Christian Non-Denominational?

[Damian Newman]

I've noticed that options of Faith make a distinction between Christian and Non-Denominational.

Since being apart of a specific church/denomination would give you a name, such as Catholic or Lutheran, I assumed Christian, being the general term it is, would be the name for those who are Non-Denominational.

Is there a difference between a Christian and a believer who is Non-Denominational?
Is there such a thing as a Christian church? Or is that the Church of The Body of Christ, wherein all are known as Christians?

 

[LukeJacque]

Christian is the overarching term for someone who believes Jesus died for his/her sins and rose from the dead. Of course there's more to it than that but that is the bottom line.

A denomination is a group that hold to a specific doctrine or theology. Like the pentecostal denomination believe the gifts of the Spirit are for today, such as speaking in tongues and faith healing etc. Other denominations also share this set of beliefs, but may have other doctrines mixed in that make it a separate group. Someone of this denomination would be a Pentecostal Christian, but still categorised as a Christian.

A Christian that holds to no denomination essentially doesn't hold to an established set of beliefs that is specifically practiced by the entire church group he/she attends. I went to two different churches that claimed to be non-denominational.
One had many members that practiced speaking in tongues. The other was very toned down in that regard, but not everyone at each of those churches followed the same doctrines. However, neither church promoted or disregarded speaking in tongues during their sermons.

As for what Church means, Biblically the Church is the Body of Christ. But of course today 'church' is used to describe a whole host of things, such as the building people enter to worship.

 

[Christownsme]

It doesn't matter what you're called - nondenominational, denominational, Christian, etc... what matters is the election by God into the family of believers in Jesus Christ. Maybe that's too simplistic, but that's how I feel.

 

[LukeJacque]

what matters is the election by God into the family of believers in Jesus Christ. Maybe that's too simplistic, but that's how I feel.

When you say election by God, does that mean God chooses who he wants to be saved? Wouldn't that make you a Calvinist?

 

[seeking Christ]

I've noticed that options of Faith make a distinction between Christian and Non-Denominational.

Since being apart of a specific church/denomination would give you a name, such as Catholic or Lutheran, I assumed Christian, being the general term it is, would be the name for those who are Non-Denominational.

Is there a difference between a Christian and a believer who is Non-Denominational?
Is there such a thing as a Christian church? Or is that the Church of The Body of Christ, wherein all are known as Christians?

There's actually a discussion on this here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t7722107/

And some (who I normally respect) can actually be seen saying that you ipso facto have to be in a denomination (which I can't agree with)

So I have to conclude this is a good question!

 

[Christownsme]

When you say election by God, does that mean God chooses who he wants to be saved? Wouldn't that make you a Calvinist?

Don't call me anything..Calvinist, Christian, Lutheran, non-denominational... I don't think it matters to God. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. Plain and simple. I believe on Him, and in the fact that His work on the cross and the resurrection brings me salvation. I don't take strong black and white views on Calvinism or any other view point: I learn daily by walking with Him how I should interpret the Bible.

And yes, it says in the Bible God chooses who he will have mercy on depending on whom He will have mercy.

 

[LukeJacque]

Don't call me anything..Calvinist, Christian, Lutheran, non-denominational... I don't think it matters to God. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. Plain and simple. I believe on Him, and in the fact that His work on the cross and the resurrection brings me salvation. I don't take strong black and white views on Calvinism or any other view point: I learn daily by walking with Him how I should interpret the Bible.

I apologize brother, I was trying to make a point. I feel exactly as you do on the matter.

 

[Christownsme]

I apologize brother, I was trying to make a point. I feel exactly as you do on the matter.

That's ok. It's hard to communicate effectively with only typed words. No offense taken.

 

[ActionJ]

When you say election by God, does that mean God chooses who he wants to be saved? Wouldn't that make you a Calvinist?

Christownsme may be referring to this statement by Christ:

John 15:16, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

One doesn't necessarily have to be a Calvinist to believe the verse but one is probably a Christian if he or she does.

As for the OP, I consider myself a nondenominational Christian. I can, however, see how folks may conclude that they are two, different things. A Christian is simply a follower of Christ. There could be (under certain circumstances) a broader definition for "nondenominational."

 

[LukeJacque]

Christownsme may be referring to this statement by Christ:

John 15:16, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

One doesn't necessarily have to be a Calvinist to believe the verse

He may be referring to that but let's keep in mind who Jesus is speaking to in that verse and the context. My question to you is did Jesus die for an elect few that he chose or did He die for ALL of mankind?

 

[ActionJ]

He may be referring to that but let's keep in mind who Jesus is speaking to in that verse and the context. My question to you is did Jesus die for an elect few that he chose or did He die for ALL of mankind?

I believe Jesus Christ shed His blood for the sins of all mankind and that salvation is available to all who turn to Him in sincere repentance. However, I also believe that the road to damnation is far more traveled than that narrow path to salvation (Matthew 7:13-14). I'm not too sure why that is.

