What denomination and why?

[Bastoune]

I am curious as to what denominations you all belong to and why? Given the fact that every denomination and non-denominational church claims their authority from the Bible alone, yet do not all teach the same things (infant baptism vs. adult baptism; masturbation is a sin vs. is not a sin; contraception is a sin vs. is not a sin; etc., etc.), why are you in the denomination you are a member of?

I am not trying to start a debate or slam the beliefs or practices of anyone and do not want to see that happen on this thread. I would simply like to understand how it is everyone came to be a member of the church they belong to and why they believe it upholds sound biblical doctrine. If you're a Baptist, why Baptist and not Lutheran? If Presbyterian, why Presbyterian and not Methodist?

As a former member of a non-denominational church, I have seen how easily churches can break up into schisms and smaller churches based on disagreements on doctrine, practice, and worship.

So please, state your case for your denomination! Thanks!

 

[ZiSunka]

No denomination. I'm not a big one for denominations. I've been to or a member of a lot of different denoms. It just doesn't matter that much to me, as long as they are devoted to Christ and orthodox in their theology.

I always tell people that I am denominationally promiscuous!

 

[Drotar]

I'm non-denominational. Just a Christian. I go to a non-denominational church.

What makes us different is that we're dispensationalist, and thus hold to a literal Biblical interpretation and strong emphasis on context. We're big on hermeneutics, and thus, take the Bible literally until there is a contradiction. Then we use the Bible to interpret the Bible, study the Greek, and then incorporate the cultural and Biblical context. We're also Calvinist and hold to the rapture. I'm where I am after a long journey through the Scriptures, that I've still only begun. Feels good to be home. TTYL Jesus lvoes you!

 

[Reformationist]

I am curious as to what denominations you all belong to and why? Given the fact that every denomination and non-denominational church claims their authority from the Bible alone, yet do not all teach the same things (infant baptism vs. adult baptism; masturbation is a sin vs. is not a sin; contraception is a sin vs. is not a sin; etc., etc.), why are you in the denomination you are a member of?

I am not trying to start a debate or slam the beliefs or practices of anyone and do not want to see that happen on this thread. I would simply like to understand how it is everyone came to be a member of the church they belong to and why they believe it upholds sound biblical doctrine. If you're a Baptist, why Baptist and not Lutheran? If Presbyterian, why Presbyterian and not Methodist?

As a former member of a non-denominational church, I have seen how easily churches can break up into schisms and smaller churches based on disagreements on doctrine, practice, and worship.

So please, state your case for your denomination! Thanks!

I have been to numerous churches who hold varying beliefs. Most of the time the reason that I initially attended a particular church was because of it's distance from my house. After I started studying the Word I realized that the convenience factor was not what was important. Whatever church I attended had to be doctrinally sound.

Because of this I have been able to almost completely rule out certain denominations because many denominations, as a whole, teach certain things that I find to be completely unbiblical.

As it stands I am not affiliated with a particular denomination but I find that my views are most closely related to Presbyterianism. I went to a Presbyterian church last Sunday and was almost floored by their unbiblical presentation of the Gospel. I'm not very familiar with the difference between certain Presbyterian churches though from talking to Gabrial I have become aware that there are two schools of thought in the Presbyterian camp. I think one group is called the PCA (Presbyterain church of America) and the PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of the United States of America). I'm not sure which group is the one I don't agree with.

God bless

 

[ZiSunka]

My dad is PCA, and they are very, very biblical and orthodox in their theology. At least at his church.

 

[Reformationist]

My dad is PCA, and they are very, very biblical and orthodox in their theology. At least at his church.

I don't wish to hijack Bastoune's thread but do you think if you get time you could enlighten me in a PM as to the difference between the two (PCA & PCUSA)?

Thanks,
God bless

 

[ZiSunka]

That's really all I know. I visit his church and he is an elder there, and I have always found their preaching and teaching to be very biblical and orthodox. I don't think I've ever been to a PCUSA church.

 

[Reformationist]

That's really all I know. I visit his church and he is an elder there, and I have always found their preaching and teaching to be very biblical and orthodox. I don't think I've ever been to a PCUSA church.

