That is a good question. I have wondered that myself at times.
We are all unique in different ways and giftings and some churches suit our individual personalities more than others. Some people may feel led to a specific denomination because that is where God wants to use them and has a special purpose for their life, that doesn't mean God doesn't want unity and for the walls in our churches to be BROKEN down, but in the proccess of trying to awaken our eyes to see that spiritual truth; God can still use us amidst the different church sects to accomplish his will and purpose on earth. I don't think there is "one TRUE church" Most churches have faults and the reason new denominations keep being created is often because we look at the failings of other churches, and determined to not have those in the new church, still often neglect other aspects and so all the churches have cracks in them. Some are more on base than others for sure. But the only TRUE church will be the new church that God builds before he returns, I think he may be in the proccess of doing that now. I think God wants unity among the churches, one body one faith, but we have fallen asleep as christians and been mislead by the religous spirit, so it's no wonder there are so many hundreds of denominations out there to choose from. We have lost sight of the first church as it was in the book of Acts. In which they didn't even have a pastor to cover all the aspects of the church body discipling, but there was instead a three-fold; of Apostle, Teacher and Prophet. And the church was led by the Holy Spirit, not by spirits of "control" and "religon."
"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues." 1 corinth 12:27,28
God does want us to unite as one body, one faith, under one spirit.
"There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called" ephesians 4:4;
Though that doesn't mean that we all function in the same way as seperate parts of the body. And though one denomination may be ideal, perhaps God uses seperate denominations to show our diversity and just as we (the body of Christ) are all different parts with seperate functions, yet still work together.
"All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." 1 corinth 12:11-13 Going off on a thought here, Maybe the different church denominations form different functions of the body. Some are more grounded in the word, others flow freer in the holy spirit. Others still are good at giving to the poor, others at discipling people, others at evengelizing to the lower downtroden, others at sending out and equipping missionaries, etc, etc, etc. I'm not saying it isnt the ideal that all the churches be equally good at ALL these things. But we are unfortunately a weak and broken human race who continually fall short. That's why we have God's almighty grace.
Thank you for your wonderful question. Please do not apologize for asking it. People like you that aren't afraid to ask questions and learn and seek on these things are those I admire. Everyone seems to want to teach and give their opinon but we need to spend more time learning and getting it right before we go off on a rant. I realize this also applies to me. And surely the only reason I replied to your thread is because I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to do so, and leading me through each word i typed as well. That doesn't mean everything I say is correct but it came from the right place in my heart. I hope that makes sense for you
God Bless!
this sounds like a good church:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47
I'm so happy to see you searching. But, first let me maybe give you the not so good news of Christianity . . . honestly there is no definitive way to know that your faith or the faith you choose to follow is the "ONE TRUE WAY." You can feel it (like most of us do); you can believe it (as most of us do), but it can't be definitively proven--contrary to many claims.
