Denominational Division

[50_Cent's_dog]

Hey ya'll, this is something that my pastor put on the back of our bulletin for today and I thought it was interesting. I don

[RGR]

I am reminded of the story that the Reverend Grady Nutt told one time on Hee-Haw (he was a Baptist minister, btw!) I don't tell it exactly as he told it, but the punch line is still the exact same, lol!

This man died and went to Heaven. When he got there, St. Peter met him at the gate and started to give him the tour. He noticed that there was all of these different rooms sectioned off and he began to get curious. So, he asked Peter about them and Peter replied, well, each denomination has it's own room. They went to this one room where they were jumping, shouting, clapping and speaking in tongues; St. Peter told him that was the Pentecostals/Charismatics. In another room, they are sitting around all stoically singing hymns; those were the Presbyterians. Another room had them sitting around sipping tea; those were the Methodists. As they approached another room, Peter looked at the man and told him to be quiet. When he asked why, Peter replied, "Shhh....... These are the Baptists and they think they're the only ones here!"

[Jadzia44]

I think I am a good example of going beyond denominational lines. As I have said in a few other posts, I have close friends of many different denominations. We share things, we do things together. My Catholic friend comes to my church's Easter Drama every year. I have helped out with his Christmas programs ( some years I have even sang and directed some of the program) My parents, who are Baptist have come to activities at my church. They even came to church with me on Christmas Day since they were in town. I have gone to things at their church. Could I attend their churches on a regular basis? Not really. While I can share and discuss with them (with no arguments mind you), I attend my church because I believe in the doctorine of my church. I do not believe that those that believe different are going to hell or anything. That is for God to decide anyhow, not me. I also know that some of my beliefs are not doctorinal but personal convictions.

I do have a couple of questions for those that are constantly going on about the wrongs of denominatinal lines (not just here but other threads)which of my doctorinal beliefs will you have me give up? What beliefs of yours are you going to compromise on in order to deminish these denominational lines? I think we can and should share across denominations but if you want those lines to vanish someone has to be willing to compromise their own beliefs. I am not so flippant about my beliefs that I could just let them go by the wayside. Even in this thread this an on going discussion of Baptist vs. Pentecostal. Who is right?

As I see it a lot of the problem IS NOT different denominations. It is having close minded people and stereotypes. I don't know how many times when I have said I was Pentecostal that someone made reference to people "hanging from the chandeliers". Which for the record I have never seen anyone to. Although, I would like to just once so I could go to my Baptist friend and say "oh so thats what you were talking about". While I am firm in my beliefs, I am open minded enough to share and get along with others. I agree not all Pentecostals are but I can only answer for myself. We have to be able to see beyond stereotypes and see the people and that starts with the individual.

I only have one more thing to say. I unfortnately do not know how to put in quotes, but someone earlier was talking about how their Baptist church would not support a non Baptist efford. That really bothers me. I know my church has several community minded ministries. We actively support Star of Hope. Which is a Christian support for homeless. They are not a Pentecostal organization but we have a team that goes in to offer help, clothes,prayer, what ever is needed. We have several ladies that will go on Sunday morning that live at Star of Hope and bring them to church ( these ladies have asked to come to church), then take them for lunch before they have to go back. Proof you can reach across denominational lines without compromising your beliefs.

[RGR]

I really like the way that we handle things locally; I am, of course, a member of the Pentecostal Church of God. However the community as a whole (church-wise) has what is called the "Ministerial Alliance" in which any Christian church locally is invited to be a part of. I think the only non-participating churches are the Church of Christ, the Catholic church, and the Oneness Church pretty much (I think one independent Pentecostal church has opted out as well). For starters the Alliance helps those who are in need financially with food, clothing, etc. On holidays, they take it one step further; Christmas, Easter, July 4th, and Thanksgiving finds all of the churches dismissing and having one large "community" service at one of the member churches and different churches participating in the service.

