A question of faith

[*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?

 

 

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.

 

Are there actually denominations out there that teach that being born again is not the way to go, or just don't acknowledge it?

[Littlelambseativy]

Even during the apostles' time some followed one apostle over another. It was most likely the interpretation of what was taught. Not everyone who views the same thing sees it the same way. Our unique experiences lead us to view things differently in addition to what we learned at our parents' knee. It's never the big things in the Bible that divide  it is the small that become big issues in forming denominations. Not even the apostles disciples agreed and followed one's teachings over another.

[MorningGlory]

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.

 

60 BILLION?  There are only 7.5 billion people on earth today.  Or do you mean since Creation?

[Widor1]

Even during the apostles' time some followed one apostle over another. It was most likely the interpretation of what was taught. Not everyone who views the same thing sees it the same way. Our unique experiences lead us to view things differently in addition to what we learned at our parents' knee. It's never the big things in the Bible that divide  it is the small that become big issues in forming denominations. Not even the apostles disciples agreed and followed one's teachings over another.

 

Thank you for this answer. In my own experience I have found that these churches that focus on the small issues tend to focus less on the gospel, and less on Christ. There is truly only One Church, and I am so thankful that I am a part of it!

[enoob57]

 

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.

 

60 BILLION?  There are only 7.5 billion people on earth today.  Or do you mean since Creation?

 

I would like that verified as well please

[Littlelambseativy]

 

Even during the apostles' time some followed one apostle over another. It was most likely the interpretation of what was taught. Not everyone who views the same thing sees it the same way. Our unique experiences lead us to view things differently in addition to what we learned at our parents' knee. It's never the big things in the Bible that divide  it is the small that become big issues in forming denominations. Not even the apostles disciples agreed and followed one's teachings over another.

 

Thank you for this answer. In my own experience I have found that these churches that focus on the small issues tend to focus less on the gospel, and less on Christ. There is truly only One Church, and I am so thankful that I am a part of it!

 

Yet all denominations have focused on one small thing. It is never the Bible, the blood that cleanses our sin, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross or the sovereignty of Jesus and the omnipotence of God and the forgiveness of our sin it is the format of the service, or the ritual of baptism or some other thing. Each disciple interpreted the words of Jesus according to his own experience. Non of us looks at a flower the same way nor does each of us look at our family the same way we interpret things and form our ideas of government or church from our own experience. It is never the small things that make each denomination different it is the small that have shaped our lives and thinking as it was with the apostles. Similarly 3 people looking at an accident view events differently.

[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.

 

Are there actually denominations out there that teach that being born again is not the way to go, or just don't acknowledge it?

 

 

I don't know of any denomination which does not teach a form of being born again. I do know of denominations which teach differing ways to become born again. 

 

Some teach born again requires works to be obedient prior to the re-birth. Some teach born again occurs at baptism. Others teach salvation needs faith + baptism in water + baptism of the Holy Spirit.  

 

It goes back to, what must one do to be saved. And secondarily, what is the status of a person who has been born again.

[enoob57]

 

I don't know of any denomination which does not teach a form of being born again. I do know of denominations which teach differing ways to become born again. 

 

Some teach born again requires works to be obedient prior to the re-birth. Some teach born again occurs at baptism. Others teach salvation needs faith + baptism in water + baptism of the Holy Spirit.  

 

It goes back to, what must one do to be saved. And secondarily, what is the status of a person who has been born again.

 

Actually it is very simple to see the way in this. According to God and what we (most of us) can see for ourselves

this place of living is in a bad way... It is in constant flux of degradation toward ruin!. People doing self centered

life at harm to those around us and this the result of sin... so the world is filled with it and we are all began in this

state!

John 3:7-8

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the

sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and

whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

KJV

As the state of being of no wrong cannot be formed out of that which is wrong... so a new being from another place

must be formed within the wrong being and protected so that the two cannot ever mix again. So one can with simple

eyes see the need to call out unto That which is not from here to receive That which also is not from here to escape that

which is here. Ye Must Be Born of God and it must be by gift for wrong has nothing that Right wants.... Love, Steven

[sourberry]

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.

 

You do not open a can of worms, as I think.

 

There is always a spiritual and non spiritual way to look at the situation. And I think you deal with the situation in Spirit.

[*Zion*]

Interesting point: on Sunday, I heard the testimony of an ex-muslim standing up for Christ in public, at Speaker's Corner.  This is a platform that muslims have used many times to preach hatred and lies and indoctrination, but because it's Speaker's Corner, of cousre they are allowed to do so.  Now this man is humble, but he was just preaching similarly as Christ preached in the streets of Nazareth, Judea, all Israel.  And all the muslims listening to him were very much united together: in that they wanted to kill him!  Of course, they didn't.  But he said his fellow christians were very much divided amongst themselves: "No, he's being to much, he shouldn't speak, better to let them have their way..." Some agreed, some didn't, and the only thing they had in common were the fact that they were afraid.

 

I believe the enemy wants to and does bring such division to the church because he knows what we can and will do if and when we unite together and come against him:

 

James 4:7

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

 

Could you even imagine what it would be like if there was no division among us and only truth among us?  Would we not in fact change the world?  I believe that God has allowed this for this time, just like he did with Gideon when chose only 300 men to go with him out of the 30,000. 

 

Romans 8:19

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

 

Thoughts?