Which Denomination Follows the Bible the Closest?

Orthodox_Christian

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Hello everyone, I suspect that this question may have been asked before, but I was unsure. But just in case, I'll ask it again just to make sure.

Anyways, I was just wondering what branch of Christianity follows the Bible the closest. I wanted to also join whichever branch that follows the Bible the closest because I don't know what type of Christian I am. I was a Baptist then I was an Eastern Orthodox then I was a Protestant - I just don't know what to follow. I don't want to follow something that Jesus said not to do or something not mentioned in the Bible. I just simply want to follow a branch of Christianity that follows the Bible the closest with everything the Bible mentions; scripture and all. I looked into the Seventh-day Adventist church because I was told that they do follow the Bible the closest, but my friend (Jim) said not to join because they are cult-like and I don't want to be in any cult and be looked down upon with ill intentions and avoided. All I want is pure Christianity and no modifications or add-ons to it, just pure Christianity. I definitely don't want to be in any cult either. I then considered being Catholic but my friend said that they don't follow the Bible closely either and they have traditions that they have created that are not in the Bible. My friend Jim sent me links to support his reasoning, and I believe him.

The Plain Truth about the Roman Catholic Church
The Sad Truth About Seventh Day Adventism

Thank you.
 
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Mathetes66

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"Anyways, I was just wondering what branch of Christianity follows the Bible the closest. I wanted to also join whichever branch that follows the Bible the closest because I don't know what type of Christian I am...I just don't know what to follow."

If you have been reading & studying the Scriptures, then you should know by now that there is only ONE CHURCH, ONE BODY OF CHRIST, ONE ASSEMBLY OF JEWS & GENTILES UNITED TOGETHER IN THE SPIRIT, ONE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, ONE FLOCK THAT FOLLOWS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD & HEAD.

That one church is the one that Jesus has continued to build up to today, ever since He taught there is only one church & He is the Head of it, not a pope or a pastor or a reverend, etc.

Men have DIVIDED Christianity into branches; Christ hasn't. Men has made human denominations; Christ hasn't. Men have claimed their church is the only true one; Christ hasn't done so.

When Martin Luther found out men were trying to make a 'Lutheran church or denomination,' this is what he thought of that:

"Dirty maggot fodder that I am that ANY MAN SHOULD CALL THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST AFTER MY NAME! For we have only ONE HEAD, Who is Christ."

He then quoted I Cor 1:10-13 I appeal to you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say & that there be NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU, but that you be perfectly united in mind & thought. My brethren, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ DIVIDED? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

I Corinthians 3:1-3,5-9 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are STILL FLESHLY. For since there is jealousy & strife among you, are you not fleshly & are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul” & another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose & they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Every Christian is to follow Christ; not other men, unless they are following Christ. That is who you are as a Christian: one who follows the Lord Jesus Christ as His disciple & learns from Him & what He taught (in the Scriptures). We are His SERVANTS.

That being said, sadly, the world we live in today has Christianity divided up, contrary to Christ's commands. You must simply find a local body of believers who meet & assemble together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ & faithfully teach His Word & help others grow up in their salvation & who proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.

I have attended various 'branches' of Christianity & denominations & non-denominational Christian assemblies & home church fellowships patterned after the New Testament. In each I have found faithful followers of Christ & have found those who walk in the flesh or think they are saved. That is the reality & Paul for example taught that in Acts 20.

Find a local assembly of those who profess to follow Christ & teach the Scriptures faithfully, that you feel comfortable in & simply SERVE in that local assembly & be diligent to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace & exercise the spiritual gifts that God has graciously given you, to build up the body of Christ.

Pray to the Lord & HE WILL LEAD & GUIDE YOU. Practice spiritual discernment as you seem to be a person who knows the Scriptures.

Matt 28:19 As you are going, make disciples...teaching them to obey all that I have commanded. And lo, I am with you always...
 
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Markstrimaran

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Ask the local church.you wish to join.
Was the flood in Genesis a literal event.
Did God Create Adam in his image.
Are the prophecy promises still reserved for the nation of Israel.

Baptist regular with anabaptist roots.
 
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Danielwright2311

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In order to follow Jesus every word, i guaranty you will offend all churches for one reason or another.

If you go into a church and teach others to leave there family's and deny them for Jesus no one will except you.

If you go into church and teach others to give to the homeless, most pastors will ask you not to return.

The truth is the path is very narrow and the path to destruction is a wide road full of most.

Its a lonely road also, not many there.

I have been divorced, banned, hated, lied about, jailed, and many other horrid things for teaching what Jesus spoke.
 
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Markstrimaran

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In order to follow Jesus every word, i guaranty you will offend all churches for one reason or another.

If you go into a church and teach others to leave there family's and deny them for Jesus no one will except you.

