Denominations

[Mama Etna]

I came here from another site because it became too tolerant of Mormonism and JW's theology.  They had them posting in the Christian sections.

[Michael37]

3 hours ago, Mama Etna said:

I cannot see the Pavillion either. - is it that I am not supposed to?

My theology is very traditional and conformist.  I am  trinitarian.  Is that why I can't see the Pavillion?

Yes, as OneLight has replied, it is hidden from all except the ministry team and those restricted to it. I "accidently" mentioned it whilst guiding a new user to modify their content, as I have been guided myself in the past. 

Here is George's reasoning on the matter from December 2018:

Quote

 

Shalom everyone,

I created a new group called Worthy Ministers.  This group of people will be actively sharing and countering any objections to the gospel in the outer Court. I'm going to close off the Outer Court from view from all users except for Seekers, Non-Believers and to those are actually on the ministry team.  My goal is to keep the ministry vision of reaching, while at the same time protecting the flock from all sorts of crazy doctrines.

God bless,

George

 

 

[Mama Etna]

Thank you for doing that.  I don't have to wade through a pool of nonsense.

[Starise]

The title of the OT is denominations. Further statements indicate discussion on cults instead.

A Christian cult is only loosely based on Christian teaching. A trait common to all bible based cults is a cult leader who claimed to have a vision that adds to or takes things away from the bible or might skew the true intention of a text. When a cult has their own version of the Bible we must be wary. The Bible was never intended for only one group of people.Another flag is more focus on training materials than on the Bible and use of various other techniques that will attempt to steer a person's thinking. Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons all fall into this category. There are others. 

While many cults use legalism, so do some denominations. Many may think it's only the cults, however some denominations will 'qualify' a member based on a legalistic teaching.

DENOMINATIONS on the other hand, have solid christian teaching at their core. Solid Christian teaching being those things mentioned in the TOS of Worthy.

There are dozens of different denominations in my area. Just to name a few.

Quakers- They are against taking up arms and have a loose form of church government among other things. Viewed here as a fringe denomination

Methodist- Hold to core Bible doctrine, but arguably have minor doctrines  in question.Started by John Wesley and patterned after his views. The Methodists have recently been involved in denominational splits making for sub groups of Methodists mainly brought about by liberal (apostate) infiltration into leadership.

Episcopal- Very close to Catholic. The core doctrines seem to be present here. They have been invaded by apostate teachers at the leadership level. Services are very structured with pre cut sermons and responses. Often seen as a more liberal denomination.

Baptist- They believe in core Christian doctrine and stress believer's baptism. Infants do not qualify. Methodist and Episcopal allow this. Baptists believe in baptism by immersion. Not as a condition of salvation but as a condition of obedience. There are recent changes in leadership of large Baptist denominations like the SBC that threaten to change the direction of the church. 

Mennonites-Sometimes called anabaptists. Core doctrine is present. In my experience these churches teach salvation but also teach you can be 'unsaved'. Most Mennonite churches attach an unhealthy significance to the way they look, in what they wear to indicate spirituality of the individual. Sadly liberalism has invaded some sectors of that denomination.

Amish-This is a tightly structured and controlled group. Leaving their teaching will get a person shunned. While they teach a core bible doctrine, they also require strict dress codes and behavior enforced by local bishops.Legalism abounds. Might be more closely associated to a sect, not a denomination.

Presbyterian- They have a solid Christian core, but practice infant baptism and hold to a strongly reformist theology. The Presbyterians have not gone untouched in the war to liberalize protestant churches. There have been spits within the denomination because of this. It seems the LBTQ movement want to command all churches by placing these people behind pulpits.

Church Of God, Assembly of God- I lump these two together because they are similar. They teach core Christian doctrine. Emphasis is often placed on spiritual gifts and experience. 

Charismatics- Similar to the AOG, they emphasize spiritual gifts to the extreme but maintain core Christian teaching.

Catholic- This one is highly controversial although I believe there are saved persons in the Catholic church. I see the catholic church as 10% truth mixed in with all sorts of wild additions that are unbiblical. There is a pretty high chance the Catholic church is the great whore of Revelation. Much of scripture points to it. Technically the RCC does not maintain core Christian teaching because they add so much to salvation.

I'm sure I left several out here. As you can see there are  iffy things about many denominations today considered to be mainline denominations. What we once called a denomination is changing shape into something else in many cases. 

