Denominations?

[veteran]

The word denomination means division, separateness. How many brethren in Christ know there aren't supposed to be divisions within the Body of Christ? Apostle Paul said we are all to speak the "same thing", that we are to be joined together with the same mind and in the same judgment. Yet the divisions started even in his days...


1 Cor 1:10-31
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Uh, oh. Contentions mean strife, wranglings, quarrels. That's what was going on among the brethren at Corinth.

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Apostle Paul lays on the rebuke pretty thick. He was right to do so, in order to wake them up to God's Truth. Sometimes a bit tough love is needed among Christ's brethren. Paul certainly didn't want their pumping him up to be something he was not.

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

Paul said he was glad he only baptized the few that he did, otherwise they would have treated him as more than what Christ called him for. Some folks have a hard time with religious superstitions, creating religion out of religion, i.e., denominations (divisions).

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Is an intellectual understanding of Christ crucified required to grasp what our Lord Jesus did for us upon His cross? No, for that will often get in the way of understanding what He did for us. That's why a simple preaching of Christ crucified is foolishness to those who think themselves wise, and who are prudent (conceited by their intellectualism). Paul was quoting from Isaiah 29 about that prophecy of the wisdom of the wise and prudent. Paul himself was trained under the best Hebrew scholar of his day, but it took our Lord Jesus to turn it around to good use, and show Paul God's Word in simplicity.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

How can the wisdom of this world compare with God's wisdom in His Word? It can't. The one is about mere intellectualism and philosophizing and conceit from it, while the other is about real Power. That's why the world thinks us fools to believe Christ crucified, The Gospel. It's so simple they can't believe it.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

There it is. Christ crucified is not a sign the unbelieving Jews recognized, though they should have since it was written in the OT to happen, even about 1,000 years beforehand (Ps.22 through David). And for the Greek philosophers, just not enough fun intellectualism there to believe it.

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

But for those in Christ Jesus who have believed, His crucifixion and Resurrection is the Power of God, and wisdom of God. And the reason is because the foolishness and weakness of God is still way wiser and stronger than men.


26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

Look at your calling, Paul is saying to those at Corinth. Compare it to how many wise, mighty, and noble men after the flesh are not called.


27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in His presence.

The worldly wise are quick to grasp the things of this world, and to use the things of this world as their hope and faith, and that will be all for nothing, since God is going to one day end this present world, and only the things He created to remain will be standing (Heb.12; 2 Peter 3). That's when the invisible things of God which are not yet manifested by Him will bring to nought the things of this world that now are.

30 But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
(KJV)

Thus our glorying is in Christ Jesus crucified, Who is now at the right hand of The Father, expecting until the times when all things written will be fulfilled, His bringing righteousness and true reign on all the earth.

 

[aspen]

And yet, you do not like ecumenicalism.

The word denomination is the Protestant equivalent to schism. Protestant denominations are considered orthodox by other Protestant churches - churches that are not orthodox are called cults.

Roman Catholics consider Eastern Orthodox and some Coptic and possibly Anglicans to be schisms - all these churches have Holy Orders.

Here is a problem I see with your viewpoint, Veteran - you belong to a Protestant denomination - a church that belongs to the Protestant Tradition, which rejected unity just over 500 years ago. Yet, you talk about the importance of unity,

The only way you will ever find unity is if you are willing to accept difference of belief from people within the Body - somehow I just do not see that happening from you since recognition of differing beliefs is equated with a loss of rights or privileges or orthodoxy in your mind.

 

[amadeus]

Unfortunately, the culprit in the creation of divisions or denominations or schism is man. Some, called cults are set aside by the majority because they so different and supposedly far away from the Truth that they are not even Christian or followers of Christ. Such are the ways of men!

In the OT [Old Testament] there are several examples of divisions in God's people to show us how not to do things. But... man never has never been very good about learning from the mistakes of others. He, most of the time, [if even then], must learn from his own mistakes.

