Q: There are so many denominations... Which one is right ?
Friday, July 24th, 2009 at 12:30 AM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
A:
Yes, there are numerous denominations within the Christian church. This was even the case during the time of the New Testament...
In 1 Corinthians 1:11-12, Paul was dealing with one of these situations, "My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." " (NIV)
Usually spin-off denominations come about when there is an argument among Church Pastors and Leaders regarding the interpretation of the Bible / Church doctrine.
In 'Christian slang', these situations sometimes result in a "church split"--where one part of the Church Congregation stays and the other part leaves to start a new fellowship based on whatever they believe the others to be in error of.
During the New Testament days, the issues of circumcision and salvation for non-Jewish origin people were hot topics. Modern hot topics include tithing, baptism, speaking in tongues, and more.
We live in an imperfect world (see Genesis 1-4). So unfortunately, even the structure of the Church is going to be flawed... (see Revelation 2-3)
The good news, is that fixing the structure of the Church, is on Jesus' To Do List for when He returns, "I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple...Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:22; 27, NIV)
The most important thing to consider when selecting a Church to attend, is to make sure that the denomination (yes, this even counts for "non-denominational" Churches) believes that Jesus Christ :
+ Is the Holy Son of God (see Matthew 26:63-64)
+ That He was born of a virgin thus fully God, lived a sinless life on the Earth in the form of a human man, died, and came to life again, all to save humanity from our sinful nature (see Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 20:17-19, Matthew 26:1-5; 47-68, Matthew 27:11-66, Matthew 28)
+ That He is coming to Earth again one day to judge all who have lived (see John 5:19-30, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 22:7-21)
+ That the Bible is 100% true and the Holy Word of God (see 2 Timothy 3:12-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21)
+ and that they believe in The Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18-20, Revelation 1:1-3, Revelation 22:7; 10; 18-19).
Most Church web sites have a copy of their "Doctrinal Statement" which will list what their basis of Christianity is.
No matter what Church denomination you or your friends go to, don't get caught up on hot topics! Read the Bible for yourself and ask God to give you the proper interpretation of His Word regardless of whatever the current hot topics are.
" "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD " (Jeremiah 29:11-14, NIV)
In John 14:26, Jesus encourages us that God's Holy Spirit living inside of us, will teach us all things. Things regarding the Word of God, His will for our life, etc. and that we shouldn't get too bent out of shape regarding these matters. We just have to make the decision to continue to chase after God's way for living !
Great question! RUTH
* This is an excerpt from the book InTheTimes.com Q&A by Ruth Tynes. Copyright 2008. It may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.
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