Is it okay if I sit here for awhile?

HoneyBee · Dec 28, 2020

[This post is in the Non-Denominational sub-forum]

Hey there fellow Christian brothers and sisters... Is it okay if I sit with you guys for awhile? I know that might sound strange coming from a recently converted Catholic, but at the same time, I'm still figuring some things out over here and feel like I need to be here for a moment or two. While I'm here, I'd like to ask a question if that would be alright.

My question is: What does it mean to you to be a non-denominational Christian?

BobRyan · Dec 28, 2020

ACatholicRose said:
My question is: What does it mean to you to be a non-denominational Christian?

you might find this forum link helpful.

Statement of Purpose - Non-denominational Statement of Faith

paul1149 · Dec 28, 2020

ACatholicRose said:
My question is: What does it mean to you to be a non-denominational Christian?

That's a good question. To me it reflects going back to the Bible and back to Jesus, with a minimum of unnecessary divisiveness or extra doctrinal baggage. Sometimes there needs to be division (Paul explicitly says so at 1Cor 11, for instance), but we have a habit of majoring on the minors and causing division for the wrong reasons. Even the term 'non-denominational' can be used denominationally by the carnal mind, so this is something we all need to guard against; it's a spiritual thing, a mindset, not just a matter of joining this or that group with this or that label.

This is why I define myself as Christian rather than Protestant. I understand the practical historical utility of the term Protestant, but I do not define myself by what I do not believe in, but rather what I do believe in. Though I have roots in the Charismatic movement, I trace my spiritual roots back to Jesus. This is a kind of 'mere Christianity', as CS Lewis defined and used that term in his book of that title. Or another way to say it would be that I am a catholic Christian, but not a Roman Catholic.

TheWordIsOne101 · Dec 28, 2020

ACatholicRose said:
[This post is in the Non-Denominational sub-forum]

Hey there fellow Christian brothers and sisters... Is it okay if I sit with you guys for awhile? I know that might sound strange coming from a recently converted Catholic, but at the same time, I'm still figuring some things out over here and feel like I need to be here for a moment or two. While I'm here, I'd like to ask a question if that would be alright.
My question is: What does it mean to you to be a non-denominational Christian?

Hi there Greeting
for me I am outside, away from multiple congregations, and I saw many believe, small churches and big churches, I love the good old fashion churches but I was hungry for more, and when on a quest to find my answers, about 30 years now. Non-Denominational is to be free, not subject to any particular congregations, doing the same every week. Here I can expand my vision, you can say a new beginning, surpass old doctrine, the Gospel surpass old doctrine, if you read it right with an open mind, not just Non-Denominational but so must mysteries to unravel, the Gospel is my handbook, not by men but by God, that why :clap:

marc b · Dec 28, 2020

For me, it means i get to pick and choose the best of each denomination without feeling coerced to adhere to some of the more eccentric teaching of each.

For background my mom came from an ultraconservative methodist/baptist upbringing where my grandmas conservative values stuck, my dad came ftom a United church of which i grew up in, but as soon as i could i shifted to Alliance Church, but while staying there now is pentecostal leaning where i learned a lot about the charismatic gifts, healings, miracles, tonques etc.

I admire the catholics heart for charity work where i did volunteer in their soup kitchen. I also tried joining the catholic couples for christ but was rejected due i had no catholic background lol. But in the end what leads and teaches me is the Holy Spirit, and when my personal study and spiritual gowth leads me to new revelations and truths i would realize denomination have a good grasp and doing a good job in it. And so i go join to learn from the best.

marc b · Dec 28, 2020

I see some posted while i was typing, but we all seem to be saying the same thing. I agree with you guys. It's the most freeing thing and allows me to grow as much as i can.

Paul4JC · Dec 28, 2020

For me the term is not sincere because all Non Denominational churches have doctrinal leans. For some years I attended a Brethren Church which called itself Non Denomination. In recent years we attended a Presbyterian Church which did the same thing. You will find many more. Every group has their creed and angle at what the Bible teaches. Look into their history and you'll find some mainstream denomination.

Me personally, I'd rather not carry any label. Just a believer in Christ.

NerdGirl · Dec 28, 2020

ACatholicRose said:
[This post is in the Non-Denominational sub-forum]

Hey there fellow Christian brothers and sisters... Is it okay if I sit with you guys for awhile? I know that might sound strange coming from a recently converted Catholic, but at the same time, I'm still figuring some things out over here and feel like I need to be here for a moment or two. While I'm here, I'd like to ask a question if that would be alright.

My question is: What does it mean to you to be a non-denominational Christian?

I don't like divisions and pigeonholes. We're all one Body and brothers and sisters if we're in Christ. That's good enough for me

And I'm glad you've come to sit!

com7fy8 · Dec 28, 2020

Hi, Rose

I think nondenominational can mean different things to different people.

So, I think you can enjoy discovering each person you share with.

For me, being nondenominational means I first see what God's word says. And I listen openly to anyone who is claiming to give me the message of Jesus. And I compare what I hear with the overall message I am discovering through the Bible and meditating on it.

