Denominations.. what's the point?

[nebula]

Let me guess . . . SDA? or some lesser known group founded by some leader who was given "revelation" from God?

Hoo-boy!

[Khristeeanos]

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. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We aren't seperated from other churches or denominations. In fact, we are starting a "missions alliance" with denominationally oriented churches.

We are seeking to go beyond our own doors and join (unify) with other churches who have slightly different beliefs to work towards a greater cause.

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...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

By denominational headquarters (sorry to pick on them), the Southern Baptist has a huge office (probably more than one) that they send a certain amount of their offerings to each week.

It is to pay the salaries of people who work there and for other things like missions work and putting together videos of varios subjects and to prepare SS book lessons and so on and so forth.

Just go and ask any denominationally oriented church clergy, say a Baptist pastor or something.

I know about this because I spent a lot of time in a Southern Baptist church (more than one actually ).

[Smalcald]

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.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with this.

Most of us would not change our denominations and most of us believe that our denominations preach and teach only the bible and do this in the "correct" way, yet we come to some different conclusions on some issues, thus are divided.

The problem comes when we believe that somehow our club is better than the other Christian clubs when it comes to salvation.

I do think that the fact that we are divided is indeed the work of Satan, however we fight this by recognizing that we all have more in common than we have in our differences. The reason I said necessary evil is that once we left the Catholic Church, well there was bound to be division, but that division is worth the cost as it opens the Gospel, the open bible is worth the cost in disunity it brings.

[Gerioke]

Luke 9: 50 And Jesus said to him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Mark 9

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

Could this be relevant to denominational differences?

Again, if you drop the label then we all become Christians and bretheren.

[Remnantrob]

Let me guess . . . SDA? or some lesser known group founded by some leader who was given "revelation" from God?

Hoo-boy!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There she goes again jtartar already called me blind for accepting the sabbath and he says there's no trinity so that nullifies him for being an SDA.

[nebula]

LOL!

Well, Roman Catholics and SDA are the only ones I know of that have this "only" mentality.

I could tell this guy wasn't Roman Catholic, but didn't know about SDA.'

So, I guess that leaves the unknown or lesser known "we are the true remnant" group.

[eric]

Let me guess . . . SDA? or some lesser known group founded by some leader who was given "revelation" from God?

Hoo-boy!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have often why God didn't give Ellen White, Taze Russell, Joseph Smith, David Koresh, Jim Jones and Mohommed to name a few, the same revelation. I, personally, like the revelstion of Jesus which God gave Him and passed it on the an angel to give to His slave, John. Rev.1:1. All the others are frauds, IMHO.

eric (with a little e)

[Guest anotherchristiangirl]

I keep hearing about all these differnt denominations and how they are so differnt. THen people say that we should have unity and not be seperated by these denominations because there is barely any difference.

What is the point of having these different denominations and what is so bad about having them?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Humble and Honest opinion on this is that.. the only point of denominations is to divide the body of Christ.

Its a scheme cleverly thought up by satan to divide us.. and he succeded...