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Denominations

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Restoresmysoul

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For self -affirmation.

Some denominations are built on an idea that they alone have the Apostles of Christ. It seems to me that Christ wanted us to follow the apostles who wrote the NT. So why do we need new apostles? Didn't Peter, Paul, John and James already teach us all that we need to know?
 
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Targaryen

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Does someone need to attend a certain denomination in order to find fullness in Christ? If not, then why do we promote denominations instead of Christ alone?
A certain denomination, no. A church life, yes.

Promoting denominations? Not really. There is a difference in identification with certain theological, spiritual or ecclesiastical patterns with certain colors of the faith then promoting that everyone should be thus. I may like the Anglican church but I don't think it will identify with everyone.
 
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topcare

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Does someone need to attend a certain denomination in order to find fullness in Christ? If not, then why do we promote denominations instead of Christ alone?
A certain denomination no of course not. A church yes as prescribed in Scripture, Christianity is about community not about the self those whose refuse to be a part of a Church are not following God's commands
 
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Does someone need to attend a certain denomination in order to find fullness in Christ? If not, then why do we promote denominations instead of Christ alone?

Even more disturbing IMO are those denominations which loudly proclaim that they and they alone have the fullness of salvation and are the One,
True Church to the effect that all other denominations are shams and are not churches in any sense of the word.
 
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Restoresmysoul

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A certain denomination, no. A church life, yes.

Promoting denominations? Not really. There is a difference in identification with certain theological, spiritual or ecclesiastical patterns with certain colors of the faith then promoting that everyone should be thus. I may like the Anglican church but I don't think it will identify with everyone.

Yes, but are we not all exhorted to speak the same thing and to have no divisions? If so, then why would someone prefer one denomination over another? Wouldn't it be better to just follow Christ without any denomination at all?
 
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Restoresmysoul

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Because denominations preserve the true, orthodox, Biblical teachings.

Which one? I thought Paul said that we should all speak the same thing and have no divisions. How then do demonstrations, that don't agree with each other, preserve the true Church?
 
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Rick Otto

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Some denominations are built on an idea that they alone have the Apostles of Christ. It seems to me that Christ wanted us to follow the apostles who wrote the NT. So why do we need new apostles? Didn't Peter, Paul, John and James already teach us all that we need to know?

I suppose so. Maybe new apostles are for starting churches. I know a guy in northwestern Wisconsin that started a church in Nigeria. He gets a lot of people that tire of the monotony of and the limitations of, the traditional church scene.
Local congregations tolerate him, but he's too "wild" to submit to any of them and their survival concerns. He was a parole officer in LA for while after graduating from a protestant bible college or seminary.

He calls himself an apostle. I chided him a little for it. He protested a little, but it was really of little consequence, so we both let it go. He convinced a Nigerian king, (i asked and was told a kingdom over there is about the same size as our average county) to convert and the king tore down idols on the palace, to great consternation amongst his tribe.

So, I don't mind if he calls himself an apostle. I wouldn't call him that, but I believe he fits the word definition of one, even if he hasn't performed any resurrection or other heavy duty miracles.
Very interesting guy with no denominational ties. You might really like him.
 
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Rick Otto

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Which one? I thought Paul said that we should all speak the same thing and have no divisions. How then do demonstrations, that don't agree with each other, preserve the true Church?

Good, valid question.
 
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Restoresmysoul

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A certain denomination no of course not. A church yes as prescribed in Scripture, Christianity is about community not about the self those whose refuse to be a part of a Church are not following God's commands

Im only asking about denominations and why we need to promote a denomination instead of Christ alone. These denominations don't agree, so surely someone must be wrong. Who is it?
 
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Restoresmysoul

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Even more disturbing IMO are those denominations which loudly proclaim that they and they alone have the fullness of salvation and are the One,
True Church to the effect that all other denominations are shams and are not churches in any sense of the word.

Yes, the very idea of denominations seems to promote the notion that other Churches are wrong, and so i'm trying to investigate this problem and find answers.
 
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Rick Otto

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Im only asking about denominations and why we need to promote a denomination instead of Christ alone. These denominations don't agree, so surely someone must be wrong. Who is it?

Right. How can they be following Christ's commands if they are schizmed and not sharing communion?
 
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PaladinValer

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Does someone need to attend a certain denomination in order to find fullness in Christ?

Perhaps.

If not, then why do we promote denominations instead of Christ alone?

Fallacy of Begging the Question. That assumes denominations in and of themselves, for their own merits, are being promoted by their adherents. Since that is not the case, then the question is invalid.
 
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Restoresmysoul

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I suppose so. Maybe new apostles are for starting churches. I know a guy in northwestern Wisconsin that started a church in Nigeria. He gets a lot of people that tire of the monotony of and the limitations of, the traditional church scene.
Local congregations tolerate him, but he's too "wild" to submit to any of them and their survival concerns. He was a parole officer in LA for while after graduating from a protestant bible college or seminary.

He calls himself an apostle. I chided him a little for it. He protested a little, but it was really of little consequence, so we both let it go. He convinced a Nigerian king, (i asked and was told a kingdom over there is about the same size as our average county) to convert and the king tore down idols on the palace, to great consternation amongst his tribe.

So, I don't mind if he calls himself an apostle. I wouldn't call him that, but I believe he fits the word definition of one, even if he hasn't performed any resurrection or other heavy duty miracles.
Very interesting guy with no denominational ties. You might really like him.

I guess im more concerned with the idea of Apostle succession. This idea seems to be that new apostles can teach new doctrine, as if the NT apostles haven't already taught us all that we need to know. I have no disagreement with someone who follows the doctrine of the Apostles and do not add to their teaching. Im concerned with this idea of Apostle succession.
 
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GoingByzantine

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I guess im more concerned with the idea of Apostle succession. This idea seems to be that new apostles can teach new doctrine, as if the NT apostles haven't already taught us all that we need to know. I have no disagreement with someone who follows the doctrine of the Apostles and do not add to their teaching. Im concerned with this idea of Apostle succession.

Nobody is a "new apostle", they are a successor of a original. As for the other bishops, they are just following the commands of Paul; that every city have a bishop.

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you. (Titus 1:5)
 
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Restoresmysoul

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Perhaps.



Fallacy of Begging the Question. That assumes denominations in and of themselves, for their own merits, are being promoted by their adherents. Since that is not the case, then the question is invalid.

Didn't paul teach Christ alone? What did paul say about division?
 
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