denominations

[a.baker]

What are all the different denominations and what do they stand for? Do any of them hold true any more? Are any of them worth the time? And what does everyone here personally feel is right and agree with when it comes to denominations? Are denominations here to separate us Christians? What is the history behind it for example why did Christians start to separate? Please don't feel like any one person needs to answer all of these questions. It can get pretty lengthy I am sure.:scratch:

[CoreIssue]

What are all the different denominations and what do they stand for? Do any of them hold true any more? Are any of them worth the time? And what does everyone here personally feel is right and agree with when it comes to denominations? Are denominations here to separate us Christians? What is the history behind it for example why did Christians start to separate? Please don't feel like any one person needs to answer all of these questions. It can get pretty lengthy I am sure.:scratch:
This is one where a lot of opinions are good.

Paul told us not to divide this way. Do not be I follow the teachings of this guy or that, or that group or this.

We are to study, test and learn. That means you have to be able to challenge, on equal footing, other Christians, if needed.

And that is where denominations fail. The formalize beliefs and require you to believe them or not be members. Renders you second class Christians.

Only their doctrines and thoughts are to be taught. Don't challenge.

A small group tells everyone what they will believe, teach and say to be members.

[a.baker]

When I search for a church what should I look for. This is what I have gathered: fellowship (most important to me), pastor and what he preaches, what the church focuses on, and the present feeling of God. But when I start searching I find no church seems to have all of these. They are always seeming to miss something. I found a church that has all of this except fellowship because I felt so lonely every time I went there. Example; when it was time to shake hands and say good morning and have introduction, no one said hi except one man who really reached out to me. That one man and what the pastor was preaching was the only reason why I returned to that church. I have only went there twice and felt so sad when I left. I felt like a ghost. The church has about 100 members so its not super big. It was an Evangelical Immanuel Church (might not of spelled that right). So I will be on a mission for a church as soon as my work schedule works and so I am lost at to what denomination to look for. Also would like some history on basic denominations.

[a.baker]

I suppose I can go to wiki free encyclopedia and maybe get a little on the history.:):

[CoreIssue]

I suppose I can go to wiki free encyclopedia and maybe get a little on the history.:):
They are varying heavily within themselves, anymore.

This one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_denomination) can get you started.

[a.baker]

Too much to take in in one day is what I have gathered! Maybe I just need to take a time out and study study study! I will occasionally pop in and out of this website to ask questions and get opinions. Then for the fellowship part maybe I need to just find an open, warm and personal church. And than of course pray pray pray! Wish me luck and please pray for me to not go astray from the God on my Christian journey. :tiphat:

[a.baker]

correction from my last post: not the God but God

had to put that correction in. the way i had last posted I think took glory from His name. just a type-o

[kay-gee]

Be really really careful in this........all the best.......

[a.baker]

Kaygee,
What do you mean? Are there really other Gods out there? ( just a rhetorical question) I wanted to just say "God" to show I know that there is not any other but Him. Some seem to be looking out for any areas in your replies that are not worded just right and they will attack and question your reply without ever understanding it.They will focuss on that instead of the other. I know satan exist but he is not a god. I have found in the bible why my words of too much is foolish. I will learn throughout my walk of how to handle this. Won't happen right away though but soon to follow.

[CoreIssue]

There is more than one way to distinquish between a false god and the true God. I use god and God.

There is no one proper way. Just the issue of making it clear when clarity is needed.

And understanding the difference.

I understood what you meant.

[a.baker]

I just want to be careful in how I talk of Him. I don't want anyone to get stuck on how something is worded because that can take away the point I am trying to make especially now. I see my previous foolish words and thinking. God is showing me the truth now because I want to see. I have much to learn.

[kay-gee]

Sorry, I meant be careful checking into denominations. They are not all the same. There is only one valid criteria for Your fellowship choice. "Is it the chuch that Christ built"? Thats it. It is that simple. I don't care what anybody says!. It really has little to do with the geographical convenience or the warmth or the people. Not a matter of convenience or emotion. I would take a cargo ship a plane and two street cars to worship with androids if it is the church that Jesus built. Look for it. It exists!

all the best...