Okay. Well thanks anyway. I'll do a little research on it myself. I was just being lazy.

 

[eldermike]

There is a widely held but inaccurate belief that churches divided over doctrinal issues. Not so. Churches split over fellowship issues, economic issues and a multitude of non/Christian issues. Some split over how missions money is spent, how much the pastor makes and who is chosen for what committee.

True denomination differences are mostly rooted in traditions, not in biblical issues. I am ordained an Elder in a Southern Baptist Church, I play bass for a praise team in a SDA church on Sat mornings and I also play praise and worship in several churches on different Sunday Nights, all of different denominations. They are all the same putting traditions aside. There are some real biblical issues between Grace and works but as far as I can discern, that's it other than traditions. In some cases I have seen traditional worship music become the issue that caused a split.

With that said: Differences in traditions is Biblical and important and was seen in the early church (Acts). To keep the peace in the early church different traditions were allowed as long as Christ Crucified was the basis for teaching. It's no different today.

Fellowship is the largest problem facing the church, from the first days of the church until today. Claiming Biblical differences is just not an accurate reason for our divisions. People are the problem, it's not the Bible or any interpretation of it.

 

[Gabriel]

I don't wish to hijack Bastoune's thread but do you think if you get time you could enlighten me in a PM as to the difference between the two (PCA & PCUSA)?

Thanks,
God bless

Hi Don. If I may.....I am PCA. My mother-in-law is PCUSA. I am a Ruling Elder. So Is she. That should speak volumes about one of the major differences between the two.

You and I have had several "conversations" as well as fighting side by side here on the forums. I would feel pretty comfortable in saying that your church and the PCA are quite similar.

I will assume (and pray) that the church you attended that was so alarming was a PCUSA church. That denom is so far from true Presbyterianism that they have no right calling themselves such. Do a search for "Sisters of Sophia" on Google. You'll find a large number of PCUSA churches that believe in worshipping and honoring "Sophia the goddess of wisdom." Additionally, there is a large movement in the PCUSA that has the combined creation/evolution view of Genesis. They also ordain women and homosexuals as Elders and Pastors. Their view of the bible is basically that it is the word of God, with mistakes by men all through-out. It was written for the culture then and we must interpret for ourselvers what should apply to us as individuals in the culture today. It is a sad denom, full of heresy IMHO. And smacks of the false teaching we are warned of so often in scripture.

The PCA holds to the reformed view of theology. (The PCUSA claims this also). We believe that scripture is the infallible word of God. We are to conform to it, not it to us. We believe that women are equal to men. They are to be respected, protected and lifted up. We do believe that God intends for different people to have different roles. We hold to scripture as the ultimate truth, plain and simple. We believe that scripture best interprets scripture, which helps to avoid a single scripture being taken out of context. We believe in a reverant and high order of worship. Jesus is our Savior, our Father, not our "buddy".

If that church you visited is PCA please let me know.

 

[Monika]

I'm a United Methodist partly because I grew up in the UM church... but when I was away at college I attended a few churches of other denominations. I ended up back in the UM church because I realized its style of worship really touched me the most, not because of doctrinal differences. I actually never even noticed much doctrinal difference between the UMC and other denominations (eldermike, you made some great points).

I think it's sad when people argue over music preferences, traditions, etc. The great thing about having different denominations is that you can discover where you feel most comfortable, where you personally have the closest worship experience... I wonder why those who complain and try to change the traditions/music of a church don't just switch churches, or switch denominations.

 

[Erwin]

test

 

[Reformationist]

Hi Don. If I may.....I am PCA. My mother-in-law is PCUSA. I am a Ruling Elder. So Is she. That should speak volumes about one of the major differences between the two.

You and I have had several "conversations" as well as fighting side by side here on the forums. I would feel pretty comfortable in saying that your church and the PCA are quite similar.

