Denominations.. what's the point?

[Khristeeanos]

I am part of a non-denominational church.

We are totally independant from all other churches, so we are REALLY non-denominational.

Not like the current movement where some large denominations are removing their denominational names from new churches that they plant.

There are more than a few SBC churches in my area (Atlanta) that don't claim to be Southern Baptist, but if you go to them and ask, they are SBC.

The two biggest problems I have with denominations (not the SBC only) is that:

1. They have to send a bunch of money each week to the denominational headquarters

2. They are exclusive of most/all of the other denominations.

They tend to have a superiority complex in their beliefs - thinking that they are better because they only are the correct church.

[Smalcald]

But a non-denominational church is just a denomination of one right? It is even more splintered than a large denomination. At least denominations have fellowship with millions of other people who follow Christ in the same way. It seems that being totally alone is really separating from others not joining with them.

I think denominations are a necessary evil, they are not part of God's plan for unity. But then again, the Catholics say we Protestants had the chance for a non-Denominational Church, who was the "Church" before the reformation and we started this whole splintering.

So I think Satan is at work here, but I don't see any other way, you can call yourself a non-denominational church all you want, but unless you are really joined with others in total unity you are really just another denomination.

I think we should look for common ground in salvation issues, and come together as Christians, but we should hold to what we believe the bible says is the truth. I think we can do this with different denominations.

[kittylover0991]

Denominational headquaters? what are you talking about? *has a feeling that that doesn't count for independant churches... does it?*

TECHNICALLY.. isn't "non denominational" practically become a denomination?

Neccessary evil.. so the same as war almost?

Being seperated is wrong...but people interpret the bible SO many differnt ways as said before.. baptism is infants or after salvation... once saved always saved.. women preachers... speaking in tonuges....

As a baptist.. i dont believe in baptising babies.. or losing salvation, that women shoudl be preachers(teachers is fine).. and i dont believe that speaking in tongues is ok.. but with this denominations.. it keeps peace within the local church.. oh yes, i belive in the local church too... there shouldn' be divisions in the local church as with the church of Corinth...

A part of me is against this denominations because they seperate Christians and give people a reason to say that Christians dont' agree on GOd's word.. but i love being baptist and i would never go to anther denomination...

[Gerioke]

Denominations wouldn't be so bad if they were Christians first and whatever domination somewhere below family and country. Specific denominations are stronger in certain doctrines than others. Some are geared toward missionary work. Some are geared toward worship and so on. If everybody dropped the label and dropped the prideful "I'm right and your wrong" attitude.

The denominations that are rewriting scriptures are scary. In that case it's good to be a seperate denomination.

[kittylover0991]

I completely agree... I am a Christian first.. I am a Baptist second.. however, i must say, to me they go hand in hand.. i hate to say it.. as a Baptist.. i believe certain things about salvation that other denominations don't(fundamental,independant baptist.. not southern).. I won't go to another church with a different denominations becasue i see the difference ...

At the church I go to, we believe that the bible says wholly and strickly, not relaxed or anything.. in other words.. what it says goes..

[Gerioke]

That's great. But the thing is most of those other denominations believe in the fundamentals. Believe , repent and be thankful. Putting yourself above them is prideful. I have Christian friends from many denominations and all of them are gifted. Any body who can sit for 2 or 3 hours and talk about the Lord and what He's doing and be happy about it is worthy of respect whether they are baptist, pentacostal or even Catholic. God is all powerful. He can bring anybody He want's into the kingdom.

[Pilgrim7]

The Spirit of Holiness is to unify the church by leading believers into all the truth and holiness without which no man will see the Lord. If there is division it is because the Spirit is not being allowed to do His job. Could it be because most believers want a lifeless form of intellectual knowledge without the accompanying holiness. To reject holiness is to reject the Spirit of Holiness.

The problem with denominations is that they all stopped somewhere in their journey to holiness and ceased being led into all the truth. Just look for any teaching on Sanctification, the main purpose of the Church for beleivers. Some proceeded further than others before stopping the journey. Yet God will still lead 'the few who find it' into all truth and holiness. He will have His pure people who follow not man but the Spirit of the Living God. The denominations are just way stations where people get off the 'Narrow way'. There is a movement of 'home churches' which are determined to follow the Spirit of God and not man.

JOHN 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when yeshall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for

salvation is of the Jews.

4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall

worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in

spirit and in truth.

JOHN 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

JHON 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you

into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it

unto you.

Man's solution is to unify at the expense of truth and holiness, thus blunting the work of the Spirit of God. This will lead to the one world Church, Mystery Babylon, the mother of harlots.

In the unity of the Spirit and all truth,

Dennis

[Ovedya]

I never thought evil was necessary. Especially where the church is concerned.

[Iryssa]

In some ways, I agree with everyone...but there are some key things we need to consider:

Does anyone remember what happened last time there was a single major church governing believers? It was, in many times and places, very corrupt, wasn't it? They had great power, it corrupted, and it was greatly abused (Keep in mind, I'm not saying anything about that church today...literally, not one way or the other. We can save that for another discussion).

Now, consider how we could possibly get rid of all those denominations now. Pretty slim chance that's gonna happen before Christ comes again.

Finally, I will say this (and I realize I might get put through the meat-grinder for it...so be it): we do not need to change the fact that there are different denominations. Hear me out. What DOES need to change is our ATTITUDES. We don't need to be divided over silly little things, like whether to use liturgies or not to. What matters is that we all believe in the real God, and in His real gift of salvation. One denomination is not better than another; they ALL have their flaws! If we got rid of all denominational titles and all, we would STILL have division. Division will not die until the "we're better than you guys" attitude does.

[nebula]

I was thinking along the same lines, Iryssa.

Great post!