Do Denominational Differences Really Matter?

[K2CHRIST]

That was the purpose of God, to go to the sinners and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. There is no command to not associate with sinners. We would have to be apart from this world for that to be possible. The position of the Church was one of a priesthood and Sonship and heirs of God to the Throne of God. And It was offered to the Priest and religious leaders who knew the Scriptures and should have heralded in and been witnesses of the Christ, for He came unto His own, (religious leaders) But His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) They did not want to turn over divine authority to the Christ, but wanted to keep it for them selves. (Matt. 21:33-46) But to those who did receive Him, He gave them power to be Sons of God (John 1:12-13). So Christ called those to inheritance that were not originally intended because The religious leaders rejected Him as King and forfeited their position. (Matt. 21:38-44) Now, there is a command to have NOTHING to do with some one who says he is a brother , who live and practice by the principles of this world...do not even eat with them, (1 Cor. 5:9-13).
God is not saving the world at this time, He is creating His Church (body of believers in His image) The Church is called out by the Lord as Son's of God.(Rom. 8:14-17) And the Gates of Hell can not come against it. The Lord said that, not me. (Matt. 16:13-19) And only the Lord adds to His Church...And once the fullness of the Gentiles have completed the Body of Christ, the body will be complete. (Rom. 11:25) The saving of mankind will be after the Church returns to heaven with the calling of the Lord, Then the multitude of men, that can not be counted, will be save of all nations. (Rev. 7:9-17) This is what The Lord teaches. Man teaches another Gospel. Study the proof Scriptures above...They are clear! I tell you, quit following the Doctrine of men and ask the Lord to lead you to the Truth. If you truly are sincere, everything material that you have put your trust into will be taken from you, till there is nothing left to cling to but the Lord. BTW, The religious leaders of Israel knew the Scriptures, and they also knew that Jesus was the Christ, they just straight out rejected Him to keep their status of importance and praises from the people. (John 3:1-2).

Nice posts

God leaves a remnant, so is everyone in every Christian church going to wind up in heaven? It doesn't seem so. But that considered, we need to be careful coming against other Christian denominations!

 

[Malachi]

And that, I think counts more than being theologically correct, if Jesus is to be believed.

Well for Jesus right actions (and attitudes) and right belief were equally important. A reading of Revelation chapters 1-3 brings this out.

 

[Douglas Summers]

Nice posts

God leaves a remnant, so is everyone in every Christian church going to wind up in heaven? It doesn't seem so. But that considered, we need to be careful coming against other Christian denominations!

Hi K2, Any man that defends their denomination with vigor, usually put Christ in second place. And a lot of denominations have their own constitution (the what we believe list) that are not biblical taught doctrines. So yes, we need to be careful that we do not follow after, blindly. But we must contend for the faith...not a denomination.

 

[K2CHRIST]

Hi K2, Any man that defends their denomination with vigor, usually put Christ in second place. And a lot of denominations have their own constitution (the what we believe list) that are not biblical taught doctrines. So yes, we need to be careful that we do not follow after, blindly. But we must contend for the faith...not a denomination.

I fully agree with the comments!!! I loved the above statements!

Men so often do put our denominations before God. That is a problem. But that is a problem men have in general. We always want to put our ideas and thoughts before God's idea's and thoughts! This is a reason to turn to God and seek His advice no matter what denomination or church we are in. So then the problem is with men, not the denominations. Not that we shouldn't try to address problems in denominations, but that we should be understanding about the problems in denominations, because they are our problems. For me, I ask are they making some efforts (albeit poor because they are human) to preach Jesus Christ. If so, I count them as Christian.

 

[Douglas Summers]

I fully agree with the comments!!! I loved the above statements!

Men so often do put our denominations before God. That is a problem. But that is a problem men have in general. We always want to put our ideas and thoughts before God's idea's and thoughts! This is a reason to turn to God and seek His advice no matter what denomination or church we are in. So then the problem is with men, not the denominations. Not that we shouldn't try to address problems in denominations, but that we should be understanding about the problems in denominations, because they are our problems. For me, I ask are they making some efforts (albeit poor because they are human) to preach Jesus Christ. If so, I count them as Christian.

Agreed.

 

[AbbeyJoy]

Answer for the title. No all what matters is the heart and your relationship with God.

 

[K2CHRIST]

Answer for the title. No all what matters is the heart and your relationship with God.

Sounds good, but our relationship with others matter also. It's love the Lord your God with all your.... and love your neighbor as yourself. So denominations and fellow ship matters.

 

[Corn Pop]

Yes denominational differences matter because they all claim there foundation is Jesus Christ yet i did not know Jesus Christ had a hypocritacle, contradicting, split personalitys. Its not a good look representing Christ.

 

[Jim Parker]

Men so often do put our denominations before God.

