Denominational spirit

I'm going to put my neck out here to find out the truth. Let me say first that the church I go to is among these listed, but I'll let you use your imagination as to which it is. Secondly, I don't care what the sign on your church says, if you love the Lord and obey his Word, I'm your brother, period. I have family of others listed and have been going to different churches off and on before I got saved since I can remember. I have spent good visits in many different churches. Both my parents were choir directers, and went whereever they would be hired.Do you see these basic ways of thinking in the churches of America, or where you live, at the present? (In alphabetical order)Baptist: I got saved and baptized, and don't want to hear any of your false doctrine.Church of Christ/SDA: Don't even bring up to me what you believe, I have all the truth.Episcopalianism: We'll get around to doing that stuff in the Bible as soon as we get through with all the ceremonies.Lutheran: Maybe the Catholics aren't so bad after all. Martin who?Methodism: I'm just nicely serving God, don't ask me to do anything more.Non-Denominational (many): Bless me richly, and oh yeah, eternal life, too.Pentacostal: No tongues, oh, you can sit on the back pew (and hopefully leave eventually).Presbyterian: I'm chosen of God, just leave me alone.Do you see these strongholds as well or am I just being crude? If you think I'm on the right track, let me know.To be honest, I have no faith in my denomination, my faith is in the LORD. I honestly don't think He sees denominational lines, so why should I be made to. I think they are dividing the body. The few that are the eyes (prophesy) seperate themselves from the nose (discernment) and they seperate themselves from the feet (gospel preachers) and they seperate themselves from the hands (workers) and they seperate themselves from the heart (prayer warriors)...Talk to me, brothers and sisters.

As I read your list, I see where you are pointing out the obvious faults inherent in each church. And I would guess you would find these traits in some degree in all the churches you listed.The Apostle Paul had to write a letter of corrections to a church...and how long were they from hearing the gospel for the first time? Check out the issues Paul confronts them with in 1 Corinthians....sounds like a church you might know, or attend? I encourage you to go through the book and write out a list of the issues Paul dealt with then. Now where does this find you? If you really believe the local churches have all apostasized to the point you cannot fellowship there, you need to ask God to lead you to a brotherhood where you can be fed. You will not find a perfect one, but perhpas a good one. In any case you need the fellowship of believers to help you. I have noticed those who isolate themselves from a church for whatever reason will soon become so self-righteous, selfish, arrogant, hostile, and become like the ones they cannot tolorant. Please do not fall into this trap. And neither should you tolorate sin nor should the church you become a part of. ginnyrose

I believe J.C. Ryle said it best when he said,"Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity ...But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching that is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin."He states exactly what I believe so I just quoted him if you don't mind. I couldn't say it any better.But yeah, divisions are a bummer, I believe we look like idiots to the non believers. And we are definately not making the Jews jealous. I wonder how we can unite without sacrificing truth.Peace and God Bless!

Hi letsgetbusy...!That is really funny, and all too often, right on target. :-)

ginnyrose,Your post hit my heart. I was considering leaving my church, but knew that everywhere I went would have distinctive problems. So I committed myself to God only and got busy where I was, and committed to preach and teach the truth, regardless of whether they kicked me out or not. I must say two things to everyone. If God shows me that I was prideful in my post, then I will repent and apologize. So I would like to thank people from denominations by making another list. I know all good things come from God, but some of His sheep from different denominations have given me things that I could not have gotten at my church alone.Kris, I will agree that we cannot be yoked with someone who is counting on works for salvation. If I posted that, please show me where I did and I will apologize. Referring to Catholics, there may be (and have been) some people that are born-again that worhsip within those walls, but not because of the Roman Catholic doctines, because the earnestly sought the Lord: Luther, Chiniquoy, or Thomas Bilney. I'm not talking about accepting everyone that calls Jesus, 'Lord, Lord,' I'm talking about people that, as John Rice says, are: "Born again! Believe the Bible! Want souls saved!" That's what I am saying. Rice was about as fundamental a man that was, and he mocked at people that loved 'their beloved denomination.' So I'll ask everyone, with Rice, "Do you like the Lord's other sheep? Oh I know you like the sheep at your house. That spit where you spit, and call names of people you call names to."From sermon: Paul Rejoices Over Enemieshttps://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=263&;commentView=itemCommentsI love those sheep from other denominations. They gave me so many things:Baptist: SpurgeonIndependent Fundamental Baptist: KJV info, soulwinning, creationism.Lutheran: Luther, who showed false doctine of Roman church.Methodism: Praise God for John and Charles!Non-Denominational (many): Showing that they are tired of formality. I'll put Comfort here since he's now trans-denominationl, but I know he's not prosperity gospel (Ray would say God forbid).Pentacostal: RAVENHILL!Presbyterian: Doctrine of election. Mr. Campbell.I'm sure there are many more. I hope you understand the spirit of division that I hate, and the spirit of fellowhip that I have for my brothers and sisters in other churches.

I often had to think: what would happen if all Christians would agree and all would be a member of the same church? What do you think? There are other Christians who have contributed a lot:J. I. Packer: the book "Knowing God" is a classic and he is Angelican, I think.Ravi Zacharias: an apologetist who ministers to intellectuals, or thinking people. Anabaptists: for declaring, and dying for it, that the state has no right to dictate people in matters of conscience. Catholics: (like it or not) for taking the initiative in leading the fight for the life of the unborn! (In the early stages they were the ones who led the pro-life movement and got a lot of flack for it. Other churches were dreadfully slow).Amish: we do not need all the modern trappings in order to live.Brother, just be faithful, knowing you will have to answer to God. He is the only one you need to fear. Perhaps Isa. 8:12-14 can cheer you. Even if we are not in ministry, we also experience discouagements because of the apostasy we see in our loved ones. Blessings,ginnyrose

I listened to "The Vision" by David Wilkerson, and he prohesied that born-again believers would come out of the Roman Church. Trust me, I'm not one to jump on any prophesy bandwagon, but some stuff he said has already come true (ordaining of homosexual priest).https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=11&commentView=itemCommentsI'm not saying believe "The Vision," I'm saying: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Let's see if he turns out to be correct.

"Perhaps Isa. 8:12-14 can cheer you."Glory to God, ginny. That hit the mark!

Krispy!letsgetbusy... imagine the outcry if I had posted that.amen to that! never a truer word spoken ;-)

George Whitefield once said something to the effect that there aren't any Baptist in heaven. There aren't any Presbiterians or Congregationalists either. There are only Christians there.In Christ,GaryE

It is no secret that Jesus intended for there to be one church. Not just one body of Christ, but one denomination. The denomination of Christianity as a whole. Unfortunatly people have read into what the bible is saying or not saying. For example whether instruments are allowed in churches. Some people want to argue that because they are not mentioned by name in the NT then obviously God doesn't want them in the church. OK there is one spin off we will call that church (denomination)'I Know What God Wants and No One Else Does'. Then there are the people that want to worship Mother Mary as a fourth part of the trinity, they are called the 'Hail Mary Your Way To Heaven'. The list can go on. But I personally go to a non denominational-penicostal-deliverance-full gospel church (not it's real name just letting you know the type). And by no means am I saying that my church has it together as far as "we are the type of church Jesus and God themselves wanted from the beginning." Nope, not saying it. But back to my point I believe that when we get to heaven we will see how silly all of our pety differences really are. After all I will call anyone that accepts Jesus as their savior (in their heart not just verbally) my brother or sister. Even if they don't have the same denominational beliefs as me.