How does one pick a denomination?

[Ripper]

Hello Friends:

How does a Christian pick a denomination? Which Church to go to? There are so many it's confusing? Should you examine their doctrines and decide which one you believe in? Should you look at where you feel comfortable? What you need most of all? Where God calls you to be?

Please lend some helpful advice---would so much appreciate it!!!! Hearing from other Christians. As we all know, where we were raised isn't necessarily the denom we choose to worship in!!!!

God Bless~~

The first thing is not to choose a church like a new coat off a rack. You are a servant of Jesus and the church is not a place to get for you but a means to give to the world.

Look about where the love of Christ is manifest. Do not choose by creed. That is idolatry. You are essentially choosing a god to serve when you choose a creed to serve. Serve Jesus who lives in you.

Jesus is your guide. Let HIM show you the way. Let HIM choose.

Ripper

 

[daveleau]

Hello Friends:

How does a Christian pick a denomination? Which Church to go to? There are so many it's confusing? Should you examine their doctrines and decide which one you believe in? Should you look at where you feel comfortable? What you need most of all? Where God calls you to be?

Please lend some helpful advice---would so much appreciate it!!!! Hearing from other Christians. As we all know, where we were raised isn't necessarily the denom we choose to worship in!!!!

God Bless~~

First, pray for guidance. Know that all denominations are flawed. None is wholly correct and you should not limit your selection based on the fact that you don't like X denomination. Find the one that teaches a personal relationship with God, not some reverant arms-length worship. Look for a church that focuses on Scripture and on Jesus Christ. Also, over time, look for one that is not swayed by society nor stays away from hot issues in society (doesn't stay away from the subject of homosexuality, and at the same time does not bow to societal pressures of saying it is an ok lifestyle-this is one example, but there are many others like it). Don't choose a church simply because you like the people that go there, or the fact that you like the music. While these things are important, the preaching is the most important thing and the biggest variance between churches.
Start with a church close to you. You typically don't have to go far to find a good church. And, the distance issue can lead to being an obstacle to your attendance in times of weakness (which we all have).
God bless you,
Dave

 

[Daedalus]

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

There is one Church Jesus intended.
Not all churches are wrong, there is one that is not wrong.
Can't you read english?
"and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"

 

[Daedalus]

The first thing is not to choose a church like a new coat off a rack. You are a servant of Jesus and the church is not a place to get for you but a means to give to the world.

Right about this one

Look about where the love of Christ is manifest. Do not choose by creed. That is idolatry.

Wrong about this one.
A creed is a statement.
The Nicean Creed (orthodox preserved version at least) is something ALL chrstians should confess.
"
I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light: true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father; by Whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried; And arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; And ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father; And shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life; Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spake by the prophets. In One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the age to come. Amen. "

How on earth can I worhsip the text above?


Whoever sais it's wrong can as well say like this:
"I DO NOT BELIEVE in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth .....
I do not believe or I don't want to believe because Satan allmighty has decieved me in thinking I don't have to confess who my god is and that I am smarter and too proudfull, just like he is, to say those words."

Jesus is your guide. Let HIM show you the way. Let HIM choose.

Ripper

And Satan is the deciever of this world and it's acuser.
Let him not decieve you, and don't be naive.
It's not as eassy as it seems.

 

[Symes]

How does one pick a denomination?



Hello Friends:

How does a Christian pick a denomination? Which Church to go to? There are so many it's confusing? Should you examine their doctrines and decide which one you believe in? Should you look at where you feel comfortable? What you need most of all? Where God calls you to be?

Please lend some helpful advice---would so much appreciate it!!!! Hearing from other Christians. As we all know, where we were raised isn't necessarily the denom we choose to worship in!!!!

God Bless~~

This is a really good question and I will treat as a sincere question.

Firstly when deciding upon a Church to attend it is important to realize and understand that there is truth and error mixed with many doctrines that are floating around today.

So even though you may see a Church that looks OK, don't fall for the trap of convenience. Just because it is near you. Don't look at the members too closely although I am sure that if the members do not reflect the love of God to you then it is going to be hard to join them even if they have the truth.

You cannot go past God's Word for advice. God outlines in His Word what you should follow. Do that and you will not go wrong.

A Church must at least follow God's commandments. Jesus says "If ye love Me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

In Revelation Jesus says it again and again, "...here are they that keep the commandments of God..." (14:12) and again "...which keep the commandments of God.." (12:17)

Let me urge you not to fall into error and think God's commandments have been done away with. They have not.

