I'm very new to Christianity and want to join a church denomination. I've looked a few and I think I really like Eastern Orthodox Christianity and churches, but I don't know whether belonging to a specific authoritative denomination (like Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy) will effect whether or not I'll be saved. I believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for our sins, and I believe that there is one universal church and that is the belief in and salvation of Jesus Christ alone. I also know that churches such as Catholism and Eastern Orthodox usually believe that they are the one true church of Christ. Am I saved regardless of denomination as a Christian? The church I am currently looking to join is the Orthodox Christian Evangalismos Church, but I am worried that belonging to a specifically authoritative church in the sense that it believes it is the one true church may affect my salvation?
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Are all denominations (Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, etc.) who believe in the gospel and repent for their sins saved by Jesus Christ?
- Thread starter Daniel M
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I should also add that I do not believe that any physical church is the "true" church of Christ, as I said, I believe that there is only one true church of Christ and that is the one within, through believing the gospel and repenting that you're saved by Jesus Christ's salvation alone. My issue lies within whether or not belonging to one authoritative physical church that believes that it is the one true church and tradition will affect my salvation. I am also not looking for denomination recommendations unless it directly affects my salvation through Christ, otherwise I am looking forward to joining the Orthodox Christian Evangalismos church and getting baptised through there.
First you need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the church God wants you to attend. It's not about which church you go to, but that of what they teach that needs to line up with scripture and not trying to make scripture line up with their own doctrines. Do they teach the Baptism of Christ for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Do they teach about God's salvation and redemption through Christ.
While you can be saved regardless of what denomination you are in, some denominations teach that Christ's work on the cross was insufficient and a person must do additional works to be saved. That would be error. To be more specific, justification is by grace alone, on the basis of Christ's work alone, through faith alone. This comes, in part, from:
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Eph 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)
If a church teaches that works save you, then it is best to avoid it. You are correct that there is one universal church, consisting of all those who truly belong to Christ, but only God knows who those people are. Within every denomination, every church, there are going to be a mix of believers and those who think they're believers but are not. Just avoid anything to do with Mormonism or JWs, as they aren't Christian denominations to begin with.
As for_his_glory stated, pray about it; pray long and hard about it, as you visit different churches, and God will guide you. Obviously, you can visit as many different churches and denominations as you like, as often as you like. Pay close attention to what is said and see how it measures up with the Bible.
Corinthians chapter 3, the apostates started the denominations. They turned their backs on the truth. And agree on traditions of men. Jehovah witnesses don't believe in resurrection of jesus. Mormons believe Jesus was hung on pike. Catholic church prays to virgin Mary. I'm not attacking churches. Or disrespecting people beliefs. Proverbs chapter 5;1. To 5:17 covers apostates. They once knew the truth and formed denominations. They teach tradition of men, false doctrine. I would definitely stay away from denominations. I recommend shepherds chapel, gravette Arkansas. Their on YouTube. The pastor teaches sound doctrine. Its up to you. It's your decision.
If they believe the core tenants of Christianity, sure. A belief in Jesus as God, the trinity, and Jesus' literal historical existence and death and resurrection at minimum.
Corn Pop
Member
So by the Grace of God and Christs work alone one is saved, yet works follow because they are both in harmony. You will know them by there fruits.
That's how one can spot a wolf in sheeps clothing. Many church systems have it wrong, not individuals but the church systems, it's not a business where the gospel is preached in return for reward. Even Paul said a teacher earns his bread. You make sure everyone's needs are met first and everyone eaten then you take the bread. That's what someone who cares about there people would do. They would willingly starve if that means there children eat first if that was the case. Self serving is not the Church.
People give freely to the church each service yet someone in that church walks out with nothing when those gifts are suppose to go back to the people within the church and christian comunity in general who have needs because the church is suppose to look after and support each other.
Not gather wealth and those in authority are driving new flash cars and living in luxury why people give in good faith yet there brother sitting next to them in church service is walking out hungry.
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I use to attend a church a long time ago and before the offering plate was passed the Pastor would always say give your best and if you have need take out of the abundance.
Luk 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Corn Pop
Member
And that's great, a church that's say only give what you can if you can, and those in need if in need can take a dollar from the gifts to get there needs and essentials. Maybe food, clothes, medicine. Maybe someone there is broke and could do with a pair of shoes and socks as you hear the souls of the ones they wearing flapping everytime they walk. They only like 10 bucks for a good pair at the second hand store.
I'm sure that's what the Pastor and all those who give freely want to see, there fellow brothers and sisters in christ are taken care of. No one wants there brother or sister to suffer and go without.
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gralanlinae
Member
For a time in the early churches, and some today still do, they set a box in the Narthex or back of the church for folks to put their offerings in. I'm sure there was an elder nearby. Anyway, the idea was give or get as you need. For we need to give offerings, to support those in leadership, pay for accommodations (building, maintenance, &c.), to allow helping others in financial need, and more.
I've only been to one church like that, in the Hill Country of Texas.
I've only been to one church like that, in the Hill Country of Texas.
What we are taught and believe, and therefore practice does indeed affect our salvation.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:1
God loves you dearly, and desires that you draw near to Him and and learn from Him; from His Spirit.
