Do Denominational Differences Really Matter?

[iLOVE]

Ben Carson is a Seventh-day Adventist.

Is the SDA, Mormon, and JW churches cults?

 

[Christ_empowered]

Seventh Day Adventists started (I think) with some mid-1800s speculation on the end times. I don't know that I'd call it a cult, but I do think they're in error.

 

[Willie T]

You planning on electing a President, or a church leader? If you are looking for someone who follows Jesus, why are you looking at ANY of the candidates?

 

[reba]

personally i put SDA heavy on the kook side but not clear to cults

 

[Willie T]

I can point you to a SDA on my Home Forum who is the kindest and most stable person posting there.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

I know SDA people who beat anyone in my church.

 

[Kidron]

This is a powerful thread, as this question actually really matters.
The fact is, not every denomination is theologically correct, and if they err regarding salvation or how you actually get born again, then it is very possible that thousands or tens of thousands, or ________, of their members are going straight to hell if they died today, yet, they are clueless about this as they are confident that if the preacher believes it, if the church teaches it, then how can it be WRONG.
So, that is an interesting little trick that Satan uses to collect his hell bound.

Would you like to know how to not be one of those?.
Its worth checking out?......ya think?
Just in case???
After all, many things, many theological things are important, but you are you not going to hell if you get them wrong.
But, regarding salvation, you have to get this RIGHT, or you are lost, no matter your church membership, your position in the church, or your bible reading practices.

So, let me show you one small scripture, and if you are interested, then investigate this scripture and find out what's he's talking about, and protect yourself if necessary IF you realize that your little group smells nice, dresses nice, but are just totally wrong about salvation.

Its Galatians 1:8, and this verse is talking about preachers, teachers, etc.
Study that one out.....find out what he's telling you that HE preaches, and then use this revelation as a filter, as a microscope to protect yourself from false salvation theology that seems right and that even feels right, but is not.
Dont die lost thinking you're not.
Get it right, as this only matters if eternity matters.



K

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

https://www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/salvation/

 

[Corn Pop]

Definately led off path. If there not interested in listening to Jesus direct words and would rather follow modern mans teachings thats there issue. And its writtin countless times about being led off path by Jesus and inspired prophets like Paul who help keep people on track.

You see Paul never said follow me, todays christian movement leaders say follow me. They even "add to" and make there own modernised bibles.

 

[Edward]

Denominational differences can matter very much, as noted already. But if you're doing your own homework studying the Word, it shouldn't really matter then because you would be rightly dividing the Word eh?! :wink

Even if you trust & respect your Pastor very much, you can't take his word for it and base your beliefs on it, for he is mere man and will make mistakes.
Consider his perspective and listen closely...then go to the Word with it, and study to show thyself approved, praying that ye be not deceived.

I feel sorry for people who don't like to read (and PTL that I do!) Because its too easy to fall into error by taking man's word and believing him cuz he's a good speaker, or sounds good...

If you think about it, there can not be any "denominations", there is only, Jesus the Christ and truth/error.

The veil has been rent in two, Brothers & Sisters!! No more, is a Priest or Pastor needed. The rules changed at that point. Now, we as believers, are charged with seeking God ourself directly. To walk through the veil ourself, now that it has been torn in two...it promises that you will find Him.

So I don't pay attention to denominations when I turn on a video or walk into a church.
My Grandma was a SDA, but I don't recall any significant theological weirdness, just by Grace through Faith...??
What are SDA wrong about?

 

[Christ_empowered]

I'm wondering if maybe denominational differences and traditions are breaking down, at least in the US (I don't know anything about other countries). My parents were both raised Calvinist. My mom was even a Presbyterian elder, briefly. They're now occasionally going to a mega-church loosely affiliated w/ the baptists. This sort of situation (or some variation) is fairly common across 21st century america.

 

[Corn Pop]

Yip. labels, labels, labels.

If there is one thing i do know, and i dont know much, its Jesus never wanted to become a religion or divided denomination.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Also...some of the mainline denominations aren't doing so well. They're losing members (I think Episcopalians and Presbyterians, PCUSA, lead the losses). Many say they've lost their way because of "liberalizing" their views. I dunno.

I think non-denominational churches, especially mega-churches, have their own dangers.

 

[JohnDB]

A church is a collection of believers. A group of friends who become family.

So as we all are individuals how and what we believe is individual in nature.

I don't share in Laurie White's thoughts about the Bible nor in the numerous commentaries that they spawn.

I don't share beliefs with any particular denominations. The Baptists have the widest pail of orthodoxy of the conservative denominations and so that is where I attend.

None of my church family understand much less share my beliefs. Except my wife...which is one reason I married her.

But they are family. I love them dearly. So they don't have my beliefs... Big deal. I belong there. We have enough in common so we can get along. When theological heads bump we don't allow it to divide us. We remain family. My own pastor is a Calvinist...I am not. But we both have a heart for missions... And so we agree on that point. We/they aren't Atheists or accepting of sinful lifestyles. We have more reasons to work together than apart...so we do.

So in short I can worship with the SDA...till I need some BBQ ribs. Then I gotta hang out with the Catholics.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Depends? Like Baptist vs Methodist, or Nondenominational vs Pentecostal doesn't seem to matter all that much. But when very different important doctrines are involved, that's a different story.

I don't care about the religious beliefs of political candidates, personally. So long as they respect freedom of religion. I am actually inclined to shy away from the typical Christian candidates because they don't.

 

[Corn Pop]

Freedom of religion opens doors to all types of evil.

 

[smaller]

My personal experience is that most religious people are just not all that nice at all and are really into condemnation unto others and self exoneration, self justification.

Shame really. I don't believe anyone who, in their heart, seeks to fry me alive forever based on their particular slants of doctrines. I'd say what they can do with their "doctrines" but it would not be accepted well by the proponents.

I know for a fact that "religion" tends to reflect the vileness and hardness of our own hearts. And not just christianity either. Most religions have similar issues with(in) their proponents.

I appreciate The Words of the God of Israel, expressed in Christ, primarily for ONE reason. That it explains in a very unique way, why people are factually unavoidably EVIL.

And yeah, that includes "all" of us as well.

 

[JohnDB]

Now Mormons and JW's aren't allowed on most Christian Forums for a reason. JWs use a decidedly different translation than everyone else.

Mormons prefer the Book of Mormon to the Bible.

So these groups have no common ground to speak with the rest of Christiandom.

 

[smaller]

Now Mormons and JW's aren't allowed on most Christian Forums for a reason. JWs use a decidedly different translation than everyone else.

Mormons prefer the Book of Mormon to the Bible.

So these groups have no common ground to speak with the rest of Christiandom.

They are pretty "out there" with their constructs. I mean, really? Jesus lives on the planet Kolob?

And JW's are a real trip. They seem to be pretty bad at figuring out that the "odds" of even their own membership making it into the 144,000 are exceptionally low, but I'd wager that every member thinks they are in.

Can't somebody just do the math for them and get it over with? lol. Low odds games are for suckers anyway.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Freedom of religion opens doors to all sorts of evil. It allows ideaologies to legally run loose. Look at all the legal tax free multi million doller cults.

You would have small home groups, and people practising there religion in private, not 50,000 people in one gathering and a pastor worth 20 million tax free corruption.

Look at scientology. And thats legal under freedom of religion?

I mean hail mother teresa look at all the anti-religious behaviour that goes on in this world.

What do you mean by "hail Mother Teresa?".