Hello Carousels,
Yes, there are lot of different churches around which could really confuse Christians and maybe Non-Christians too.
Roughly the different groups are :-
1)
Brethren Assemblies/Churches - There are many Churches under this broad group internationally. They lay a strong emphasis on Repentance, Being Born-Again, Water-Baptism, Being strongly-rooted in the Word of God (Scriptures). However, they believe that they recieve the Baptism of the Holy Spirit when they take water-baptism. However, they do not believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a supernatural experience which every christian ought to seek after. They also do not lay much emphasis on the Gifts of Holy Spirit neither do their members seek after them with earnestness. Some of them do not allow their women-folk to speak in their Churches. Generally each member worships/prays alone in the Church while others remain silent and listen to him/her. This goes on until most of the members have prayed. Worship is also in the form of Hymn-singing in between the Message(s).
2)
Pentecostal Assemblies/Churches :- There are many Churches under this broad group internationally. They lay a strong emphasis on Repentance, Being Born-Again, Water-Baptism, Being strongly-rooted in the Word of God (Scriptures). However, they do not agree that they recieve the Baptism of the Holy Spirit the moment they take water-baptism. They believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a supernatural experience which every christian ought to seek after. They also lay much emphasis on the Gifts of Holy Spirit and their members seek after them with earnestness. However, they lay too much emphasis on Holy Spirit Manifestations and Gifts of Holy Spirit and other Supernatural Manifestations maybe even more than being deep-rooted in the Word of God (Scriptures). All the members worship/pray simultaneously in their own heart-felt way during the Worship time. Hymn-singing is also there. They allow their members to pray in Tongues during the worship time. If anyone has a prophecy from the Lord, they can speak out to the congregation. They believe in "Making a joyful noise unto the Lord." and such Churches can easily be recognised from afar by the High-pitched emotional atmosphere.
3)
Charismatic Churches :- This is a much modern group which has many Churches internationally. This is very much similar to the Pentecostal Group. Both of the groups like each other but differ only slightly in their views/opinions. The Charismatic Churches are a degree higher than the Pentecostal group in laying emphasis on Supernatural Manifestations of the Spirit. They believe that "The love of money and not money is the root cause of all evil." And, usually the majority of their memberships comprise of rich people. Some of these churches glory in their Gifts.
4)
Denominational Groups :- There are again the old Denominational Groups like the Anglican Churches, Baptist Churches, Seventh Day Adventist Churches, Wesleyan Churches etc. which differ in their doctrinal opinions and the order of worship. Generally, they believe Hymn-singing as the main mode of worship. Unlike the above Groups, they follow a yearly sermon calendar which contains the Topics of Message for every Sunday throughout the year to be spoken on by the Pastor. Sadly, some of them do not lay emphasis on Being Born-again, Water-Baptism and Baptism of Holy Spirit. Some of them also believe in Child-baptisms, Confirmation ceremony and organize religious festivals sincerely during the year. They are deep-rooted in their religiosity.
There are also Christian Cults which are very similar to Christian Beliefs but not totally-compliant with the main Biblical Doctrine like Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons etc. These cults are a deception of the Devil. Sadly, such cults are fast-growing in these modern times.
Very sadly Christendom today has become a mass of Confusion due to so much different groups/beliefs/doctrines existing today.
There is
no perfect church in the world. There are churches which are either
living churches or
dead churches. Each church can be seen as a basket containing good fruits and bad fruits. There are individuals in each Group which are sincerely growing spiritually and it is with such christians we really need to have friendship and fellowship with so that we can grow spiritually too.
As a fellow-christian, i would suggest you to go to a Church which lays emphasis on atleast the following to be on safer side :-
1) Sincere Repentance and seeking forgiveness, Being Born-again and a New-life in Christ.
2) Water-Baptism
3) Holy Spirit Baptism
4) Being strongly-rooted in the Word of God (Bible Scriptures).
5) Fellowship with other Born-again christian believers.
6) Concentrates on Spirituality rather than Religiosity.
Pls ask the Lord to guide you and see what He WILL do for you.
If you a stick to one-church for a life-time without peeping into other churches/assemblies, you could become a frog-in-the-well christian. If you keep-on visiting different churches and with no specific home church, you will be called a "butterfly christian".
God knows which church you should belong to and when you need to move out from that Church. He is the Good Shepherd who Leads us to greener pastures so that we (His Sheep) can grow spiritually stronger and grow in His Likeness. The good thing that He has started in you, He will be faithful to complete it in you until the end.
Pls pray to God to lead you always. The Bible says "Those who hunger and thirst for Righteousness will be filled.". So, if we hunger and thirst for God's best to happen in our life or for our Spiritual Growth, we shall be satisfied accordingly in the course of our life.
Hope that helps in anyway. The Lord bless you and yours.
JMO
Vincent