[a.baker]

Church within the bible and the Holy Spirit that dwells inside us is the church I have found to pick too.I just had to pick up my bible and read it to find it. (Foolishness on my part before). I went to Church this weekend and was disappointed in what I saw preached and then the actions of the people there were. I am going to find some bible time with my mother and hopefully this one lady that I did meet at Church in the future. I just can't leave this site for it also helps me when I have questions about the bible and such. Your right Kaygee (something you stated before) the Christian walk never gets any easier just more complex as you discover the truth in the bible.

[eahaddix]

What are all the different denominations and what do they stand for? Do any of them hold true any more? Are any of them worth the time? And what does everyone here personally feel is right and agree with when it comes to denominations? Are denominations here to separate us Christians? What is the history behind it for example why did Christians start to separate? Please don't feel like any one person needs to answer all of these questions. It can get pretty lengthy I am sure.:scratch:

I have learned that equivocating a life in Christ Jesus with living the "Christian culture" of "Churchianity" is one of the quickest ways to spiritual idolatry.

Consider how the innocuous details always "creep up" on one:

Non-sequitur theological reasoning can produce a misplaced focus. A misplaced focus can produce a distraction. And a "fully mature" distraction can produce spiritual idolatry.

For example:Truly "born again" believers should want to fellowship with other "born again" believers, so they should desire to participate in a local institutional church. And participation requires commitment. And commitment causes one to fully dedicate themselves to the operations of a local institutional church. Thus, personal participation in a local institutional church for the sake of fellowship becomes an idol.Do you see the "slippery slope"?

This is why we say that "the Devil is in the details." And this is why the Devil and his allies tell us that the discussion over the details is "petty bickering."

[CoreIssue]

Agree.

Many fail in understanding the difference between petty bickering and Sound Doctrine.

Both extremes do more damage than good.

[a.baker]

I am going to this one Church the last couple few weeks. Yes fellowship is important! Fellowship is about encouragement, living out the commandments towards one another, learning the Truth together through Gods word, and praying for each other. But my problem with Church is all the different denominations. This is a way for satan to try to turn us Christians against each other when it comes to details and even some basics. I guess I am a little confused on what you mean by iodolistic. If I stick to the Word in the bible and find others that do as well for fellowship but not necessarily ones that go to Church but yet still honor Sundays and all else in the bible and nothing else then how can that be a bad thing if we do it in a home or a Church? The true denomination I feel is what the bible says in literal context and nothing but. All these other Churches seem to tweak and interperate into something different. I am going to Church to find some in the flesh to have fellowship with. But that is very hard because of the way they represent things. Christians in Churches seem to take in some and not other ideas of Gods that are in black and red in the bible. They also focus on other things that seem to be less important, things that God would find insignificant. Lots of fellowship in Churches these days seem to be more about hanging out then discovering the Truth together. They all seem to be more worried about what they have going on then, their worried about their lost neighbor and more worried about the people they already have fellowship with then the ones that are lost. They spend more money on things to make their Church look better then they do on helping the needy. They seem to not trust and test others a lot and talk behind ones back and judge for no good cause. They try to be perfect in the eyes of society rather then for God. VBS seems to be more about entertainment then learning about Jesus. They only go to a special service for Christmas but go home and proceed to act out Christmas like every other materialistic person. They seem to help out people that already have help and forget about the poor and needy. The pastor preaches and they all say yes yes and their actions tell different.They wright off the drunk as a drunk instead of handing him a bible and talking with them. It just seems lost to me. Not judging just observing. My peeves go on and on with this. But I ignore it so I can go to Church and find someone to have fellowship with in the flesh. But I do acknowledge what is going on.No I don't have it all perfect either but the bible does and I rarely see anyone acing it out. I am still trying to build a strong solid foundation so I may live Gods word to my best with the peace, joy, strength, patience, and wisdom He gives me. Thats all. As you can see my relationship with Him is fastly approaching change compared to when I first started. When I first started I didn't even open my bible. Foolishness on my part but God is shaping my heart into His image now that I am reading His word and nothing else.

