Which church is for me? No arguing, just sensible discussion about the differences

[John Pearce]

I am new to the Faith, and I am yet to choose a church to attend. I want to know what the MAIN differences are between them all to help me choose the right one. I dont want arugement, just sensible discussion please! Can anyone give me a helping hand?

 

[ukok]

May i make a suggestion? If you are able to post in other areas, then it might be best to ask about each faith in their own forum, for example, the Catholic Forum can be found at
http://www.christianforums.com/f26 and you would be more than welcome to come along and ask questions..or you can look at the many stickies at the top of our Forum and read for yourself what we are all about

If you are able to post in the Christian Forums then it is better to get a proper representation of each particular faith rather than hope that a persons particular presentation of a denomination is correct

 

[Captain John Sheridan]

Hey all and God bless!

Personally, John, the Church I believe Christ Himself set up - to which He has led myself and numerous others - that is, the Roman Catholic Church, is one I believe you would do well to consider. Every shred of evidence leads in the direction of it being the one true Church established by Our Lord, the single visible Body of Christ who said he would "be with you always, even until the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20). The main difference between the RCC and other Christian denominations is that all those other Christian denominations reject - to some extent - extra-Scriptural revelation and the Magisterium (a Latin word, meaning "of the teachers"), the ecclesiastical teaching authority for interpretation of Scripture instituted by Christ. From these extra-Scriptural sources all Christians (most without knowing it) not only get such things as the canon of Scripture itself but also traces of the single infallible interpretation of the infallible Scriptures dogmatized by the Catholic Church, without which an infallible and inerrant book as the Bible would be useless. But the RCC is the only denomination to recognize all these things, the only one to hold on to all that Christ gave Christianity in the beginning.

All I can say is repeat what Mary has said, "Do whatever He [Christ] tells you," (John 2:5) and go wherever he leads you. His Church is the one you should go to.

Sorry for blabbing. I pray that God lead you to the fullness of the truth that He is, and thank you for reading my meager attempt to help (I pray it does just that).

In Christ,
Sheridan

 

[Serapha]

I am new to the Faith, and I am yet to choose a church to attend. I want to know what the MAIN differences are between them all to help me choose the right one. I dont want arugement, just sensible discussion please! Can anyone give me a helping hand?

Hello John Pearce,





If you are new to the faith, then I welcome you to the Family of God... we are joint heirs with Jesus...


There are many "types" of churches out there...


1. If you want a "Bible-believing" church, go with the fundamentals.... baptist (not speaking in tongues) and assembly of God (do speak in tongues)


2. If you want a middle of the road church, go with the middle of the road doctrines.... methodist and wesleyan.

3. If you want ritual, then go for the formal church of catholicism, anglican, even presbyterian.


4. If you want "feel good"... go with the pentacostals and charasmatics.



Stay away from any denomination that says their's is the only way... Salvation is by individual decision not denominational membership.


~serapha~

 

[rainbowprism]

Good advice Serapha!

 

[Caelum]

If I were you, I'd go to your local bookstore, grab a book, lets say...one like "CHristianity for Dummies"(there really is one ) and read about the different denominations and figure out which will help strengthen your faith overall...since you live in England(I think?) you're probably very familiar with Anglican churches, look into them, look into anything you can, then decide, but whatever you do, don't rush

 

[Andrew_NZ]

I'd advise shopping around a bit, check out the churches in your local area. You should look for a church with God loving people, and a place where you think you can grow in faith. Thats whats really important.

 

[John Pearce]

You see, I dont take everything the bible says literally (eg, Genesis... I dont belive that it was literal, more of what was to come through evolution etce) But obviously i belive in the bible. ne more answers?

 

[Caelum]

You see, I dont take everything the bible says literally (eg, Genesis... I dont belive that it was literal, more of what was to come through evolution etce) But obviously i belive in the bible. ne more answers?

A lot of churches cater to this belief, others specify no importance concerning it and allow their members to believe whatever they will on this matter...keep doing some research, you might find this link usefull:

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/List of Christian denominations

This is a rather complete list of all Denominations with links to some of the major websites. This way you can view the websites, most of which should have a "FAQ" or "Beliefs and Practices" section, spend some time on each site, if it gets confusing with all of different "Denominations/Branches" here are a list of the major ones:

Anglican
Catholic
Orthodox
Protestants
-Lutheran
-Reformed/Presbyterian
-Brethren
-Anabaptist
-Baptist
-Pentecostals
-Methodist
Messianic Judaism
Restorationism
Gnosticism

Although theres lots of info on that website, I still recommend a book, that go into the history of Christianity and what not, being a new believer, steer as far away as you can from "Nontrinitarian Sects" (ones that teach other than God as three Persons), LDS/Jehova's Witnesses, Scientology, etc

Good luck and peace be with you

 

[Joe Orwell Fuss]

John,

Of all things I suggest you do first: open up a/your Bible and study first. Study the many issues that are debated, e.g. baptism, the lords supper, prophecy, tongues, Bible authority, and anything else that you may have a question on. I attend at a Church of Christ, so I am a little partial.
As for your disbelief of Genesis and it's account of the creation of the World, I would suggest you study up on it. There are many great books out there written on the subject. Read both sides so you know you're not being partial.
I pray this helps, and good luck on your journey.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Simple: Choose a church that truely follows God, has good doctrine, and that teaches the Bible. Pray to God about it, He can give you a name.

