One Church?

[dreadnought]

Some people think it's a great sin that we have a lot of denominations, rather than just one.

If there was just one denomination, the leader, or leaders, of that denomination would be extremely powerful people. Would that be a good thing?

 

[TuxAme]

It's no worse than having secular leaders. You'll get some good leaders and some bad ones.

 

[Albion]

duplicate. See the following post.

 

[Albion]

Possibly not, but your bigger point is well taken, dreadnought. Among the thousands of existing denominations, many are different from some other ones only by the identity of the leadership. The teachings and worship are essentially the same.

People persist, though, in speaking as though powerful doctrinal controversies, important quarrels over Scripture interpretation, or the like, is what separates them.

 

[dreadnought]

It's no worse than having secular leaders. You'll get some good leaders and some bad ones.

You think that's the Lord's plan?

 

[TuxAme]

You think that's the Lord's plan?

To have a visible leadership? Of course. The idea isn't foreign to Judaism.

 

[dreadnought]

Possibly not, but your bigger point is well taken, dreadnought. Among the thousands of existing denominations, many are different from some other ones only by the identity of the leadership. The teachings and worship are essentially the same.

People persist, though, in speaking as though powerful doctrinal controversies, important quarrels over Scripture interpretation, or the like, is what separates them.

I think real differences do arise in churches. Such a difference exists in my denomination, though I don't advocate a split. I do advocate taking a stand against those who have rebelled against the Lord, all the while claiming that it is they who are doing the Lord's will.

 

[A_Thinker]

Some people think it's a great sin that we have a lot of denominations, rather than just one.

If there was just one denomination, the leader, or leaders, of that denomination would be extremely powerful people. Would that be a good thing?

Time and again, too much power can lead to abuse of that power. Also, heretical ideas can become ingrained if there is no facility to contest them.

Scripture says that "iron sharpens iron".

Our differences help to make each other better ...

 

[dreadnought]

To have a visible leadership? Of course. The idea isn't foreign to Judaism.

Is it the Lord's plan to concentrate so much power in the hands of so few, knowing that prideful people will make an effort to be part of that small group?

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Some people think it's a great sin that we have a lot of denominations, rather than just one.

If there was just one denomination, the leader, or leaders, of that denomination would be extremely powerful people. Would that be a good thing?

Definitely not. History has shown that anyone with that sort of power abused it and would persecute people who had differing beliefs. The entire reason for all these denominations was that people were no longer oppressed and forced to follow one particular religion. So its better to have multiple denominations than have a lack of religious freedom.

 

[TuxAme]

Is it the Lord's plan to concentrate so much power in the hands of so few, knowing that prideful people will make an effort to be part of that small group?

God doesn't change His plans because of the wolves- he keeps them in place for the sake of the sheep.

 

[TuxAme]

Think of the apostles. Jesus didn't disband them because of Judas- the Eleven chose someone to replace the traitor.

 

[TuxAme]

Definitely not. History has shown that anyone with that sort of power abused it and would persecute people who had differing beliefs. The entire reason for all these denominations was that people were no longer oppressed and forced to follow one particular religion. So its better to have multiple denominations than have a lack of religious freedom.

I think you should rephrase your statement. A lot of people abused their power, but far from everyone. Think of George Washington. People wanted to keep electing him president, but at one point he refused to have the office anymore, afraid of turning the presidency into the kingship that he had fought to be free from.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

I think you should rephrase your statement. A lot of people abused their power, but far from everyone. Think of George Washington. People wanted to keep electing him president, but at one point he refused to have the office anymore, afraid of turning the presidency into the kingship that he had fought to be free from.

That's political. I am referring to people with religious and political authority. A Church and State situation like the Bishop of Rome in the past.

 

[Dave L]

Some people think it's a great sin that we have a lot of denominations, rather than just one.

If there was just one denomination, the leader, or leaders, of that denomination would be extremely powerful people. Would that be a good thing?

The NT shows many little house churches all independent of each other.

 

[cfyahoo08]

Some people think it's a great sin that we have a lot of denominations, rather than just one.

If there was just one denomination, the leader, or leaders, of that denomination would be extremely powerful people. Would that be a good thing?

God is the one in charge of "The Church" people meddle and mess stuff up, that's why there are so many different demoninations .

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Some people think it's a great sin that we have a lot of denominations, rather than just one.

If there was just one denomination, the leader, or leaders, of that denomination would be extremely powerful people. Would that be a good thing?

No.
It is prophesied in Scripture that it will happen though, opposed to Jesus.

 

[TuxAme]

That's political. I am referring to people with religious and political authority. A Church and State situation like the Bishop of Rome in the past.

There have been 266 Popes, including Pope Francis. You're saying that all of them without exception have abused their office? Or that all of the EO patriarchs have done the same? It only takes one instance of someone not abusing their office to disprove your claim.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

There have been 266 Popes, including Pope Francis. You're saying that all of them without exception have abused their office? Or that all of the EO patriarchs have done the same? It only takes one instance of someone not abusing their office to disprove your claim.

No, I am not saying that at all. I am saying that history has shown that many people with this sort of power have abused it. I used the Bishop of Rome as an example with actually one particular one in mind but that's not important.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Yet all living daily in union with the Father in Jesus, and all as living stones, part of one another, knit together by God.... and all part of one body in Christ Jesus so that if any suffered, all suffered...... a reality still today....

The NT shows many little house churches all independent of each other.