Question regarding Denominations

[DiscipleOfIAm]

There is a difference in the denominations. Actually, I don't believe Catholicism is considered a "denomination". But, that's for another forum. Each "Protestant" denomination has a different set of ways they interpret the Bible. Denomiations usually have a national council or some type of heirarchy government that tells them what they should believe. That's why you have "Non-denominational" churches. They do not follow a national order or council that tells them what to believe, they govern themselves. Most denominations basically have the same statement of faith, but they interpret things differently. Example -tribulation, end times, etc.

There are over 1,000 Protestant denominatons and the number grows every day. It's up to the individual to find a denomination that coincides with their own beliefs or to not be affiliated with a particular denomination.

Most non-denominational churches follow the belief that the New Testament states not to have a higher council or affiliation. It becomes too much like the Jewish Councils that way.

Now, I'm just rambling, sorry!

God Bless

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Let's start at the three branches first-Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism.

RC and EO are very similar theologically speaking, but a major difference between the two is the role of the Bishop of Rome. Since I am unfamiliar with EO this is where I make my exit and reccommend the books of Timothy Ware (now Bishop Kallistos)-an Anglican convert to Orthodoxy. They may be found at Amazon.

The main differences between Protestants and RCs are sola Scriptura and sola fide.

For more definitions of the Solas click here.

Diane

 

[persianboy]

How important are the differences between denominations? Off the top of my head I can name a few of them...

Catholic
Lutheran
Presbyterian
Baptist
etc.

I understand that there are many denominations in Christianity. What is the reason for many of these denominations, especially the major ones such as the ones I listed above? Are they mainly due to differing translations of the Bible? I understand that there are many different Bibles.

The reason for my question is the following...

If, for example, you are a Lutheran, how important is it to your salvation that you are a Lutheran and not a Baptist? I know certain denominations are probably much more similar than others and so the answer to this question may vary. Is it generally accepted that if you are a member of one denomination that members of other denominations will still achieve salvation and go to heaven? If you are a Presbyterian do you believe that Catholics will go to heaven?

Thank you for your help!

You may find that you should check out an independent baptist church..Independent Baptists believe that seperation should not occur within believers, in retrospect we think that all believers should not dispute and seperate themselves from one another but as a family unite and believe that the Bible is the final authority..King James ofcourse..and worship together as one family!

 

[SPALATIN]

You are not "Saved" by the sign over the doorpost.
You are "Saved" by your Faith and Obedience to Our Lord Jesus.
There is a select "Remanent" in all faiths, just as there are Decievers from Satan in all faiths.

Each individual must work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling.
Those that blindly follow "leaders" are often being led by the blind, therefore everyone must seek their own path.
Broad is the way to distruction, but narrow is the path of righteousness for those who find it.

One Big Clue...
Jesus said that HE is THE WAY, The Truth, and The Light.
Try following HIM.

I have one teensy problem with this post.. We are not saved by our Obedience to Christ. Faith yes. Once Obedience enters the picture it then becomes a legal relationship iow something we must do for our salvation. Christ came down and was obedient for us. He alone is the only one to faithfully keep the commandments. Only he could atone for our sins.

We receive faith as a gift from God and that gift bears good fruit. By writing:

You are "Saved" by your Faith and Obedience to Our Lord Jesus.

you negate Ephesian 2:8-9.

 

[cmulkey]

