I'm leaning towards joining a non-denominational church, which focuses EXCLUSIVELY on God's Word, minus all the legalistic traditions and conflicting beliefs. Of course some of those will have their faults as well, especially when it comes to the mega churches.
However, at this point, a non-denominational church seems a better alternative to fellowship with other Christians and study God's Word, while avoiding a great deal of deception in the process. I'd like to know if there are other Christians who feel this way?
If things are this confusing now, I can NOT imagine what it will be like when we are really close to Christ's return. Whew! Between cults, prosperity teachers, Traditional Dogma, and churches changing their views every few years as they "grow", I've found myself praying daily for God's direction in this matter. The Devil is definitely working overtime, and has obviously assigned a wide range of activities for his followers.
2007-01-22 04:21:35 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There also seems to be a great deal of competition and defensiveness among Christian religions. I know that God exists, and the Bible is His inspired Word, but there is so much confusion. But then again, we were told this would be the case.
2007-01-22 04:30:01 · update #1
I attend a non-denominational fellowship that studies God's Word line by line. There is not a lot of "fluff and stuff" as I tend to call it.
That being said, Paul teaches clearly that there is to be "ORDER" in the Church and there are some very clear guidelines for managing a fellowship of believers as God places certain people in leadership roles.
Without Biblical rules, man's selfish ideals will always slip in and try to corrupt a system and without rules the enemy that seeks to devour the believer's life will have freedom to devour.
Sticking with Scriptural example and weighing everything against the Bible is where one remains on the straight and narrow.
Follow Christ, not man!
2007-01-22 04:25:33 · answer #1 · answered by NONAME 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A friend of mine came into the music store where I taught and somehow invited me to play mandolin for a Midnight mass. I kept playing with this group for one entire year. I attended my own church at the same time. I do not see why God would care if you attended services with other Christians. You may not be comfortable with receiving the Eucharist. I never took communion although my Catholic friends encouraged me to do so. I simply wanted to show proper respect. I had an awesome time being Catholic, went through Crisiillo . I don't know how to spell this and am too blind to look it up. My ramble is just me thinking about a good time in my life. You don't have to ditch your denomination. I love the stations of the cross and asked my daughter last week if she didn't want to be Catholic for a day with me. It is the same God and since the Bible says the early church met daily in their homes, it gives you more community to attend more than one church service. There is no danger of losing your Catholicism. I think Protestants tossed too many things when they split off. I would simply refuse to talk to them about your faith.
2016-05-24 17:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every church even the nondenominational ones are not immune to corrupt pastors, legalistic members, and cult-like tendencies. Just do go into it assuming that they are better than traditional churches cause they supposedly follow the Word. People use and misinterpret the Word for various personal and political gains and many times use it as an excuse for hate.
2007-01-22 04:30:19 · answer #3 · answered by 6th Finger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I attend a FULL GOSPEL(that is to say that we believe that the Bible in it's entirety is the true and infallible Word of God) Pentecostal church. Pentecostal is not a denomination. We consider our denomination to be Christian. Pentecostal means that we believe in the Holy Ghost spoken of in the book of ACTS by Christ, and we believe in the POWER of the Holy Ghost, as Jesus told us that it will endue believers with power to heal, and cast out demons and do greater things than even He did. There is a man that comes and preaches at our church a couple times a year named Rev.B.H. Clendennen. He started the School of Christ and carries the gospel into every part of the world. His beliefs are the same as our own. You can read more at www.school of christ international dot com. You know how to type it in as a web address. Y! Answers keeps on blocking it when I try to type it in that way. He is very blunt and straightforward, but he speaks the truth. You may not like what you read, but God does not conform to what man wishes Him to be, but rather man must conform to what God wants if he wishes to be with Him in the kingdom of Heaven. Good luck to you, and God bless. You can e-mail me if you would like more info about what you read there.
2007-01-22 04:51:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just believe in Jesus is the Son of God and he died and rose again. Read your Bible to figure out all of the Dogma. Romans and Hebrews do a great job.
2007-01-22 04:26:55 · answer #5 · answered by TULSA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you feel the need to join any church? You can focus on what god's word means. Why trust in some other person's interpretation. Believe in yourself.
The reason there are so many religions is that there is no god to show his followers the true way. There are books of scripture which contain much that is good, much that is bad, and much that is nonsense. It's up to each of us to separate the wheat from the chaff.
2007-01-22 04:32:39 · answer #6 · answered by Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
There is no religion in the sight of God. If you really understand and know the truth, you will not be in anyone of them, but you will be in the Kingdom of God, as sons and daughters of the Holy Father Jesus Christ.
2007-01-22 04:26:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I'm a non-denominational Christian and I LOVE it. No contadictory dogma to follow; no rule of my church by some board of directors in another state. I highly recommend it. Just be prepared for great diversity -- at my church, there are some (such as myself) that believe in a pre-Trib rapture; others believe in mid-Trib; I even heard one woman say she believed in a post-Trib rapture. But this is what happens when there is no central dogma. It's a mixed blessing. None of us argue about it, though.
2007-01-22 04:29:44 · answer #8 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
You should become a part of the one and only Church that was founded by God the Son, Jesus.
Who founded the Church you are thinking of joining?
Check out:
"Who started your church?"
http://members.cox.net/getthewholetruth/start.htm
"How old is your church?"
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/churb4.htm
As for the jehovah witnesses, they reject Jesus as God. Stay away from them.
2007-01-22 04:35:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Whatever your preference is.
Just make sure they teach sound doctrine from the Bible.
.
2007-01-22 04:36:17 · answer #10 · answered by Jimmy Dean 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