Which denomination should I become part of?
- Thread starter VickyK
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I am not familiar with denominations in the UK other than Anglican (C of E) and to a lesser extent, Methodist.
You favour the Protestant tradition... as opposed to Catholic (which is not a Christian entity anyway) or to Eastern Orthodox?
I would suggest looking for either for an Anglican congregation that actively endorses the Alpha Program or an independent Christian church. I would avoid any Anglican church that eschews Alpha; it likely supports the other letters.
You favour the Protestant tradition... as opposed to Catholic (which is not a Christian entity anyway) or to Eastern Orthodox?
I would suggest looking for either for an Anglican congregation that actively endorses the Alpha Program or an independent Christian church. I would avoid any Anglican church that eschews Alpha; it likely supports the other letters.
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I am not familiar with denominations in the UK other than Anglican (C of E) and to a lesser extent, Methodist.
You favour the Protestant tradition... as opposed to Catholic (which is not a Christian entity anyway) or to Eastern Orthodox?
I would suggest looking for either for an Anglican congregation that actively endorses the Alpha Program or an independent Christian church. I would avoid any Anglican church that eschews Alpha; it likely supports the other letters.
You favour the Protestant tradition... as opposed to Catholic (which is not a Christian entity anyway) or to Eastern Orthodox?
I would suggest looking for either for an Anglican congregation that actively endorses the Alpha Program or an independent Christian church. I would avoid any Anglican church that eschews Alpha; it likely supports the other letters.
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B
God is not in denominations. There is no Baptist heaven or Methodist or whatever. Because of my occupation, when I was newly born again I attended many different denominations in several different countries. I did not enjoy the Catholic service, a bit too religious for my liking. I find that the best church is devoted to the Lord Jesus, preaches the truth of God's word and the people love each other. The label is unimportant.
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You'll get a lot of mixed and passionate response on that question if the whole of CC were to move with one accord and reply to you.
I think no matter where we are or what we do we are missionaries. Part of going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature involves stepping foot outside your front door. You can potentially be a light to others no matter where you are.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says to provoke one another to love and good works when you're assembled.
Hebrews 13:15-16 says to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God and to do good.
Isn't that what church is all about?
The problem we often run into in churches is doctrine. Not all doctrines are Biblical and some of them can be dangerous in that they inevitably sow discord, lies, legalism, etc.
You might have to go "church shopping" but just remember what church is really about as mentioned in the verses above.
I think no matter where we are or what we do we are missionaries. Part of going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature involves stepping foot outside your front door. You can potentially be a light to others no matter where you are.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says to provoke one another to love and good works when you're assembled.
Hebrews 13:15-16 says to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God and to do good.
Isn't that what church is all about?
The problem we often run into in churches is doctrine. Not all doctrines are Biblical and some of them can be dangerous in that they inevitably sow discord, lies, legalism, etc.
You might have to go "church shopping" but just remember what church is really about as mentioned in the verses above.
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Ive never seen more disagreement crosses in my life.
Not surprised it's within a denominations thread lol we bicker and divide over the smallest of things.
I say, don't worry about denomination, find a gathering where there is genuine love amongst the saints where you can grow together and bear one another's burdens.
Not surprised it's within a denominations thread lol we bicker and divide over the smallest of things.
I say, don't worry about denomination, find a gathering where there is genuine love amongst the saints where you can grow together and bear one another's burdens.
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Yes. They all provide division among the brotherhood. When Christ returns, He will be seeking the One True Church and The One True Bride.
Ephesians
4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6 One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
Claim the name of Jesus Christ, and nothing else. God bless you, Vicky!
Ephesians
4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4:4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6 One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
Claim the name of Jesus Christ, and nothing else. God bless you, Vicky!
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The following may pique the spirit of some.
Deu 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
Also the Angel told Daniel that the holy people would be scattered in the end moments of time and those with knowledge would be few.
Much to meditate upon in these teachings.
Deu 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
Also the Angel told Daniel that the holy people would be scattered in the end moments of time and those with knowledge would be few.
Much to meditate upon in these teachings.
From the Baptist stand point there are some distinctives:
Autonomy of the local church
Individual liberty of the believer
Baptism only for those converted
Lords supper and tithing as central tenants for the local church
I would also contend for the Gods word being inspired, infallible and inerrant. Jesus' diety.. with the HS and Father and one triune being.
Many modern Baptist churches may aswell be Pentecost or charismatic but I would suggest going for Baptist churches that aren't.
The main thing though is how a church trusts Jesus .. is He treated as God and put number 1, or is He somehow degraded?
A denominational name can mean nothing. It's what is actually preached
Autonomy of the local church
Individual liberty of the believer
Baptism only for those converted
Lords supper and tithing as central tenants for the local church
I would also contend for the Gods word being inspired, infallible and inerrant. Jesus' diety.. with the HS and Father and one triune being.
Many modern Baptist churches may aswell be Pentecost or charismatic but I would suggest going for Baptist churches that aren't.
The main thing though is how a church trusts Jesus .. is He treated as God and put number 1, or is He somehow degraded?
A denominational name can mean nothing. It's what is actually preached
Vicky, are you ready to do some homework?
There are many denominations that follow most if not all of Calvin's teachings. In a nutshell, TULIP:
T - Total Depravity
U - Unconditional Election
L - Limited Atonement
I - Irresistible Grace
P - Preservation of the Saints
Many believers today think Calvin was nuts or close to it. They believe none of these five points. The truth is, Christ died for all. The truth is, the bible says "whosoever will..." meaning, people WILL or they WON'T respond to the Holy Spirit's pull, but an act of their will. "primitive baptist's" in general believe this and teach it, at least in part, but then another group calls themselves "free will" baptists, because they know that the human will is involved. Your homework then: study these 5 points from Calvin's point of view and then from the opposing point of view and decide what you want to believe. A quick search online will show you what denominations follow Calvin.
