My question is that is seems the great majority of Christians claim to follow the Bible as the Word of God. Why are there Catholics, Baptist, Lutherans, etc. etc.?
Shouldn't there be only One Church? And if so, which is it?
I know I will now be accused of all types of blasphemy and such, but it is a real request from someone trying to get it right and somehow “Baptism by Desire” seems to fall short. My background is Holy Cross high school, Loyola University. I am not a Biblical scholar as many here are, but my numerous inquiries to Priest, Monsignors and Brothers all fell short and ultimately fell back to: “It's a matter of Faith”, A Grace I am still searching for.
Actual Christians do endeavor to follow the Bible as the Word of God. The reason there are denominations are manifold, and not all of them are so-called Protestant. There are denominations known as Rites within Catholicism, are there not? What is the difference? Different emphases, different ceremonies, different rites, focusing more heavily upon one aspect of Scripture than another denomination, which focuses more upon another. But, both are Scriptural, both are sound of doctrine, both are Christian.
There were seven churches in Paul's time, all had strengths and weaknesses. He both lauded and chastised each. It is no different now. Christians will agree upon fundamental salvific matters, that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, born of a virgin, who was crucified, died a physical death and rose victorious over death and sin on the third day for the salvation of all who repent and believe on Him. These are the "church," the Body of Christ, which knows no denomination.
My prayer is that all who are Christians, regardless of denomination, heed the prayer of Jesus in John 17 that “all will be one.”
There is one church, those written in the book of life.
As for organizations of believers? Head, neck, feet, hands?
There is only one church, that is the believers in Jesus Christ no matter which church they attend, he is not a religion but a personal savior. Denominations are Man’s theology, however, one tenant of Faith that must be there is Jesus is the Passover Lamb for sin. Otherwise, it’s heresy or a cult belief to Christianity.
I think the best way to understand Jesus is to know he is ‘the Passover lamb’, which was sent to replace the old sacrifice done per the Old Testament to cover sin. The Jews were covered under their Old Testament and God made provision for them to go to heaven in the New Testament. I’ll send that scripture via separate post. Jesus was a Jew, Christians are Jews by adoption...simple as that, we are all God’s family. Christian persecution and Anti-Semitism are related.
A Testament is a Will, which designates the inheritance. In the Old T it was yearly Passover sacrifice of a lamb; and in New T when Jesus was sacrificed; it was a once and for all sacrifice for those who accepted him and repented of sin. The Bible says sins are not covered without a blood sacrifice.
Those who find so many different ways to heaven are deceived into believing that God is not God. However a book that has survived thousands of years of people trying to destroy it and they can’t, plus all prophecy has come to pass and we are in the last book...well, that’s quite a track record. I wouldn’t bet against it.
Baptism is also a part of Salvation, however the denominations disagree on how that is done. I think it’s done any way possible as a ‘required obedience’ from God of ‘putting off the old man, washed and cleansed in the blood, as a new beginning.
We do not go to heaven based on works, however, faith without works is dead....it’s a heart circumcision that becomes obvious through the person’s transformation as God’s love on the inside will make them want to do right.
I hope this helps, it is my own personal belief and that of most people I know in Christianity. I am an independent voter, so I guess that should tell you I am a non-denomination Christian. I relate best to full gospel Christians, who believe in the whole word of God by letting scripture interpret itself instead of theology books/churches. Going to Church will not save you, it is a accepting Jesus as Savior, repenting of sin, and recognizing Baptism as obedience to a new life, as one let’s Jesus presence in your life change you into the person you were supposed to be all along.
I speak directly to God in the name of Jesus, however it does say ‘confess your sins one to another’ which explains a public confession but that can be done anytime. I am not Catholic. However I am not taking issue with their way of confessing sins, only that reading God’s word and praying directly has given me a peace that has helped me through many a crisis.
This is a simple explanation and everything is not covered, but getting to Heaven is what I addressed...I’m sure I’ll get some flack from someone whose belief is different, I’m just answering you as I see it from my perspective.
God is Love, so Blessings to you.
**Shouldn’t there be only One Church? And if so, which is it?**
Indeed, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Here is promised scripture to understand the Israelites as God sees them: Romans Ch 11:23-32 Israel shall be saved...
There is only one church and it's none of the above...The 'church' is not an institution...Those not affiliated with the Catholic religion understand this...
A cursory study of the the 'church' in the scriptures readily reveals this...
Catholics can expect to be persecuted in our day, just like Christ was persecuted in his day.
God looks upon the heart rather than upon the form worship takes.
Jesus preached His message to all who would believe in Him and His message of salvation. Over the last 2,000 years we followers have done that, though not without disagreement and dissention. I believe that all of us who accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, will be welcomed by Him into heaven. He gives us His and His Father’s Grace.
While we, here in this physical realm, disagree over doctrine, as long as we dedicate ourselves to Him and follow his teachings, we will go home to Him. We are all Christians, and if He has the grace to forgive us our sins, then I suspect that he will forgive us of our doctrinal differences.
At the time of my baptism I had the sense that all who accept Jesus as his or her personal savior, ought to be united in following Him and doing His work. That we should not focus on what divides us, but on what unites us: Our give of salvation by our Saviour, Jesus.
And I’ve realized that in our disagreements we are not helping Him with the mission He entrusted to us as his disciples.
There's no accounting for taste.
1 Corinthians 11:17-19
17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
It was addressed LONG ago...
Other translation place a difference word here:
(There seems to be a bit of snarkiness in what Paul has written here...)
It appears that they don't post here often.
Usually it's "Luther was a heretic and his followers are fools."
;^)
There's a story told about a building event a LOOOooong time ago.
Seems some folks were building this REALLY high tower; and...
The same effect is still in the world today.
People argue and fuss about IDENTICAL things, but since they use slightly different words and meanings; each think the other is wrong.
There is only one true Church. It is made up of all the Saints who have believed and washed their robes in the Blood of Christ. It will be revealed at His coming. And by the way it will be comprised of people from every earthly denomination and a few that belonged to no earthly church.
Even Paul saw only through a glass darkly. No denomination has the power to save you. Only Christ can do that. There are true Christians in all churches, and plenty of those that Christ never knew in all churches as well. Only at His coming will the true Church be revealed.