I will assume (and pray) that the church you attended that was so alarming was a PCUSA church. That denom is so far from true Presbyterianism that they have no right calling themselves such. Do a search for "Sisters of Sophia" on Google. You'll find a large number of PCUSA churches that believe in worshipping and honoring "Sophia the goddess of wisdom." Additionally, there is a large movement in the PCUSA that has the combined creation/evolution view of Genesis. They also ordain women and homosexuals as Elders and Pastors. Their view of the bible is basically that it is the word of God, with mistakes by men all through-out. It was written for the culture then and we must interpret for ourselvers what should apply to us as individuals in the culture today. It is a sad denom, full of heresy IMHO. And smacks of the false teaching we are warned of so often in scripture.

The PCA holds to the reformed view of theology. (The PCUSA claims this also). We believe that scripture is the infallible word of God. We are to conform to it, not it to us. We believe that women are equal to men. They are to be respected, protected and lifted up. We do believe that God intends for different people to have different roles. We hold to scripture as the ultimate truth, plain and simple. We believe that scripture best interprets scripture, which helps to avoid a single scripture being taken out of context. We believe in a reverant and high order of worship. Jesus is our Savior, our Father, not our "buddy".

If that church you visited is PCA please let me know.

Thanks Gabe. I knew I should have talked to you. I should've remembered that you knew about this stuff. I'll find out whether that church is PCA or PCUSA and let you know.

Thanks again my brother.

God bless,
Don

 

[Bastoune]

There is a widely held but inaccurate belief that churches divided over doctrinal issues. Not so. Churches split over fellowship issues, economic issues and a multitude of non/Christian issues. Some split over how missions money is spent, how much the pastor makes and who is chosen for what committee.

Oh you're right! The Anabaptists just didn't like Luther's worship style. Got it!

 

[eldermike]

Oh you're right! The Anabaptists just didn't like Luther's worship style. Got it!

what an angry fellow.
I will pray for him.

Eldermike

 

[christiangoth3000]

well i am an seventh day adventist and we belive in Christ and we do not baptize babies only dedicate them; baptizm is when you are ready and that you are able to make that choice. Most of us are vegitarian, we abstain from alcohol, we also worship on the jewish sabbath and we also do the ordinance of humilty (feet washing) and communion. I became one because i was not becomming fulfilled with the Catholic church so I was looking for truth and I have found it here. I did alot of searching (Baptist and JW) but none of them to me held the truth I was seeking. I have been one for 5 years and I love it so far, now I am currently a prophet of God, since He come to me and tell me what He wishes out of His people and His words are going to be releaced soon, it is all in God's timing and I have to wait untill He says it is time to reveal it.

 

[Auntie]

Welcome to Christian Forums christiangoth3000

 

[Phoebe]

I am Lutheran, ELCA.
Another reason that a denomination may split is language. Part of the reason that there is an Evangelical Lutheran and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod was due to language barriers. Missouri Synod leans towrds German descendants, ELCA has more Norwegians.
However, that was not the only reason for the split. Some of it is based on doctrine. One difference is open communion versus closed communion, another is whether women can or cannot teach or preach.

The ELCA does not claim to have a corner on salvation. We feel that there are true Christians in every congregation.
I grew up in the Lutheran church, have visited others, and the Lutheran church is the one that I agree with the most.

 

[christiangoth3000]

Thanks and God bless

Welcome to Christian Forums christiangoth3000

 

[CatholicChristian]

Hi everyone. These are some of the responses I read in this thread:

I became one because i was not becomming fulfilled with the Catholic church

I ended up back in the UM church because I realized its style of worship really touched me the most,

Because of this I have been able to almost completely rule out certain denominations because many denominations, as a whole, teach certain things that I find to be completely unbiblical.

What is confusing to me is how totally subjective this seems. People talk about choosing a church because they like the worship style or find it comfortable or whatever. But I just don't get how this is somehow indicative of Truth. It seems rather focused on the self, instead of God. I mean, we shouldn't be going to church just to "get something out of it." While getting something out of it is desirable, our primary reason should be to worship our Lord.

1 Timothy 2:15 says: "But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."

How can the church be the pillar and foundation of truth if we are simply choosing one based on what feels comfortable, or other subjective means?

I hope no one interprets this as a debate, I don't mean it to be so. I'm just curious as to what you believe about the diversity of doctrine in Protestantism and its relation to this (and other) verses.

The peace of Christ be with you,
Elizabeth