Choose a Church that at least believes in them and follows the Bible. Is. 8:20 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no truth in them."

There you have it. Just as the Bible says it should be.

 

[SumTinWong]

Hello Friends:

How does a Christian pick a denomination? Which Church to go to? There are so many it's confusing? Should you examine their doctrines and decide which one you believe in? Should you look at where you feel comfortable? What you need most of all? Where God calls you to be?

Please lend some helpful advice---would so much appreciate it!!!! Hearing from other Christians. As we all know, where we were raised isn't necessarily the denom we choose to worship in!!!!

God Bless~~

Great question Lilac!

If I were you i would do some research on the internet first. try www.beliefnet.com/christianity/ and look at the various denominations there and see which gels with what you believe.

Or if you don't know what you believe I would say try and sit in a service in each of the churches to see which feels right.

But, I would pray if I were you and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to where God wants you to be.

Have a rgeat day and enjoy your search!

 

[Symes]

If I were you i would do some research on the internet first.

You may get some help from the internet but I am sure you will get more help from God's Word.

 

[Symes]

If I were you i would do some research on the internet first.

You may get some help from the internet but I am sure you will get more help from God's Word.

 

[vanshan]

It would not be a bad idea to drop in on a few church potlucks to see which church the best cooks attend, or at least has the largest selection of food.

The church I attend has a fairly large amount of Lebanese members, who make great cabbage rolls. I love cabbage rolls. If you would prefer baklava, feta cheese, and olives maybe a Greek congregation would be more to your . . . taste.

I hope this helps.

Basil

 

[NewToLife]

The church I attend has a fairly large amount of Lebanese members, who make great cabbage rolls. I love cabbage rolls.

Heh, my church has a few palestinians, they also make cabbage rolls and some of the most delicious desserts imaginable.

 

[ps139]

Look about where the love of Christ is manifest. Do not choose by creed. That is idolatry. You are essentially choosing a god to serve when you choose a creed to serve. Serve Jesus who lives in you.

Do not choose by creed? Idolatry? Do you even know what idolatry is? Or what a creed it? A creed is "what I believe." Anyone with convictions has a creed, whether written or unwritten. And you should join a church that has convictions, not one that is wishy-washy in doctrine and changes with the times. I am sorry but your statement makes no sense.

 

[ps139]

There is a better chance the Spirit can move and teach the truth in a church that is not affiliated with a denomination than one that is.

On what do you base that statement?

Take your case. You have been told what your church says is truth, whether it comes from Scripture or church tradition, and if you dared teach anything contrary to what your church says that truth is you'd be out of the priesthood.

Ok first of all, I am not a priest. Secondly, all you are saying is that if a church has a set of beliefs (which every church should), and someone teaches against those beliefs, that they are not fit to be a leader.

Would you want a pastor in your church teaching that the Trinity is false? Or that Christ was only a man, and not God? Wouldnt you want him barred from of the pulpit?

PLease take a look at what you are saying.
Do you think the early church, whatever you consider that to be, was "non-denominational"?? Of course not. They were united. It was not a doctrinal free-for-all. If a congregation was preaching heresy, the Church leaders (like Paul) would write epistles to them, correcting them. Sometimes excommunication was necessary. And when heresies were dangerous, a council would be called to settle the matter once and for all (in early times much of the debate was Trinitarian and Chrostological in nature).

 

[NJA]

I noticed that lilac, who asked the question, has not responded

 

[Symes]

I noticed that lilac, who asked the question, has not responded

You cannot go past what is in the Bible. So if a Church is teaching what is not in God's Word then one has to staer clear of it. Regardless of size.

 

[ps139]

You cannot go past what is in the Bible. So if a Church is teaching what is not in God's Word then one has to staer clear of it. Regardless of size.

Funny thing is, everyone has a different idea of what the Bible says .

 

[Symes]

Funny thing is, everyone has a different idea of what the Bible says

True, that is why we must study for ourselves and see where God takes us. Don't trust another man for your salvation

 

[ps139]

True, that is why we must study for ourselves and see where God takes us. Don't trust another man for your salvation

How do we know we're not that "other man" who is wrong? How can we be sure?

 

[revrobor]

On what do you base that statement?


Ok first of all, I am not a priest. Secondly, all you are saying is that if a church has a set of beliefs (which every church should), and someone teaches against those beliefs, that they are not fit to be a leader.

First, if you're not a priest then why do you post a picture of a priest in your responses? Secondly, the reason we have so many denominations is because each denomination has it's own set of "beliefs" which caused it to come into being in the first place and most of the doctrinal differences have nothing to do with salvation, so I believe many of them SHOULD be taught against.

