Christians: Is unity possible between us, without sharing all the exact same doctrines?

Question

The Bible says that we know in part.
Also, what is required for salvation? Generally we say that we need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, believe He died and rose again, as a sacrifice for our sins, accept Him, etc.
In the doctrine of salvation, do we ever find that perfect knowledge is a requirement? absolutely not. We can be saved, and yet have a very limited knowledge of God's word.

A person can also be saved and have inaccurate interpretations of certain scriptures. Does it mean they don't love God?

There are many denominations.... do you think that the only saved people are in your denomination? Do you think everyone else is deceived by Satan? Don't you think someone else could be right on something, when you think you're right? we know in part.

Are you living in fear?

Let's examine what we think of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and see if our attitudes toward them are right.

Are we humble, as our Lord taught us to be?

Answer 1

When I meet a person who is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for his salvation, and who genuinely loves the Lord, I feel the excitement in my heart, as having met a new member if my family. The denomination he is a part of makes no difference; we are one. Neither does it make any difference what his underwstanding on spiritual gifts is, or the order of future events. It is Jesus who makes us one. There are certain factors that could prevent me from having 'union' with some people although I would feel a general unity with them. By 'union' I mean organizational union as in a church or denomination. For instance, I have had good fellowship with people who believe in infant baptism (contrary to my understanding of baptism), not as a means of salvation, but as a symbol. Unfortunately, with these people, some of whom I have learned to respect and appreciate, I would not be able to join them in starting a church, because our difference would cause a lot of confusion in church practice. But I would happily cooperate with such people in a lot of different endeavours, and certainly wouldn't think I was necessarily any closer to God than they are.
On the other hand there are people who share all my doctrines down to a 't', and yet I wouldn't necessarily share that same sense of fellowship with them. There is a certain 'something' - that makes us 'kindred spirits', and that 'something' is not a system of beliefs, although it is attached to certain truths.

Answer 2

I know there are saved among all denominations, just as there are wolves in sheep's clothing among them too.

The problems lie, not within the people, but within doctrines that conflict with the Biblical account of salvation, such as those who deny that Jesus was resurrected in the flesh, the atonement on the cross, or the need for repentance, or so on.

I have no qualms with the SDA who worships on Saturday. I have no qualms with the Catholic who confesses to a priest. I have no qualms with the Jehovah's Witness who desires to be seperate from this world. ...my qualms comes from the one who ignores the importance of the resurrection on the first day of the week (and therefore ignoring the fact Jesus was in the tomb three days), the one who places more importance of the words of a man over the words of God, and the one who denies that Jesus is God.

I believe many denominations are misled by Satan... but if a person actually goes, without any preconceived notions, and read the Bible in a child-like manner (that is, to read it for what it says, and not try to read something into it that is not there), they will wind up with the truth.

Not knowing the truth does not mean that they don't love God. But if the truth is right there in front of them, and they refuse to accept plainly written language, then they deceive themselves.

Answer 3

Yes, I think unity is possible between many of us. The real problem is just where you "draw the line" as to what can be accepted or rejected. The last three churches I have been part of were kinda mixed theologically. Many churches today fall into serious error because they refuse to deal with "differences". We must draw lines as straight as we can humanly see. Look at what has happened to many of the Pentecostal, Methodist, and Episcopal churches in the last 20-30 years. Most of them, not all-but most, have become apostate. Any church can fall, even Baptist or Presbyterian, and they do it by opening the door to anyone who calls themselves a Christian. I agree that we need desperately to try to unite the churches-but we must proceed with care. We must deal with sin-and this is what most refuse to do.

Answer 4

I'm still trying to figure out why none of you get it!.. Last time I saw so much bickering over nothing was at the tower of Babel. Remember what happened next?.. In or out of the church you can be "saved". Not one of you has the right to even speak of who is or isn't..That is God's decision ALONE! ( You do remember him don't you?) I gotta tell you, you're mocking Pops and he's getting agitated to say little... Quit all this bickering and remember this ONE thing.. "Love all as a child" if you all can follow that? You should be fine

Answer 5

Yes, I think it's okay for us to be in our various denominations for the details of our doctrine. But the shared over-arching doctrine of Jesus Christ as our savior and redeemer is what makes us Christians.

I think we often unite on community service too :)

Answer 6

Many people believe in God and so do demons. Believing in God is not enough. I say show me your faith by your deeds. A lot of people claim that they are Christians and yet they don't follow Jesus' teachings at all. They don't put it into practice, and then they expect outsiders to gravitate to Christianity. As a born again christian myself, I don't judge others and say that just because they in a different church than mine, that they not gonna make it and that they're going to hell, BUT, I will challenge my brothers and sisters to put the bible into practice and by this you will know that you are truly Jesus' disciples, if you love one another.

Answer 7

I think we can all work together without believing the most basic things we should be sharing. I think we can work together with people of other faiths or no faith at all.

Since my earliest days as a Christian, I've been perplexed by how little people of differing denominations interact.

Answer 8

Unity is possible only in Jesus Christ, in HIS LOVE. i am not living in fear, thank God, it will be wonderful for us to be humble!
Help us God to be humble!
May God help all of us Love each other and our enemies!

Answer 9

If we speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent, we would all do well.

Answer 10

No. If there is a heaven it will be like Iraq. Baptist shooting Catholics.