Does God care which denomination I belong to?

I agree that as long as you are one with Christ that is all that matters.

I love the Mark Lowerly Song, cannot think of the name, part of it goes "there are more brand names then McDonalds has Big Macs...As long as your heart belongs to Jesus..."

 

Absolutely He cares.
If your church is teaching heresy, or just plain error, teaching that contradicts the Bible, then get out of there and find a church that is faithful to the Word of God.
DHK

 

I agree with that "find a church that is faithful to the Word of God."

But will there only be Baptists in heaven? I do not think so :flower:

 

NNNOOOOOOO

 

I never even implied the such.
I am a member of an IFB church because I believe that its doctrine is the closest to what the New Testament church's doctrine was. If I didn't beleive that I would find another church.
On the other hand I am not so naive to think that every one in IFB churches are saved.
Neither do I believe that no one outside Baptist churches are saved.
I was simply referring to: When joining a church find one that teaches good Biblical doctrine, and is faithful to the Word of God. For an extreme example: Why would a believer join a Catholic Church
DHK

 

Oh, they'd join a Catholic chuch because they believe that its doctrine is the closest to what the New Testament church's doctrine was.

Same reason I'm Presbyterian.

 

Got me, that's why I am a Baptist :smilewinkgrin:

I did study it for a while, my church was big on understanding all denominations and other religions before being baptized. We were even honored to attend a Jewish service, was there Friday evening service, but still

Of the subject a little - I was blessed that my father was the one to hold me during my baptismal since our minister was female. What a gift
raying:

 

I am of the opinion that denominations are not what God intended for his church. There is no example of, or provision for, a divided church in the New Testament. I have a real difficult time understanding why Christians can get ignited into instant hostility over a difference of opinion in interpreting a passage of scripture, but they won't get ignited over those who are outside of the church. I can't remember where I read it, so I can't give credit to the originator of the story (it's not my own).

Two lifeguards are working at a pool. A boy falls into the deep end who can't swim, and as he frantically tries to stay afloat, the lifeguards come to the edge of the pool. One of them wants to throw a floatation device to the boy and pull him out. The other wants to jump in with a towel, and drag the boy out. They get into an argument about which method is the "best" one for saving the boy. While they are screeching at each other, and throwing quotes from their lifesaving manual back and forth at each other, the boy drowns.

Frankly, if it were possible to actually go back and take a look at what the first and second century New Testament church looked like, I think most of us would be surprised. I don't think we would recognize it. The works of the early church fathers in the second and third century give us insight into what the church was like during that period of time. Just reading their works shows differences in the way they interpreted and applied the scripture, worshipped and their structure as a body of believers. Reaction to heresy set the church on paths that affected its way of doing things as did the political and social influences around it. 2000 years of that has produced the church we have today. Baptists have trouble distinguishing between essential doctrine and Bible times culture. Mainline Protestants exclude some bits and pieces of essential doctrine in their quest to cut out literalist practices that are based on ancient culture alone.

Ancient Israel had the same problem. They got so caught up in trying to make sure they got everything in place for the sacrifice that they forgot what it was all about. God said he desired mercy, not sacrifice. He was interested in the part where they repented and turned toward Him for forgiveness. Today, we are so caught up in trying to make everything exactly right that we forget what it is all about. Salvation is found in nothing else except Christ's resurrection. God wants our repentance and our turning to him for forgiveness, not some form of doctrinal purity which we can never achieve anyway. That's salvation by works, not grace.

 

raise::Fish:

 

Denominations may not be the ideal, but they do allow for theological differences, isolated from each other in fellowship, as opposed to people differing within a body called a church.

God, I am sure, is not concerned about denominations, but individuals.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I agree that "going to heaven" is not determined by which denomination you belong to -- I do not agree that the Protesting Catholics who were slaughtered for taking a stand for truth were "just making up stupid little differences to die for".

I do not agree that the Christian Jews being persecuted and killed by their Jewish friends were just "Making up stupid little differences to die for".

Does that mean I think Catholics don't go to heaven or Jews don't go to heaven? -- no.

Jesus was a Jew -- so also John the baptizer.

Jesus said "I AM the way the TRUTH and the life" John 14.

Paul says that in the last days mankind is turned over to "Strong delusions that they might believe a lie...because they did not receive the LOVE of the TRUTH" 2Thess 2.

The bottom line is that you can not have a strong distaste for "more truth" while claiming to LOVE the one who IS the way the TRUTH and the life!

