Denominations????

[Derek]

I cannot for the life of me understand why their are denominations in the church? I was raised in a non-denominational church and still attend the same church. I believe that God did not mean for the church to be divided like it is today. The "church" is God's people, so why are we divided by petty differences?

What do yall think?

[GeauxLSU]

The "church" is God's people, so why are we divided by petty differences?

What do yall think?Pride, money, power, egos, stuborness, satan, take your pick....

Hunt/fish safely,
Phil

[GeauxLSU]

I guess I should clarify. I don't think the fact they now exist is necessarily a bad thing, but the fact the fractions occured were. i.e., the end does not justify the means. But as they say.... "He works in mysterious ways...." :D
Hunt/fish safely,
Phil

[David Mills]

Pride, money, power, egos, stuborness, satan, take your pick....

I believe those things are the work of satan. Ever hear the phrase "divide and conquer"? The denominational differences has made Christ's church weaker in that the various doctrines sometimes cause dissent and arguments which isn't healthy.

[Randy]

Why are we divided by petty differences? Because we are human. That is what has happened to God's church. Man got involved. Like the gooberment, we have a way of messing up more than we fix! While we can discuss these issues here, if we were to discuss them face to face and we all had to tithe to the same pot we would be getting mad at each other. Here, you can not really have any power (except for HT2 because he has so much free time) but for the most part there is no money, power or pride here. And what little is involved can be turned off at the switch!

[HT2]

Thank ya.....

Thank ya very much......

:D :D :D :D :D

[GeauxLSU]

I believe those things are the work of satan. Ever hear the phrase "divide and conquer"? The denominational differences has made Christ's church weaker in that the various doctrines sometimes cause dissent and arguments which isn't healthy.David,
But that is because of US, the flock, and our weaknesses, not necessarily because of denominational differences. No doubt some denominations do foster divisiveness but even within that there are individual differences. Heck I've gotten ripped on here before because I'm Catholic. Some of it was pretty nasty.
If you have Christ in your heart and live to glorify Him, I'm not going to tell you you've "got it wrong",..... because you don't!
If you're at a different address than me on Sunday morning, then great. If the air conditioner is more comfortable let me know. I may go there next Sunday. ;)
Hunt/fish safely,
Phil

[BANDERSNATCH]

though most christian churches believe that Jesus was God's son and that He died and was raised again the third day, they may differ on their beliefs concerning things like the baptism in the Holy Ghost, Healing, speaking in tongues,Water baptism....etc. These are where denominations come from....

For example, you may have a personal belief concerning 'speaking in tongues', and if you don't believe that it is for today's christians then a Pentecostal church is not for you. :cool:

Bandy

[Hunting Teacher]

David,
But that is because of US, the flock, and our weaknesses, not necessarily because of denominational differences. No doubt some denominations do foster divisiveness but even within that there are individual differences. Heck I've gotten ripped on here before because I'm Catholic. Some of it was pretty nasty.
If you have Christ in your heart and live to glorify Him, I'm not going to tell you you've "got it wrong",..... because you don't!
If you're at a different address than me on Sunday morning, then great. If the air conditioner is more comfortable let me know. I may go there next Sunday. ;)
Hunt/fish safely,
Phil
:clap: :clap:
Preach on Brother Phil!! I couldn't agree more.
In all honesty, I am ashamed to say that I used to be one of those who had heard how "bad" the catholic religion was. Then I got to know some people who were Catholic and found out they loved Jesus and He was their Lord and Savior! At that moment any differences between the way they worship and I worship became irrevelant!!
I thank God for opening my foolish, blind eyes.
Teach

[JBowers]

We are divided because we are individuals, not clones. The answer is evident even in the small sample of this very board. In a sense, the denominations represent some of the many different possible interpretations of the Bible and no man knows which one may be right or wrong.

[BANDERSNATCH]

We are divided because we are individuals, not clones. The answer is evident even in the small sample of this very board. In a sense, the denominations represent some of the many different possible interpretations of the Bible and no man knows which one may be right or wrong.

There may be many different interpretations, but they all can't be right.

For example, it is my understanding that Catholics go to their priest for confession. My bible says...

1 Timothy 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Think I'll go straight to the source! He is my high priest....no need for any other! :cool:

No offense intended...

Bandy

[duckbill]

Well put JB. Quick and to the point. We can all agree on the basic principles of salvation, but outside of that we will always differ on interpretation. Take some of the hot topics like "eternal security" and "divorced deacons or pastors" or "women preachers". These are hard core lines that have to be drawn or there will be division within the church. You have to worship with those of like or similar faith or you spend all your time in debate.
I personally feel that God designed the Bible in such a way that we will interpret it differently. If it was in basic outline form, it would have been discarded a long time ago. It inspires us to dig deep a find the meaning of things. That's why I enjoy the KJV.

