Are Denominations Wrong?

[FaithfulPilgrim]

Are denominations contrary to the will of God and the Scriptures?

Instead of Baptists, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterians, etc, why can't we be known just as "Christians" and eschew any name that isn't biblical (the Church is referred to as the churches of Christ, church of God, the Way, etc.)

I'm using "denomination" loosely here to refer to any body of churches with an organized structure, set of beliefs, and identified by a name other than just "Christian."

Paul taught that we should not follow any man other than Jesus, as He is the one who died for us.

Martin Luther himself didn't want people who agreed with his theological perspectives to be called "Lutherans" and said he was not the one who was crucified.

I'm not saying it is wrong or sinful to attend a church affiliating with a denomination, just denominational loyalty and saying "I'm a Baptist/Methodist/Catholic/etc."instead of just a Christian.

Is it wrong to declare loyalty to a particular denomination?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

YHWH'S Emissary Paul, Taught by Y'SHUA,
called it carnal practice in his day,
and perhaps Peter, John, and others said some about
this too.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I'm all for the ecumenical spirit anyway.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I believe YHWH warned about that also (as in the one world government at hand).
Unless you mean something else by 'ecumenical'.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I believe YHWH warned about that also (as in the one world government at hand).
Unless you mean something else by 'ecumenical'.

Excuse my naïve ignorance. Unfamiliar with acronymns such as YHWH.
You mean Jesus told us to divide family, brother versus brother in the name of Christianity?

 

[Radrook]

Excuse my naïve ignorance. Unfamiliar with acronymns such as YHWH.
You mean Jesus told us to divide family, brother versus brother in the name of Christianity?

YHWH or YHVH are the four Hebrew letters which represented the name of God as revealed in the OT or Old Testament. The Hebrew language consisted of consonants and the pronunciation of words wee learned. In time the exact pronunciation of the God's name was forgotten due to superstitious practice of avoiding it and today we can only conjecture about how exactly God's name was pronounced. Some pronounce it as Yahveh, Yahweh, and others as Jehovah.

No, Jesus wasn't recommending that families go at one another's throats. He was only foretelling that there would be religious differences of opinions due to the emergence of Christianity which would cause divisions among family members.

 

[Stillicidia]

Denominations were written against.

I don't know where that scripture is off hand, and I'd have to search for it.

It conveys a sort of disbelief that people have separated themselves.

That being said, in the time to come when the Gospel of the Kingdom starts being preached, I would stress, really do not worry about denominations. They may sooner be dissolved, even as Muslims turn from their faith and enter into Christianity, and there would be a lack of room for considering bits and pieces, when people want the real deal.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I don't believe denominations are God's will, no. But people choose to believe all sorts of things, and they want to know before they go through the doors - do these people "speak in tongues?" Do they forbid it? Are there Church leaders under authority, or is there just one person in charge answerable to nobody outside or are the people of the congregation the "leaders"? Will there be Liturgy, or will there be hymns, or will there be rock and roll music or contemporary worship? Will people be reverent or will they be running up and down and rolling in the aisles? Will they lay hands on you, anoint you, and pray for your healing, or refuse to do so? Do they believe communion is the Body and Blood of Christ, or just a symbol? And a hundred other questions ...

Consider for yourself if you'd like to attend if each answer was the opposite of what you want?

That's why there are denominational signs.

If we are to be one Church, undivided, then the Church receives and teaches what is Truth, and guards it, and passes it on. If you don't like that idea or can't accept it, you find a denomination that agrees with you or make a new denomination of your own.

I believe we are meant to be one Church, as it was in the beginning, though there were always those in error, heretics, and so on ... that's a good bit of the reason for many of the epistles. But people didn't like this or that, and there were some divisions that developed. Fast forward many centuries and there are exponentially dividing denominations.

Opinions on what should or could be done is going to depend on one's own beliefs - and will usually be tied to their own denomination. Most people would want to make the Church to suit what they believe.

Lord have mercy on us all ...

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

How did Y'SHUA bring life and truth and YHWH'S KINGDOM (or news of YHWH'S KINGDOM) to all the places HE went?
Even in synagogues or the Temple , or the river, or the well and the town of half-breeds considered UNtouchable or not allowed to speak to by the Jewish leaders people ?
HE went wherever YHWH HIS FATHER sent HIM, and spoke the TRUTH always, setting people free, healing them, encouraging those who accepted HIM
and with the exact same message, offending those who rejected HIM. (same thing is written of the Apostles and disciples wherever they went - the SAME GOSPEL MESSAGE was a fragrant welcome aroma to some, and a smell of death to others - at the same time ! ).