If you go into church and teach others to give to the homeless, most pastors will ask you not to return.

The truth is the path is very narrow and the path to destruction is a wide road full of most.

Its a lonely road also, not many there.

I have been divorced, banned, hated, lied about, jailed, and many other horrid things for teaching what Jesus spoke.
Very true.
 
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~Anastasia~

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Hello everyone, I suspect that this question may have been asked before, but I was unsure. But just in case, I'll ask it again just to make sure.

Anyways, I was just wondering what branch of Christianity follows the Bible the closest. I wanted to also join whichever branch that follows the Bible the closest because I don't know what type of Christian I am. I was a Baptist then I was an Eastern Orthodox then I was a Protestant - I just don't know what to follow. I don't want to follow something that Jesus said not to do or something not mentioned in the Bible. I just simply want to follow a branch of Christianity that follows the Bible the closest with everything the Bible mentions; scripture and all. I looked into the Seventh-day Adventist church because I was told that they do follow the Bible the closest, but my friend (Jim) said not to join because they are cult-like and I don't want to be in any cult and be looked down upon with ill intentions and avoided. All I want is pure Christianity and no modifications or add-ons to it, just pure Christianity. I definitely don't want to be in any cult either. I then considered being Catholic but my friend said that they don't follow the Bible closely either and they have traditions that they have created that are not in the Bible. My friend Jim sent me links to support his reasoning, and I believe him.

The Plain Truth about the Roman Catholic Church
The Sad Truth About Seventh Day Adventism

Thank you.
Hello and welcome to CF. :)

The problem is that just about everyone who belongs to any particular fellowship will say that their Church is the closest. They wouldn't be in it if they didn't think so.

I will say this ... please be careful reading anything that sets out to tell you how bad some other group is or how badly they miss the truth. Nearly always they either don't understand what they are criticizing, or even worse they sometimes deliberately create a wrong idea of what that group believes just so they can tear them down. That is not Christ-like behavior.

I made my *choice by carefully studying Christian history and what the Church did at the beginning, and who has changed how and for what reasons. Most modern folks will ask, as you have, "who follows the Bible most closely?" And because the Scriptures are the highest authority, it's a good question. The problem is, everyone today disagrees about what the Scriptures mean. So for me, I found it best to search out what the Scriptures meant to the early Churches they were written to specifically.

I also examined the fruit of the teachings through the centuries of those who actually practiced the faith fully. But that is secondary, because God's grace will work through any who diligently seek Him.

This can be a long inquiry, and everyone is likely to give you a different opinion. I pray your journey is a fruitful one and God will guide you.


* I am Eastern Orthodox
 
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paul1149

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In my experience, all denominations add to the essential faith. We see through a glass darkly (1Cor 13). In John 4, Jesus tells the woman at the well that NEITHER in Jerusalem or Samaria will people worship God. This is the death of tradition. Jesus was inaugurating a new kind of worship, because God wants people to worship in spirit and truth. He is looking at the heart, not the mode of worship.

My advice is to take it very slow. Don't worry about the perfect denomination or the perfect local church. This can be a stumbling block to keep you from finding a decent local Body of Christ that will teach you the Scriptures, give you an opportunity to worship corporately, will love you and help heal you, and will provide ways to serve the Body and grow in your gifting. As is said, the perfect can be the enemy of the good.

Of course, you want to find a church that is true to the Scriptures and faithful to the Spirit, and churches have important differences that have to be considered. But it's ok to take your time and shop around. You don't have to commit to anything right away. Along the way you're going to encounter man's pressure and expectations. Keep comparing them to what God says is important, and if you let His guidance be your Light, and you won't go wrong.
 
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Markstrimaran

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Hello and welcome to CF. :)

The problem is that just about everyone who belongs to any particular fellowship will say that their Church is the closest. They wouldn't be in it if they didn't think so.

I will say this ... please be careful reading anything that sets out to tell you how bad some other group is or how badly they miss the truth. Nearly always they either don't understand what they are criticizing, or even worse they sometimes deliberately create a wrong idea of what that group believes just so they can tear them down. That is not Christ-like behavior.

I made my *choice by carefully studying Christian history and what the Church did at the beginning, and who has changed how and for what reasons. Most modern folks will ask, as you have, "who follows the Bible most closely?" And because the Scriptures are the highest authority, it's a good question. The problem is, everyone today disagrees about what the Scriptures mean. So for me, I found it best to search out what the Scriptures meant to the early Churches they were written to specifically.

I also examined the fruit of the teachings through the centuries of those who actually practiced the faith fully. But that is secondary, because God's grace will work through any who diligently seek Him.

This can be a long inquiry, and everyone is likely to give you a different opinion. I pray your journey is a fruitful one and God will guide you.


* I am Eastern Orthodox
I like the peshitta. I find the modern history of the aramaic Christian's interesting.
 
