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.
A 73 years old, I have seen in that short span many changes in the Catholic Church. Most rewarding has been the more quiet acceptance of other Denominations. Catholic / Baptist backgrounds of my father and mother, while not a major cause of friction, never the less caused a degree of discomfort between cousins and in-laws.
I believe the fact that most of my religious instruction was by Jesuits has been the major contribution to my present status.
Yes. The thing John replied when he and his disciples met Jesus along the road:
"Behold; the LAMB of GOD, who (which) takes AWAY the since of the world."
And, at the Last Supper (Passover meal), Jesus remarked about the food (which had been consumed faithfully and ritually, once a year, ever since GOD instituted it) "THIS is my body..."