Which one?

[ReFuSeR]

There are so many denominations, which one is true?

 

[Hentenza]

All of the mainstream ones. A denomination is merely part of the whole of the church of Christ.

 

[Hakan101]

There are so many denominations, which one is true?

Who says only one of them has to be true? I thought the only thing that needs to be true is Jesus died for our sins so we may be saved through him and him alone.

 

[ReFuSeR]

All of the mainstream ones. A denomination is merely part of the whole of the church of Christ.

Well now, what is the reason for separation if all the "mainstream" denominations are true? :o

Who says only one of them has to be true? I thought the only thing that needs to be true is Jesus died for our sins so we may be saved through him and him alone.

Hmmmm, if that was so then would it be proper of me to make my own denomination and add on anything I like next to the, "Jesus died for our sins so may be saved through him and him alone."? Let's say... We worship Satan on Wednesdays?(Just an example) After all, it doesn't really matter as long as we keep in mind, "Jesus died for our sins so may be saved through him and him alone."? According to your logic.

 

[Hentenza]

Well now, what is the reason for separation if all the "mainstream" denominations are true? :o

The reason for separation is man's pride in interpretations and doctrines. The basis for the existence of each denomination remains the same.

 

[Hakan101]

Well now, what is the reason for separation if all the "mainstream" denominations are true? :o


Hmmmm, if that was so then would it be proper of me to make my own denomination and add on anything I like next to the, "Jesus died for our sins so may be saved through him and him alone."? Let's say... We worship Satan on Wednesdays?(Just an example) After all, it doesn't really matter as long as we keep in mind, "Jesus died for our sins so may be saved through him and him alone."? According to your logic.

If we worship Satan than we are not saying we are saved through Jesus, because Jesus saves us from the fate of Satan. If we worship Satan we're saying we are saved through Satan. Now how is that Christianity?

 

[elman]

There are so many denominations, which one is true?

All of them make mistakes.

 

[Dark_Lite]

There are so many denominations, which one is true?

Catholics will say the Catholic Church.
Orthodox will say the Orthodox Church.
Oriental Orthodox will say the Oriental Orthodox Church.
Most Protestants will say any church as long as it agrees on the "essentials" (whatever those are).

 

[prophecyistrue]

There are so many denominations, which one is true?

ALL OF THEM!......AND NONE OF THEM!........each has a portion of truth and a portion of error, you will have to decide what error and portion your willing to put up with. Other wise you could start your own biblical church and follow what the bible says, most of the churches you read about in the bible were just small churches that met in homes, its in these kinds of churches where you could actually get more than a handshake and a hopeful prayer.

 

[ReFuSeR]

The reason for separation is man's pride in interpretations and doctrines. The basis for the existence of each denomination remains the same.

I see, so it doesn't matter which denomination I choose?

If we worship Satan than we are not saying we are saved through Jesus, because Jesus saves us from the fate of Satan. If we worship Satan we're saying we are saved through Satan. Now how is that Christianity?

That was actually suppose to be a mere example. Don't take it literal please? You said that it doesn't really matter as long as we know Jesus as our savior.(in summery) That would basically mean that the denomination can do anything they want as long as they accept Jesus as their savior. Hence the given example.

All of them make mistakes.

What is this suppose to mean? Is this suppose to be an answer to my question?

Catholics will say the Catholic Church.
Orthodox will say the Orthodox Church.
Oriental Orthodox will say the Oriental Orthodox Church.
Most Protestants will say any church as long as it agrees on the "essentials" (whatever those are).

Thank you, I think I am beginning to understand.

 

[Hentenza]

I see, so it doesn't matter which denomination I choose?

Not really. The important thing is to choose Christ as your Lord and Savior. All mainstream denominations teach this commonality.

 

[Hakan101]

That was actually suppose to be a mere example. Don't take it literal please? You said that it doesn't really matter as long as we know Jesus as our savior.(in summery) That would basically mean that the denomination can do anything they want as long as they accept Jesus as their savior. Hence the given example.

They couldn't do just anything, as there are implications that come with accepting Jesus as our savior, one of them of course is that you now obey Jesus. Hence my response to your example (I know you were being hypothetical). A denomination can't worship Satan, or Allah, and say they are Christian, because that's not what Christianity is.

I see what you mean though, taking my words in a literal sense. What I was getting at is that accepting Christ is the core of the Christian faith. The example I was thinking of was the thieves who died on the cross beside Jesus.

