A question of faith

[*Zion*]

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

[Guest]

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

 

~

 

Really Beloved

 

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

 

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

 

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:2-7

 

Where Do You Fit In?

 

~

 

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

 

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

 

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

 

Love, Your Brother Joe

[*Zion*]

 

Really Beloved

 

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

 

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

 

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:2-7

 

Where Do You Fit In?

 

~

 

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

 

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

 

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

 

Love, Your Brother Joe

 

 

Amen!  Are you asking me where I fit in denominationally or in my level of faith?  I go to a pentecostal church, but I just saw a film on Luther and I was so stirred up by it - it was not the Martin Luther that was taught to me in secondary school.  I don't consider myself to be any denomination really, just another of God's many children.

 

 

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

 Because so many of God's children lack the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

But it is by water and the Spirit that we are born again, and by God's spirit we cry Abba Father, how then can we be children if we have not the Holy Spirit?  I suppose this is one of the many issues debated by 'interpretation' between the denominations... how is the world supposed to believe we have the truth of Christ when we can't even agree with Christ Himself on what that is, let alone each other?

[Qnts2]

 

 

 

Really Beloved

 

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

 

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

 

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:2-7

 

Where Do You Fit In?

 

~

 

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

 

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

 

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

 

Love, Your Brother Joe

 

 

Amen!  Are you asking me where I fit in denominationally or in my level of faith?  I go to a pentecostal church, but I just saw a film on Luther and I was so stirred up by it - it was not the Martin Luther that was taught to me in secondary school.  I don't consider myself to be any denomination really, just another of God's many children.

 

 

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

 Because so many of God's children lack the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

But it is by water and the Spirit that we are born again, and by God's spirit we cry Abba Father, how then can we be children if we have not the Holy Spirit?  I suppose this is one of the many issues debated by 'interpretation' between the denominations... how is the world supposed to believe we have the truth of Christ when we can't even agree with Christ Himself on what that is, let alone each other?

 

 

All of God's children can "see" the kingdom. Not all of God's children will enter the kingdom.

 

One is "born of God" when the Holy Spirit gives birth to a spirit within the individual. This act of regeneration is what makes  children of men into  children of God. 

 

One is eternally saved and enters into the kingdom of God.......by the "washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit".  Again, all of God's children are "washed by regeneration"......but not all of God's children are "renewed" with the Holy Spirit and enter into the kingdom.  There are quite a few foolish and disobedient children who do not enter into the kingdom of God, here and now; and having not entered will miss the marriage supper and the millennial kingdom, the age yet to come.

 

 

There is only one way to become a child of God, and that is by re-birth, receiving the Spirit of adoption. So. A person who has not the Spirit is not a child of God.

 

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

[Qnts2]

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

 

I have attended for a time, many churches of differing denominations. It was interesting, but more interesting was that each one seemed to have one doctrine which was emphasized a little more then others. Often this doctrine is the one which caused this denomination to form. Let's just call this doctrine the 'distinction' for that group.

 

When we look at this distinctive doctrines, for Baptists, it is believers water baptism. Believers rather then infant baptism I believe is scriptural and this is a distinctive doctrine for Baptists as it is one of the primary reasons they separated from other groups. If you agree with that doctrine as I do, then you will see the Baptists as correcting an error. 

 

I have attended the Nazarene church for a time and found that they are a holiness church. Included in the emphasis on holiness, they have a doctrine they call entire sanctification. This is when a person is entirely separated from the world and to God in their thoughts and actions. Of course, if there are any Nazarenes here, they will explain this much much better then I can. But, who can argue that holiness and sanctification are important. Likely, they split off with this emphasis because other groups were failing to emphasize holiness.

 

Christian Missionary Alliance churchs started with a diverse group of people from varying denominations would meet to pray and support missions. They felt that for missions, Christians should be able to unite for this common purpose. I agree. Eventually, their prayer meetings turned into a denomination, and they are very missions based. Moreso then most other churches. 

 

I could go on, but what I have found is that many denominations have a distinctive. Their distinctive is usually biblical and they formed out of a real need to bring this distinctive to the forefront.

 

Most denominations are 'corrective' or maybe even a group of people called to emphasize a truth of God.  As a whole, putting all of us together, we probably get a much fuller and more balanced body as each does it's part. Sadly, sometimes denominations or churches base their definition of success on the number of people who attend and/or are members. In that situation, the various groups are in competition rather then complementing each other.    

[Hawkins]

In reality there are 60 billion unique human minds. It's impossible to get them "united" in any way. God allows diversity but not without a bottom line. He allows denominations but to the extent that salvation is not affected. As a result, the basic doctrine of a church is govern by the Apostle's Creed or something to that effect. Beyond that a denomination will become a heresy or a false doctrine.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Hawkins

[Alleluia707]

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

 

Hi Zion. I hope my answer can be of some help. Concerning why there are so many Christian denominations, I try to refer folks to:

 

1 Corinthians 1:10-31

10)  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11)  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12)  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13)  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14)  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15)  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16)  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17)  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19)  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20)  Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21)  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22)  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25)  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26)  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

And:

 

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

1)  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2)  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3)  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4)  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5)  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6)  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8)  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10)  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11)  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12)  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13)  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14)  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16)  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17)  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

18)  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19)  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20)  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21)  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22)  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23)  And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

 

I love this: And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. Well, I hope that's helpful.

[*Zion*]

In reality there are 60 billion unique human minds. It's impossible to get them "united" in any way. God allows diversity but not without a bottom line. He allows denominations but to the extent that salvation is not affected. As a result, the basic doctrine of a church is govern by the Apostle's Creed or something to that effect. Beyond that a denomination will become a heresy or a false doctrine.

 

Well seeing as with God nothing is impossible I feel that this cannot be the answer. 

 

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

Matthew 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

1 Peter 2:5

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

 

What do you think about the above verses?

[*Zion*]

 

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

 

Hi Zion. I hope my answer can be of some help. Concerning why there are so many Christian denominations, I try to refer folks to:

 

1 Corinthians 1:10-31

10)  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11)  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12)  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13)  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14)  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15)  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16)  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17)  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19)  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20)  Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21)  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22)  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23)  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24)  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25)  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26)  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

And:

 

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

1)  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2)  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3)  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4)  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5)  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6)  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

8)  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10)  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11)  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12)  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13)  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14)  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16)  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17)  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

18)  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19)  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20)  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21)  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22)  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23)  And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

 

I love this: And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. Well, I hope that's helpful.

 

 

I totally agree, but are you saying we are divided solely because of immaturity or is that just one aspect of the problem?  Are there many things or is there one root to it all?

[clark thompson]

Genuine question - I do not want to start an argument, or even debate for its sole sake, but to truly understand:

 

Why are there so many denominations in the Christian faith, when in our faith we should be unified in Christ and not in the teachings/traditions of men, where one group believe they hold more/all truth compared to all the others - knowing that our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Word are the centre that holds us together? 

 

I truly hope I don't open a can of worms here, and if I don't receive any replies I'll understand.  I just really want to know.

Some of it is due to differences in teachings but most of it is because people do not work things out.