Why so many denominations?

[Albion]

It is your personal responsibility to follow Jesus, that is what makes you part of his Church. I go to my wife's church (Seventh Day Adventist), to my two sisters' (Non Denominational & Jehovah Witnesses), to my friends (Methodist & Baptist) and where else? Some churches will support things directly against the teachings of Christ. A terrible example would be supporting war, when Jesus told us to love our enemies (many churches). Another example would be to not respect & love your other brothers and sisters in Christ (Jehovah Witnesses). Another example would be similar calling other brethren lost because of Days and foods (Seventh Day Adventist), yet God has accepted them. You can see the problems brewing by parting from the commands and teachings of Christ. How can a Christian even love his own brethren when he follows any Church's variance from another, yet there are many who do follow Christ. Be found as one and have his peace. Apostle Paul sure was one: read Romans C.14. He fulfilled his responsibility and obeyed Jesus. Let us do the same.

Frankly, I no longer feel that I understand what it is that you are trying to tell us. Is it simply that we should think in terms of all Christians being true disciples, even though some belong to other denominations and despite the fact that some hold erroneous beliefs?

 

[shturt678]

This is my usual not being clear and apologize sincerely,... not telling you folks anything, but just attempting to give MY OPINION as why so many denominations, only an opinion .. for those that feel that i'm wronging them or their church, hey, my private mail is available ... I'll be the quickest Christian that is correctable, IITim.3:16 ... now a little clarity, I also attend many Church's and am a very conservative, ol' school, Lutheran .... I just felt that each denomination has a different statement of "faith" to an extreme different statement and this is the reason for so many denominations ... they are still Christians. I I could be wrong, it will not be the first time nor the last. That is why I sure like IITim.3:16. thank you for giving me the chance to explain and I sure didn't mean to hurt anybody's church nor faith ... I'm an avid church goer way beyond the Lutheran Churches.

 

[Stephen Kendall]

Frankly, I no longer feel that I understand what it is that you are trying to tell us. Is it simply that we should think in terms of all Christians being true disciples, even though some belong to other denominations and despite the fact that some hold erroneous beliefs?

Sorry to be gone so long. I will answer you the best that I can. We are poor and ignorant before God. Our greatest help is to develop our own personal relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ and with the help of his sent Holy Spirit. We become innocent and wise to follow Jesus and obey him. However, to obey a Church or its leaders may only expand our ignorance and poverty, for we don't really know them, but should only follow and know our Lord Jesus. Does it matter what Church you attend, as long as you remember, listen to and follow Jesus? Fellowship is holding fast to Jesus amongst those who claim him. You pray and hope only to encourage Christ in other people's lives. I believe that sincere and seeking Christians are really not members of any denomination, but instead are loving God and obeying his son Jesus with their every breath. If they aren't, they should be.

The Church is spiritual and established by its members' individual relationships with their Father in Heaven. They must respect each other as their Father has a large varied family. They must love each other and respect their differences. This is when they need to know their ignorance and follow Jesus above thinking that they know anything. How will they be found obeying Jesus, if their minds get into the way of simply obeying Christ and loving one another.

I could never imagine following or obeying anything from outside of the commands & teachings of Christ and of the Holy Spirit. So in this I can not ever follow a Church or a religious leader. I enjoy the company of many Christians and seek them out, but not to debate, just to speak up for Christ and with the help & movement of the Holy Spirit. I try not to put down Church things, but to lift up Jesus. Just to support Jesus' Gospel in a Church will cause a stir, both positive and negative. I know that we, as Christians need Jesus and his words, so I try to speak for him, especially when others forget him or don't rely on him. Faith is to obey Jesus and always love each other, anything else is lacking.

 

[Albion]

Sorry to be gone so long.

That's fine, although I of course have no memory of our conversation after five months.

I will answer you the best that I can. We are poor and ignorant before God. Our greatest help is to develop our own personal relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ and with the help of his sent Holy Spirit. We become innocent and wise to follow Jesus and obey him. However, to obey a Church or its leaders may only expand our ignorance and poverty, for we don't really know them, but should only follow and know our Lord Jesus. Does it matter what Church you attend, as long as you remember, listen to and follow Jesus?