One very good example of division came when Solomon, the king, the son of David, messed up. He loved too many women too much, to the point that he not only allowed them to worship their own idols, but in his own old age allowed them to turn his own head away from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel to those false gods.

Because of Solomon's sins, God took the northern 10 tribes from his son Rehoboam and gave them to Jeroboam. This was not curse on Jeroboam, but a blessing from God with a promise, a promise on which Jeroboam never made good....

"And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee." I Kings 11:38

When the actual split occurred, the house of Judah, supported by Benjamin intended to war against the northern tribes, but God initially prevented it. God never divided His Spiritual kingdom. He never split His spiritual people. He did divide people naturally, but spiritually His hope was always for them to remain one in Him.

"Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD." I Kings 12:24

In spite of the gift that God had given him and the protection He had provided against Judah, Jeroboam had to put his own hands into it for the purpose of retaining what he had. He did not trust in God, but in himself.

He made two calves of gold, which he set up in Bethel and Dan for the people to worship so that they would not go to Jerusalem to sacrifice and worship God. He appointed priests of the lowest of people rather than of the Levites and the children of Aaron. Instead of accepting the gift of God, and giving God the glory, he changed the gift into a curse:

"Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;

But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:

Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone." I Kings 14:7-10

All of us who have studied and read the OT have seen the continuing and seemingly permanent split between the children of Jacob, which eventually led to wars between them. At one time the northern tribes would go so far as to tear a portion of the wall surrounding Jerusalem.

At least two of the better kings of Judah made efforts to bring the people in the north back to the God of Israel, but the results, although good, they were not completely successful.

Man, even after the birth and death and resurrection of a Savior continues too much todoay in the same beastly ways exemplified in the nations of Judah and Israel of old. Remember that both Judah (the south) and Israel (the north) moved in ways very displeasing to God. To pit Eastern Orhodox against Roman Catholic, or Catholic against Protestant, or Protestant against Protestant, etc, does not please God now any more than it did when tribes of Israel were set against each other.

The only answer then and now is in God! We cannot sort this thing out by pointing fingers at one another, or by fighitng battles with each other. All that each of us can do is to really and truly trust in God and remain on His side without trying to decide for others which side of the present church organizations, if any, is His side.

Give God all of the glory always!

 

[aspen]

You are so right about the lost tribes - and you are right about man being responsible for schisms. I tend to believe that doctrinal differences spur on Pride, which leads to division. The crazy part of this mess is that all Christ preached was love - yet we cannot get over or doctrinal differences in order to start loving - it remains me of that hippie song 'one tin soldier'

Man, even after the birth and death and resurrection of a Savior continues too much todoay in the same beastly ways exemplified in the nations of Judah and Israel of old. Remember that both Judah (the south) and Israel (the north) moved in ways very displeasing to God. To pit Eastern Orhodox against Roman Catholic, or Catholic against Protestant, or Protestant against Protestant, etc, does not please God now any more than it did when tribes of Israel were set against each other.

The only answer then and now is in God! We cannot sort this thing out by pointing fingers at one another, or by fighitng battles with each other. All that each of us can do is to really and truly trust in God and remain on His side without trying to decide for others which side of the present church organizations, if any, is His side.

Indeed. But this requires tolerance for differences.

Give God all of the glory always!

 

[marksman]

The whole thing about denominations is that they are a tool of Satan to keep the church divided. Because division is not found in the teaching of Jesus, our disobedience in this area leads to disobedience in other areas. If we ignore Jesus teaching about unity, it is not difficult to ignore other things he taught.

A very noticable teaching that has been ignored is his words regarding greatness. He said if you want to be great you have to be the servant of all. Because we have divided the church, we now have to establish kingdoms for ourselves. Instead of having leaders who are servants, we have leaders who are masters. In the rcc, from the priest up they are worshipped and obeyed without question. They do not model servanthood.

In the protestant church it is not much different. Most of the time the leader is the central figure around which everything revolves and the congregation are just a cheer squad for him. Unfortunately, they think that they are God's gift to the church, so they should be acknowledged and revered accordingly.

