2006-07-11 18:52:54 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whatever you believe in. If you can't fathom the idea of only one god, find one with multiple deities. If you can't fathom multiple dieties, find one with a singular deity. For each religion, there is always one completely opposite of it.
Just because people are going to preach to you and threaten "eternal damnation" doesn't mean they're right. They've never died (unless you believe in reincarnation,) so how can they know? Your beliefs should change to suit you-- you should not change to suit your beliefs.
2006-07-11 18:59:14 · answer #1 · answered by Mandi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honnest with you, here on earth there are no perfect churches BUT:
If a church uses only the Bible (and nothing else) as reference
If a church walks according to the Bible (to Jesus' walk and all that is written after the gospels) and the New Testament
If a church has members and a Pastor are seeking God's will
If a church is kneeling before God and not before man
(and I could give you more)
Then you might have a church that is according to God/Jesus, a church in the truth.
But remember all churches are under attacks so sometimes they may make mistakes but in that case God will show them and they will repent and gain victory.
Keep your eyes upon the Lord
Visit this page I made to reccognize false churches:
http://www.geocities.com/emllantern/CauldronVision.htm
2006-07-12 02:02:48 · answer #2 · answered by monfille 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of phonies out there...Some churches only care about how much money you put in the collection on Sunday..
You will know when a church is for real....The people who attend that church radiate God in their lives and are kind and giving to their fellow man....
the only true church is the one that is open to all...Jesus discriminated against no one.....Remember that....
2006-07-12 01:59:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The true Church is the universal Body of Christ. They are found in all Christian churches...just remember that there is no perfect church. The "wheat" and "tares" are growing side by side until the harvest. If your heart is right with God then you are already in the True Church. Grow where He plants you.
2006-07-12 02:02:37 · answer #4 · answered by novalee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ's original church ended with the great apostasy. Joseph Smith, by the authority of God himself, reorganized Christ’s original church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) to the earth with Christ himself as the cornerstone or leader: Read: Acts 3:19-21 and Matt. 17:11-13. It is the same organization that existed in Christ's original church: Read Eph. 4:11-14, 1st Tim. 3: 1-8 and Luke 10:1. It bears the name of Jesus Christ: Read: Eph. 3:21 and Acts 4:12. We claim revelation from God: Read: Amos 3:7 and Proverbs 29:18. Our officers or General authorities are called of God: Read: Heb. 5: 4 and Exodus 40:13-16. We do not have a paid ministry: Read: 1st Cor. 9:18, 1st Peter 5: 13, 2nd Thess. 3: 8 and Acts 20:34. We are a missionary church: Read: Matt. 24: 4, Matt. 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15. We have a foundation of Apostles and Prophets: Read: Eph. 2:19-20 and Luke 6:13-16.We claim divine authority: Read: John 15:16 Heb. 5: 4-12. We practice divine healings: Read: Mark 6:13, Mark 16:17-18, James 5:14-16 and Luke10: 9. We teach that God and Christ have bodies of flesh and bone: Read: Luke 24: 36 39. We teach that God and Christ are separate and distinct individuals: Read: Acts7: 55-56. We bestow the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands: Read: 2nd Tim.1: 6, Acts 8: 16-17and Acts 19: 6. We are called Saints: Read: 1st Cor. 14: 33 and Eph. 4:12. We baptize by immersion: Matt. 3: 16, Mark 1: 9-10, John 3: 23 and Acts 8: 38-39. We practice baptism for the dead: Read: 1st Cor. 15:29 and Heb. 11: 39-40. In Heb. 13:8, you will find why these things are important.
So, you see, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was not founded in the year 1830 at all. It was founded by Christ during his ministry and restored to the earth in these latter days as foretold by the ancient prophets.
The bible also tells of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Read: Isa. 29:4 on, Ezek 37: 15-20, and John 10:16. The book of Mormon in no way replaces the bible. It is but another testament of Jesus Christ as written by the people of the western hemisphere. It goes hand in hand with the bible as they testify of each other's truth.
2006-07-12 02:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by oldman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compare the teachings that are the basis to the Bible.
It is really easy.
If they are participating in observances that originated with pagans, just say "next".
As you whittle them down, you will eventually come to a religion that's Bible is the Bible. Not tradition. You will be able to identify the true Christian Church by the fact that they are actively doing as Jesus did. Teaching all who will listen, that God's Kingdom is the solution for all the problems that are impossible for humans to solve. Including war sickness and death.
2006-07-12 01:56:05 · answer #6 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you probably need to be a spiritual person rather than a religious person if you are asking this. You probably know that there is a difference. You do not have to belong to a particular church to feel what you feel emotionally or spiritually. You can worship on your own. The congregation of church is for people to gather to gather and share thoughts and ideas of God and other spiritual deities. This is the purpose, but in these times it has been used for gathering guilt and scorn, and telling people that they are going to hell if they don't follow to the letter. This is not what the Christian God would want us to do. He knows that there is lessons in life that we must learn. Sometimes we have to find our own path to the lesson answers. Belief is something you must find for yourself.
2006-07-12 02:12:33 · answer #7 · answered by singitoutloudandclear 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask yourself "to whom is this question arising?" You won't find anyone there to need a church or anything for that matter. The only thing that needs/seeks it or needs/seeks anything is the ego. It is ok for the ego (which you think is you) to need or to seek. But don't stop with a church. There is more beyond that. That which is nothing and everything is beyond that. That which is truth. That which is you. And it isn't limited by churchness.
2006-07-12 02:02:41 · answer #8 · answered by anamaka 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The true Church is in the hearts of men. (when I say men or coarse I mean people, men and women alike) It's not a building or a structure. There are real Christians contained in ALL denominations. God's divine hand can not be held to one denominations.
2006-07-12 01:56:32 · answer #9 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on your belief, if I say the Catholic Church and you're a Protestant or the other way around, would that be easy for you to believe me. If you believe that there is God and you Love the people around you whether they make your life hard or Not, look no further, it's in your HEART.
2006-07-12 02:06:17 · answer #10 · answered by eicalla2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