Need Help Finding the Right Type of Church

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:

I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Here's what I believe for certain (besides stuff all Christians believe):

That we are saved by faith but that true faith involves an attempt to be holy.

That Christ instituted one Church, of spme manner that is also Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic.

There are some sort of oral traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Baptism must be done in the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit. For the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Abortion is wrong.

We are to confess our sins to a pastor

That scripture is not to be interpreted by ourselves.

Women can't be pastors or priests. Pastors or priests are allowed to marry.

People still speak in tongues. Though it is not required, encouraged, and does not have authority over the Church

God alone is authority for faith.

Things I'm pretty sure of:

The apocrypha are scripture.

We are to pray to God alone.

Mary is not sinless

Mary did not remain a virgin

Mary is in heaven

Apostolic Succession

Worship is on Sunday

Baptism is once in a lifetime

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HTacianas said:

There are a number of letters in the new testament warning against groups who would fall away and attempt to take others along with them. Those groups were primarily the gnostics of the time whom the writer of 1 and 2 John referred to as antichrists:

2Jo 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

The italics above are mine. To say that Jesus Christ had not come in the flesh was not to say that Jesus did not exist, but was the gnostic teaching that Jesus in fact had appeared but had no physical body, i.e., flesh. Paul warned against gnosticism, the meaning of gnostic being knowledge:

1Ti 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—

The new testament is literally riddled with polemics against the gnostics who were the chief antitypes of the Church of the time. If you study the history of the Church you will see time and gain groups that left the Church, mixing their own personal beliefs in with the beliefs of Christianity. Some of the more repetitive beliefs were found among the gnostics, the Cathars, the Jumpers, and any number of charismatic groups throughout history having many of the beliefs and practices of modern pentecostals. And those groups have sprung up in both the East and the West, each having similar beliefs though separated by both time and distance.

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Just_a_Christian said:

Believing the falling away has occurred, I don't believe is a salvation issue. However, what you and I believe certainly is! Does the church you are affiliated with resemble that of the NT? Are creeds acceptable, etc., etc... Christ established His church and only His church. I have studied the history of the church, the restoration movement and such. I submit to you that the falling away has occurred, the NT church has been restored.

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David Cabrera said:

I didn't know the Bible fell from Heaven

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HTacianas said:

The Orthodox Church was founded in Jerusalem circa 33 AD and has maintained and preserved the faith delivered to the saints for its entire history.

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HTacianas said:

The NT Church has always existed and always will. The decisions made by the Ecumenical Councils over time, including the Creeds, have been made by the authority of Jesus Christ and he has been present during those Councils:

Mat 18:19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Mat 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

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Just_a_Christian said:

You do realize those verses are speaking to those that are saints. If two or three people who think they are saved but are not, what then? Do you believe that there's anything unacceptable, this route seems the more prudent question.

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Radagast said:

On an ecumenical forum like CF, these "we are the only true church" responses are utterly unhelpful.

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HTacianas said:

Jesus is speaking to his apostles. And only his apostles. To interpret as to mean any two people deciding anything at all would result in absurdity. But actually in this case it is a "Hebrewism" meaning not merely two, but "two out of three", i.e., a majority vote. We see that enacted at the Council of Jerusalem. The majority attending the Council decided that circumcision was not necessary for gentile converts.

Those apostles of the Council eventually chose their own successors. We see the first successor being Matthias who was chosen to replace Judas at Acts 1. The future successors to the apostles have guided the Church since. Where the successors to the apostles are, there is the Church. And the gates of hell will never prevail against it.

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Just_a_Christian said:

Seems to me that would be a hopeless, helpless state to be in knowing you can fall into the hands of an angry God.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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Just_a_Christian said:

The epistles were written to the churches of Christ. You do err from the truth my friend.

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Radagast said:

On an ecumenical forum like CF, these "we are the only true church" responses are utterly unhelpful.