We have yet to learn that if we are required to die daily, we are in no position to demand anything (Gal 2:20) and our role is to serve, not laud it over as seems to be the model today

One of the great things about the house church movement is the lack of ordained ministry to which we have to defer to. This opens the door to more of a servant type ministry by all. Being so radically different to organised religion, it is no wonder that it is growing at a rate of knots.

 

[aspen]

The whole thing about denominations is that they are a tool of Satan to keep the church divided. Because division is not found in the teaching of Jesus, our disobedience in this area leads to disobedience in other areas. If we ignore Jesus teaching about unity, it is not difficult to ignore other things he taught.

A very noticable teaching that has been ignored is his words regarding greatness. He said if you want to be great you have to be the servant of all. Because we have divided the church, we now have to establish kingdoms for ourselves. Instead of having leaders who are servants, we have leaders who are masters. In the rcc, from the priest up they are worshipped and obeyed without question. They do not model servanthood.

In the protestant church it is not much different. Most of the time the leader is the central figure around which everything revolves and the congregation are just a cheer squad for him. Unfortunately, they think that they are God's gift to the church, so they should be acknowledged and revered accordingly.

We have yet to learn that if we are required to die daily, we are in no position to demand anything (Gal 2:20) and our role is to serve, not laud it over as seems to be the model today

One of the great things about the house church movement is the lack of ordained ministry to which we have to defer to. This opens the door to more of a servant type ministry by all. Being so radically different to organised religion, it is no wonder that it is growing at a rate of knots.

Your post reminded me - we also need to drop false stereotypes of the groups we do not agree with - it is part of the tolerance of other people's doctrine that is necessary to unite.

 

[TexUs]

Here is a problem I see with your viewpoint, Veteran - you belong to a Protestant denomination - a church that belongs to the Protestant Tradition, which rejected unity just over 500 years ago.

Ahhh yes, unified in heresy, selling indulgences, and preaching purgatory.
For some reason, I'd prefer things as they are today, rather than to that.


That said at least here, I can see some co-operation among churches which is actually amazing. Note nobody really preaches anything except the basics of the gospel during these co-operation events though.

But when you gather together to go into deeper Bible study (what most churches do on Sunday mornings), you're going to have doctrinal differences, it's just going to happen. We didn't have the Apostles which could speak for Christ come knocking on our door to set us straight (we have but a tiny portion of what they told the churches) in that "This is correct".

 

[aspen]

Ahhh yes, unified in heresy, selling indulgences, and preaching purgatory.
For some reason, I'd prefer things as they are today, rather than to that.

With this attitude, it is no wonder why we remain divided.

 

[TexUs]

With this attitude, it is no wonder why we remain divided.

So you are still defending indulgences? Unbelievable.

 

[amadeus]

Aspen: You are so right about the lost tribes - and you are right about man being responsible for schisms. I tend to believe that doctrinal differences spur on Pride, which leads to division. The crazy part of this mess is that all Christ preached was love - yet we cannot get over or doctrinal differences in order to start loving - it remains me of that hippie song 'one tin soldier'

Love is what really is considered the most important thing by God... because it was and is. Jesus He was/is indeed the personification of God's love. As long as any person - no matter what his other beliefs are - cannot get his priorities straight, he will be unable to approach more closely to either God or his human brother. No man alone can get his priorities straight. This is why Jesus came, but having come and paid the price and provided the tools to accomplish the purpose, too few among those who call themselves Christian are willing to pick up the tools and go to work.

Amadeus: Man, even after the birth and death and resurrection of a Savior continues too much todoay in the same beastly ways exemplified in the nations of Judah and Israel of old. Remember that both Judah (the south) and Israel (the north) moved in ways very displeasing to God. To pit Eastern Orhodox against Roman Catholic, or Catholic against Protestant, or Protestant against Protestant, etc, does not please God now any more than it did when tribes of Israel were set against each other.