1. Primitive Baptist or Reformed Baptist Churches
2. Presbyterian Churches
3. Reformed Churches
4. The United Church of Christ
5. The Protestant Reformed Churches in America
Personally, I would RUN from any church that taught these points.
Then there are other denominations that follow Arminius' teaching.
In a nutshell:
1. Unrestricted Free Will – This states that though man is fallen, he is not incapacitated by the sinful nature and can freely choose God. His will is not restricted and enslaved by his sinful nature.
2. Conditional Election – God chose people for salvation based on His ‘foreknowledge ‘. God looked into the future from eternity past, to see who would respond to the Gospel message.
3. Universal Atonement – The position that Jesus bore the sin of everyone who ever lived.
4. Resistable Grace – The teaching that the grace of God can be resisted and finally quenched, so as to reject salvation in Christ.
5. Potential to ‘Fall from Grace’ – The teaching that a person can fall from grace and lose his salvation, even after he has been ‘born again’, or, regenerated.
Churches that follow this teachings:
Then you should study this chart and see how TIME has evolved these different churches:
http://www.truthforsaints.com/Christian_Denominations/denomination_history/denomination_history.html
Scroll down and study the chart. You will see there are only a few colors.
Finally, this is important, because you don't want to choose a church, and then find they are teaching something that goes against what you believe. Minor things you can overlook, and still enjoy a church family, but major things will cause unrest: bad for you and bad for the church.
I grew up in a Wesleyan church. When I was 20, I went with a lady to visit her church: a Pentecostal denomination. Within a few seconds of the service starting I discovered they had something I had never been introduced to before: it was the anointing of the Holy Spirit! I soon discovered that I had been cheated growing up in a Wesleyan church! They had ignored part of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Shortly after I was born again, when I was 7, a Calvinist leaning older brother started teaching me what he believed - which was quite different than what I was being taught at the Wesleyan church. I fought over these issues in my mind for years before I finally settled the issue with scripture.
In short, every believe should KNOW what they believe, and should know the scriptures behind what they believe.
There are many denominations that follow most if not all of Calvin's teachings. In a nutshell, TULIP:
T - Total Depravity
U - Unconditional Election
L - Limited Atonement
I - Irresistible Grace
P - Preservation of the Saints
Many believers today think Calvin was nuts or close to it. They believe none of these five points. The truth is, Christ died for all. The truth is, the bible says "whosoever will..." meaning, people WILL or they WON'T respond to the Holy Spirit's pull, but an act of their will. "primitive baptist's" in general believe this and teach it, at least in part, but then another group calls themselves "free will" baptists, because they know that the human will is involved. Your homework then: study these 5 points from Calvin's point of view and then from the opposing point of view and decide what you want to believe. A quick search online will show you what denominations follow Calvin.
1. Primitive Baptist or Reformed Baptist Churches
2. Presbyterian Churches
3. Reformed Churches
4. The United Church of Christ
5. The Protestant Reformed Churches in America
Personally, I would RUN from any church that taught these points.
Then there are other denominations that follow Arminius' teaching.
In a nutshell:
1. Unrestricted Free Will – This states that though man is fallen, he is not incapacitated by the sinful nature and can freely choose God. His will is not restricted and enslaved by his sinful nature.
2. Conditional Election – God chose people for salvation based on His ‘foreknowledge ‘. God looked into the future from eternity past, to see who would respond to the Gospel message.
3. Universal Atonement – The position that Jesus bore the sin of everyone who ever lived.
4. Resistable Grace – The teaching that the grace of God can be resisted and finally quenched, so as to reject salvation in Christ.
5. Potential to ‘Fall from Grace’ – The teaching that a person can fall from grace and lose his salvation, even after he has been ‘born again’, or, regenerated.
Churches that follow this teachings:
- American Baptist Churches USA. American Baptist Churches USA claims in excess of 5,200 congregations in the United States. ...
- The United Methodist Church. ...
- Wesleyan Churches. ...
- Pentecostal Churches. ...
- The Church of the Nazarene.
Then you should study this chart and see how TIME has evolved these different churches:
http://www.truthforsaints.com/Christian_Denominations/denomination_history/denomination_history.html
Scroll down and study the chart. You will see there are only a few colors.
Finally, this is important, because you don't want to choose a church, and then find they are teaching something that goes against what you believe. Minor things you can overlook, and still enjoy a church family, but major things will cause unrest: bad for you and bad for the church.
I grew up in a Wesleyan church. When I was 20, I went with a lady to visit her church: a Pentecostal denomination. Within a few seconds of the service starting I discovered they had something I had never been introduced to before: it was the anointing of the Holy Spirit! I soon discovered that I had been cheated growing up in a Wesleyan church! They had ignored part of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Shortly after I was born again, when I was 7, a Calvinist leaning older brother started teaching me what he believed - which was quite different than what I was being taught at the Wesleyan church. I fought over these issues in my mind for years before I finally settled the issue with scripture.
In short, every believe should KNOW what they believe, and should know the scriptures behind what they believe.
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1
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The philosophical question comes back to aspects such as Sola Scriptura. What parts of religion do you feel to be infallibly true: 1) What is written in your heart? 2) What is written in scripture? 3) What religious tradition says? 4) What a religious authority says?
Your answer might be a combination of 1)-4). When you narrow down what agrees with your sense of truth, you will be in a better position to identify the denomination(s) that speaks to you.
Your answer might be a combination of 1)-4). When you narrow down what agrees with your sense of truth, you will be in a better position to identify the denomination(s) that speaks to you.