Denominations, yes there are many !!! I was truly amazed at the amount of them ,.. to me it only hurts an means dividing, or divisions,. For it actually says " We are the many membered body of Christ " ,.. so why so many ??? I dunno !!! But , Christianity is not a religion, it's a reality,.. for we are all , Christ's men / woman !!!!!
I agree, it's a disaster. Everyone wants to create their own interpretation of scripture, rather than read and accept the GOD'S WORD at face value. God made the main message simple for everyone to understand, yet many want to make it so complicated.
It really brings home this scripture:
Matthew 7:14-15
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT! Jesus knew that few will preserver with HIS WORD!
Next here you go:
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Many church's/congregations today seem to be more concerned with growing the congregation, and increasing their income, than preaching the WORD.
This scripture is so true:
2 Timothy 4:3
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
Something said here by Jesus that is so simple and easy to understand, but many will still turn their backs on Jesus:
Glenn I'll give you two examples that I know of denominational thought. When younger I attended a Methodist Church and one day I ask the pastor what was the beginning of methodists and he told me that John wesley had a method of preaching the bible in England hence methodists, the other was of course lutherans follow after Martin luther but if we are all part of body of christ then why not call yourself Christian, but I guess that's to easy.
Yes Glenn - very sad but very real. And you probably remember that the first sign of divisions took place in Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
Here the Corinthian Church began to factionalize, probably emphasizing certain teachings, or even the preaching abilities that were seen in those mentioned (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ). Briefly, these factions looked at Paul (as the Liberty Party: Galatians 5:1); Apollos (as the Intellectual & Eloquent Party: Acts 18:24-28); Cephas (as the Judaizing Party, clinging to many Jewish ceremonial duties, unlike Paul: Galatians 2:11-16); and Christ (as the Exclusive Party, having contempt for all human teachers bar Christ - allusion to this in 2 Corinthians 10:7).
Even though some may not agree with the above very general description, the fact remains that divisions based on personality & teaching began to develop even in the early Church. Should it be any wonder that two thousand years later, things would not get any better? As you study each denomination, you will see this common thread running through them, which has brought about separation, declaring 'we are the only ones with the Truth'. If it were not for the Holy Spirit indwelling only the truly saved, we could well think like them & believe that we are the only holders of Truth. But God has His own people in every place & in every denomination & for some there, they are still being exercised in mind & spirit to learn the Truth by reading God's Word for themselves & to leave when falsehood is preached or the Bible disregarded. We ought to pray for one another that we will not fall prey to the deceptions of the evil one & in forgetting to search the Scriptures.
You stated: "to learn the Truth by reading God's Word for themselves"
Well said! I will also take up your offer to pray, that I, along with you, and others, may endeavor to read and understand the scriptures with the help of God's Holy Spirit. Amen.
Luke 24:45
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,"
Peace
I agree, it's a disaster. Everyone wants to create their own interpretation of scripture, rather than read and accept the GOD'S WORD at face value. God made the main message simple for everyone to understand, yet many want to make it so complicated.
It really brings home this scripture:
Matthew 7:14-15
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT! Jesus knew that few will preserver with HIS WORD!
Next here you go:
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Many church's/congregations today seem to be more concerned with growing the congregation, and increasing their income, than preaching the WORD.
This scripture is so true:
2 Timothy 4:3
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"
Something said here by Jesus that is so simple and easy to understand, but many will still turn their backs on Jesus:
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Happy Sabbath Day, and God Bless.
Here the Corinthian Church began to factionalize, probably emphasizing certain teachings, or even the preaching abilities that were seen in those mentioned (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ). Briefly, these factions looked at Paul (as the Liberty Party: Galatians 5:1); Apollos (as the Intellectual & Eloquent Party: Acts 18:24-28); Cephas (as the Judaizing Party, clinging to many Jewish ceremonial duties, unlike Paul: Galatians 2:11-16); and Christ (as the Exclusive Party, having contempt for all human teachers bar Christ - allusion to this in 2 Corinthians 10:7).
Even though some may not agree with the above very general description, the fact remains that divisions based on personality & teaching began to develop even in the early Church. Should it be any wonder that two thousand years later, things would not get any better? As you study each denomination, you will see this common thread running through them, which has brought about separation, declaring 'we are the only ones with the Truth'. If it were not for the Holy Spirit indwelling only the truly saved, we could well think like them & believe that we are the only holders of Truth. But God has His own people in every place & in every denomination & for some there, they are still being exercised in mind & spirit to learn the Truth by reading God's Word for themselves & to leave when falsehood is preached or the Bible disregarded. We ought to pray for one another that we will not fall prey to the deceptions of the evil one & in forgetting to search the Scriptures.
You stated: "to learn the Truth by reading God's Word for themselves"
Well said! I will also take up your offer to pray, that I, along with you, and others, may endeavor to read and understand the scriptures with the help of God's Holy Spirit. Amen.
Luke 24:45
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,"
Good Bless.
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