The only answer then and now is in God! We cannot sort this thing out by pointing fingers at one another, or by fighitng battles with each other. All that each of us can do is to really and truly trust in God and remain on His side without trying to decide for others which side of the present church organizations, if any, is His side.

Aspen: Indeed. But this requires tolerance for differences.

Same answer isn't it? Jesus stands before us knocking on our individual doors, but some are too busy playing Christian according to their own logical ways [man
s ways] to simply allow God's Way to enter in and work on their hearts.

Give God the glory always!

 

[aspen]

So you are still defending indulgences? Unbelievable.

Not at all; as you already know, I am saying that we need to stop accusing each other of exaggerated and out-dated practices and work on coming together. If you cannot get over the Catholic Churches sin of simony, 400 years ago, we have a long way to go.

Love is what really is considered the most important thing by God... because it was and is. Jesus He was/is indeed the personification of God's love. As long as any person - no matter what his other beliefs are - cannot get his priorities straight, he will be unable to approach more closely to either God or his human brother. No man alone can get his priorities straight. This is why Jesus came, but having come and paid the price and provided the tools to accomplish the purpose, too few among those who call themselves Christian are willing to pick up the tools and go to work.





Same answer isn't it? Jesus stands before us knocking on our individual doors, but some are too busy playing Christian according to their own logical ways [man
s ways] to simply allow God's Way to enter in and work on their hearts.

Give God the glory always!

You have a solid understanding of the gospel.

 

[Templar81]

I think it is good to ahve different expressions of Christianity as long as theya re Orthodox and by that I mean as long as they conform to the tenets of the Council of Nicea and other Ecumical councils. If someone told me they had a problem with the Nicene Creed then I would not count them Orthodox. So In this context Orthodox does not mean Eastern Churches.

Different epressions are a good thing as not everyone ahs the same tastes; sure, we all want to worship God but some of us like Incense and some of us like tongues, so like ancient liturgy and some like prayign from the heart. We should celebrate these differene, not squabble over them and say that others are in error.

Apsen
As for schisms, well yes I geuess being Anglican I'm kind of a schismatic and I don't really know whee we fit in; we're Catholic but not Roman Catholic and we're Protestant but not like Lutherans or Presbytaraisn because of the way we stress the continuity from the Medieval English chruch andApostalli succession. We're a broard church so there is a real variety of doctrinal adherance. For example you can believe in Transubstanciation and a great many Anglicans/Episcopalians do but just as many don't. We've got the 39 articles but they are not as binding as they used to be.

Have you ever heard of te Oxford movement; John Henry Newman payed a big part.

Also, I'm interested in doing the RCIA, not for conversion but out of interest. Is it OK to do it if your not converting?

 

[TexUs]

Not at all; as you already know, I am saying that we need to stop accusing each other of exaggerated and out-dated practices and work on coming together.

When core Christian values are disputed (Such as, the Bible being the Word of God), divisions will happen and in fact is actually healthy for the protection of Biblical doctrine.
Paul strongly warns Timothy against destructive doctrine.




[sup]1[/sup]Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [sup]2[/sup]through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [sup]3[/sup]who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [sup]4[/sup]For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [sup]5[/sup]for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
[sup]6[/sup]If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. [sup]7[/sup]Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [sup]8[/sup]for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [sup]9[/sup]The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [sup]10[/sup]For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. [sup]11[/sup]Command and teach these things. [sup]12[/sup]Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. [sup]13[/sup]Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. [sup]14[/sup]Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. [sup]15[/sup]Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. [sup]16[/sup]Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

 

[TexUs]

Not at all; as you already know, I am saying that we need to stop accusing each other of exaggerated and out-dated practices and work on coming together.

When core Christian values are disputed (Such as, the Bible being the Word of God), divisions will happen and in fact is actually healthy for the protection of Biblical doctrine.
Paul strongly warns Timothy against destructive doctrine.