Another thing a person might notice about some denominations is there are "Independent" Methodists and "Independent" Baptist church or those who broke away from the mother organizations due to some of the issues mentioned. You will also find the liberal apostate version of those denominations.

Doesn't matter if your entire church is against something. If you continue to send your money to a mother organization that allows these things, you are indirectly supporting them.

 

Edited March 30, 2022 by Starise

[Michael37]

4 hours ago, Starise said:

The title of the OT is denominations. Further statements indicate discussion on cults instead.

A Christian cult is only loosely based on Christian teaching. A trait common to all bible based cults is a cult leader who claimed to have a vision that adds to or takes things away from the bible or might skew the true intention of a text. When a cult has their own version of the Bible we must be wary. The Bible was never intended for only one group of people.Another flag is more focus on training materials than on the Bible and use of various other techniques that will attempt to steer a person's thinking. Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons all fall into this category. There are others. 

While many cults use legalism, so do some denominations. Many may think it's only the cults, however some denominations will 'qualify' a member based on a legalistic teaching.

DENOMINATIONS on the other hand, have solid christian teaching at their core. Solid Christian teaching being those things mentioned in the TOS of Worthy.

There are dozens of different denominations in my area. Just to name a few.

Quakers- They are against taking up arms and have a loose form of church government among other things. Viewed here as a fringe denomination

Methodist- Hold to core Bible doctrine, but arguably have minor doctrines  in question.Started by John Wesley and patterned after his views. The Methodists have recently been involved in denominational splits making for sub groups of Methodists mainly brought about by liberal (apostate) infiltration into leadership.

Episcopal- Very close to Catholic. The core doctrines seem to be present here. They have been invaded by apostate teachers at the leadership level. Services are very structured with pre cut sermons and responses. Often seen as a more liberal denomination.

Baptist- They believe in core Christian doctrine and stress believer's baptism. Infants do not qualify. Methodist and Episcopal allow this. Baptists believe in baptism by immersion. Not as a condition of salvation but as a condition of obedience. There are recent changes in leadership of large Baptist denominations like the SBC that threaten to change the direction of the church. 

Mennonites-Sometimes called anabaptists. Core doctrine is present. In my experience these churches teach salvation but also teach you can be 'unsaved'. Most Mennonite churches attach an unhealthy significance to the way they look, in what they wear to indicate spirituality of the individual. Sadly liberalism has invaded some sectors of that denomination.

Amish-This is a tightly structured and controlled group. Leaving their teaching will get a person shunned. While they teach a core bible doctrine, they also require strict dress codes and behavior enforced by local bishops.Legalism abounds. Might be more closely associated to a sect, not a denomination.

Presbyterian- They have a solid Christian core, but practice infant baptism and hold to a strongly reformist theology. The Presbyterians have not gone untouched in the war to liberalize protestant churches. There have been spits within the denomination because of this. It seems the LBTQ movement want to command all churches by placing these people behind pulpits.

Church Of God, Assembly of God- I lump these two together because they are similar. They teach core Christian doctrine. Emphasis is often placed on spiritual gifts and experience. 

Charismatics- Similar to the AOG, they emphasize spiritual gifts to the extreme but maintain core Christian teaching.

Catholic- This one is highly controversial although I believe there are saved persons in the Catholic church. I see the catholic church as 10% truth mixed in with all sorts of wild additions that are unbiblical. There is a pretty high chance the Catholic church is the great whore of Revelation. Much of scripture points to it. Technically the RCC does not maintain core Christian teaching because they add so much to salvation.

I'm sure I left several out here. As you can see there are  iffy things about many denominations today considered to be mainline denominations. What we once called a denomination is changing shape into something else in many cases. 

Another thing a person might notice about some denominations is there are "Independent" Methodists and "Independent" Baptist church or those who broke away from the mother organizations due to some of the issues mentioned. You will also find the liberal apostate version of those denominations.

Doesn't matter if your entire church is against something. If you continue to send your money to a mother organization that allows these things, you are indirectly supporting them.

Hi Starise, 

It's highly likely you are aware of the so-called Ecumenical Movement which attempts to bring all things pertaining to Christianity into agreement. Some say that dialogue is essential, and others such as the Interfaith Movement extend their outreach to include "all faiths", but surely the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be foremost in our endeavours. 

Mutally comforting faith as referenced in Romans 1:11-12, is something Paul longed for, and indeed it is good to be among likeminded followers of Christ whose aim is to cultivate spiritual gifts.

Rom 1:11-12  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;  (12)  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.