I'm guessing the answer is "No."

Fellowship is holding fast to Jesus amongst those who claim him. You pray and hope only to encourage Christ in other people's lives. I believe that sincere and seeking Christians are really not members of any denomination, but instead are loving God and obeying his son Jesus with their every breath. If they aren't, they should be.

The Church is spiritual and established by its members' individual relationships with their Father in Heaven. They must respect each other as their Father has a large varied family. They must love each other and respect their differences. This is when they need to know their ignorance and follow Jesus above thinking that they know anything. How will they be found obeying Jesus, if their minds get into the way of simply obeying Christ and loving one another.

I could never imagine following or obeying anything from outside of the commands & teachings of Christ and of the Holy Spirit. So in this I can not ever follow a Church or a religious leader.

I understand the idea you are trying to get across, but it seems to me that you share an opinion I've heard from many others--that a person who belongs to some local congregation that has a denominational affiliation places himself in thralldom to that denomination's set of doctrines. I think that's backwards, unless of course we are speaking of those churches like the Roman Catholic or Mormon or Jehovah's Witnesses that demand their members consider them to be the only true church. In other words, most of us belong to the church that we sincerely believe has "got it right," and not out of fear that we're lost without that denomination.

I enjoy the company of many Christians and seek them out, but not to debate, just to speak up for Christ and with the help & movement of the Holy Spirit. I try not to put down Church things, but to lift up Jesus. Just to support Jesus' Gospel in a Church will cause a stir, both positive and negative. I know that we, as Christians need Jesus and his words, so I try to speak for him, especially when others forget him or don't rely on him. Faith is to obey Jesus and always love each other, anything else is lacking.

And where do you turn for instruction in the faith, for the sacraments, etc.?

 

[shturt678]

Sorry to be gone so long. I will answer you the best that I can. We are poor and ignorant before God. Our greatest help is to develop our own personal relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ and with the help of his sent Holy Spirit. We become innocent and wise to follow Jesus and obey him. However, to obey a Church or its leaders may only expand our ignorance and poverty, for we don't really know them, but should only follow and know our Lord Jesus. Does it matter what Church you attend, as long as you remember, listen to and follow Jesus? Fellowship is holding fast to Jesus amongst those who claim him. You pray and hope only to encourage Christ in other people's lives. I believe that sincere and seeking Christians are really not members of any denomination, but instead are loving God and obeying his son Jesus with their every breath. If they aren't, they should be.

The Church is spiritual and established by its members' individual relationships with their Father in Heaven. They must respect each other as their Father has a large varied family. They must love each other and respect their differences. This is when they need to know their ignorance and follow Jesus above thinking that they know anything. How will they be found obeying Jesus, if their minds get into the way of simply obeying Christ and loving one another.

I could never imagine following or obeying anything from outside of the commands & teachings of Christ and of the Holy Spirit. So in this I can not ever follow a Church or a religious leader. I enjoy the company of many Christians and seek them out, but not to debate, just to speak up for Christ and with the help & movement of the Holy Spirit. I try not to put down Church things, but to lift up Jesus. Just to support Jesus' Gospel in a Church will cause a stir, both positive and negative. I know that we, as Christians need Jesus and his words, so I try to speak for him, especially when others forget him or don't rely on him. Faith is to obey Jesus and always love each other, anything else is lacking.

Just my opinion and no disrespect, but I think it should be one's priority to get the Genuine Jesus aboard - purging out "another Jesus," based upon not a "different gospel" (IICor.11:4) as one sees around them today for sure! ! !

 

[Stephen Kendall]

That's fine, although I of course have no memory of our conversation after five months.