[JBowers]

Well put JB. Quick and to the point. We can all agree on the basic principles of salvation, but outside of that we will always differ on interpretation. Take some of the hot topics like "eternal security" and "divorced deacons or pastors" or "women preachers". These are hard core lines that have to be drawn or there will be division within the church. You have to worship with those of like or similar faith or you spend all your time in debate.
I personally feel that God designed the Bible in such a way that we will interpret it differently. If it was in basic outline form, it would have been discarded a long time ago. It inspires us to dig deep a find the meaning of things. That's why I enjoy the KJV.
Many good points 'bill. I think God designed us in manner that we will interpret the details differently but provides us all the same very general and very basic guidance.

Sorry Bandy, I disgaree. They could all be right or all be wrong, or somewhere in the middle with many right parts and many wrong parts. It's a gift of God that we interpret and believe a little differently. And from a Catholic, no offense taken - I understand your POV.

[GeauxLSU]

... they loved Jesus and He was their Lord and Savior! At that moment any differences between the way they worship and I worship became irrevelant!! Teach,
That partial quote right there is what some people just can't seem to get around about (Christian) denominations. If everyone understood that basic premise, I'm pretty sure we'd all be a LOT better off and He would be a LOT better served. :)
Hunt/fish safely,
Phil

[GeauxLSU]

For example, it is my understanding that Catholics go to their priest for confession.Bandy,
You may have the correct understanding but just to clarify a point to those who may not know: Catholics do profess their sins in the presence of a priest, but it is not the priest we are confessing to and it most certainly is not the priest doing the forgiving. ::;
Hunt/fish safely,
Phil

[mpowell]

i've attended baptist, methodist, and non-denomination churches. i've enjoyed the non-denominational churches the most. not nocking the others at all. the non-denom's were just a better fit for me.

[BANDERSNATCH]

GoLSU,

My bad! I thought that the priests would give the 'confessor' something to do after they confessed.....like say "Hail Mary's" or do something with some beads. I've been watching too much TV I guess. :)

Bandy

[GeauxLSU]

GoLSU,
My bad! I thought that the priests would give the 'confessor' something to do after they confessed.....like say "Hail Mary's" or do something with some beads. I've been watching too much TV I guess. :)
BandyBandy,
The 'beads' are the rosary and like the established and well known power of prayer, 'praying the rosary' has been known to do miraculous things. It is after all, praying. The rosary generally has nothing to do whatsoever with the sacrament of Confession.
The sacrament of Confession is directly based on John 20:22-23.
The priest will give the penitent 'penance' which normally is a numbers of prayers to say (but could be an act of reconciliation with the individual harmed by your sin, for example. Though rare, since it's normally prayer). Though I suppose you could get differing answers if you asked numerous people (Catholics), the penance serves, for the contrite, as additional reflection time to repent and reconcile in your heart and mind Jesus' forgiveness.

The sacraments of the Catholic church, because they are rich in tradition/ritual tends to freak some people out. The odd thing is, those who are not Catholic seemed to concentrate and get way more hung up on the Sacraments than those who are. Not saying you are Bandy, just a general comment. I guess if I wasn't Catholic some things would 'look' weird. (But then again, so did grits and sweet tea to everyone I met when I lived in Chicago. ;) )
Once again, if people would concentrate on the 99.9% we have in common we'd all be doing ourselves and He, much better.

Finally, I can not say if you watch too much TV or not. If you watch any, it's probably too much. I'm also guilty of that. But I'm working on it... ;)

Hunt/fish safely,
Phil

[BANDERSNATCH]

These "number of prayers to say".....if the penitent didn't say them would their sins still be forgiven?

Not trying to have a debate here...I've just never talked directly with a Catholic. This may be something better served PMs....

Bandy

[Jeff Phillips]

There are many pieces of the 1 puzzle. I think God understands human nature well enough to know that we think we need choices. Many of the choices can be right.

I am a Baptist deacon, but I can worship in any Church that believes Christ is the son of God and you must be born again.

Think about how many folks would be in Church if there was only 1 denomination! If there was only 1 Church that was considered the true Church?

God in his wisdom has allowed us many paths to reach the narrow path.

[GeauxLSU]

This may be something better served PMs....
BandyBandy,
Shot you an eMail. :)
Hunt/fish safely,
Phil