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Which church is God's?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:09 am
by Short1
There is so much division in Christianity. I'm reading about arguments for and against Catholic teachings, about praying to saints, Eucharist, the apochrypha... It goes on and on. Why isn't there one church that is Christianity's? How am I supposed to know where to go or be part of a community in?
I could go to Catholic services like I always have or take part in one of 1,000 protestant churches, or just ignore church... What to do in light of all this division?

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:33 am
by narnia4
Well, the church is the body of Christ. A lot of the structure in these organizations, while not necessarily "wrong", aren't really Scriptural but are kind of "after the fact". Any church body you choose to be a part of, I guess the most important thing is that they agree on the essentials. God exists (obviously), Christ is God, the Scriptures are God-breathed, etc. After that, I'm prone to be lenient when it comes to non-essentials, although I think we all prefer to go to churches that share our beliefs on many of the non-essentials as well.

But it can be a tough question and a hard decision, don't forget prayer about it too.

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:56 am
by Furstentum Liechtenstein
Short1 wrote: I could go to Catholic services like I always have or take part in one of 1,000 protestant churches, or just ignore church... What to do in light of all this division?
Try a Messianic Synagogue. You won't get any more original than that. I could say ''It's the Real Thing'' but that phrase is protected copyright.

FL

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:51 pm
by Murray
The methodist church of course :D

God probably IMO, does not care what division of Christianity you are. If you believe Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again, and you accept jesus as your savior and strive to a live a christian and holy life god will not care if you were catholic, baptist, Lutheran, Methodist ect...

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 2:34 pm
by DannyM
Any Calvin Churches in existence? :)

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:21 pm
by Murray
DannyM wrote:Any Calvin Churches in existence? :)

Sure!!! There's a nice little calvinist chruch in westboro :mrgreen:

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:12 am
by Silvertusk
:pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound:

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:13 am
by DannyM
Murray wrote:
DannyM wrote:Any Calvin Churches in existence? :)

Sure!!! There's a nice little calvinist chruch in westborough :mrgreen:
I'm afraid that's not a Calvinist church ;)

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:37 am
by domokunrox
To answer the question fairly, yes there is much division in Christianity. But what does unite us is our belief in the complete authority of Jesus Christ as our Lord, savior, and his worthiness of worship as God in the flesh.

Its goes without saying that we should take his words and authority very seriously because our salvation rests on our response to his grace. For he is the rock upon where we should build our saving faith.

I would put a whole lot less emphasis on doctrines of Churches, and more emphasis on the central character that is our Lord and savior. He is the only begotten son. He is the great teacher. He should be everything to your entire life and the only reason you stand a chance.

I would put all your chips on Jesus. Not Luther, not calvin, not the pope, not mary, not peter.
Jesus. Get to know him. Seek him. Live for him. Obey him.

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:38 am
by RickD
DannyM wrote:
Murray wrote:
DannyM wrote:Any Calvin Churches in existence? :)

Sure!!! There's a nice little calvinist chruch in westborough :mrgreen:
I'm afraid that's not a Calvinist church ;)
It took me a while to understand what you meant, Murray. Because you spelled Westboro wrong. When I finally got it, I lol'd.
From what I've heard, and read on their website, they are very strict Calvinists. Murray, I'm not sure if Danny would like them there, because it seems, Danny doesn't want to take Calvinism all the way to its logical conclusion, like they do. ;)

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 1:45 pm
by PaulSacramento
There is a difference between the religion/faith of Christianity and the Christian religious organizations and one should confuse the two.
That said, the many denominations are such because SOMEONE deciced that one doctrine ( or several) was important enough to "stick out" above others and like-minded people agreed.
Of course most doctrines are man-made while the rest are "man-taught" so they in of themselves shouldn't be a reason to cause divisions, but we are all human and we are "fallen" and we tend to favour certain views over others and are attracted to like-minded people.

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:51 pm
by StMonicaGuideMe
Murray wrote:
DannyM wrote:Any Calvin Churches in existence? :)

Sure!!! There's a nice little calvinist chruch in westboro :mrgreen:
:pound: :pound: :pound:

True it's not a Calvinist (But a Baptist one). I appreciated the sentiment though XD

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:56 pm
by RickD
StMonicaGuideMe wrote:
Murray wrote:
DannyM wrote:Any Calvin Churches in existence? :)

Sure!!! There's a nice little calvinist chruch in westboro :mrgreen:
:pound: :pound: :pound:

True it's not a Calvinist (But a Baptist one). I appreciated the sentiment though XD
According to their website, they claim to be Calvinists.

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:16 pm
by StMonicaGuideMe
really?!?!? I guess the news keeps doing it wrong by calling them baptists. Oh right, when is the media ever accurate? :P

Re: Which church is God's?

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:25 pm
by Danieltwotwenty
domokunrox wrote:To answer the question fairly, yes there is much division in Christianity. But what does unite us is our belief in the complete authority of Jesus Christ as our Lord, savior, and his worthiness of worship as God in the flesh.

Its goes without saying that we should take his words and authority very seriously because our salvation rests on our response to his grace. For he is the rock upon where we should build our saving faith.

I would put a whole lot less emphasis on doctrines of Churches, and more emphasis on the central character that is our Lord and savior. He is the only begotten son. He is the great teacher. He should be everything to your entire life and the only reason you stand a chance.

I would put all your chips on Jesus. Not Luther, not calvin, not the pope, not mary, not peter.
Jesus. Get to know him. Seek him. Live for him. Obey him.
I agree with Domo, i attend a Anglican Church but i am a member of the body of Christ firstly.

Daniel