Is there a negative part in remaining non-denominational?

[freeinnocentspirit]

Is there any harm in staying non-denominational and choosing to not branch out into the set practices of one group?

I am searching for a bible study group and so far found a few within an Anglican Church and one in a Catholic one. I just want to learn more and not get swayed into a set of practices that belong to a group. I'm only being careful as my past history with wandering about and then having an epic epiphany (I mean the sudden realization of great truth and not the religious meaning!) lead me here.

Or is it better for a newbie to join a church first?

 

[wonder111]

i belong to a non-denominational church and have LOVED it for years! only grew closer to God. haven't experienced anything negative about it personally. However, a lot of it was up to my own study and prayer time..on my own. We also have smaller life groups within the church which i also love.

 

[1watchman]

God never gave us denominations or various sects, so just hold to the Word.

If you would like a Bible study I recommend the WOTS -Word Of Truth Study, which you can see at biblecounsel.homestead. com. It is a brief overview for new Christians and sets forth the essentials of the faith --not every chapter and verse. It can be a good beginning for more study in depth, I believe.

 

[parsley]

It's very wise to look at your options and weigh them. Some people come to Christ while being active with a group, so it's logical for them to continue with what they found ... but if that wasn't the case, there is no sense in feeling steered by a group before you get a sense of how they operate.


From Proverbs 1:21-22
At the entrance of the gates in the city she (Wisdom) utters her sayings: "How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded?

(Not calling you simple-minded, but showing that God's Word values logic.)


From Proverbs 2
Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures;

Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones.

Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course.

For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.

 

[Prayer Circle]

Speaking for myself who will claim she is non-denominational when asked what branch of Christianity I follow, not at all.
I find I can live, blossom and thrive in the light of the inspiration afforded the Christ, without taking sides. Which, I believe, in matters of sectarian division and denominationalism, is not anything he would have approved in the first place.

 

[jesusssfreeek]

bye

 

[mantelofaprophet]

Is there any harm in staying non-denominational and choosing to not branch out into the set practices of one group?

I am searching for a bible study group and so far found a few within an Anglican Church and one in a Catholic one. I just want to learn more and not get swayed into a set of practices that belong to a group. I'm only being careful as my past history with wandering about and then having an epic epiphany (I mean the sudden realization of great truth and not the religious meaning!) lead me here.

Or is it better for a newbie to join a church first?

considering none of them follow the guidlines of the bible for how the church should be run and set up feel free to join which ever institutional group you choose, just hopfully your found worthy to wear the white robe, as we see a few from each church are.......considering Jesus didn't find much good in the wealthy churches, I'd stick with the smaller ones just for better odds.

 

[Bible2]

freeinnocentspirit said in post #1:

Is there a negative part in remaining non-denominational?

No. It's the right thing to do.

Followers of Jesus Christ shouldn't identify themselves after any denomination (1 Corinthians 1:12-13, 1 Corinthians 3:4), but should identify themselves simply as "Christians" (Acts 11:26b, 1 Peter 4:16).

 

[now faith]

As long as the teaching is consistent to god's word , I believe nondenominational is better due to fewer legal issues that exclude some people from certain doctrines

 

[albrecht]

While I am not against non-denominational Christianity, I think there is an advantage in denominations. Choosing one denomination over another does not override the necessary doctrine of the one, holy catholic church. But it should make us think of how our own theological beliefs fit into our fellowship with other Christians and the way the church is. It helps to have a traditional lineage, in other words, to which we can refer in our spiritual discipline and edification. Without the discipline of tradition, I think it becomes too easy to become lethargic. Identifying with a strand of tradition gives one a greater access to insights on the way one lives, a greater opportunity to interrogate our own faith not simply on our own terms, which are not always reliable, and in terms of the insights and discipline of the whole heritage of the way we follow Christ.

I am not advocating sectarianism in any way, but I do believe it helps to identify with a particular tradition of Christianity and interpretation of Scripture that can suggest to us where we are and where we ought to be going. From my own experience, denominational churches (some more than others, of course) have a depth that is often lacking in nondenominational churches.

 

[1watchman]

Often the so-called "non-denoms." are really a denomination (for they do take a name --denominate), and they have their own doctrines and rules, etc. --sectarian. I think one should find fellowship with some saints of God, but only on the ground of the "one body of Christ" to express that "unity of the faith" God speaks of while we are in the world.

I believe there is such a testimony that holds quite firmly to Scripture (though some would also call it a sect). The best we can do is try very faithfully to always hold to the Word of God.

 

[chilehed]

Denomination means "that which has a name".

Christ established a Church, and it has a name. Therefore, it's not possible to be a member of what Christ established and be non-denominational.

 

[brittany111]

Small group Bible studies are wonderful for new Christians there you can find fellowship, accountability, and sound Biblical teaching, but I would not underestimate the benefits of cooperate worship.

As for denomination my advice is to be sure the teaching is sound and Bible based.

I was raised non-denominational and remain it because I do not like the divisions among denomination. In fact I have served in other denominiations (mostly baptist).

*I also feel the need to point out that not all non-denominational churches follow exactly the same doctrines. I grew up in charsimatic non-denominational churches, yet my current church (also non-denominational) is not charsimatic.*

 

[Malachi814]

The watchmen is exactly right. Jesus prayed
"I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name - the name you gave me - so that they may be one as we are one."

Do not seek a Catholic church; men on earth can not intercede to the Father for us, Christ is the only mediator to the Father for the forgiveness of sins.

 

[Humble Pie]

Is there any harm in staying non-denominational and choosing to not branch out into the set practices of one group?

I am searching for a bible study group and so far found a few within an Anglican Church and one in a Catholic one. I just want to learn more and not get swayed into a set of practices that belong to a group. I'm only being careful as my past history with wandering about and then having an epic epiphany (I mean the sudden realization of great truth and not the religious meaning!) lead me here.

Or is it better for a newbie to join a church first?

I've noticed that denominations often have members of other denominations in them so churches can become quite diluted. I was raised Presbyterian but there seemed to be as many Baptists at the Pressy church on Sunday as well as a sprinkling of other 'evangelicals' not sure if they were Baptist or not. Even a roman catholic dropped in one Sunday but left mid service.

 

[parsley]

I've noticed that denominations often have members of other denominations in them so churches can become quite diluted. I was raised Presbyterian but there seemed to be as many Baptists at the Pressy church on Sunday as well as a sprinkling of other 'evangelicals' not sure if they were Baptist or not.

True -- many people don't research the denomination, even before becoming members.

 

[Malachi814]

Jesus is not a denomination.

1 Corinthians 1:12
What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."

Why do we quarrel? Accept all in love as Christ wants us to. Accept you don't share the same views; it does not mean you are not saved.

 

[abysmul]

Trust in the Lord, the Word. Small study groups might indeed be the way to go, but really, study the Word with an open heart and pray for guidance and understanding.

You'll get there.