 

[Stillicidia]

How did Y'SHUA bring life and truth and YHWH'S KINGDOM (or news of YHWH'S KINGDOM) to all the places HE went?
Even in synagogues or the Temple , or the river, or the well and the town of half-breeds considered UNtouchable or not allowed to speak to by the Jewish leaders people ?
HE went wherever YHWH HIS FATHER sent HIM, and spoke the TRUTH always, setting people free, healing them, encouraging those who accepted HIM
and with the exact same message, offending those who rejected HIM. (same thing is written of the Apostles and disciples wherever they went - the SAME GOSPEL MESSAGE was a fragrant welcome aroma to some, and a smell of death to others - at the same time ! ).

The Gospel of Jesus is different from the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The Gospel of the Kingdom has the Gospel of Jesus in part, and the rest is of Heaven made manifest, even as there will be the Manifest Sons and Daughters.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The Gospel of Jesus is different from the Gospel of the Kingdom.

The Gospel of the Kingdom has the Gospel of Jesus in part, and the rest is of Heaven made manifest, even as there will be the Manifest Sons and Daughters.

Even if that is so - if there is any difference,
it wouldn't change what Y'SHUA said nor what HIS disciples said; and shouldn't change what we say
as all the time
Y'SHUA spoke what the FATHER YHWH gave HIM to speak,
and trained the disciples likewise.

 

[Stillicidia]

Even if that is so - if there is any difference,
it wouldn't change what Y'SHUA said nor what HIS disciples said; and shouldn't change what we say
as all the time
Y'SHUA spoke what the FATHER YHWH gave HIM to speak,
and trained the disciples likewise.

There is far too much smoke and mirrors. I was correcting one thing, not two things.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

There is far too much smoke and mirrors. I was correcting one thing, not two things.

No, I think you were thinking or trying to correct something you didn't agree with,
even if it wasn't wrong and/or didn't need correction.

 

[Stillicidia]

No, I think you were thinking or trying to correct something you didn't agree with,
even if it wasn't wrong and/or didn't need correction.

You do well on simple things. I will give you honor there, but when it comes to mysteries you simply do not know them.

If you speak with God personally very often, then you're better off than I am, but I am lead to others who do that very thing.

Ask him yourself some of these, because you are against me at every turn in every thing I discuss with you throughout all the forums.

I do not do badly when I convey differently than you, and you have not insulted me. I do worry if I've angered you, but I see you handle that well now too. Please, you don't know these mysteries, ask him yourself about the Gospel of the Kingdom.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

shalom still,

...It is too late for me tonight this night (I'm too tired),
and probably not the right thread I think....
So step by step tomorrow, YHWH willing
.... to be continued....

 

[Radrook]

The first century Christianity began to be gradually replaced by influxes of ideas derived from pagan sources. The first official deviation that took hold was referred to as Catholicism. After that one offshoots occurred in Protestation all claiming to be efforts to restore the first-century Christianity but all either retaining too much of the first deviation or introducing deviations of their own. I have yet to see a full return to first-century Christianity despite all the efforts and claims. There is always a falling short in some vital aspect.

 

[bbbbbbb]

The first century Christianity began to be gradually replaced by influxes of ideas derived from pagan sources. The first official deviation that took hold was referred to as Catholicism. After that one offshoots occurred in Protestation all claiming to be efforts to restore the first-century Christianity but all either retaining too much of the first deviation or introducing deviations of their own. I have yet to see a full return to first-century Christianity despite all the efforts and claims. There is always a falling short in some vital aspect.

Keep seeking and you will find.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Keep seeking and you will find.

HEY!

That's not just man saying that!

YHWH BREATHED , Y'SHUA SPOKEN, IN HIS WORD !

So, it is so. (TRUTH)

 

[Radagast]

Are denominations contrary to the will of God and the Scriptures?

A denomination is a bunch of Christians (often an international bunch) in fellowship with each other and agreeing on a lot of stuff.

Do you disapprove of fellowship and agreeing on stuff?

 

[masmpg]

I believe that if all Christians would follow the teachings of Jesus found in John 14-17 there would be one denomination and one translation of scriptures.

If we let the Holy Spirit lead us we will come into the unity the disciples came into on pentecost in Acts 1&2. This unity will happen again when the latter rain of the Spirit is poured out, and only those who are living up to the light they have will be receiving this powerful tool to finish the work.

Paul tells us in 1Corinthians:1:10: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." This unity must happen to God's church. All will come into unity not only ecumenism, but unity of doctrine, the doctrines that lead to salvation. There are many doctrines that do not matter, but the doctrine of salvation has to be correct for each of us.