One right religion?

[Nicole L. Sattler]

Do any of you believe that there is one "right" religion?

We have so many denominations nowadays, how do we know which one to follow? For the most part, it seems that most of them follow the bible but interpret it in a different way.

I know that some religions practice and teach unbiblical doctrines. Do you think that would affect their salvation? For example, the Catholic pray to Mary and saints. In the bible it teaches we should only pray to Him. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[xounstaer]

christianity indeed teaches there is only one; believe or religion...
turned out to be put among other religions..

but i guess the thought of living in the truth to me would be the right believe or better religion.

 

[Elijah674]

Do any of you believe that there is one "right" religion?

We have so many denominations nowadays, how do we know which one to follow? For the most part, it seems that most of them follow the bible but interpret it in a different way.

I know that some religions practice and teach unbiblical doctrines. Do you think that would affect their salvation? For example, the Catholic pray to Mary and saints. In the bible it teaches we should only pray to Him. What are your thoughts on this?

Only [ONE] Faith. Eph. 4:5. See John 10:16 + Rev. 18:4 The Word itself has ALL the others 'faiths' (church) as seen in Rev. 17:1-5. And those verses are the WORD of God.

--Elijah

 

[Igor]

Nicole, you are bringing up a lot of interesting topics (at least to me) since you joined us. It's refreshing!

I think there is a difference between the words "religion" and "denomination". To me "religion" is something like Christianity, Budism, Islam, etc, where the core beliefs and values of each are not compatible with each other. Denominations are different groups within the same religion, ie Methodist, Baptist, etc. where they have different ways of doing things, but their core beliefs still reflect the religion as a whole. I.e., in Christianity, a denomination will still testify that Jesus is the son of God the Father, was sacrificed to pay for our sins, and His sacrifice is the only way to a relationship with God the Father.

To the question of is there one right "religion", I would have to answer that Christianity is the one right religion since we are taught that no one goes to God except through the Son, Jesus Christ. But I think you are probably meaning to ask more about denominations than religions. I've found all denominations I've been involved with over the years (including "non-denominational" churches) have good and bad points. The key is to look directly to scripture, and believe scripture over denominational doctrine.

You are in a part of the world heavily influenced by the Catholic church. Indeed they believe in praying to Mary and even worshiping her as God. Did you watch the funeral of the previous Pope and notice the large "M" on his casket? That is a symbol for Mary, and the fact that it was the only symbol he chose to have on his casket spoke volumes about who he worshiped. Pope Paul had a lot of good points, and did a lot of good things for the Catholic church in his life, but he was well documented as a devout "marist" (someone who worships Mary as God).

Some denominations have differing beliefs on relatively minor issues (such as whether to use wine or grape juice for communion), but when it comes to worshiping someone other than who scripture tells us we should worship, I have to question if this is still part of the "Christian" religion!

 

[Alabaster]

I do not adhere to a religion, but I do have a relationship wit the living God through the living Jesus Christ.

James 1:27 NLT
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

 

[sdktlk]

I do not adhere to a religion, but I do have a relationship wit the living God through the living Jesus Christ.

James 1:27 NLT
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

"...and refusing to let the world (kosmos - this order, this arrangement of things) corrupt you..."

Much could be said about this arrangement of things. SEE: Bible Truths And Prophecy — Blogs, Pictures, and more on WordPress You have to read all the blogs from the first to the last or it will just be confusion.

 

[Alabaster]

"...and refusing to let the world (kosmos - this order, this arrangement of things) corrupt you..."

Much could be said about this arrangement of things. SEE: Bible Truths And Prophecy — Blogs, Pictures, and more on WordPress You have to read all the blogs from the first to the last or it will just be confusion.

Just take the word at face value.

 

[francisdesales]

Do any of you believe that there is one "right" religion?

We have so many denominations nowadays, how do we know which one to follow? For the most part, it seems that most of them follow the bible but interpret it in a different way.