[sup]1[/sup]Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [sup]2[/sup]through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [sup]3[/sup]who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [sup]4[/sup]For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [sup]5[/sup]for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
[sup]6[/sup]If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. [sup]7[/sup]Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [sup]8[/sup]for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [sup]9[/sup]The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [sup]10[/sup]For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. [sup]11[/sup]Command and teach these things. [sup]12[/sup]Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. [sup]13[/sup]Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. [sup]14[/sup]Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. [sup]15[/sup]Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. [sup]16[/sup]Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

 

[tomwebster]

veteran,
Part of what you have said is true but there is still a time when we need to separate ourselves from those that teach a lie and there are many that teach a lie these days.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

[aspen]

When core Christian values are disputed (Such as, the Bible being the Word of God), divisions will happen and in fact is actually healthy for the protection of Biblical doctrine.
Paul strongly warns Timothy against destructive doctrine.


[sup]1[/sup]Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [sup]2[/sup]through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [sup]3[/sup]who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [sup]4[/sup]For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [sup]5[/sup]for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
[sup]6[/sup]If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. [sup]7[/sup]Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; [sup]8[/sup]for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. [sup]9[/sup]The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. [sup]10[/sup]For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. [sup]11[/sup]Command and teach these things. [sup]12[/sup]Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. [sup]13[/sup]Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. [sup]14[/sup]Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. [sup]15[/sup]Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. [sup]16[/sup]Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

And you already know that I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God - you are adding requirements to this belief. Also, there are a lot more side issues that keep you divided. The fact is, Protestants would lose their identity if they stopped protesting, which taps into their secret fear "what if I am still too Catholics?!"

 

[TexUs]

Protestant's identity is protesting? LOL, the only church here in the midwest I see protesting is the Westboro morons.

 

[aspen]

Protestant's identity is protesting? LOL, the only church here in the midwest I see protesting is the Westboro morons.

Why do you think they are called Protestants?

Westboro is a hate group masquerading as a church - most of the 70 members are related the Fred Phelps.

 

[WhiteKnuckle]

Often times I wonder about the divisions in the church. This denomination, that denomination, etc, etc....

I wonder the same thing about politics, where George Washington said, "bipartison politics will be the downfall of the nation" (paraphrased ofcourse.)

Just as Paul warned about divisions in the church. However, we need to examine what exactly is a division, and why exactly there are divisions.

Now, from where I sit and what I can see, Divisions aren't that bad, and divisions aren't really divisions at all. This isn't to say that there aren't divisions, obviously protestants and catholics are very divided. There are some divisions in different protestant denominations as well.

If there is one denomination that has X customs,,, let's say some branches of Southern Baptist, their custom is for women to have long hair, men to have short hair, women to wear dresses, men to wear pants,,,, etc, etc,,, Compare that to what woud be called very "loose" Biker Churches,,,, women wear jeans, men wear jeans and have long hair, tattoos are okay, cut off sleaves are just fine for Sunday worship,,, etc, etc, etc

Are those truely divisions? NO! They're merely places where one person feels more comfortable and is honoring God in a way that they see is right.

We can break things down to different little bitty trivial things in doctrine, such as baptism, spiritual gifts, clothing, rapture, etc, etc,,,,, Even the supposed non denominational churches have become a denomination of their own.

I think these are just ways for certain people to be comfortable in a certain group who has much the same views and are like minded. This provides learning and worship of God in a very comfortable environment where there's little question of trivial matters within the walls.

Where the division comes in is in the accusations and judgement of others who have slightly different ways of honoring God, and futher making claims that another is completely wrong and in danger of helfire for doing such.

If we could all open a civil dialog with eachother it would be great. Maybe we could start by all agreeing that each one of us belives that
Jesus is God, Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave by the power of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus bore our sins on the cross,,,,,,,,,,,,, We'd all be able to move forward, and we'd all truely see how we are all genuine fellow brothers and sisters in the faith.

Imagine!

 

[marksman]

Your post reminded me - we also need to drop false stereotypes of the groups we do not agree with - it is part of the tolerance of other people's doctrine that is necessary to unite.

Can anyone out there tell me what this has got to do with what I said about leadership. All I can see is an attempt to give the poster a holier than thou attitude.