what are the differences between certain denominations?

[ghag17]

i have been a christian for a long time now, raised in a baptist church, though i am not a baptist any longer. i have no idea what different denominations believe, such as evangelical, pentecostal, assembly of God, ect. i do know about baptist, catholic, lutheran, non-denominational, but that's about it.

 

[Willie T]

While looking, may I suggest looking for "similarities" more fervently than differences?

That's not the way we like to do things, but that is how Jesus looked at people.

 

[Tigger45]

Just to point out, the Assembly of God is pentecostal and evangelical.

I guess I would start out with, what do you like/dislike and/or agree/disagree with the Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran and Non-denominational churches?

Maybe we can help sort things out for you.

 

[ghag17]

i am not looking for a church, i was simply wondering about the differences because i hear the names all the time, but i don't know just what particular beliefs make a church a certain denomination. i already have a church that i go to regularly.

 

[Shane R]

If you really want to know do some research. A church's website will generally have links to its statements of faith/creeds. Ask a local clergyman to summarize the distinctives of the church for you. This information is easy to find.

 

[Albion]

i am not looking for a church, i was simply wondering about the differences because i hear the names all the time, but i don't know just what particular beliefs make a church a certain denomination. i already have a church that i go to regularly.

There are plenty of books that compare the various denominations; some of them really do a pretty good job of it, too. And there are a number of websites online that give at least brief summaries that might help. In any case, you could learn a lot about the differences by spending only a couple of hours in the average public library. There are also enyclopedias of religion in the reference section of most libraries.

 

[Edward65]

While looking, may I suggest looking for "similarities" more fervently than differences?

That's not the way we like to do things, but that is how Jesus looked at people.

One needs to make a distinction between Jesus’s teaching on interpersonal relations and His teaching on the necessity of believing the truth. Whereas we’re to forgive other people’s sinful behaviour towards us, we aren’t to forgive others for teaching and insisting upon false doctrine - Romans 16:17.

Ignorance of the truth, as long as it isn’t in essentials, is compatible with being a Christian, but holding to false teaching when the truth is known but rejected isn’t compatible with being a Christian. One must believe the truth and aspire to believe nothing but the truth in all matters otherwise one can’t be saved.

All the different denominations can’t be equally legitimate since they don’t agree on doctrine and hold contrary doctrines. I hold that what Luther taught in his catechisms is the truth, although I don’t subscribe to present day Lutheranism.

 

[Arcangl86]

One needs to make a distinction between Jesus’s teaching on interpersonal relations and His teaching on the necessity of believing the truth. Whereas we’re to forgive other people’s sinful behaviour towards us, we aren’t to forgive others for teaching and insisting upon false doctrine - Romans 16:17.

Ignorance of the truth, as long as it isn’t in essentials, is compatible with being a Christian, but holding to false teaching when the truth is known but rejected isn’t compatible with being a Christian. One must believe the truth and aspire to believe nothing but the truth in all matters otherwise one can’t be saved.

All the different denominations can’t be equally legitimate since they don’t agree on doctrine and hold contrary doctrines. I hold that what Luther taught in his catechisms is the truth, although I don’t subscribe to present day Lutheranism.

Why is doctrinal purity so important?

 

[VolRaider]

Remember - you need to get info about a certain denomination from actual members, not from what others perceive that tradition to be. That is a trap that so many fall into.

 

[Edward65]

Why is doctrinal purity so important?

The Word of God simply because it is the Word of God needs to be listened to and believed and not contradicted in any way. The Holy Spirit only teaches one unified message which forms an organic whole which only has viability if it remains integral and whole. St Paul says that a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Galatians 5:9), meaning that the addition of false teaching to the true teaching corrupts the whole message by adulterating the truth with a lie. This is like pouring sewage water into a bottle of wine. It ruins the wine, makes its beneficial properties of no effect, and makes it harmful to drink.

 

[Arcangl86]

The Word of God simply because it is the Word of God needs to be listened to and believed and not contradicted in any way. The Holy Spirit only teaches one unified message which forms an organic whole which only has viability if it remains integral and whole. St Paul says that a little leaven leavens the whole lump (Galatians 5:9), meaning that the addition of false teaching to the true teaching corrupts the whole message by adulterating the truth with a lie. This is like pouring sewage water into a bottle of wine. It ruins the wine, makes its beneficial properties of no effect, and makes it harmful to drink.

But isn't doctrinal purity itself a work? "In order to be saved you need to think this, this and this." doesn't seem to me to be that different from "In order to be saved, you need to do this, this and this."

 

[Edward65]

But isn't doctrinal purity itself a work? "In order to be saved you need to think this, this and this." doesn't seem to me to be that different from "In order to be saved, you need to do this, this and this."

If faith is looked upon mistakenly as something we manufacture ourselves by using an effort of our will to convince ourselves that what the Bible teaches is actually true, then such man-made faith would be a work of ours. However true faith is a gift of God which God creates in us through the Holy Spirit, and therefore it isn’t a work of ours but rather a work of God in us. This faith in Christ results in us wanting to believe only the true doctrine contained within Scripture and reject the false, because it recognises that God should be believed in everything He teaches and that true faith can’t exist where we don’t accept what He teaches.

