Christians what is the true meaning?? When we are asked what our religion is??

Question

To clarify..I think that we Christians should stop fighting against each other. What I am talking about is Doctrine. Who made up doctrine? Man did. We have Baptist, Pentcostal, Methodist, Church of Christ..etc. the list goes on and on. Shouldnt we be aiming for the same goal here? Witnessing to others and shareing God's love with others? Yet we fight over who is right and wrong. I think this is what gives us a bad name sometimes. Sinners see us fighting with each other and wonder why they would want to be a part of that. We need to band together and put our differences aside (doctrine) and use the BIBLE to guide us through this world. I was raised Free Will Baptist and when people ask me what is beliefs of the doctrine. Why are we so hung up on the name on the church sign and doctrine?

Answer 1

Okay first let me say that there is only one true church. That is the one that Christ established and the one that he died for. But you are definitely right. People need to go back to the Bible and do EXACTLY as it says in the NT. If everyone does that there will be no arguments.

Answer 2

That sort of thing is what happens when humans have anything to do with anything. Look at it like this, if you will. Christianity is a bit like being a citizen of the United States. We all speak basically the same language. Our Christian denominations are like the different regions of the US. There is a different dialect or accent for each region. Some are from Minnesota and leave an "Ahe" at the end of each statement or question. Others are blessed with a deep Southern drawl. Some have a "Brooklyn" accent. Still, we're all Americans.

The differences have often come to blows such as in the Civil War. That's kind of like Martin Luther and his upset with the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther was still a Christian as was the Roman Catholic Church. They just see things differently. They speak of God and Jesus with a different accent.

When push comes to shove I think the different groups will probably band together and work as a team ..... if need be.

Kev

Answer 3

The validity of Christianity does not rest on sinful men but rather on the perfection of Jesus Christ alone.

They are aways going to throw smokescreen questions to undermine God, Christ, and Christianity.
It involves a hasty generalization. At worst, it's a way of "poisoning the well."
Christ, who long ago proclaimed that his followers would be recognized by the way they lived their lives(John15:8). Thus to classify as Christians those who are responible for instigating atrocites, is to beg the question of who Christ's desiples are to begin with. As Jesus pointed out not everyone who calls him "Lord" is the real deal (Matthew 7:21-23).
Futhermore, these questions they ask, implies that Christianity must be false on the basis that atrocities have been committed in Christ's name. There is no reason, however, why we can't turn the argument around and claim that Christianity must be true because so much good has been done in the name of Christ. Think of the countless hospitals, schools, universities, and relif programs that have been instituted as a direct result of people who have the sacred name of Christ upon their lips.
Finally, those who use this argument fail to realize that the validity of Christianity does not rest on sinful men but rather on the perfection of Jesus Christ alone (Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22). Moreover, the fact that professing Christians commit sins only serves to prove the premise of Christianity- namely, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23); thus all are in need of a Savior (1 John 3:4-5).
Also 2 Timothy 1:9-10

Answer 4

I would disagree that man creates doctrine. For most denominations, doctrine is based on an interpretation of the Bible, and sometimes that interpretation is debated and creates new denominations. For some denominations (Catholic, for instance), interpretation of the Bible is combined with church history, and the teachings of previous church leaders are considered as authoritative in that denomination as the Bible. Denominational doctrine differences are created by the fact that while the denominations agree on the major points of Christ's teachings, we, as humans, do not always interpret the minor points in the same way.

For the important issues, Christian denominations don't fight and argue. On the basic doctrines, they are consistent. You will also many times find Christians of several denominations banding together on many issues, both in humanitarian pursuits and in witnessing to others. On non-critical issues, yes, there are different interpretations that do separate Christians, such as style of baptism, role of the Holy Spirit, styles of worship, whether someone can lose their salvation, etc. Yes, there are times when arguments and fights are present, but these are often not in the realm of doctrine, but are more often local arguments based on non-doctrine issues, such as a church split over a pastoral disagreement. About the only major place you will find a war over these type points is Ireland vs. England, and this, in my opinion, has a lot more to do with nationalism and historical animosity than actual beliefs.

I agree - the preference would be for all Christians to be one unified congregation. Unfortunately, there are enough small differences in beliefs on the trivial, less important points of scripture that we do have different churches focusing on different points and worshiping in slightly different ways. There are also many who share your opinion and who have created non-denominational churches, choosing to focus on the important issues and beliefs that all Christians believe in and leaving the other issues to individual opinion.

You probably get asked about what Free Will Baptists believe because of curiousity rather than a desire to argue, as Free Will Baptists are not one of the bigger denominations. I agree with you, the most important thing is to go to the Bible, study and pray, make sure you understand and know what you believe, and then realize that the other denominations are still brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they disagree on the minor points. Anyone who uses the minor points of doctrines to fight and argue is missing the bigger picture. As we will be worshiping Christ together in heaven someday, we are foolish to fight now.

Answer 5

C.S. Lewis wrote a book called "Mere Christianity". In it, he tried to talk about what all Christians of all denominations have in common, rather than our differences. One section that I found particularly helpful asks us to imagine Christianity as a house with many rooms. The different rooms are all different in style and mood and we gravitate to the room where we feel most at home. But we musn't get so "at home" in that one room that we forget that the whole house is our Home. There are certain "house rules" that are common to the whole house. And all those people in the other rooms are our fellow Christians. (By the way, I am Catholic and C.S.Lewis is Anglican. But that doesn't mean I can't learn a lot from him.)

Answer 6

Christ only built one church, and it bears his name, the church of Christ.

The church of Christ is non-denominational. We are not affiliated with any denomination but, instead, seek only to be Christians.

Each congregation is governed by its own elders, in harmony with the New Testament. We have no central headquarters or president. The head of the church is none other than Jesus Christ himself (Ephesians 1:22-23).

It is the Word of God that unites us into One Faith (Ephesians 4:3-6). We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and his holy Apostles, and not the teachings of man. We are Christians only!

Answer 7

You are assuming that once all Christians just use the bible to guide us we will ALL agree on the interpretation of said bible.

That is how the problem started in the first place.

So what are you to do when two Christians reading the same bible arrive at different understandings about certain things?

Answer 8

It reminds me of an old song that goes:

It's not what's over the door of the Church that you attend that makes you a child of God and a Heavenly Citizen.

It's all about whether you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and your savior that counts. The church name won't do anything for you.

Answer 9

The reason you have a bad name is because you push your will onto others. As you said "witnessing to others and sharing god's love with others." that is what angers others not that you fight with each other. I could care less if the baptists and pentecostals dont get along.

Answer 10

I agree that we should stop relying on 'doctrine' and start reading the Word and finding truth there! but satan will use anything and everything to seperate even Christians... even those within the same church who believes the same things.... that is what he does.... divide and seperate to make us weak