[Jadzia44]

Can I ask how is this edifing to the BODY (singular) OF CHRIST? Denominations are divisive and nothing else. The members of the Body are the Born of God Saints, not the born of man denominations. How can we call ourselves by any other name besides that of our Bridegroom? WE BEAR CHRISTS NAME!!! Was a baptist ,charismatic, methodist, pentacostal crucified for you!?!?!! Christ is our Life, not these denominations which seperate the Body of Christ into heresies. WE BELONG TO HIM AND HIM ALONE. I pray that we discuss those things that benifit the Body. That we ALL MAY BE EDIFIED. Denominational dicussion is not edifing to the Body because it breaks the Body of Christ into sections.

Please saints let us drop these "denominational tags" for we belong to the LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!

People like you really terrify me. Yes, I agree we are all the body of Christ but what you are calling for is a one world religion. You do not promote acceptance, tolerance, indiviuality or unity. What you are promoting is comformaty, no individual beliefs or thoughts. Yes we should all work as one but you are asking me to compromise my beliefs. I say that because I doubt you would be willing to compromise your beliefs so that we can drop these "denominational tags" as you say. I am first a Christian but I am a Pentecostal. I am not ashamed to say it. Denominations are not bad. It is the closed minded people that are a part of them. It all sounds good on the surface to say things like we need to drop the denominational lines and be one body of Christ but what doctorine is this "one" body going to follow? Yours? Mine? And what if I disagree with you? IS that allowed? Or what I be excommunicated? At this rate Satan won't have to worry about ushering in the one world religion... The CHRISTIANS will do it for him. With you around no one can even ask what church someone belongs to because you would see it as "divisive". You are not asking for everyone to get along you are asking people to have no thought, no idea of their own and just be"one", all in aggreement, all the same. That kind of reminds me of only one thing.....Nazi

I do not say these things lightly, I have been up all night thinking about this. I am not trying to be mean but I think Christians should get along ACROSS denominational lines and ACCEPT each other but without being ashamed of who they are and what they belief. Yes we are the Body of Christ but the body has different parts. The foot is not the arm and the arm is not the head. What you are asking is that we all become one part with no differences. I will not conform.

[kittylover0991]

Can I ask how is this edifing to the BODY (singular) OF CHRIST? Denominations are divisive and nothing else. The members of the Body are the Born of God Saints, not the born of man denominations. How can we call ourselves by any other name besides that of our Bridegroom? WE BEAR CHRISTS NAME!!! Was a baptist ,charismatic, methodist, pentacostal crucified for you!?!?!! Christ is our Life, not these denominations which seperate the Body of Christ into heresies. WE BELONG TO HIM AND HIM ALONE. I pray that we discuss those things that benifit the Body. That we ALL MAY BE EDIFIED. Denominational dicussion is not edifing to the Body because it breaks the Body of Christ into sections.

Please saints let us drop these "denominational tags" for we belong to the LORD JESUS CHRIST!!!

People like you really terrify me. Yes, I agree we are all the body of Christ but what you are calling for is a one world religion. You do not promote acceptance, tolerance, indiviuality or unity. What you are promoting is comformaty, no individual beliefs or thoughts. Yes we should all work as one but you are asking me to compromise my beliefs. I say that because I doubt you would be willing to compromise your beliefs so that we can drop these "denominational tags" as you say. I am first a Christian but I am a Pentecostal. I am not ashamed to say it. Denominations are not bad. It is the closed minded people that are a part of them. It all sounds good on the surface to say things like we need to drop the denominational lines and be one body of Christ but what doctorine is this "one" body going to follow? Yours? Mine? And what if I disagree with you? IS that allowed? Or what I be excommunicated? At this rate Satan won't have to worry about ushering in the one world religion... The CHRISTIANS will do it for him. With you around no one can even ask what church someone belongs to because you would see it as "divisive". You are not asking for everyone to get along you are asking people to have no thought, no idea of their own and just be"one", all in aggreement, all the same. That kind of reminds me of only one thing.....Nazi

I do not say these things lightly, I have been up all night thinking about this. I am not trying to be mean but I think Christians should get along ACROSS denominational lines and ACCEPT each other but without being ashamed of who they are and what they belief. Yes we are the Body of Christ but the body has different parts. The foot is not the arm and the arm is not the head. What you are asking is that we all become one part with no differences. I will not conform.

