by the Lutherans, the Presbyterians, and the Baptists.
So all the articles of furniture were restored by the beginning of the 19th century, except for one. The law of God.
The Seventh Day Adventists arrived in the early to mid 1800s. Their burden was the law of God, and they were made up of Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and even Catholics. Today, they are considered by many to be a cult.
You asked how I chose my denomination, it didn't come easy, it wasn't a haphazard decision, and it wasn't convenient...I know that was a long story...but you did ask.