what is the difference between a non-denom christian and...?

Question

a christian?

Answer 1

Being a non-denominational christian these days is just being part of another denomination such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc. They were formed originally to show that there was no need to be a part of a particular denomination to be a Christian. So, in a sense they are just another denomination nothing else. Hope this helped answer your question!

Answer 2

It kinds of depends on how you define what makes a christian. however, when it comes down to brass tacks, a christian is a christian.

This will take a little history lesson:
Now there are many different denominations of Christianity. Traditionally, before Martin Luther, there was only one Church. At that time there was no such thing as Catholic (meaning "universal") or Protestant. The only division at that time between the East and West, which occurred back around 1000 C.E.

Eventually the west became known as the Latin Rite. In 1542 C.E., Martin Luther did his famous thing. After about 50 years, the Church had two formal distinctions: Protestant and Catholic.
At this time the Episcopal church did not exist yet, nor the Methodist church, but were still part of the Catholic one. Later (1600's) the episcopal church broke off from the Catholic Church, and then the Methodists (1700's) broke off from the Episcopals.

The Protestant encompasses all of the modern Christian churches. All of those churches are organized differently as well. Some of them have a national or international body that either has power over them, or they report to.

Some like the Baptists, are more or less independent, but try to agree at national conventions on the basics.

Non-denominational churches are a relatively recent development (1980's). They are a single church making no claim to a larger body of churches. While they hold to the basic beliefs about Christ (which usually boils down to the Apostle's Creed - see below), the character of that congregation are their own.

Hope that helps,
Vic

Answer 3

A non-denominational Christian belongs to a non-denom church. They do not belong to a known denom, like Baptist or Methodist. They are their own denom. with seperate beliefs. (Usually middle of the road stuff)
A Christian is any and all of the Christians.

Answer 4

Hi Jsutin,

There is no such thing as a non-denominational Christian. There are Christians who attend non-denominational churches and where it usually affects the church is in the way that the church is governed.

Baptists for example have Baptist boards and certain structures that are in place (ie: voting, etc.) However, each individual church determines how they will conduct themselves and this is found in the church's individual by-laws.

i went to a non-denominational church where there were certain matters that we voted on and others which were strictly based upon the authority of the deacons, elders, and Pastor. God called me to pastor now at a baptist church, and i have found that the denomination is not as important as the by-laws which explicitly state how the church is to be governed.

While different churches govern themselves under different structures-- the most important thing is agreement on the basics- sin, salvation, the Trinity, etc.

Hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 5

Dear Jsutin: A Christian is anyone who knows what Jesus was saying and teaching and carries the message to others when appropriate. Not Bible thumping - not jamming anything down anyone's throat, but when appropriate in a sensitive, caring, scenario.

A non-denom. Christian, from simply my own experience (I cannot speak for anyone else), seeks for no particular dogma or doctrine formed by Traditional denominations.
They seek something more than "faith." They want more Certainty.

"A mind that is stretched to a new idea
never returns to its original dimension."
by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Myself, many years ago I was driving to work and thinking to myself "Why can't we know the Truth? Why does life on this planet have to be such a mystery - as to why we are here, what God expects from us, and why can't He reveal Himself to us. Why is everything shrouded in mystery?" From that moment on, (I know now!) the Holy Spirit began directing me to what I wanted so I would know that the answers exist - that mystery is not wanted by the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus. (The Holy Spirit exists within your Mind and hears all thoughts.) They are only too pleased to make all known to you. Only the churches have thought mystery is important to "faith" and have not questioned it.

Some of what I have discovered through this Guidance is:
God is so close to you that,

"My heart beats the echo of His spirit and
my senses feel the warmth of His embrace.
I am melded to His Spirit. . . ."

Answer 6

I assume that you mean a non-denominational Christian and a denominational Christian. A non-denominational Christian, such as myself, takes the word of God literally. I am a faith-based Christian. I do not belong to any organization that dictates what doctrine I should believe in or what rules I should follow. I worship and preach in the Spirit as led by the Spirit. I am ordained by the church that I attend and it is non-denominational. It is free of any other authority other than God. Denominational churches are under human authority first, God second. Jesus loves you.

Answer 7

By non-demon, you mean non-denominational......LOL, when I first read this I thought you said non demon! Isn't that a riot?! That's what I get for skimming questions.

Anyway, non-denominational Christians do not adhere to a denomination, like Baptist, Penecostal, Methodest and such. I do find the doctrine in a non-denominational church is weak and meant only to satisfy itching ears. There are not hard lines or lines at all. Yes, Jesus accepts all. Afterall, regardless of your belief God made all of you. However, God wants us to maintain the truth of his Word. I find at those churches they compromise too much and some are very wordly.

If you are looking for a place of worship look for a church who sees the bible as the final authority and preaches the word and hates sin. No compromises. I know I don't go to church to feel better about my sin, I go to get clean and get rid of it.

Answer 8

it is a matter of the heart. christ called for the church to be founded on the rock, yet we have so many divisions. baptist, 1st baptist, lutheran, catholic, calvinistic - all named for mens ideas. do we remember when paul had to stop the people from wondering if the true followers followed him or apollos? regardless of denom, perhaps disciples of jesus would be a better term as opposed to a certain division.

Answer 9

Non denoms believe in the basics, we don't branch off into baptist or Mormon or anything like that.

Answer 10

none. A non-denominational church is simply a church that doesn't answer to a head order such as catholics, methodists, assemblies of god, presbyterian, lutheran, etc. It simply means that their church is run by a board of members, and not a committee hundreds of miles away.

Oh and it DOES NOT mean that that kind of a church is any more relaxed than denominational church. It has nothing to do with that.