Pray and ask your Heavenly Father for wisdom, and to lead and guide you into all truth by His Spirit.
I encourage you to develope a love and healthy respect for the scriptures.
Read the bible and feed your mind the truth.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:31-32
JLB
Christ_empowered
Member
I think 
the danger in extra layers of dogma and tradition is focusing on the wrong thing. To my Protestant mind overemphasis on extras can obscure the Good News.
the danger in extra layers of dogma and tradition is focusing on the wrong thing. To my Protestant mind overemphasis on extras can obscure the Good News.Look for the church of the bible. All denominations aren't the church of the bible. The word denomination alone is sufficient to determine that such that adhere to denominational teachings are inconsistent in some way to the gospel. You have to ask yourself what the gospel is and what is it's message. Read the account of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Philip preached Christ to him, he believed and asked what would hinder him from being baptized, do obviously, baptism and it's necessity was part of Philip's preaching. Upon his confession of his belief he was baptized. So too, confession of your belief is also required which is consistent with Romans 10:9. Read also what was told to the Jews on the day of Pentecost in Acts to when they asked what they should do after realizing they were responsible for crucifying Jesus. In Acts 2:38, they were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.
So when you put the various elements together as to what is necessary for salvation and what constitutes the gospel or good news, you end up with the following:
1.belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Baptism
If your church doesn't follow the above, which most don't, then they are inconsistent with the gospel and word of God. Look elsewhere.
I agree that there is one universal Church. I also agree that God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.(John 3:16) I also believe that, faith without works is dead.(James 2:13-17) So a person can say they believe or have faith that Jesus came and died for them and not get eternal life if he/she doesn't have true faith.
When it comes to which church is teaching the true religion, I know we all are going to make our choices. But I think before a person examines that, I think a person should give some attention to the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Persons earth wide are familiar with what it says about Adam and Eve. Simple as that account may seem, I think it's a key place to look in searching for identifying marks of the true Church that is teaching the truth that's in scripture.
Genesis reports that God created man directly, forming him out of the elements of the earth and then proceeded “to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7) The Creator designated one of the trees of the garden where Adam lived as representing the knowledge of good and bad and commanded: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.” (Genesis 2:16, 17) So God indicated his right to determine what is good and what is bad. The Creator also made a woman, Eve, and presented her to Adam as a permanent mate.(Genesis 2:24) Now, in our seeking to identify the Church that's teaching the truth from the scriptures I think we can learn much from this well-known account.
First, the Bible says plainly that man was created directly by God. (Genesis 2:7) It does not say that over millions of years he evolved from some form of animal life. How do we know? Because the record unequivocally states that the animals were to reproduce “according to their kinds.” (Genesis 1:21, 24) True there is latitude for variety within the animal kinds, such as the many types and sizes in the cat family. But God’s law prescribed a boundary, so that the animals could not evolve from one kind to another animal kind, so no animal could evolve into a human, the highest of created kinds on earth. Furthermore, no intermediate life forms have ever been found. Does the church you're interested in accept the Bible account, or does it go along with the popular but unproven theory of evolution?
Next, we should note that Adam was created with the prospect of endless life here on earth. God said that if he disobeyed, he would die. Doesn't the scriptures teach that God never condoned disobedience? The converse is clear. If he obeyed God, he would not die. He would continue alive on earth. As what? As a human soul. Didn't we read at Genesis 2:7, “the man came to be a living soul”? Why is this important?
Well many churches teach that the scriptures teach that each human has within him an immortal soul. That was a prominent teaching in ancient Egypt and Babylon, and it is still found in many religions and many churches that say the scriptures teach this. But does it agree with what Genesis says about Adam? Not at all. Adam did not have an immortal soul within him, he was a soul he wasn't given one. And what would happen at death? Would he receive immortal life as a spirit? No! God said that he would return to the ground, “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) Adam’s death was to be a punishment for breaking God’s law, not a step toward eternal life certainly not immortal life somewhere else.
So a person should ask himself/herself, ‘Is that what the Church I'm considering teaching? The Bible nowhere teaches that humans have immortal souls that survive the death of the body. It gives a better hope, namely, that God is able to bring a person back to life as a soul, resurrecting him to live on earth or in the spirit realm.(Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38)
In view of what we read in Genesis, does the church a person is considering teach that God’s purpose was for humans to live endlessly on earth? Many of the major churches focus attention on afterlife in heaven, nirvana or something of the sort. One mark of the true religion is acceptance of the Bible’s teaching that the earth is man’s home, where God purposes for humans to live perpetually.(Isaiah 45:18; Isaiah 55:11)
GodsGrace
CF Ambassador
The answer is yes.
You will be saved no matter what church you join. Your faith in Christ saves you, not any church.
You should belong to a church and share your faith with others. Read and study your bible and learn your faith.
God is everywhere we seek Him.
Welcome to the forum,
And to the Christian faith that offers the best answers to the questions of life.
Faith alone doesn't and won't save you. Your faith will or should lead you to be obedient. You must obey the gospel. Salvation consists of belief and faith, confession of your belief (ref. the Ethiopian eunuch and Rom 10:9), repentance (ref. Acts 2:38), and baptism (Acts 2:38)