I know that some religions practice and teach unbiblical doctrines. Do you think that would affect their salvation? For example, the Catholic pray to Mary and saints. In the bible it teaches we should only pray to Him. What are your thoughts on this?

Catholics don't pray "TO" Mary or the saints - as if we expect them to shower us with divine gifts. We ask that they pray for us, just as Paul asked fellow Christians to pray for Him. Now, doesn't that contradict your idea that the Bible teaches we should "only pray to Him"? Clearly, we pray for others sake.

Regards

 

[sdktlk]

Just take the word at face value.

The Lord Jesus said, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Mat 28:20)

The Greek word here for "world" is aiōn which means age. The translators translated both kosmos and aiōn world when in fact the emphasis is on different things. It is the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Son 2:15) Yours in Christ.

 

[Alabaster]

The Lord Jesus said, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Mat 28:20)

The Greek word here for "world" is aiōn which means age. The translators translated both kosmos and aiōn world when in fact the emphasis is on different things. It is the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Son 2:15) Yours in Christ.

It doesn't change the fact that Jesus is always with us---forever.


Indeed, foxes nipping at the vines are a nuisance.

 

[xounstaer]

Catholics don't pray "TO" Mary or the saints - as if we expect them to shower us with divine gifts. We ask that they pray for us, just as Paul asked fellow Christians to pray for Him. Now, doesn't that contradict your idea that the Bible teaches we should "only pray to Him"? Clearly, we pray for others sake.

Regards

isnt paulus/saul not also the one the romans believes/believed had the one' believe later on religion or deno..sry i know he is.

christianity as it's written is 1 right religion. it's just that not everyone believes so

 

[Igor]

Catholics don't pray "TO" Mary or the saints - as if we expect them to shower us with divine gifts. We ask that they pray for us, just as Paul asked fellow Christians to pray for Him. Now, doesn't that contradict your idea that the Bible teaches we should "only pray to Him"? Clearly, we pray for others sake.

Regards

Sorry, but if Paul ever asked dead Christians to pray for him, there is no record or hint of it in scripture that I have ever seen. I'm pretty sure the people he asked to pray for him that you are referring to were alive at the time. And yes, Cathoics DO pray to Mary, and other dead people as well. I've seen it first hand. Maybe the Catholics you know don't do this, but it is done among many Catholics, including Pope Paul, the past leader of the Catholic church. It's true that I have never seen anyone specifically ask Mary to "shower them with divine gifts", but they do pray to her.

How can anyone ask Mary (or any other dead person) to pray for them without praying TO her? She is no longer alive to ask personally in the way Paul was asking people to pray for him.

Also, where are we told in scripture that we are to ask dead people to pray for us instead of going directly to God himself? However, there are several passages instructing us to pray directly to God the Father.

Praying for another person is not even remotely related to praying to a dead person and asking that dead person to pray to God for us.

I'm not trying to bash Catholics here. I have many good friends that are Catholic. And if I am just not understanding scripture, I am open to having that shown to me. But it has to be shown from scripture, not from just what someone says. I just don't see worship and veneration of saints anywhere in scripture.

 

[Mike]

It would be best if this didn't quickly turn into a Catholic/non-Catholic discussion. Nicole's OP didn't pursue this course. Igor had the same initial questions I had, and basically the same responses I'd give to both scenarios. If you're asking about "denominations", I think he nailed it. If you're asking about Christianity (which seems less likely), I think he nailed that too.

But perhaps you can clarify.

 

[Nicole L. Sattler]

Perhaps I didn't have the right terms in my original post. I wasn't sure what to put... A lot of people say that Christianity is not a religion, but set of beliefs. Some say that Christianity is a religion and all of the denominations are like sub-categories within it. I think Igor has the right idea, though.

I did not want to make this thread about Catholicism and if it is right or not... it was just an example.