Luke 23:39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The thief recognized Jesus for who he was, and was saved. It was that simple. All denominations must depend on this first.

 

[bling]

You are to know them by their Love.

 

[drich0150]

There are so many denominations, which one is true?

What do you mean by true?

Why do you believe their to be only one?

 

[Paul.]

Not really. The important thing is to choose Christ as your Lord and Savior. All mainstream denominations teach this commonality.

There 24 (last time I looked) faith icons in these forums and all the major and well known denominations are represented. They all agree with the Nicene Creed (which can be easily found in the Rules) and this creed would agreed upon by nearly every practicing Christian on the earth. This is an example of our commonality. By accepting the truths stated by the creed a person would be welcome and could fellowship with almost every church on the earth that calls itself Christian. Therefore, nearly all denominations have the core truth.

 

[razeontherock]

I see, so it doesn't matter which denomination I choose?

G-d does not have a sign above His dwelling place, that reads such and such denomination only. Neither is He fooled by outward appearance. He knows our heart!

 

[berachah]

Throughout history God has poured out His Spirit on humanity. Those that have felt the call of God gathered together in worship and fellowship and from there a denomination forms. Over time, man in his usual way starts taking charge of God's work, gradually quenching (or denying) the authority of the Holy Spirit. As God's authority wanes, He withdraws from a denomination.

Without the Holy Spirit at the helm people grow weary of the rituals of the denomination as it becomes increasingly about natural endeavours and less about God / less Spirit led. They cry out to God and in His mercy He pours out His Holy Spirit again. Many of those from previously existing denominations are drawn out with many new believers and a new denimination starts up with the same cycle...

What is left in the old denominations is basically man made rituals and man made endeavours. Often the old denominations receive and partake of the new move of God, but old traditions choke out the new work and it is greatly reduced in power and impact on society (through those denominations).

Generally one shook seek the latest move/work of God, but that is currently the Charismatic movement which is greatly corrupted and full of carnal excess and is in its death throes.....God will do something new soon and I predict it will be a significant move with signs and wonders.. Look for that move and that will be the denomination to be part of

 

[oi_antz]

There have been divisions in the church since the very beginning. Reading what Paul wrote about it might help:

1 Corinthians 1

Divisions in the Church

10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16 (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don’t remember baptizing anyone else.) 17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.


1 Corinthians 3

Paul and Apollos, Servants of Christ

1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

Some of the less mature Christians (they tend to be quite vocal too) believe that their way is superior to anyone else's. I think you may have noticed this in your observations. One day a Christian matures and they realize that we are all here to learn from each other and to serve each other's needs. That means we call upon each other for support, and that goes beyond denomination, because anyone who is living for Christ can be a light unto the world.

This came through my emails as a daily devotional, it might be quite relevant for you:

August 12, 2011

As it is written in the Scriptures,* 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
John 6:45, NLT

Jesus was alluding to an Old Testament view of the Messianic kingdom in which all people are taught directly by God. He was stressing the importance of not merely hearing, but learning.

We are taught by God through the Bible, our experiences, the thoughts the Holy Spirit brings, and relationships with other Christians. Are you open to God's teaching?

 

[CryptoLutheran]

There are so many denominations, which one is true?

Mine, of course.

In all seriousness I'd argue that no one denomination or theological tradition is entirely true. I believe human error is simply a natural part of religious community and as such all of us Christians err at least on some point and in some regard.

There's no such thing as a perfect church, no theological system is infallible. Not even the Apostles themselves always agreed on everything.

I do believe that mainstream, traditional, historic Christian thought as it reflects the teachings and beliefs and practices as received down throughout the course of history are more true than those streams of Christian thought which in many ways often deviate from historically believed Christian thought. It is a bias of mine, at the same time, being Lutheran, I do believe that the Church can (and has) been in error and correction and reform is sometimes necessary; and thus appeal is made to--most crucially--the received Canon of Scripture (i.e. the Bible) and secondly appeal can be (and I think most often should be) made to the earlier generations of Christians referred to as the Church Fathers.

Though, let me stress again, there is no perfect church, nobody has it all figured out, has it all right; we're fallible human beings. And ultimately, at the end of the day we're trying as hard as we can to follow Jesus and be faithful to Him to the best we understand and are able. We fail at that task constantly, but we're all tumbling and bumbling in the dark seeking to discover just what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[If Not For Grace]

What do you mean by true?

Why do you believe their to be only one?

I'm still waiting for the OP to answer this one^