I understand the idea you are trying to get across, but it seems to me that you share an opinion I've heard from many others--that a person who belongs to some local congregation that has a denominational affiliation places himself in thralldom to that denomination's set of doctrines. I think that's backwards, unless of course we are speaking of those churches like the Roman Catholic or Mormon or Jehovah's Witnesses that demand their members consider them to be the only true church. In other words, most of us belong to the church that we sincerely believe has "got it right," and not out of fear that we're lost without that denomination.


And where do you turn for instruction in the faith, for the sacraments, etc.?

I will speak for my walk with God. I respect other's and their individual beliefs and organized group beliefs. Having fellowship, sharing our faiths and joining together in worship is sufficient for me. Since I don't support church doctrines or devised theologies, I don't have to argue my own. My faith is really already theirs, since we must follow Christ our Lord (His teachings and commands). It is best to encourage one another in our following Jesus. It is a spiritual walk. The spiritual war is all around us. We are soldiers for Jesus and help one another no matter the place or the webs of denominations.

I believe that it is a spiritual walk with your Father in Heaven as part of his huge family, not a religious one. However, I respect the differences between Christians and try to observe some of their instructions of faith or sacraments, etc. while with them. I hope that I explained myself well enough for you to understand. We can't be alike, but we can love & respect each other (obey Jesus command). What I hold dear, I try to keep without bothering others. I love and respect them. My treasures are from the Word and his instructions and commands to us. It is a wonderful spiritual Church to follow him and trust him, and to have fellowship with others all around me.

 

[Stephen Kendall]

Just my opinion and no disrespect, but I think it should be one's priority to get the Genuine Jesus aboard - purging out "another Jesus," based upon not a "different gospel" (IICor.11:4) as one sees around them today for sure! ! !

May God bless you and encourage you and build you up. May you follow and obey our blessed Lord Jesus. May you read and listen to the New Testament and Jesus' followers there and their valuable advise for us. There is much to learn and so wait upon the Holy Spirit in you to teach you what you need to know. Please rely on His help to follow and help you obey our Lord Jesus.

I hope that I didn't offend you. Being careful about whom you listen to and follow is important. I just try to point people back to Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit for the will of God. We follow and obey Jesus above all else and that is the way it should be.

 

[shturt678]

May God bless you and encourage you and build you up. May you follow and obey our blessed Lord Jesus. May you read and listen to the New Testament and Jesus' followers there and their valuable advise for us. There is much to learn and so wait upon the Holy Spirit in you to teach you what you need to know. Please rely on His help to follow and help you obey our Lord Jesus.

I hope that I didn't offend you. Being careful about whom you listen to and follow is important. I just try to point people back to Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit for the will of God. We follow and obey Jesus above all else and that is the way it should be.

One extreme to the other, ie, as a new Christian I was highly volatile. Finally understood the Cross losing all my rights to get even angry to where, today, so passive my heart could stop. btw thank you for your encouraging words. Just ol' old Jack. Hopefully the older Lutheran works and myself are in error so we can all end in heaven.

 

[Jack Koons]

I have read a lot of things in the previous pages concerning why so many denominations. All the various things like experience, data, and the like have much to do with why we are in fact diverse; but do these things answer the initial question of this thread? I don't think so. Without getting to lengthy, please allow me to give a simple answer.

In the Adam was presented with the truth from God, and a lie from Satan. How is it that Satan was able to get Adam to disobey God? By making Adam choose between Eve, and God. Satan used Adam's emotional feelings for Eve to distract him from the truth given to him by God.

Throughout Biblical history, and world history alike this has been the case. God presents His truth to mankind, but because something attracts his attention to it (he is distracted from the truth of God), he (like Adam) chooses the that which fills his earthly desire in stead of his heavenly relationship.

Multiple generations later, much of Christianity has been affected by the above process; resulting in numerous denominations.

I do believe however that God has through His providence; preserved the truth in a 'remnant' through all the ages.

Jack

 

[shturt678]

I have read a lot of things in the previous pages concerning why so many denominations. All the various things like experience, data, and the like have much to do with why we are in fact diverse; but do these things answer the initial question of this thread? I don't think so. Without getting to lengthy, please allow me to give a simple answer.

