I've been thinking a lot lately about all the different denominations within the Christian church. Why do we have so many? I've learned that it really depends on the actual church itself and not so much the denomination that makes a church Godly and Biblical. I grew up being "prejudice" against Presbyterians. Ha! I know, sounds funny. But really, my dad's mom went to a Presbyterian church for 40 years or more (my dad grew up in that church). Now, I will say my grandma loved the Lord. She talked to me all the time about Jesus. She also had an addiction to the social aspect of church. She taught a ladies Sunday School class for almost the whole time and had "circle" meetings at her house every Monday night. Nothing's wrong with that at all. It's just that it became the most important part of church to her. That's the way it was with a lot of people at that church. Well, I soon found out it's not just the Presbyterians. It was just those particular Presbyterians as well as certain Methodists, and yes - God forgive me - Baptists! (I am in a Baptist church - that's why I said that). I've been in some dead Baptist churches before. They reminded me of my grandma' s church. Anyway, I'm not knocking the churches (not really). When the focus leaves God and centers on social events, something wrong. Something's even more wrong when the church starts compromising to accomodate the lifestyles of church members. Or even more bizarre - my grandma's church started allowing the Buddhists to meet in one of the rooms of the church one day during the week to worship. What?! Well, I'm a little off track here. I was talking about denominations. Actually, within the Baptists, there are so many divisions I never realized until we started looking for a new church last year. We currently attend a PFWB. If you're not living in the south (or even if you are!), you may have no idea what that means. It's the Pentocostal Free Will Baptist church. We visited it because my daughter is going to go to preschool there. We wanted to check it out. We loved it! I did some research online to find out exactly what they are about. There is one thing that stuck out that I did not like. On the official PFWB website, it says that they believe one can lose their salvation. I've always believed in once saved, always saved - STILL DO. So my husband and I called the pastor of the church. It turns out he believes in Once Saved, Always Saved as well. He said that there are churches within the PFWB church that believe you can lose you salvation. The main reason we like the church is that it incorporates Pentecostal and Baptist doctrine. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and then later, an Assembly of God church. I've been to Southern Baptist churches that don't allow women to teach men in Sunday School. Then I've been to ones that do allow it. I've been to Assembly of God or Pentecostal churches where people speak in tongues, and I've been to ones where no one speaks in tongues. My girls are going to Vacation Bible school this week at an OFWB church. That means Original Free Will Baptist. There is also just a Free Will Baptist! They're all a little different. The interesting thing abou the OFWB is that they vow to abstain from alcohol and drugs as part of their doctrine. Interesting... Well, anyway, it's amazing all the differences churches have. I guess my point is no one doctrine is going to get us to heaven. The church must believe Jesus is the only way to heaven, and must follow the Word of God. It takes a lot of prayer and really getting into God's Word to make sure your church is Biblical. For instance, the UU church that I talked about before - they are listed as a "Christian" church. God help those seeking Truth in that church.
"To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever." Ephesians 3:21 (Amplified Bible)
By the way, I'm going to do some research on why certain Christians believe one can lose his salvation. I heard a sermon from Charles Stanley that explained how it is Biblical to believe that once saved, always saved. It was a great sermon. You go to his website and download the podcast titled, "Eternal Life: You can Be Sure." If you have any doubts, this is a very good sermon. I guess the good thing is, whether you believe it or not, IF you are saved, we'll all be in heaven together anyway. Charles Stanley said something about that. He said something like at least when we get to heaven, we can say, "Told you so."
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Very interesting post!! Enjoyed it thoroughly. The feelings you expressed are mine as well. Many denominations exist not because of Biblical Doctrinal differences, but personal doctrinal differences (in other words, they pick sins or practices and make them necessary or forbidden... much like the no drinking/drugs denomination). While I applaude and appreciate their hearts, making an entirely different denomination, church or "group" that agrees is not the answer. Us adding more requirements than the Bible is dangerous. Yes, the Bible is anti-drunkeness and anti-drugs, but it is also anti-gossip, anti-gluttony, anti-selfishness, etc. Don't see any "gotta be skinny" churches popping up any where. In other words, most denominations are divided over people impossing more on people than God does. His desire is that we will seek to love Him first and above all else. When that happens, you won't need to rule the people of God and demand regulations... it would be unneccessary.
Now about those denominations that are legitimately different (difference of Biblical doctrine) - those cannot be as easily overlooked. There are major reasons they are different (like once saved - always saved)...
I think churches would do well to major in the majors (Salvation through Faith in Christ alone, worship of the one true God, the nature of the Bible, baptism, etc.) and minor in the minors (programs, non-Biblically specified "rules," etc.). I look forward to seeing more about what you learn!!! I hope you type your findings on your bog. I encourage you to start with the first major denominational division (so to speak) - that of the Protestants from "the church" (now known as Catholic Church). Also, the Church of England from the Church (by Henry VIII - a good example of personal doctrine/selfishness).
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