So, lets say Judaism, Christianity, and Islam... They all have the same God, but from what I know, Muslims do not believe that He had a son. I know Jesus said "No one comes to the Father except through me..." Since they deny Jesus, would God deny them?

Now what about Judaism? They have some of the same beliefs as Christianity (from what I can understand), but they don't believe that Jesus was God's son, and he has yet to come. Where does that leave them?

This is just for opinions... and I am not trying to "attack" other religions. I am just curious.

 

[Igor]

...Since they deny Jesus, would God deny them?

Sadly for them, yes. You said yourself:

I know Jesus said "No one comes to the Father except through me..."

Now what about Judaism? They have some of the same beliefs as Christianity (from what I can understand), but they don't believe that Jesus was God's son, and he has yet to come. Where does that leave them?

According the the scripture that you cited above, it pretty much leaves them just as lost as any other religion that denies Christ is God's son. Not trying to sound cold, but to say anything else would be watering down God's truth to the point that it would no longer be true. This is why it is so important for all of us to study and know God's word so we can share it with all who would listen before it's too late!

 

[Alabaster]

Nicole~

You touched upon the core truth: anyone who denies Jesus as the Christ, God will deny. So, both Muslims and unsaved Jews are outside of Christ.

Matthew 10:33 NLT
But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

2 Timothy 2:12 NLT
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.

 

[Nicole L. Sattler]

Sadly for them, yes. You said yourself:


According the the scripture that you cited above, it pretty much leaves them just as lost as any other religion that denies Christ is God's son. Not trying to sound cold, but to say anything else would be watering down God's truth to the point that it would no longer be true. This is why it is so important for all of us to study and know God's word so we can share it with all who would listen before it's too late!

I think the same. I wonder, though, are there any people who practice Judaism and believe that Jesus was God's son? Is that even possible?

 

[Nicole L. Sattler]

Nicole, you are bringing up a lot of interesting topics (at least to me) since you joined us. It's refreshing!

I am a very curious person I guess. I tend to think a lot which is sometimes a bad thing... a while back I had to listen to a series of sermons titled "Jesus for Thinkers" ... haha.

I think too much and try to understand the bible, evolution, creation and so on. It can be really hard to maintain your faith, but in the end it seems to make it stronger.

 

[Igor]

I think the same. I wonder, though, are there any people who practice Judaism and believe that Jesus was God's son? Is that even possible?

Yes, they are called "Messianic Jews". I have a personal friend that is a Messianic Rabbi. They follow many of the Jewish laws and traditions, but only do so voluntarily. They accept Jesus the same way we do, and receive forgiveness and salvation through Christ the same way we do. More informally, I have heard them referred to as "Completed Jews".

 

[zadaqom]

Do any of you believe that there is one "right" religion?

We have so many denominations nowadays, how do we know which one to follow? For the most part, it seems that most of them follow the bible but interpret it in a different way.

I know that some religions practice and teach unbiblical doctrines. Do you think that would affect their salvation? For example, the Catholic pray to Mary and saints. In the bible it teaches we should only pray to Him. What are your thoughts on this?

In my opinion, there is only one true religion; and that is the one already existing since the beginning. We believe that there is only one God, and that he made the world and we worship Him, therefore, our religion should only have faith in him. One God, one Faith. Then, we have our written doctrine about this religion; that is on the Bible. More so of the things we need to know about this; God made it known to us by our hearts and by our minds, as we pray and believe in Him. We could just live a life like this, in the midst / contending in these various denominations or sects.

And just as you have said that denominations interpret the scripture in various ways; then, I should remind [you] that we are free and we have the option to live and to stand by what we believe, as we know it. If we know by heart or by law that a certain practice should not be done, we can refrain from it. The same way, we can agree or choose to practice some things that we think lawful; of course, we do not judge by ourselves alone but by the Spirit. In other words/variations, we are not forced to believe everything or to practice everything prescribed in that certain denomination for by heart we are urged by the true religion we believe.

There is only one religion and one God,who is above all.