[a.baker]

Eahaddix,
I was thinking and I apologize if I seemed defensive. Thats a hard one for me. You should see the angry prideful high strung dad that raised me. Its a tough one for me to overcome and I apologize.

[eahaddix]

I guess I am a little confused on what you mean by iodolistic.

In the Biblical Scriptures, YHWH 'Elohiym commands us to love them first and foremost (Matthew 22:34-40 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2022:34-40;&version=31;)). This commandment entails a threefold Biblical theme:

One can only serve one master (Matthew 6:24 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:24%20;&version=31;)).
There can be no compromise between idols and YHWH (2 Corinthians 6:15-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%206:15-18%20;&version=31;), 2 Corinthians 8:4-6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%208:4-6%20;&version=31;)).
There can be no compromise between loving the world and loving YHWH 'Elohiym (James 4:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:4;&version=31;), 1 John 2:15-16 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%202:15-16;&version=31;), ref. John 12:25 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012:25%20;&version=31;)). Pursuant to this line of reasoning, Paul commands us to avoid idol (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1497)s (1 John 5:21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%205:21;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=1+John+5%3A21&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)), idolatry (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1495) (1 Corinthians 10:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010:14%20;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=1+Corinthians+10%3A14&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)) and idolaters (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1496) (1 Corinthians 5:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%205:11;&version=31;) [Greek] (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=1+Corinthians+5%3A11&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)). Idolatry (http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1495), or the general concept thereof, is defined as:

Making and worshipping engraven images in general (Leviticus 26:1 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2026:1;&version=31;), Isaiah 42:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2042:17%20;&version=31;)).
By extension: Simply making an engraven image (Isaiah 2:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%202:8;&version=31;), Hosea 13:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hosea%2013:2;&version=31;), Psalm 135:15-18 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20135:15-18;&version=31;), Isaiah 40:19-20; 41:7; 44:9-17; 45:16, Jeremiah 10:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040:19-20;%2041:7;%2044:9-17;%2045:16,%20Jeremiah%2010:14;%2051:17;&version=31;); 51:17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040:19-20;%2041:7;%2044:9-17;%2045:16,%20Jeremiah%2010:14;%2051:17;&version=31;), Deuteronomy 27:15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2027:15%20;&version=31;), etc.).
By extension: Faith in or allegiance to an engraven image (Psalm 24:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2024:4;&version=31;), Psalm 31:6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031:6;&version=31;), Psalm 97:7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2097:7;&version=31;)).
By extension: Learning the wisdom which surrounds engraven images (Jeremiah 10:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2010:8;&version=31;)).
By extension: Sacrificing to an engraven image (Ezekiel 16:20-21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2016:20-21;&version=31;)).
The worship of objects in nature which are physically portrayed in engraven images (Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%204:15-19%20;&version=31;), Deuteronomy 5:8-10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%205:8-10%20;&version=31;), Exodus 20:4-6 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020:4-6;&version=31;)).
The worship of demons which are physically portrayed in engraven images (Deuteronomy 32:16-17, 21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2032:16-17,%2021;&version=31;)).

By extension: Submission to the messages from and the teachings of deceiving spirits (Zechariah 10:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah%2010:2;&version=31;)).
The worship of any false "God" (1 Chronicles 16:26 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2016:26%20;&version=31;), Psalm 96:5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2096:5;&version=31;)).

By general extension: Any "God" (def. #3 (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/god)) which replaces YHWH 'Elohiym's supremacy in one's life.
And, in this case, I believe that the last definition of "idolatry" applies to the said "slippery slope" situation which I mentioned in my previous post (http://www.christiantalkzone.net/forum/showpost.php?p=23236&postcount=14).Non-sequitur theological reasoning can produce a misplaced focus. A misplaced focus can produce a distraction. And a "fully mature" distraction can produce spiritual idolatry.For example:I really need fellowship. So, I need to maintain my fellowship at my local church. So, I need to maintain my fellowship at my local church despite any and all Biblically unacceptable circumstances at my local church [ref. this post (http://www.christiantalkzone.net/forum/showpost.php?p=23240&postcount=16), this post (http://www.christiantalkzone.net/forum/showpost.php?p=23184&postcount=16)].Observe the pattern of the said reasoning. One small and innocuous step of reasoning leads to another. Hence, before you realize it, the need for fellowship quickly becomes the supreme need of and obligation for your person, thereby becoming an idol which supercedes your focus on Christ Jesus (ref. Hebrews 12:1-2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1-2;&version=31;), James 4:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204:8;&version=31;)). Moreover, evil spirits may use your idolatry of the need for fellowship and your general connection to your "church home" as a "foothold" by which they might attack you and invade your house (ref. Ephesians 4:27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:27%20;&version=31;)).