And, in my case, being nondenominational includes not making a project of bashing denominations. Or else, I have joined the denomination-bashing denomination, maybe

CMDRExorcist · Jan 25, 2021

This is a fantastic question! For me, it's more a traditional label than anything. I don't attend a specific denomination church, so I consider myself non-denominational although my personal beliefs and relationship with God are more closely aligned with the Pentecostal community.

sunshineforJesus · Jan 25, 2021

Hi and welcome here.

TheWordIsOne101 · Jan 27, 2021

ACatholicRose said:
[This post is in the Non-Denominational sub-forum]

Hey there fellow Christian brothers and sisters... Is it okay if I sit with you guys for awhile? I know that might sound strange coming from a recently converted Catholic, but at the same time, I'm still figuring some things out over here and feel like I need to be here for a moment or two. While I'm here, I'd like to ask a question if that would be alright.

My question is: What does it mean to you to be a non-denominational Christian?

My question is: What does it mean to you to come to a non-denominational?

1watchman · Jan 29, 2021

It is good sometimes to make comparisons, if we can do it in a right spirit. This has been a generally good overview. If one wants to compare BIBLE-ONLY with various religious ideologies that would be quite different, for true "born again" saints (John 3:16) --apart from just 'religion' usually seek being close to Scripture while other Christian advocates like to add things for convenience and their personal religious appreciations. 'To each his own' as the saying goes!.

I have always valued Bible-only, not religious traditions and innovations by the religion-only types. We will learn the truth only when we bow fully to God's Word I see.

TheWordIsOne101 · Jan 29, 2021

1watchman said:
It is good sometimes to make comparisons, if we can do it in a right spirit. This has been a generally good overview. If one wants to compare BIBLE-ONLY with various religious ideologies that would be quite different, for true "born again" saints (John 3:16) --apart from just 'religion' usually seek being close to Scripture while other Christian advocates like to add things for convenience and their personal religious appreciations. 'To each his own' as the saying goes!.

I have always valued Bible-only, not religious traditions and innovations by the religion-only types. We will learn the truth only when we bow fully to God's Word I see.

Geeting
and I give these words
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little."

Isaiah 28:9 "Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?

2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke (the Saints) as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

1 John 2:26-27 (KJV) These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

To each his own' as the saying goes :groupray:

Sketcher · Feb 10, 2021

ACatholicRose said:
[This post is in the Non-Denominational sub-forum]

Hey there fellow Christian brothers and sisters... Is it okay if I sit with you guys for awhile? I know that might sound strange coming from a recently converted Catholic, but at the same time, I'm still figuring some things out over here and feel like I need to be here for a moment or two. While I'm here, I'd like to ask a question if that would be alright.

My question is: What does it mean to you to be a non-denominational Christian?

To me, it means:

I put the Bible over tradition. If the Bible says A and a tradition says B, I go with the Bible. This is the same basis by which heresies can be judged.
Traditions that are not incompatible with Scripture need not entirely be dispensed with, but may be for a good reason, preferably a Biblical one. Just don't shout them as loudly as you do Scripture, and be more flexible about them.
Denominational churches often become too institutionalized to keep step with the Holy Spirit, and that can result in some ugly church politics. Non-denominational churches can therefore be more nimble in providing God's grace to their communities.
Because of all this, I'm not as constrained to certain positions or schools of thought. In some churches, you have to tow the line on a view about predestination vs free will, or the end times, etc. At my non-denominational church, we acknowledge good and Godly people on either sides of those issues, and I am therefore more flexible as to where I stand on them. The Gospel is the same, though. I'm just talking about the extra trimmings.

There's actually a wide variance of opinions posted in this subforum, many of them alien to me. If you read something weird here, there is probably a non-denominational Christian somewhere who will agree that it's weird. We're not all the same, our churches aren't all the same. We're miscellaneous Christians, and in a miscellaneous category, you get all kinds of things from everywhere. If you are interested in what a non-denominational church teaches, it's best to investigate that individual church. Read its statement of faith, take in an online service.

Astroqualia · Apr 14, 2021

For me, being non denominational means that you see that every different denomination of Christianity says the Bible says different things, and all claim to have the full truth. Statistically, they all would likely be wrong, not having that single objectively true interpretation. I personally want to find that, so I don't subscribe to any denominations and use them as my be-all. I study each subject of scripture as it strikes me to from different angles in order to try and discern the true meaning. I stop studying branches of faith that have strange ideas I don't see scripture saying [they take a verse out context or make a scriptural contradiction with their interpretation], because, if they have such a wild idea about a chunk of scripture, they likely don't have accurate ideas about the rest. I will sometimes still read their content about some things, though. It really depends on more factors... So I stay non denominational. I do my own Bible study and don't feel any desire at all to go to church. This has led me down a path of a lot of individual study, which allows me to feel somewhat secure in what I know - I don't just believe what other people say, I need to know for myself. And I am willing to change my opinion about some things, as new info comes to light.

Is it okay if I sit here for awhile?

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