Would you want a pastor in your church teaching that the Trinity is false? Or that Christ was only a man, and not God? Wouldnt you want him barred from of the pulpit?

There are churches today the DO teach against the doctrine of the "Trinity". Again, it is not a salvation issue. And as for someone teaching that Jesus was "...only a man,..." it has nothing to do with my salvation or anyone else's because we are not saved by what we believe ABOUT Jesus but by His shed blood. I wouldn't kick him out of the pulpit (but you might because you seem to have placed you faith in a set of doctrine) but I'd sure want to help him see the divinity of Jesus.

PLease take a look at what you are saying.
Do you think the early church, whatever you consider that to be, was "non-denominational"?? Of course not. They were united.

There were no denominations until hundreds of years after Christian Church (Body of Believers) came into being and I've seen divisions in denominational churches. Where do you think denominations come from?

It was not a doctrinal free-for-all.

On the contrary. That's what created denominations and it is still going on today.

If a congregation was preaching heresy, the Church leaders (like Paul) would write epistles to them, correcting them. Sometimes excommunication was necessary. And when heresies were dangerous, a council would be called to settle the matter once and for all (in early times much of the debate was Trinitarian and Chrostological in nature).

It's too bad we don't have a Paul around today.

Perhaps you are not sure of the meaning of "denomination".

 

[ps139]

First, if you're not a priest then why do you post a picture of a priest in your responses?

My avatar is a painting of Saint John Bosco, who lived in the 19th century, ministering to the young and the poor, and bringing them to Jesus.

Secondly, the reason we have so many denominations is because each denomination has it's own set of "beliefs" which caused it to come into being in the first place and most of the doctrinal differences have nothing to do with salvation, so I believe many of them SHOULD be taught against.

I agree, for the most part.

Would you want a pastor in your church teaching that the Trinity is false? Or that Christ was only a man, and not God? Wouldnt you want him barred from of the pulpit?

There are churches today the DO teach against the doctrine of the "Trinity". Again, it is not a salvation issue. And as for someone teaching that Jesus was "...only a man,..." it has nothing to do with my salvation or anyone else's because we are not saved by what we believe ABOUT Jesus but by His shed blood. I wouldn't kick him out of the pulpit (but you might because you seem to have placed you faith in a set of doctrine) but I'd sure want to help him see the divinity of Jesus.

You would let a man who did not believe in the Trinity to continue preaching at your church? I certainly wouldn't! How can you be a Christian if you do not believe Christ is God Incarnate? If He were not, then the sacrifice at Calvary would be meaningless, a sacrifice of a mere man. A man preaching this would be misleading his congregation with his false teachings. If I had the power I would remove him from the pulpit, if not, I would leave the church and try to bring as many as I could with me.
Also, I do not believe "doctrines" or "knowledge" will save me - that is gnosticism. But if we are to imitate Christ, we are to seek the Truth. That is what I am doing. Truth would be Truth whether there was a big book written about it or if only one person knew it, it would not make a difference in terms of its validity.

PLease take a look at what you are saying.
Do you think the early church, whatever you consider that to be, was "non-denominational"?? Of course not. They were united.

There were no denominations until hundreds of years after Christian Church (Body of Believers) came into being and I've seen divisions in denominational churches. Where do you thing denominations come from?

You are right, there were not denominations till at least a thousand years after Christ's Ascension. The Church (Body of Believers) up until that point was united.

It was not a doctrinal free-for-all.

On the contrary. That's what created denominations and it is still going on today.

The Early Church most certainly was NOT a doctrinal free for all. Whatever church leaders fell into heresy were corrected or excommunicated. The epistles address this very issue - false teachings will not be tolerated. Some of these epistles were inspired by God, others were not the Word of God but they were still epistles, addressing issues in certain congregations and seeking to correct them, because the Church was One.

If a congregation was preaching heresy, the Church leaders (like Paul) would write epistles to them, correcting them. Sometimes excommunication was necessary. And when heresies were dangerous, a council would be called to settle the matter once and for all (in early times much of the debate was Trinitarian and Chrostological in nature).

It's too bad we don't have a Paul around today.

I can't agree with you more!

Perhaps you are not sure of the meaning of "denomination".

Why do you think that?

 

[thaiv]

Read what the NT has to say about the church. See what the NT principle is of church meeting and practice. Then go on to ask yourself which group closely resembles what you see in the Bible. This might help: www.christianwebsites.org