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gloriainexcelsisdeo said:

I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Here's what I believe for certain (besides stuff all Christians believe):

That we are saved by faith but that true faith involves an attempt to be holy.

That Christ instituted one Church, of spme manner that is also Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic.

There are some sort of oral traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Baptism must be done in the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit. For the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Abortion is wrong.

We are to confess our sins to a pastor

That scripture is not to be interpreted by ourselves.

Women can't be pastors or priests. Pastors or priests are allowed to marry.

People still speak in tongues. Though it is not required, encouraged, and does not have authority over the Church

God alone is authority for faith.

Things I'm pretty sure of:

The apocrypha are scripture.

We are to pray to God alone.

Mary is not sinless

Mary did not remain a virgin

Mary is in heaven

Apostolic Succession

Worship is on Sunday

Baptism is once in a lifetime

Click to expand...

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:

I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Here's what I believe for certain (besides stuff all Christians believe):

That we are saved by faith but that true faith involves an attempt to be holy.

That Christ instituted one Church, of spme manner that is also Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic.

There are some sort of oral traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Baptism must be done in the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit. For the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Abortion is wrong.

We are to confess our sins to a pastor

That scripture is not to be interpreted by ourselves.

Women can't be pastors or priests. Pastors or priests are allowed to marry.

People still speak in tongues. Though it is not required, encouraged, and does not have authority over the Church

God alone is authority for faith.

Things I'm pretty sure of:

The apocrypha are scripture.

We are to pray to God alone.

Mary is not sinless

Mary did not remain a virgin

Mary is in heaven

Apostolic Succession

Worship is on Sunday

Baptism is once in a lifetime

Click to expand...

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:

I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Here's what I believe for certain (besides stuff all Christians believe):

That we are saved by faith but that true faith involves an attempt to be holy.

That Christ instituted one Church, of spme manner that is also Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic.

There are some sort of oral traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Baptism must be done in the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit. For the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Abortion is wrong.

We are to confess our sins to a pastor

That scripture is not to be interpreted by ourselves.

Women can't be pastors or priests. Pastors or priests are allowed to marry.

People still speak in tongues. Though it is not required, encouraged, and does not have authority over the Church

God alone is authority for faith.

Things I'm pretty sure of:

The apocrypha are scripture.

We are to pray to God alone.

Mary is not sinless

Mary did not remain a virgin

Mary is in heaven

Apostolic Succession

Worship is on Sunday

Baptism is once in a lifetime

Click to expand...

gloriainexcelsisdeo said:

I was gonna become Catholic but I'm not sure. Certainly some of these things are required at the Church itself, (confession, real presence of Christ in Communion, and Trinitarian baptism) what denomination am I do you think?

Here's what I believe for certain (besides stuff all Christians believe):

That we are saved by faith but that true faith involves an attempt to be holy.

That Christ instituted one Church, of spme manner that is also Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic.

There are some sort of oral traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Baptism must be done in the name of the Father, and The Son, and the Holy Spirit. For the forgiveness of sins.

Christ is present in the Eucharist/communion.

Marriage is between one man and one woman.

Abortion is wrong.

We are to confess our sins to a pastor

That scripture is not to be interpreted by ourselves.

Women can't be pastors or priests. Pastors or priests are allowed to marry.

People still speak in tongues. Though it is not required, encouraged, and does not have authority over the Church

God alone is authority for faith.

Things I'm pretty sure of:

The apocrypha are scripture.

We are to pray to God alone.

Mary is not sinless

Mary did not remain a virgin

Mary is in heaven

Apostolic Succession

Worship is on Sunday

Baptism is once in a lifetime

Click to expand...

jason_delisle said:

Try checking out this online quiz. I know it sounds silly. But it actually is rather thorough.

Christian Denomination Selector, a SelectSmart.com Religion selector. Ask about my top result.

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Paidiske said:

100% Anglican for me. Quiz seems to be pretty accurate so far.

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Paidiske said:

100% Anglican for me. Quiz seems to be pretty accurate so far.

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