However, I believe that if you want to cast down the idol of the need for fellowship, then you must leave your "church home" and ask Christ Jesus to lead you to a Biblical fellowship which he approves of and accepts as Godly. And, as Christ Jesus and the Spirit will, they will give you the fellowship which you desire.

Does this post help explain the essential points of my posts?

:): Now, let me apologize in advance for the bluntness of my post. I realize that my post may come across as blunt, but I must express myself clearly and unequivocally.

[kay-gee]

I still maintain; you gotta find the church that Jesus built. It exists, cause He said it exists. It will be readily identifiable by its Origins, its Faith, its organizational structure and mode of worship. Also remember a.baker, that only you can affect change. It is easy to criticize fellowships, but not so easy to be an agent for change within them. You sometimes have to shame folks into walking the walk by simply demonstrating for them how it is done.

all the best...

[a.baker]

Eahaddix,
I apologize for any criticizing I have done. Stuff is just really hard for me right now.

[a.baker]

Kaygee,
I also apologize to you for criticizing. That was the sermon today! Please forgive me. I need to learn how to use the grace God gives me in His way.

[a.baker]

Eahaddix,
No we need to be blunt when talking about God and the bible. We don't want to waste any time dancing around the subject. You have put it straight forward and its needed to be that way. So I thank you for that; no apology needed. I can see where I am wrong in criticizing. I can see also what other numerous things I need to change by going to my Church and listening to the pastor. My church is helping me to grow and growing hurts! Growing is confusion from time to time and actually making the change happen! We are weak when we start to change but God will makes us stronger as we proceed! I have a lot of fear right now from other things but I can't back down and I have to proceed. So I ask you to please pray for me. Please pray to God to give me strength and grace as I battle my problems within my house. Your just a brother who is trying to help a fellow sister in a time of need; no apology needed. I thank you!

[CoreIssue]

I still maintain; you gotta find the church that Jesus built. It exists, cause He said it exists. It will be readily identifiable by its Origins, its Faith, its organizational structure and mode of worship. Also remember a.baker, that only you can affect change. It is easy to criticize fellowships, but not so easy to be an agent for change within them. You sometimes have to shame folks into walking the walk by simply demonstrating for them how it is done.

all the best...
I don't see sound doctrine in that list. That encompasses many of the issues a.baker was stating.

And she was right.

I don't care how great the image, if the doctrine isn't sound, then the mode of worship, structure and such are meaningless. Empty and hollow.

Jesus preached sound doctrine. He rejected tradition, structure and such, that wasn't based on sound doctrine.

[kay-gee]

Don't worry...If it is HIS church, the doctrine will be sound!

all the best...

[CoreIssue]

Don't worry...If it is HIS church, the doctrine will be sound!

all the best...
Sorry, but that is not true. Altuism is not a healthy mode of thinking.

Take some time to read the epistles and the letters to the seven churches.

Unfortunately more time was spent on correcting error than praising them.

[kay-gee]

When the doctrine gets that far out, they will be spit out!
"He is the vine, we are the branches" REMAIN IN HIM!........

all the best...

[CoreIssue]

When the doctrine gets that far out, they will be spit out!
"He is the vine, we are the branches" REMAIN IN HIM!........

all the best...
That far out...

Remember, that statement is a matter of personal interpretation.

For me, and many others, being non-literal is already that far out. ;)

To not be able to accept the literal words speaks of a big problem.