 

[Arcangl86]

If faith is looked upon mistakenly as something we manufacture ourselves by using an effort of our will to convince ourselves that what the Bible teaches is actually true, then such man-made faith would be a work of ours. However true faith is a gift of God which God creates in us through the Holy Spirit, and therefore it isn’t a work of ours but rather a work of God in us. This faith in Christ results in us wanting to believe only the true doctrine contained within Scripture and reject the false, because it recognises that God should be believed in everything He teaches and that true faith can’t exist where we don’t accept what He teaches.

But that's the trick. What is the "true doctrine" and who decides it?

 

[pyramid33]

I find no major difference's between Baptist and Roman Catholic's.

 

[pyramid33]

What is the "true doctrine" and who decides it?

The Holy Spirit is the true doctrine and decider of it. In the Holy Spirit, all true believer's are one in God.

 

[Albion]

I find no major difference's between Baptist and Roman Catholic's.

A little more study would reveal a long list of significant differences.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

MOST of the differences between denominations are mainly those of 'form', not substance. In general terms there is more difference between how groups select and fund missionaries, and how different groups organize and 'run' their congregations than strict theology.

Which is not to say theological differences don't exist. The two main theological camps are Arminianist and Calvinist. However, both groups agree that to be saved, one must have faith in God through Jesus Christ. The other major difference is that of Scripture Only and Scripture and Tradition.

Looking at the from a non-biased (as much as I'm able) view, I'm amazed at how 'harmonious' most Christian groups are, rather than how amazingly different we are.

Sometimes the differences in 'form' can be quite obvious. Baptists as a rule run their own congregations in a democratic form, some in a republic form. The Roman Catholic - and most 'orthodox' groups - seem to have a clearly delineated hierarchy of authority. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

Some groups have pastors wear robes and others don't. Most of those who wear regular clothes wear white shirts and ties, but not all.

Some congregations are more emotionally demonstrative, and others are more reserved and insightful.

Some use only traditional church music, and some do contemporary music.

Some congregations or denominations hold to a specific political theory, others hold a different political theory and some feel it appropriate to completely abstain from any worldly contact - including voting and politics.

Some - while holding to proper Biblical standards and teaching - tend to be soft-sell organizations while others preach Hellfire and Brimstone during the coffee and doughnuts time.

Some don't do 'socializing' much at all.

If one cannot find a church which makes them feel welcome and 'comfortable' (as before God), one just isn't looking very hard.

Just for the tally book; I'm talking about actual Christian churches; not the drive-in church of the warm fuzzy. The quasi-Christian churches are even MORE varied.

 

[Arcangl86]

MOST of the differences between denominations are mainly those of 'form', not substance. In general terms there is more difference between how groups select and fund missionaries, and how different groups organize and 'run' their congregations than strict theology.

Which is not to say theological differences don't exist. The two main theological camps are Arminianist and Calvinist. However, both groups agree that to be saved, one must have faith in God through Jesus Christ.

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to disagree with this. Lutheranism is different from both of those theologies, as are the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. On top of that, there are two distinct forms of Arminianism, the Classical form, and the Weslyian form which has a few major differences.

 

[Albion]

I'm sorry but I'm going to have to disagree with this. Lutheranism is different from both of those theologies, as are the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. On top of that, there are two distinct forms of Arminianism, the Classical form, and the Weslyian form which has a few major differences.

Agreed. I too was surprised at Archie's view of things.

 

[DannLeavitt]

I think to generalize everything, there is a key "characteristic" that envelopes each denomination.

Pentecostals/Assemblies of God are known for believing baptism in the Holy Spirit to be a separate grace given after Salvation and baptism. They tend to also be known for their beliefs regarding speaking in tongues.
Baptists are known for believing a "Once Saved, Always Saved" doctrine.
Wesleyans are known for a belief in total sanctification as achievable in everyday living.
Charistmatics are similar to Pentecostals but tend to be less focused on the speaking in tongues aspect and more on the moving of the Holy Spirit + baptism.
Anglicans are known for being called the "middle ground" between Protestant and Catholic. While they are professing Protestants, they still hold many of the traditions commonly found in Roman Catholic churches.
Evangelical is he same as Protestant. It is just the other branch of Christianity that doesn't include Catholic denominations.

I in no way mean to put any denomination into a box, but as an overview, this is some of the ones I know some about. There are many different takes on each of these, though. There are many "sub-denominations" within each denomination. Because I know the most about Pentecostal makeup, I know that there are at least 5 different "kinds" of Pentecostal, just as there are different kinds of Baptists, etc. To really find in depth what a church believes, you need to go to the church and talk to the congregation/pastor. The way I see it, go to a church where you are able to meet God. Denominations tend to separate people, but I say, wherever you seem to meet with God and understand His grace, go there!