I wonder how many people are aware that "denominations" are the product of the Protestant Reformation.
Prior to that, there were only the Syrian Church, the Eastern Church, the Coptic Church and the Roman church.
Now I'm told that there are as many as 50,000 "denominations."
Should make us say, "Hmmmmm....".

iakov the fool 2

 

[Douglas Summers]

I wonder how many people are aware that "denominations" are the product of the Protestant Reformation.
Prior to that, there were only the Syrian Church, the Eastern Church, the Coptic Church and the Roman church.
Now I'm told that there are as many as 50,000 "denominations."
Should make us say, "Hmmmmm....".

iakov the fool 2

They may not have been called denominations at that time, but churches breaking away from the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ or the Doctrine of Christ started as soon as the Church was established. (1 John 2:18-20). The whole of the Epistles and Acts of the Apostles are about the warning of those breaking away from the foundation of sound doctrine and creating the doctrine of men out of the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ (the letter to the churches in The Revelation of Jesus the Christ.)

 

[Jim Parker]

They may not have been called denominations at that time

But we're talking about denominations today.
The fracturing of the body of Christ into thousands of "denominations" began in earnest with the reformation.

churches breaking away from the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ or the Doctrine of Christ started as soon as the Church was established.

Those who broke off and taught new doctrines were heretics.
Among themselves, the denominations are not considered heretical. (At least not out loud in public) Lutherans are considered to have as valid an expression of the Gospel as Baptists and Pentecostals.
That was not the case with the Judaizers of Paul's day, the Arians, the Docetists, the Nestorians, etc. They were expelled from the Christian community as heretics.

iakov the fool 2

 

[Sinthesis]

I wonder how many people are aware that "denominations" are the product of the Protestant Reformation.
Prior to that, there were only the Syrian Church, the Eastern Church, the Coptic Church and the Roman church.
Now I'm told that there are as many as 50,000 "denominations."
Should make us say, "Hmmmmm....".

iakov the fool 2

I remember when there was only ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS.

 

[Douglas Summers]

But we're talking about denominations today.
The fracturing of the body of Christ into thousands of "denominations" began in earnest with the reformation.

Those who broke off and taught new doctrines were heretics.
Among themselves, the denominations are not considered heretical. (At least not out loud in public) Lutherans are considered to have as valid an expression of the Gospel as Baptists and Pentecostals.
That was not the case with the Judaizers of Paul's day, the Arians, the Docetists, the Nestorians, etc. They were expelled from the Christian community as heretics.

iakov the fool 2

a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its own beliefs and practices. This is the definition of a denomination. This definition applies to the early church. Being of a Catholic denomination would be biased because they claim to be the true church. But so do the Church of Christ, the LDS, The Baptist, The JW and many others that lay claim to being the original and only true church that Christ started from the beginning. And devote Catholics are anti-reformation-est because the reformation rose up out of Catholicism with Martin Luther. But there was no practice of Catholicism by the early Church. Catholicism rose up out of the latter days of the established Church of God in Jesus Christ. One thing Catholicism did that (had it been of the Spirit and not of the Adamic nature) was that of an orderly Kingdom of the Heavens, but the Kingdom of the Heavens is ruled by an EQUAL brotherhood. Not a ruling class usurping the power of Christ as if though they are Christ only Vicar and final and last word. So to make denominations something that came after Catholicism to make Catholics look like the only foundation of a true church is no more warranted than the LDS and C of C or JW's saying they are the only true church.

 

[Jim Parker]

This definition applies to the early church. Being of a Catholic denomination would be biased because they claim to be the true church.

That is not how the word "catholic" was used in the early church for at least the first 1400 years.

But there was no practice of Catholicism by the early Church.

That is true. What we today call "Catholicism" is not what the Church of the 1st 1000 years was.

but the Kingdom of the Heavens is ruled by an EQUAL brotherhood. Not a ruling class usurping the power of Christ as if though they are Christ only Vicar and final and last word.

That sounds like the usual anti-catholic polemic. It's no more than Reform Church propaganda. I do wish that people would get over the split and act like Christians toward one another.

So to make denominations something that came after Catholicism to make Catholics look like the only foundation of a true church

That is not what I have done.
I have provided historical facts without delving into any particular spin on theology.

And, by the way, FYI, when you make your entire post bold, it is as if your were shouting.

Grace and peace to your from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


iakov the fool 2

 

[Douglas Summers]

And, by the way, FYI, when you make your entire post bold, it is as if your were shouting. I thought all caps was shouting? I can see better with bold type.

Grace and peace to your from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you really mean this from your heart? I'am just asking, because too many write salutations as proper and not personally. For the visible Church is void of grace and peace. This is not sarcasm, It is an observation of the lack of true fellowship and care in the visible body of Christ. (love your brother as I have loved you) John Chapter 15.

Douglas said:↑
but the Kingdom of the Heavens is ruled by an EQUAL brotherhood. Not a ruling class usurping the power of Christ as if though they are Christ only Vicar, and final and last word.
Jim replied:
That sounds like the usual anti-catholic polemic. It's no more than Reform Church propaganda. I do wish that people would get over the split and act like Christians toward one another.