Amen Jadzia We should get along across denominational lines, but not give up our convictions of how the bible says we should act. I completely agree with you accept for one thing, and that is the universal church. I believe in the biblical local church which comes from the Greek term ekklesia, meaning "a called assembly". The "church" is a called assebly of born again, baptised believers, and not a group of churches... right? I mean, isn't that how they did it in the bible: Church of Corinth, Church at Galatia, Philipi, and the seven churches in the revelations? This is something that still dumbfounds me when people say that all these different churches are a church. Honestly, that makes no sense to me.

Ok, question for all those lovely Baptists out there(the group singled out for this so far) and all others who do not believe that healing is biblical in present day time(same with tongues). I was wondering if someone could show me where in the bible it says that healings of that sort have ceased as I know tongues have(1 Cor 13). Yes, I am Baptist, and I have heard my pastor talk about how healings of that sort are done with and I completely agree, however, I was wondering if someone could possibly show me a verse for this. I would greatly appreciate it.

Once again, Jadzia, thankyou so much for your post. I hate these denominational lines as it divides people, however, it isn't something that can we can do away with anymore. My church is independant, fundamental, seperated, pre-milliniel, missions-mined, King James Bible(only) believing church that stands with the Lord Jesus Christ in opposition to worldliness, evangelicalism, and the charismatic movement... tehe... we have that on our buliten. I know my church believes in salvation through faith and others believe that one gets to heaven through works, topics such as baptism, communion, tonuges, healings, music and bible version is a big one... combinations of beliefs based on the Word of God and beliefs based on man's interpretation is what causes these denominational barriers to be neccessary. In order for my church to join with one that is say Methodist, Lutheran, Pentacostal, Church of Brethern(what is that one anyways?), Catholic, etc, both churches would have to compromise what they believe or suffer a church split.

The problem with the church of Corinth is that they had divisions among them, and if we were to join churches with varying beliefs, there would be divisions. Which is better? Denominations where one stands firm, or church folding because of a split?

[apothanein kerdos]

We should never sacrifise doctrine for unity though. I have no probem with unity SO LONG AS the doctrine is correct. Remember, unity, from a Biblical perspective, refers to doctrine as well.

[alanraj]

NEAT!

This is what my church and i believe!

We believe that there is one true universal Church, made up of genuine believers, but this one universal Church is also composed of many local Churches in given localities. These Churches are under the sovereign headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, exercising autonomous government under Him, administering all its local affairs and ministry, as well as the propagation of the gospel.

(Acts 15:22; Matthew 16:18; 18:15-20)

[kittylover0991]

NEAT!

This is what my church and i believe!

We believe that there is one true universal Church, made up of genuine believers, but this one universal Church is also composed of many local Churches in given localities. These Churches are under the sovereign headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, exercising autonomous government under Him, administering all its local affairs and ministry, as well as the propagation of the gospel.

(Acts 15:22; Matthew 16:18; 18:15-20)

Amen

and as you stated in locals..meaning places. To bad we dont practice this. This is not denominations but places. All that should seperate the Body of Christ is miles

What are just places? local churches? What is not denominations?

[Pax]

NEAT!

This is what my church and i believe!

We believe that there is one true universal Church, made up of genuine believers, but this one universal Church is also composed of many local Churches in given localities. These Churches are under the sovereign headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, exercising autonomous government under Him, administering all its local affairs and ministry, as well as the propagation of the gospel.

(Acts 15:22; Matthew 16:18; 18:15-20)

Amen

and as you stated in locals..meaning places. To bad we dont practice this. This is not denominations but places. All that should seperate the Body of Christ is miles

What are just places? local churches? What is not denominations?

Places like a city. Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia these were places. This is where the church (or assembly), was. The church is not baptist, protestant, catholic, methodist ect. The Church is the assembling of the saints UNDER THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST in any LOCATION.

Did that make more sense??

So how do you define "Saints" under the headship of Christ???? What is the truth???? All the specific denominations listed above have similarities, but they also have major differences.