In the Adam was presented with the truth from God, and a lie from Satan. How is it that Satan was able to get Adam to disobey God? By making Adam choose between Eve, and God. Satan used Adam's emotional feelings for Eve to distract him from the truth given to him by God.

Throughout Biblical history, and world history alike this has been the case. God presents His truth to mankind, but because something attracts his attention to it (he is distracted from the truth of God), he (like Adam) chooses the that which fills his earthly desire in stead of his heavenly relationship.

Multiple generations later, much of Christianity has been affected by the above process; resulting in numerous denominations.

I do believe however that God has through His providence; preserved the truth in a 'remnant' through all the ages.

Jack

Us Jack's got to stick to together, ie, rough out there.

Today spiritual baptismal rebirth is the preserved truth for most today in order to enter the Kingdom of God where water baptismal rebirth was the Truth for entering the same over 80 years ago ergo so much for eating those preserves, spoiled.

 

[Albion]

Us Jack's got to stick to together, ie, rough out there.

Today spiritual baptismal rebirth is the preserved truth for most today in order to enter the Kingdom of God where water baptismal rebirth was the Truth for entering the same over 80 years ago....

Try to get past thinking of those two as opposed to each other.

 

[Jack Koons]

No matter how many individual or groups choose to take any direction away from the truth of the scripture; the truth if the scripture remains for who choose to continue to follow.

Jack

 

[Albion]

No matter how many individual or groups choose to take any direction away from the truth of the scripture; the truth if the scripture remains for who choose to continue to follow.

Jack

That's fine, but this is the "denomination-specific" forum. Which denomination are you identifying with your presentation? As you explain here, it looks like a message for all. Or are you working up to something that's denomination-specific?

 

[Jack Koons]

I am an Independent Fundamental Baptist.

Jack

 

[shturt678]

Try to get past thinking of those two as opposed to each other.

I like ur idea, just ol' old Jack - thanks to u, "I'm over it." btw I'm a independent fundamentalist non-modern Lutheran, ie, sorry, that was a long one.

 

[Albion]

Dear Jacks,
What your own church affiliations might be was not what I asked about, but the whole thing is not that critical.

 

[shturt678]

Dear Jacks,
What your own church affiliations might be was not what I asked about, but the whole thing is not that critical.

The Baptist way of being "born again" is absolutely and totally contradictory to the non-modern Lutheran way of being "born anew." I'm really over it but would really be over it if you could understand as always have respected you and your words even though your name is not Jack. Even your way is even contradictory to both of the former. Which way, or ways is the valid way, I'm waiting for your reply? And I don't want you to get past these contradictory ways.

 

[Albion]

The Baptist way of being "born again" is absolutely and totally contradictory to the non-modern Lutheran way of being "born anew." I'm really over it but would really be over it if you could understand as always have respected you and your words even though your name is not Jack. Even your way is even contradictory to both of the former. Which way, or ways is the valid way, I'm waiting for your reply?

This is the denomination-specific forum! What denomination are we cheering or dissing now?

If it's Baptist or Lutheran, isn't it apparent that (water) Baptism has a spiritual aspect, such that this:

spiritual baptismal rebirth is the preserved truth for most today in order to enter the Kingdom of God where water baptismal rebirth

is sorta redundant?

 

[shturt678]

This is the denomination-specific forum! What denomination are we cheering or dissing now?

If it's Baptist or Lutheran, isn't it apparent that (water) Baptism has a spiritual aspect, such that this:


is sorta redundant?

Sorta not, and sorry about that as I thought is was clear that Jack #1 was a denominational Baptist and Jack #2 was a denominational Lutheran? Yes, (water) Baptism has a Spirit aspect and not that redundant.

 

[Albion]

Sorta not, and sorry about that as I thought is was clear that Jack #1 was a denominational Baptist and Jack #2 was a denominational Lutheran?

It doesn't matter what churches you guys belong to; the posts are supposed to be about some particular denomination. So far, that's not happening.

Yes, (water) Baptism has a Spirit aspect.

Count that as settled at least.