 

You saying heavens not segregated? Will we atleast have our own neighborhood? :laugh: :wavey:

 

I agree. You are going to be saved or unsaved based upon no other reason than whether or not you as an individual accepted the Gospel.

The Bible does not mention the church having denominations as we know them today -- some dividing, yes, but not like what we have. The Bible only mentions churches and Christians = "disciples" of Christ Acts 11:26. "Disciple" means "follower." When God looks down at our denominated church, I believe all He acknowledges are one church and in it `followers of Christ.' The word "church" is from a Greek word referring to an assembly of people `called out' -- hence, the church is people.

As far as preference, my guess is that the Lord would prefer you attend a congregation that first meets the primary purpose of church assembly per Hebrews 10:24-5 -- urging each other to do good works. I believe the Bible teaches that while we are assembled for that purpose correct doctrines are to be taught, but that the primary purpose is urging toward good works. Hence, I believe the Lord would prefer you to be in an individual congregation that enables and pushes you to do the most good that you can -- regardless of what doctrines it represents.

 

To All,

bmerr here. Denominations are, by definition, divisions. Paul said, "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" (1 Cor 1:10).

It seems to me, that divisions, or denominations, are the result of mens' interpretations of God's word, not what is actually written. Just as an example, not to hijack the thread or anything, texts that say we are "justified by faith", are interpreted by some to mean that we are "justified by faithonly".

That's where division begins. When man's interpretation of the word goes beyond what is written.

Thought question: Can one be a Christian without being a member of a denomination? If so, is there a benefit to being in a denomination that one cannot have by simply being a Christian?

In Christ,

bmerr

 

double post. sorry.

 

Going back teo a previous page ... if a new Christian says "I want to be faithful to God and His Word. I want to join a church that is true to God's Word" --

Does it really matter what church they join?

Does it matter if they join a Catholic church or a Church of God or a Church of Christ or a Mormon church or an Anglican church, or a Baptist Church just as long as the people there believe the Bible in some way?

Are these all just "so many demoninations" with no real difference?

OR are you saying that some of them must all go to hell so be very careful not to join "those" but the rest don't really matter?

Is it really "true" that the ONLY criteria is "don't join a group where everyone is lost for joining "? (If there even is such a church)

Are the "issues" that the early Christians and even protesting Cathoics "died for" really without merit or at least not a point to die for?

IN Christ

Bob

 

Let's take an even easier example - the case of believers baptism and the difference between Baptists and Presbyterian, or Baptist vs Methodist.

Is it really true that there was nothing ever suffered by Baptists or anabaptists for holding to believer's baptism? Where they just being silly to be willing to sacrifice so much for that belief?

For the sake of this discussion point - be a little objective on this one point - suppose that the Bible argument made in favor of believers baptism by the anabaptists is true - is it really worth sacrificing for?

Is the "difference" significant enough to give up job, money, health, freedom, life - as some of them did?

In Christ,

Bob

 

In 1 Corinthians 12 it speaks of the body and there was something I heard that when thinking of our natural bodies and in reference to this passage... gave me new insight about the different Christian denominations.

1.)Will the nose hang out with an underarm? (Sometimes if you want to make sure its not you with the BO you might.)
2.)Will a mouth hang out with a foot? (Well if you are like me... I say some things that can cause a size 7 1/2 to fit in my mouth! :laugh: But gross enough I have seen some people trim their toe nails that way.)

I figure if there is a need sooner or later one body part may have need for another in time of need. If you have a itch you have to use your hand to scratch it. Right?
We as Christians are one body (denominationaly speaking), but we might not hang out with each other all the time because of a doctirne issue. But in a crisis the whole body will come together to help the hurt body part. Like for instance when 9/11 happened there was all denominations praying for the people, nation and country.
We may be diverse in our doctine, but one in Christ. :flower:

1Cor. 12:13-27
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

Music,

bmerr here. You make it sound as though doctrine is not important. In 1 Tim 4:16, Paul said, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing so, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee".

Notice that the word "doctrine" is singular. Same thing in 2 John 9, where we read, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."

There is only one truth. Anything contrary to that truth is false. Makes sense, right?

If two religious groups both teach different things concerning the same topic, at least one of them is, of neccessity, wrong. They cannot both be teaching the doctrine of Christ if they teach conflicting doctrines.

For example, one group may teach OSAS, while another teaches that one can turn away from God and be lost. They cannot both be right.

To be a member of the one who is wrong is to be a member of an organization that hath not God, and is lost.

It matters what body one is a member of.

In Christ,

bmerr