 

[Filia Mariae]

You see, I dont take everything the bible says literally (eg, Genesis... I dont belive that it was literal, more of what was to come through evolution etce) But obviously i belive in the bible. ne more answers?

Check out these links, they are both very informative.

Who Started Your Church?

Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth

 

[chilehed]

John Pearce, welcome to the forums and to the faith.

For my part, I was raised into the Methodist denomination, fell away and came back through the edges of Pentacostalism into the Presbyterian denomination, and have recently (after over a year of intense study to figure out the answer to exactly the same question you've asked here) joined the Catholic Church.

Cap'n John gives a good synopsis. I'm finally joined to a Bible-believing church that has an unbelievably rich heritage of deeply meaningful ritual, where our Lord is fully present in a way that He is nowhere else. It feels gooder than any other place I've ever been, and best of all I know it's got the fullness of the faith.

The grace and peace of our Lord be with you.


www.catholic.com

 

[Serapha]

You see, I dont take everything the bible says literally (eg, Genesis... I dont belive that it was literal, more of what was to come through evolution etce) But obviously i belive in the bible. ne more answers?

Hi there!



I believe in early creationism because I see nothing that contradicts that account. I determined a long time ago that I could not "pick and chose" the parts of the Bible that were inerrant. If any of it is not true, than I cannot accept just parts of it as truth.

God said He would preserve His Word, and I believe He has done that in "The Holy Bible."


~serapha~

 

[Live4Christ4961]

the church I go to is actually a non-denominational church, meaning, wut we believe is simply, jesus christ, god's grace & love, we dont have any special traditional thing we do, we do take communion, but it is different than a catholic church's communion, we have baptisms, and that is as traditional as we get, we dont do specific prayers, we pray what is in our hearts, and we pray to god and thank him for our blessings, and so on, we also ask for forgiveness through prayer...SOME people think that non-denominational churches are "unorganized" (i dont know how else to explain it) but we really get close to god and build strong relationships with him and at my church, you can really feel the presence of the holy spirit, and i like that about it.

 

[Caelum]

Check out these links, they are both very informative.

Who Started Your Church?

Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth

Cute tricks ~

 

[jay_solution]

John Waddy
info@johnwaddy.com
Tel. 618.345.7197

I think it's easier to talk than to type, so if you want a relationship with God, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail.

If I had any instruction I would sit in a quiet place and meditate on

Acts 2:38 -Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

These are the three initial steps towards entering a relationship with God. It's not a sinners prayer, it's not a right hand of fellowship, or baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or acceptance into a community.

If you have not decided to turn away from your own way of living and think and embrace God's way, been COMPLETELY submerged in water, and had an anointed (chosen) vessel call (transmit) the name of Jesus Christ over you, and been feel with the Spirit of God (which keeps you from sinning) then you have to get those things done first.

I can explain it deeper in person, and I know about churches all over the world that follows the correct procedure towards establishing a relationship with God.

 

[Rafael]

The body of Christ is a spiritual body of believers scattered throughout the world, in homes, buildings, tents, shacks, wherever, and they are living stones of a spiritual structure with Jesus as the cornerstone of that building of faith. If they call on the name of the Lord they will not be disappointed and will find their place within that structure/body of Christ.
The things that seperate the Churches are not love or faith. Pray and ask God where you should go and ask for His guidance and protection from false doctrines and cults. Tell Him that you only want the true gospel and the true doctrine. We are weak, but He is strong, just like the child's Bible hymn, and when we put our trust in Him, He will go before us and make a way for our lives. Ask and receive, with faith, for a place to worship in spirit and in truth.
Once God opens the doors and you find a group of other believers to work with as a Church, don't expect them to do the work for you in your relationship with God. You have to establish that yourself, with Him, then as a body you can do the will of God, together with Him as Head.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1 Peter 2:3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
4 ¶ Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and
5 like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

1Co 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

[12volt_man]

I am new to the Faith, and I am yet to choose a church to attend. I want to know what the MAIN differences are between them all to help me choose the right one. I dont want arugement, just sensible discussion please! Can anyone give me a helping hand?

A couple of questions to ask:

1. Do they preach Christ?

2. Do they hold to the essentials of the faith?

3. Is the Bible their final authority?

These three should be non-negotiable.

4. Is this church going to be nurturing to me as a new believer?

5. Are there classes for new believers?

6. Is there an opportunity for me to be involved in ministry and to excercize me gifts and talents for Christ?

7. Are there people my age there? Familes? Singles? etc?

 

[Chad Merrell]

I would say study and pray but what do I know according to caelum I am jacked LOL. I would say ife seriously looking then do just that look, read, ponder, let God guide you in what you need in your life. also do a search for the LDS official site and learn about what We believe. All religions are good in someway form or fashion but only one is true. The only way to find that true one is to study and let God testify to you of its truefullness. Something for you to think on is how many religions profess the truth and use the bible? several 100 and they are all diff in teachings...how is that? that they all use the same book but teach from it diffrently. I suggest get a testimony of the bible and then read the Book of Mormon to testify even more of the Bible and with 2 witnesses alot of things are cleared up thus pointing you to the true church.