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eleos1954

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Hello everyone, I suspect that this question may have been asked before, but I was unsure. But just in case, I'll ask it again just to make sure.

Anyways, I was just wondering what branch of Christianity follows the Bible the closest. I wanted to also join whichever branch that follows the Bible the closest because I don't know what type of Christian I am. I was a Baptist then I was an Eastern Orthodox then I was a Protestant - I just don't know what to follow. I don't want to follow something that Jesus said not to do or something not mentioned in the Bible. I just simply want to follow a branch of Christianity that follows the Bible the closest with everything the Bible mentions; scripture and all. I looked into the Seventh-day Adventist church because I was told that they do follow the Bible the closest, but my friend (Jim) said not to join because they are cult-like and I don't want to be in any cult and be looked down upon with ill intentions and avoided. All I want is pure Christianity and no modifications or add-ons to it, just pure Christianity. I definitely don't want to be in any cult either. I then considered being Catholic but my friend said that they don't follow the Bible closely either and they have traditions that they have created that are not in the Bible. My friend Jim sent me links to support his reasoning, and I believe him.

The Plain Truth about the Roman Catholic Church
The Sad Truth About Seventh Day Adventism

Thank you.

According to your post you are following your "friend".

I looked into the Seventh-day Adventist church because I was told that they do follow the Bible the closest, but my friend (Jim) said not to join because they are cult-like and I don't want to be in any cult and be looked down upon with ill intentions and avoided.

This is baloney (7th day Adventists being a cult) ... remember many many said Jesus himself was a heretic and a blasphemer.

Study the bible for yourself ... then ... search for the church that best follows it's teachings. Each of us has the responsibility to do so regardless of what church one may attend ... regardless of what others (friends) may say.

2 Timothy 4

3For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Study and know your bible .... yourself

Proverbs 2:1-6

1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

May the Lord lead you into knowledge and understanding. Amen
 
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FIRESTORM314

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Ask God in private if you are in the right church - if you don't get a personal answer to that question then you are in the wrong church. It's a simple test but how few can pass that test.

Can you say - I have been in a meeting and God has been among us?

1 Corinthians 14:25
But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, 25and the secrets of his heart will be revealed. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

God knows the secret things . A good church will bring revelation.
How did they do that ?- follow their example and all will become clear.
 
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Albion

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Hello everyone, I suspect that this question may have been asked before, but I was unsure. But just in case, I'll ask it again just to make sure.

Anyways, I was just wondering what branch of Christianity follows the Bible the closest. I wanted to also join whichever branch that follows the Bible the closest because I don't know what type of Christian I am. I was a Baptist then I was an Eastern Orthodox then I was a Protestant - I just don't know what to follow. I don't want to follow something that Jesus said not to do or something not mentioned in the Bible.
It is an interesting question, RSM. Coming up with one definitive answer could be a challenge, but I know immediately which churches are NOT what you seek.

They are the ones which consider the Bible to be authoritative but merely one source of such information. These include the Orthodox Eastern churches, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Old Catholics and other split-offs from any of the above. These all believe in Sacred Tradition, also called Holy Tradition (custom, legend, folklore, theological speculation, etc.) and use it to create doctrines, in the belief that this source is the equal of the Bible.

Also, there are various churches which are commonly considered to be cults--the Mormons, for example--because they have an additional book of Scripture to turn to for doctrines and practices not authorized by the Bible. Many such also rely upon so-called prophets in their churches or who founded their churches, but their pronouncements fall into the same category of extra-Biblical guidance deemed by them to be God-sent.
 
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com7fy8

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Anyways, I was just wondering what branch of Christianity follows the Bible the closest.
I have shared with people in various Catholic and Protestant and nondenominational and cult groups. And I have been involved with the Bible for a while. My opinion is there is no group or local church which has every member living God's way.

So, you can do well to get to know people personally, in order to discover who is truly living God's word. And we need to be pastored by people who meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-10 > Hebrews 13:17. Such people have been corrected and matured by Jesus and know how to love and these are our example of how we can become in God's love, and how to be pleasing to and submissive to God our Father, and how to love any and all people the way Jesus means. These qualified people lead by example > 1 Peter 5:3; and my opinion is that often enough we can not feed on the example of a real Christian unless we personally know and share with that person. And that person is telling us how he or she is getting real correction, so this can help us to trust our Father for how only God is able to correct us > Hebrews 12:4-14.

The really qualified leaders in a group might not be ordained, may have no seminary, and these might not ever be called upon to give a message. But they will minister you to become more and more like Jesus, since this is a basic of what God does which us who are His children > Romans 8:29 < and this is a basic result of Christian ministry.

But you might find such an example leader serving at the back of a church, while the preacher who is supposed to be the pastor is really maybe a gifted speaker and a type-A personality who can make things happen; and so he or she really is an administrator who can control people with his or her personality helping to make him or her popular.