Okay, I'm going to let you all in on a little secret. I'm going to tell you which denomination is going to heaven and which isn't. No denomination is going to heaven. no Christian is going to heaven no Jew no muslin no baseball player is going to Heaven. The Bible Specifically says in several places you must Repent which most if not all denominations support, be born again of spirit and of water which most denominations support, and be filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in toungues. which is mostly supported by pentecost, apostolic, holiness, oneness, trinity denominations beleive. and these denominations are man made titles. Baptist will say they're more right because their title "baptist" is in the Bible. Well I'm going to make a new religion called "defeated the philistines with a jawbone of a donkey" now thats in the Bible so obviously I have a more chane of being right denomination now. Thats an extreme example I love the baptist and most of them in my area are receiving the revelation of the infilling of the Holy Ghost and being baptised in Jesus Name. If all these denominations are man made titles which one do you follow? well I apostolic believe in the Holy Ghost, the Baptist beleive in baptism the catholics beleive in confession and the rest I wish I knew more about the rest but you know which one is more right then the other? None. It takes all of them. It takes the Holy Ghost, it takes baptism is takes confession it take being christlike so we made a word up called "christian". What we call denominations are in my opinion what we believe in the most. What we need to believe in is all of it(The Bible) and not one or two strongpoints. And unfortunately my denomination is one of the worst I have seen. And if someone tells you the Bible is not totally true and the HolyGhost isn't required anymore but then they turn around and say it is the devine word of God is calling God a liar it takes all of the Bible. There is only one place in the Bible it says be baptized in the name of the father son and HolyGhost and that one scripture despite the many others that say baptised in the Name of Jesus was hugely taken out of context. If you really think "father son and holyghost" means anything specifically I'm sorry but I'm a father and a son and a spirit, if you really think there is power in the father son and holyghost please give me a mailing address I will mail you a $500 check right now and I will sign my name father,son, and someone's spouse. If you really think you can take that to the bank you're mistaken. The authorization is in the Name. His name is Jesus That is the only denomination you will ever need.


You are "Saved" by your Faith and Obedience to Our Lord Jesus.

Faith is not a gift. it is a choice. God giving us faith is the same as saying God forced us. I do believe we need faith and obedience. But I don't need faith anymore. I don't wake up in the morning and rely on faith to make it through the day. I don't "beleive"...I know. Obedience? Obedience would involed obeying every word of God. I know miniisters who admit they know they should be filled with the Holy Ghost and Baptised in JEsus Name but they're a fraid to lose their congregation. It takes the choice of faith in God to reveal himself to you. Then it takes the choice of obeying God's word.

 

[SPALATIN]

You are "Saved" by your Faith and Obedience to Our Lord Jesus.

Faith is not a gift. it is a choice. God giving us faith is the same as saying God forced us. I do believe we need faith and obedience. But I don't need faith anymore. I don't wake up in the morning and rely on faith to make it through the day. I don't "beleive" I know. Obedience? Obedience would involed obeying every word of God. I know miniisters who admit they know they should be filled with the Holy Ghost and Baptised in JEsus Name but they're a fraid to lose their congregation. It takes the choice of faith in God to reveal himself to you. Then it takes the choice of obeying God's word.

Check 1 Corinthians on the gifts of the spirit. Faith is a gift. If we have to choose than again it is something we have to do. Christ told his disciples "you did not choose me, I chose you." As sinners we don't have the choice to do anything but SIN. It is our inheritance from Adam. We have no free will when it comes to a vertical relationship to God. We do not wake up in the morning seeking to Please God without having first come to faith by hearing the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing not as a choice. God does not force us to do anything by giving us faith, but rather empowers us to believe that through his son's sacrifice we have eternal life.

 

[persianboy]

Check 1 Corinthians on the gifts of the spirit. Faith is a gift. If we have to choose than again it is something we have to do. Christ told his disciples "you did not choose me, I chose you." As sinners we don't have the choice to do anything but SIN. It is our inheritance from Adam. We have no free will when it comes to a vertical relationship to God. We do not wake up in the morning seeking to Please God without having first come to faith by hearing the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing not as a choice. God does not force us to do anything by giving us faith, but rather empowers us to believe that through his son's sacrifice we have eternal life.

The Bible clearly states that we are to "confess your sins unto no man but God"
Jesuits are bad but they need Christ too...

 

[Celticflower]

The idea that a denominational tag insures whether or not you get to heaven is quite funny, but may explain "church-hopping". I grew up in a Methodist/Presbyterian church. When I moved away from home I joined a United Methodist Church. After another move I find myself at a "non-denominational" church. But one thing I was taught as a child--it does not matter what the label is. I am a Christian first and foremost. Methodist signifies where I feel nutured the most in the spirit. All denominations have their good and bad points, and what touches my heart in one church may mean nothing to someone else. But if we agree on the core beliefs, the divisions between denominations should mean no more than sitting in different pews in the same building would.
As to who is saved and who is not: who gets to Heaven and who does not--that is not for me to say. I only pray that my faith stays strong and I never turn from God's grace so that I may be saved.

Celtie

 

[persianboy]

Make a stand against the Vatican....