I also believe that I was led to Christ by the Holy Spirit as He whispered in this old sinner's ear. I didn't seek Him ... He sought me. But I can only speak for myself in that regard.

The Bible says that many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). And Revelation 7 speaks of the predestination of 12,000 of each of the twelve tribes of Israel as they shall receive a seal upon their foreheads. In other words, God knows in advance whom He shall seal during that time.

I certainly don't have all of the answers but there does seem to be some indication that God has predestined some folks for reasons only He knows.

Romans 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

 

[Albion]

I've noticed that options of Faith make a distinction between Christian and Non-Denominational.

Since being apart of a specific church/denomination would give you a name, such as Catholic or Lutheran, I assumed Christian, being the general term it is, would be the name for those who are Non-Denominational.

Is there a difference between a Christian and a believer who is Non-Denominational?
Is there such a thing as a Christian church? Or is that the Church of The Body of Christ, wherein all are known as Christians?

The intent is IMHO not to make a distinction between Christian and Non-Denominational, but to give the member the opportunity to describe himself as he wants to be known.

Unfortunately, that isn't always very helpful to the other people trying to figure out where that person is conming from. For one thing, is it the classification that the person prefers...or belongs to? Some here have confused a lot of the rest of us by talking like a follower of one church's views while sporting the icon of another church with different views.

And how does one choose between, say, Christian, Protestant, Charismatic/Pentecostal, and non-denominational if and when ALL of them apply? Similar problems exist with people who are not set in their religious beliefs. Are they "Other," "Pagan," "Seeker," or just what?

 

[krugerpark]

it wont be long before people simply use the term 'Christian' with nothing added

 

[Damian Newman]

it wont be long before people simply use the term 'Christian' with nothing added

Why's that?

I hope they do, by the way. It would be a return to the early church days.

 

[Cush]

I've noticed that options of Faith make a distinction between Christian and Non-Denominational.

Since being apart of a specific church/denomination would give you a name, such as Catholic or Lutheran, I assumed Christian, being the general term it is, would be the name for those who are Non-Denominational.

Is there a difference between a Christian and a believer who is Non-Denominational?
Is there such a thing as a Christian church? Or is that the Church of The Body of Christ, wherein all are known as Christians?

I am non denominational. And by this mean that I think emphasis should not be placed on doctrine to the degree of causing a division within the Body of Christ.

Shout Glory

 

[brittany111]

Personally I consider myself Non-Denominational because I do not completely support any one denominational doctrine.

In my opinion all who believe in Christ's death and ressurection and have put their faith in Him for salvation from sin are Christians regardless of denominational preference.

 

[Cush]

Personally I consider myself Non-Denominational because I do not completely support any one denominational doctrine.

It is my view that all who believe in Christ for salvation from sin are Christians regardless of denominational preference.

I believe that this is the idea way of seeing others in the body of Christ. I must at times, remember that we all agree on central key truths that make us Christian.

Shout Glory

 

[krugerpark]

the path is from denominational to non-denominational, back to Christianity, because God is finding that he can't get much done in the churches of today

Christianity infers cell groups, home churches, and many churches are pushing praise and worship nights which is becoming more popular than sunday morning

sunday mornings are nothing but a show

 

[Cush]

the path is from denominational to non-denominational, back to Christianity, because God is finding that he can't get much done in the churches of today

Christianity infers cell groups, home churches, and many churches are pushing praise and worship nights which is becoming more popular than sunday morning

sunday mornings are nothing but a show

One must remember that the Church views a wide scope of people. People can be seen in the congregation who have for the very first time entered into the church. Others, subjected to the word of God, sit there as if nothing seems to absorb. Others yet, are writing doctrine. Some are on missions, and while others.... are hypocrites, and they my friend are the most dangerous of us all, because they are in our midst and within our walls, but still they're being subjected to the word of God.

The church must cater to all the above to a degree, but I agree with you there's more than just saying I believe. There's the followers of Christ. The ones who know that when Christ said, Follow me, He did not say come and say a prayer and acknowledge your belief in my existence. But they like the Disciples know that Jesus is asking one to lay their life down, to risk their lives. To pick up the cross and follow Him.

And regarding cells, I take it you hadn't meant terrorist organizations, but rather cells as in the ocean coral. Yea, here's an analogy. The churches are like underwater coral, cloning and propagating. Only without diversity the church has no immunity, and could be easily wiped out by worldly disease. The variety of denominations are the natural immunity to the worldly disease, some denominations will die and some will thrive!

God bless,

Shout Glory

 

[Albion]

the path is from denominational to non-denominational, back to Christianity, because God is finding that he can't get much done in the churches of today

So he's going to lead us into new denominations that we'll call "non-denominational." That's all that this idea amounts to. That, or churches that don't stand for anything. What's so great about either of those outcomes?