Can you recommend a denomination for me?

[Rising_Suns]

Rising_Suns I agree that you should go to church...but you are basing the Catholic church is the only way on what? Because the Bible says you should preach the word

Hey Force,
I was simply trying to portray the fact that Christ not only intended for us to continue His teaching through what is written (the bible), but also what he actually did and spoke. He commanded his disciples to not only carry on what is written, but the oral traditions as well. This point is to help validate the doctrine of the Catholic church. The early church fathers practiced the very same traditions dating back to Peter himself.

Preaching is awesome, teaching is awesome, but to ignore the Bible is ignorant.

Hey Force,
The Catholic faith takes the oral traditions and the bible TOGETHER as the final authority of its doctrine. The two are integrated with each other and do not conflict with each other.

I believe if it was that important to go to a particular church he would have named it, OUTRIGHT...he doesn't do things that would confuse us, we confuse ourselves.

hey force,
I agree with you my friend. The bottom line is that we accept Christ into our hearts and seek Him through our lives. The heart of all Christianity is that we follow in Christ's footsteps, and live a life abundant of love for our neighbor and for our Father. You are totally on target with that. But there is ONLY ONE church that Christ intended to set up, as the bible says itself that there shall not be divisions among the church. There is only one church and set of teachings that is what God planned. But likewise, this does not mean that if you are not a part of that church, that you cannot be saved. The church in my opinion, is simply a divine "road map", if you will, to help guide us in our path. But of course, the map would be useless if you do not get off your butt and travel to your destination.

That's another thing I like about the Catholic church; we believe salvation is a process, not a one-time event. The bible says that the holy spirit is the "first installment" towards salvation. Once we accept Christ into our hearts, that is a beginning, not an end.

 

[Force]

But there is ONLY ONE church that Christ intended to set up, as the bible says itself that there shall not be divisions among the church.

I dont know where it says divisions among the church (assuming the Catholic church is what the bible was talking about anyway)...but I do know it said not to cause dissension within the church which is something totally different.

I know for the most part we agree Rising Suns your a cool guy in your other posts etc. I just dont believe God intended that by going to a particular church that is what can get you into heaven.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Force,
Thank you for your sincere reply.

I dont know where it says divisions among the church

1 Corinthians 1.3 Divisions of the Church 10 "Now I appeal to you , brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.

I just dont believe God intended that by going to a particular church that is what can get you into heaven.

Hey force,
I don't believe that either. Like what is stated earlier, it is not the church that saves, but Jesus Christ. But you know all this already. I suppose we will have to agree to disagree. I feel bad because we are taking up all the space on this forum.

Have a blessed day my brother.

 

[Force]

Hey force,
I don't believe that either. Like what is stated earlier, it is not the church that saves, but Jesus Christ. But you know all this already. I suppose we will have to agree to disagree. I feel bad because we are taking up all the space on this forum.

Have a blessed day my brother.

Sure, and it's sister.

 

[Fiskare]

It was my understanding that the Orthodox Catholic faith broke off from the Roman Catholic faith. Also Peter moved to Rome, where the sucession of the Popes began starting with Peter, and the orthodox remained in the Greek church. In any case, can we atleast agree that Catholicism in some form is the original church that Christ intended to begin (thus excluding the various Protestant denominations). Among the most important doctrine is transubstantiation, which both Roman Catholics and Orthodox Catholics believe (but Orthodox do not call it that).

It no longer matters who broke off from whom. The fact that the Council of Ferrara-Florence (1438-45) was held and the Eastern Churches had a genuine chance at re-communion with Rome, yet their dominance by the secular forces in their nations stopped that union coming forward. It could have been a great day for Christianity, but rather, it became a largely forgotten symbol of the apparent futility of the movement for unity.

Now, since Rome has added further to the list of what is considered de fide that reunion is further hampered.

So, rather than gripe and snip at who broke off from whom, which we all do, how about us doing something about the schism? I know it's a tall order, with so much liberalism in the Roman Church, and so much nationalism in the East, but someone's going to have to get serious about it sooner or later.

I'm sorry fiskare, I fail to see your point.

I cited St Jerome as an encouragment for the initial poster- that is, to join the church even though its often not a nice place to be.

 

[panterapat]

BTW- The Eastern AND Western rites of the Catholic Church are BOTH Catholic and both center of the Eucharist.

 

[look]

Guys, guys, it seems to me IMHO, we should go where God's love manifests itself and the word is preached with Jesus confirming His Word, (the word preached) with signs and wonders! I personally don't like denominations, where the traditions of men make of none effect the Word of God...

Try a good Word of Faith church for a good solid grounding in the ways of righteousness. The AMP says it like this;
Matthew 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right)...

It is suggested that you study the entire chapter of Matthew 6 to better understand this verse.

This will help you with much prayer, find God's will in what church (body of believers) He wants you to join with.

May the blessing of our God and Lord rest upon you...