Denominations

[timothyu]

It was the same with the Apostles, there were differences of opinion.

Such as?

 

[Valletta]

Such as?

Paul Rebukes Peter at Antioch​

Gal 2:11-13 But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And with him the rest of the Jews acted insincerely, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. RSVCE

 

[timothyu]

Paul Rebukes Peter at Antioch

Oh, I thought you meant the original Apostles

 

[jmldn2]

There are 7 different churches listed in the book of Revelation. If Jesus had a problem with so many, He would have said so in that book.

As I have quoted several scriptures of what the church is, I am satisfied the answer from God's Word. There are no denominations with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Denominations were brought about by mankind. Jesus is saddened by what mankind has/is doing against his word and world

 

[The Liturgist]

There are 7 different churches listed in the book of Revelation. If Jesus had a problem with so many, He would have said so in that book.

Local churches, not denominations. These churches comprised one Body of Christ, to which we are grafted on through baptism (see 1 Corinthians).

 

[The Liturgist]

Oh, I thought you meant the original Apostles

What do you mean by that?

 

[The Liturgist]

In a Christian religious context, a denomination refers to a distinct branch or group within Christianity that has its own beliefs, practices, and organisational structure. While all Christian denominations share core beliefs—such as faith in Jesus Christ—they may differ in theology, traditions, governance, and interpretation of scripture.

Christianity has a vast number of denominations, and a number of major branches like Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. Within Protestantism, there are further divisions, such as Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, and many more, these are denominations. These denominations often arise due to theological disagreements, reform movements, or cultural influences over time.

In the Orthodox Church we don’t believe there should be denominations and regard the proliferation of denominations in the Western Church as something deeply unhealthy. In the East, the three historic communions have been making progress towards a reconciliation, particularly the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox, but even between the Eastern Orthodox and the Assyrian Church of the East great progress has been made.

Likewise all three churches have very good relations with your church, and with the Anglican Communion and some other traditional Protestant communities.

I reject the idea of denominations as a permanent condition of the church and instead advocate for the process of ecumenical reconciliation through Patristics.

 

[The Liturgist]

Sure, let us just use a different name for it. Problem solved.

By your argument, every Orthodox monastery, diocese or parish would have to be regarded as its own denomination, since each one is free within certain parameters to adapt the Typikon, or rule governing liturgical services and monastic life, to its own specific circumstances.

Thus while the Orthodox lack religious orders, the differences that exist between different Roman Catholic religious orders exist between different Orthodox monasteries.

 

[jmldn2]

Why and when were denominations begun?

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Why and when were denominations begun?

Around 1521 because Protestants groups could not agree to a single set of beliefs and because they didn't like each other.

 

[ARBITER01]

As I have quoted several scriptures of what the church is, I am satisfied the answer from God's Word. There are no denominations with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Denominations were brought about by mankind. Jesus is saddened by what mankind has/is doing against his word and world

Well the answer from GOD's word is HE is silent about it.

While it is true that denominations and faith groups are man's invention, if we are actually going by scripture, there's nothing speaking out against them. In fact, divisions/factions in the body are a necessary thing according to Paul,...

1Co 11:18 For, first, when ye come together in an assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it;
1Co 11:19 for there must also be factions among you, that the approved may be made manifest among you.

 

[timothyu]

Why and when were denominations begun?

Consider that even in Jesus' time there were denominations such as Sadducee, Pharisee, Essene etc.

 

[jas3]

While it is true that denominations and faith groups are man's invention, if we are actually going by scripture, there's nothing speaking out against them. In fact, divisions/factions in the body are a necessary thing according to Paul,...

1Co 11:18 For, first, when ye come together in an assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it;
1Co 11:19 for there must also be factions among you, that the approved may be made manifest among you.

The word for "factions" is actually "heresies." I don't think if you read 1 Cor. 11-12 and John 17 (or most of the rest of the New Testament) you'll find approval of schisms and heresies.

 

[timothyu]

That's like saying obey without question and keep a closed mind. Even God says to seek Him constantly to avoid falling in with the blind leading the blind.

 

[ARBITER01]

The word for "factions" is actually "heresies." I don't think if you read 1 Cor. 11-12 and John 17 (or most of the rest of the New Testament) you'll find approval of schisms and heresies.

Sorry, but the word is better understand as divisions/faction. The base definition of a Greek word is not always the best understood.

Applying the base definition of "heresies" to that section would make the section less likely to be understood correctly, and probably lead to wrong theology.

 

[jas3]

Sorry, but the word is better understand as divisions/faction.

There's already a word for that, σχίσματα, used in verse 18. And the point remains that you won't find a positive mention of schism and heresy anywhere in the Bible.

 

[ARBITER01]

There's already a word for that, σχίσματα, used in verse 18. And the point remains that you won't find a positive mention of schism and heresy anywhere in the Bible.

Heresies (αἱρἐσεις)

"See on 2Pe_2:1. In Paul only here and Gal_5:20. Better, parties or factions, as the result of the divisions."

- Vincent Word Studies

I don't normally quote scholars, but the sentence structure is not clear if we use the word "heresy/heresies" instead of factions or divisions. I don't think all of our churches have heresies abounding throughout all the denominations that the approved of GOD are to arise from.

 

[jas3]

I don't normally quote scholars, but the sentence structure is not clear if we use the word "heresy/heresies" instead of factions or divisions.

Sure it is, which is why the KJV translates it that way. Back then it was understood that denominational differences were serious matters, and Protestants of one denomination had no problem saying there were heresies in other denominations. And of course, before Protestantism it was well understood that other than rare disputes over ecclesiastical procedure like episcopal succession, schism usually went hand in hand with heresy.

 

[timothyu]

schism usually went hand in hand with heresy.

Like what caused 1054?

 

[jas3]

Like what caused 1054?

Yeah. Either the filioque is true or it's not. Either papal supremacy is true or it's not. It doesn't mean we can't interact civilly and discuss things without pointing fingers and calling one another heretics, but both sides aren't right.

Same thing with 553, same thing with 484, same thing with 451, same thing with 431. The schisms which occurred around those times involved serious theological issues where both sides couldn't be right.