But what can happen is when the mature person is asked to teach a group during the week, not many will come if the preacher is not going to be there.

But make sure you stay with being ministered to by whoever are the mature senior people who are gentle and humble and quiet > 1 Peter 3:4. This person could be a mature and senior widow or widower who is teaching Sunday School and two or three people out of over a hundred members come to be ministered to and counseled by this Christian example person.

Meanwhile, a group can be firing the pastors they chose, and climbing up the wall while begging the Lord to give them the pastor they need . . . while they ignore the mature seniors who are right there in Sunday School or in the back pews. And if they get someone up front who is popular, they can waste the person, expecting him or her to rescue them from all their problems and trouble situations. But ones do not care to feed on the example of mature members, which requires real correction and maturity in their own selves. It is easier to pick a popular preacher or organization and join the copy-catting.

But have hope in prayer for ones who are not qualified and who are not mature. And even if a child of God is younger, any of us can minister God's grace to one another > 1 Peter 4:9-10 < so don't you be fooled by if you might not know much or if you do not have a major reputation in a certain place. You can be good for any other person who is a child of God. So, don't evaluate by people who do not know how to love you, but stay with whoever is mature and helping you get real correction and maturing in God's way of loving.
 
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Albion

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I have shared with people in various Catholic and Protestant and nondenominational and cult groups. And I have been involved with the Bible for a while. My opinion is there is no group or local church which has every member living God's way.

That is no doubt true, but as I understood the OP, it asked which church officially--the church/denomination itself, that is--adheres to the Bible the most faithfully or consistently.

Anyways, I was just wondering what branch of Christianity follows the Bible the closest.
 
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com7fy8

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That is no doubt true, but as I understood the OP, it asked which church officially--the church/denomination itself, that is--adheres to the Bible the most faithfully or consistently.
My description in the above post, I would say, fits the most with nondenominational, "evangelical" groups who do not name a more historically known denomination.

But more important than naming a general group is that you can find people who are mature and senior examples serving.

Also, I have done pretty well in A.M.E.

What helps is a church has a full range of ages, and seniors who are mature in Jesus, not only refined in acting socially acceptable. I have seen this in different groups, but not in all churches of the same group. You need mature example leaders, in any case, in the pulpit or not, I would consider.
 
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Orthodox_Christian

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I don't understand the point of this thread, OP. Don't expect any other answer than "my denomination."
If that is an answer that you can type then I suppose there would be no point to this post for you then. Because my answer is "my denomination". That is the point of the post and it is what I seek.
 
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Orthodox_Christian

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It is an interesting question, RSM. Coming up with one definitive answer could be a challenge, but I know immediately which churches are NOT what you seek.

They are the ones which consider the Bible to be authoritative but merely one source of such information. These include the Orthodox Eastern churches, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Old Catholics and other split-offs from any of the above. These all believe in Sacred Tradition, also called Holy Tradition (custom, legend, folklore, theological speculation, etc.) and use it to create doctrines, in the belief that this source is the equal of the Bible.

Also, there are various churches which are commonly considered to be cults--the Mormons, for example--because they have an additional book of Scripture to turn to for doctrines and practices not authorized by the Bible. Many such also rely upon so-called prophets in their churches or who founded their churches, but their pronouncements fall into the same category of extra-Biblical guidance deemed by them to be God-sent.
Which denomination does not rely on tradition? I know that I don't want to be Catholic or Eastern Orthodox because of the noted tradition that they do.
 
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Albion

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Which denomination does not rely on tradition? I know that I don't want to be Catholic or Eastern Orthodox because of the noted tradition that they do.
Sola Scriptura is a hallmark of just about all Protestant churches. Not every last one, but close to it.

One footnote to that statement should be added, however, and that concerns the very liberal mainstream Protestant denominations which hold to Bible Alone in their documents but in practice have often given in to whatever the socio-political demands of contemporary society happen to be. Therefore, I would urge you to investigate carefully, especially when the denomination you are looking at has had a split over one of those issues recently, resulting in several separate church bodies with similar names.
 
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Romansthruphilemon

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Check out www.ohiogracebible.com

If you want to follow the Bible the closest that you can you want to rightly divide as 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs. They are not real close to you but it would definitely be worth a few trips up there to learn about rightly dividing the word of truth. Check out their website for online sermons also.
 
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I like the peshitta. I find the modern history of the aramaic Christian's interesting.
The history of the Christians is always good to understand. :)

I wish we had a more sure understanding of how the peshitta came into existence. I think it must have been extremely useful for all who were reached in their language, without doubt. But the textual base might mean it could be better read alongside the Septuagint and the Greek NT? Depending how many languages one knows, lol. I'm still working on the Ancient Greek and at this rate, probably will be whatever is left of my life. :)
 
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