As there are many different Christian denominations with widely varying beliefs and traditions, how do you reconcile that all these denominations are still Christian and still the "one true path" (or do you?) Clearly, these are all very different paths...?
2007-01-22 03:10:39 · 29 answers · asked by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
the only true path is JESUS. religion is NOT what saves your SPIRIT
2007-01-22 03:14:45 · answer #1 · answered by Cloud 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, as long as the denomination gives Jesus His rightful place and teaches the Gospel (Jesus' sacrifice in atonement for sin), I have no problem. Different people are more comfortable worshiping Almighty God in different ways - some love to sing and dance, others to quietly worship - it's all good. I only have problems when a denomination tries to add or subtract from the work on the cross - or with a 'cult' that is clearly not Christian, but call themselves Christian.
2007-01-22 11:19:25 · answer #2 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, most Protestant denominations do not differ as much as many people make them out to be. If you look at the basic foundational beliefs of fundamental denominations you will find that they all believe the same. There are some areas of doctrine that may differ with different interpretations of certain passages of Scriptures, but none of these difference take away from the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. This is the primary belief that must be adhered to in order to enter the kingdom.
2007-01-22 11:16:01 · answer #3 · answered by mark777 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
**One path, we all belive Jesus is the son of God and that he rose from the dead. Thats all that matters.**
If that is all that matters, then why are there so many churches? Why don't they all unite under one banner and set aside all their other theological differences? It is because each church believes that they, and they alone, understand the Bible perfectly, while all others are deceived or misguided or lying. They are not compatible.
The fact is, there never was one single, united Christian church. From the very beginning, they were divided into many sects and congregations, each with their own favorite gospels, epistles, and other writings. Two thousand years later, we have 34,000 denominations and growing. How can they all be going to heaven when they all teach very different things? Why should I believe any of them when they can't even agree on the most important doctrines, such as the divinity (or not) of Christ or the nature of heaven and hell?
2007-01-22 11:26:31 · answer #4 · answered by Antique Silver Buttons 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they preach that Jesus is the Son of God, they are Christian.
Many Christian denominations disagree over whether the stories in the Bible are to be taken literally or good stories to teach us moral values.
Many Christian denominations disagree over the events of the last days.
Some say that the 7 seals, the 7 trumpets, and the 7 vials are the same events retold in different ways.
Others say that Revelation says that the 7th seal begins the 1st trumpet, and the 7th trumpet starts the 7 vials, so they must be consecutive.
It does not matter how we understand these things.
Salvation is not dependent on how we understand the scriptures.
grace2u
2007-01-22 11:24:25 · answer #5 · answered by Theophilus 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian, and I don't like to see God's children divided up into denominations. That is not what Christ intended. He said "I pray there be no divisions among you." He wanted us to be all one body, together in Christ.
This is God's intended path for everyone:
As long as you accept Christ as your Savior, believe that He died on the cross and was risen again in 3 days, that Christ is God, and part of the Holy Trinity, that He was born of a virgin, that you ask Him to come into your heart, you do away with your former way of living, and make Him Lord of your life -- you are on the "one true path".
It doesn't matter if you are Baptist, Methodist, non-denominational, etc., etc., as long as you believe in the Truths set before you, you are on the one true path.
I believe that different denominations have a different "flavor" and "style", but as long as they adhere to the Truth, all are taking the right path.
God doesn't prefer one denomination over the other. God looks into each and every individual heart. So, it doesn't matter what denomination you belong to.
What matters is "Do you follow the Truth?"
2007-01-22 11:20:57 · answer #6 · answered by Dianne C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The majority of Mainstream Christianity, are wrong in doctrine. When they see they are wrong, they make up their own denomination, and yet , are wrong themselves, it is spiritual (babylon) confusion. They do not search hard enough for the Truths in the Bible, therefore they are deceived by Satan because he doesnt care if you believe, he only cares that you dont know the Whole Truth.
The true doctrine is a rarity !! there are only a few that have that down. Jesus said that he will bring them to the truth , if they look they will find. Many follow blind pastors, and whole congregations fall into the same blind pattern. Those who do not gain the truth before his second coming, will be lost. They are thoroughly deceived by Satan. Sunday church is one of the biggest lies Satan ever told.
2007-01-22 11:28:12 · answer #7 · answered by fivefootnuttinhuny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't all use the same soap, drive the same cars,have the same type of houses, do we? People have denominations to fit their personality needs.
Some need more rituals; some need a certain type of music in church; some need personal confession and some are happy to confess with the congregation.
Wake up. There is no "one true path." There are many paths, which is why people from all over the world have different religions.
2007-01-22 11:17:20 · answer #8 · answered by D 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think the different denominations have to do with ritual belief and traditions, I think the essential message is still the same. But I get what you're saying, it is a bit confusing.
2007-01-22 11:16:38 · answer #9 · answered by Julian 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
a phrase I often use is this:
In essentials, unity.
In non-essentials, diversity
In all things, charity (meaning "love")
In the essentials of the faith - and there are things that are essential -there is unity amongst many many denominations.
(Essentials: the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection, the inspired word of God, and a few others)
But there is great diversity among God's people about a huge number of secondary issues. And IMHO God not allows that but blesses that. God is a very very creative God - look at creation! Look at the amazing diversity in nature! And He makes everyone different with different personalities, abilities, weaknesses, etc. So wouldn't it make sense for there to be different expressions of faith from different people?
And, with people the way they are, focusing on different things, emphasizing different things, groups tend to form because people find security in groups. And denominations are born.
But in all things - all things- we are called to love one another. If we fail in that, than we are not worthy of the name of "Christian".
god bless
2007-01-22 11:19:40 · answer #10 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The one true path is God inside you. Jesus says "unless a man is born again he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven" John3:3.
I think that is the most important verse in the Bible. Try to imagine this: The one true church is not a bunch of people inside a building with a steeple, but the one true church is those individuals that have the Holy Spirit within them.
"One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God begin?" Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God isn't ushered in with visible signs. You won't be able to say , 'It has begun here in this place or there in that part of the country.' For the Kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:20,21.
2007-01-22 11:21:02 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