The term "vicar" comes from the Latin word vicarius, which means "instead of." In the Catholic Church, the vicar is the representative of a higher-ranking official, with all of the same authority and power that that official has. Calling the pope the "Vicar of Christ" implies that he has the same power and authority that Christ had over the church. The title is derived from Jesus' words in John 21:16-17 to Peter, "Feed my lambs . . . Take care of my sheep." This, according to Catholic reasoning, defines Peter as the Prince of the Apostles, the first pope, and fulfills the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18-19 (calling Peter the rock upon which Jesus will build His church).

 

[Jim Parker]

Douglas said:↑
but the Kingdom of the Heavens is ruled by an EQUAL brotherhood. Not a ruling class usurping the power of Christ as if though they are Christ only Vicar, and final and last word.

The kingdom of heaven is ruled by a KING. His name is Jesus.
The "equality" of leadership you declare provides an image of the Church in chaos because everyone thinks he answers only to himself and (nominally) Jesus. Christ didn't set the church up that way. He put overseers (bishops; Gr: EPISCOPOS) elders and deacons in every congregation.

The term "vicar" comes from the Latin word vicarius, which means "instead of." In the Catholic Church, the vicar is the representative of a higher-ranking official, with all of the same authority and power that that official has.

And Jesus the King gave His Church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. (Eph 4:11) All of those people carry out their callings "in the place of" Jesus Who is no longer walking the roads of this world. We are told to pay them the proper respect.
1Th 5:12-13 (RSV) But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

If the RCC wants to have a single person at the top of their chain of command, how is that any skin off of your nose? Most American denominations do the same and have a single person who is the leader of their denomination; a "bishop" or a "general superintendent" or such title. And they bear a heavy burden of responsibility because, just like the pope, that person will answer to God for his leadership.

So, rather than having your knickers in a perpetual knot because of what "them doggone papists" do, why not concentrate on making you own calling an election sure?

I don't think that making sure everyone knows what's wrong with other people's Christian faith is a spiritual gift. And being in a constant snit about what "them dern papists" do just means that they are in control of a big piece of your brain function.

iakov the fool 2

 

[GodsGrace]

Do you really mean this from your heart? I'am just asking, because too many write salutations as proper and not personally. For the visible Church is void of grace and peace. This is not sarcasm, It is an observation of the lack of true fellowship and care in the visible body of Christ. (love your brother as I have loved you) John Chapter 15.

Douglas said:↑
but the Kingdom of the Heavens is ruled by an EQUAL brotherhood. Not a ruling class usurping the power of Christ as if though they are Christ only Vicar, and final and last word.
Jim replied:
That sounds like the usual anti-catholic polemic. It's no more than Reform Church propaganda. I do wish that people would get over the split and act like Christians toward one another.

The term "vicar" comes from the Latin word vicarius, which means "instead of." In the Catholic Church, the vicar is the representative of a higher-ranking official, with all of the same authority and power that that official has. Calling the pope the "Vicar of Christ" implies that he has the same power and authority that Christ had over the church. The title is derived from Jesus' words in John 21:16-17 to Peter, "Feed my lambs . . . Take care of my sheep." This, according to Catholic reasoning, defines Peter as the Prince of the Apostles, the first pope, and fulfills the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18-19 (calling Peter the rock upon which Jesus will build His church).

Sorry Douglas Summers
There are too many statements made on both sides of the isle that are just not correct.

Vicar does not imply that the Pope has the same authority and POWER as Christ. Catholics do believe that Jesus passed on to the Apostles His authority to forgive sins. John 20:23

It just means Christ's REPRESENTATIVE on earth.

This is from Wikipedia:

Vicar of Christ (from Latin Vicarius Christi) is the term used in different ways, with different theological connotations throughout history. As the original notion a vicar is of "earthly representative of God or Christ" but also used in sense of "person acting as parish priest in place of a real parson"[1] The title is now used in Catholicism to refer to the bishops[2] and more specifically to the Bishop of Rome (the pope).[3]

A representative is not the same as the person he is representing.
You make it sound like the Pope thinks he IS Christ.

You could read more of this on that site.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicar_of_Christ

Wondering

 

[reba]

10) Discussion of Catholic doctrine is allowed only in the One on One Debate and End Times forums. (ToS 2.2)
RCC content in the End Times forum should relate to End Times beliefs. Do not start new topics elsewhere or sway existing threads toward a discussion or debate that may be viewed as ‘Catholic’ in nature.

 

[Douglas Summers]

10) Discussion of Catholic doctrine is allowed only in the One on One Debate and End Times forums. (ToS 2.2)
RCC content in the End Times forum should relate to End Times beliefs. Do not start new topics elsewhere or sway existing threads toward a discussion or debate that may be viewed as ‘Catholic’ in nature.

It is a discussion of religious history... not about catholic and it is the Truth.

 

[Jim Parker]

It is a discussion of religious history... not about catholic and it is the Truth.

You mentioned the words "catholic" and "pope."
Now we all have to go to our safe places. 2
2


iakov the fool