Of all the Christians denominations, is it possible that only one of them is correct?

Question

How can I be sure?

Answer 1

A frequent follow-up question to “Are you a Christian?” is “What denomination are you?”

“Denomination” is not found in the Bible, and the idea is based on sectarianism and division. “Denomination” is not simply an incidental name, but a choice to be divided from other believers who do not share the same sectarian doctrines. Religious denominations are divisions among people who may all claim to follow the same Lord and same Bible but cannot agree because of their denomination.

As Jesus prayed for His apostles before His arrest, He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20–21). Jesus wanted unity among His apostles, and everyone who would believe the apostles’ teaching (whether through their preaching or writings). This unity is not possible as long as the denominational system exists.

The denominational system has developed with various creeds, manuals, handbooks, hierarchies, and systems of organization, which have grown more complex over time. Years ago many people understood that the denominational system was a violation of God’s will and sought to leave the denominations so that they could restore the “undenominational” church of Christ of the New Testament. By being just Christians, without being associated with any denomination, they believed they could better serve God. That is why the churches of Christ are undenominational. We have no creed but the Bible, no denominational or church hierarchy over the local congregation, and no authority for faith and practice other than the Bible. We are not “Church of Christ Christians,” but simply Christians.

“Seeds” of denominationalism were in the church at Corinth. Paul wrote, “It hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:11–12). Some were not satisfied to be Christians only, but wanted to be “Paulite Christians,” or “Apollosite Christians,” or “Cephasite Christians.” Paul asked, “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1:13). They had divided the church into arguing factions. Paul emphasized the seriousness of the situation by saying he was glad he had only baptized a few at Corinth, so few could claim to follow him instead of Christ (1:14–16). Of what denomination were Peter and Paul? None! They were just Christians.

The church of Christ, if it truly is the church we read of in the New Testament, cannot be a denomination.

—Bob Prichard, P. O. Box 3071, Oxford, AL 36203

Answer 2

This is a very good question. There are a lot of churches that get caught up in traditions of men rather than the doctrines of God.

First of all pray for guidance and wisdom from God in choosing a church.

The only way to be sure if it is correct, is to see if it is a bible believing church.

I prefer a non-denominational church that emphasizes preaching the gospel and doesn't get caught up in the politics of having to follow a denomination's rules.

Here is a passage to take an example from:
"The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." Acts 17:10-11

So be like the Bereans and make sure that whatever is being taught in a church is based on scripture. See if the church offers bible study, adult Sunday school, etc...

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

All Christian denominations agree on the fundamentals of our faith that allow us to be called "Christian." Jesus did not intend that we divide into factions and denominational groups, but due to our own limitations, we have. There are many things the Bible calls us to that are not clearly spelled out. In my thinking, if they were not clearly explained, then either we need to study the practices to place them into cultural context because they must have been clearly understood by the culture of the day, or else the specifics don't matter because it's a heart issue, not a procedural one. For example, how do we conduct the Lord's Supper (Communion)? What should our services look like? Is alcohol ok or not? In our worship, should we be reserved and respectful or joyful and boistrous? These are the issues that divide us into denominations. There are a number of doctrinal issues that are open to interpretation, but once we move past these types of issues that really have no bearing on our ability to relate to our God and to one another, we all agree on the same most basic doctrines. It is those most basic doctrines that allow us to be called Christians, and the issues that divide us are only a part of our individual journeys. There is no reason that the things that divide us should cause us to become divisive to one another. We all agree on what matters most. So in answer, I don't think ANY of us have 100% of God's Pure Truth. The Bible says that in this life, we see as through a glass dimly, but one day, we will see face to face. Until that day comes, we all do the best we can, and that is enough, as long as we continue to strive for continued personal growth in our faith and knowledge.

Answer 4

As for church government, it ~should~ be one of the main branches of Catholicism. But we've already seen one religion founded by God and then rejected by him after it changed too much: Judaism. Although they had been the stewards of the kingdom of God, Jesus told those priests that their evolved traditions had made their original truth "of none effect".

Those who might say "God is personal; faith doesn't depend on a church" are the same who have not seen reliability in the churches they've gone to. Does the fact that some have not yet found it mean that there is not and cannot be a correct church?

It's accepted by churchmen across the board that there "used to be" a single, true church.

Then, if you would find it, look for the one today that best conforms to the original -- not just in superficial ways, but in the deepest fundamentals -- in the same way that Jesus' Church fundamentally conformed with the religion taught by Moses, though on the surface it seemed so strange and new to many Jews. (I wonder how many Jews once levelled the accusation, "Christians are not Jews...")

...First you have to find out what those deeper fundamentals are.

Answer 5

the answer is simple...
Q: why in the 1st place there are many denominations?
A: someone found some flaw in the teaching.... protested but rejected and outcasted (luckily not crucified) and started a new denomination....

Q: why start a new denomination and not start a whole new religion?
A: that someone still believe in the overall truth of the teaching...

Q: so will there be one that is correct?
A: NO. it was the flaw in the first one that started the 2nd denomination.... and the chain goes on...
BUT if you can identify the overall truth... just keep to it...

for me the overall truth is God Almighty is the creator...

Answer 6

Denominations are different in many aspects. They have layers of doctrine that are not necessarily right or wrong. You must be sure that the church you choose believes just a few things.
1. Salvation by grace through faith in the atonement of Jesus and not by works, spiritual gifts, or baptism.
2. Inerrancy of the Bible
3.Deity of Christ/ belief in the trinity
4. Complete forgiveness of sin upon confession to God and true repentance.

Other things like style of worship, spiritual gifts, style of baptism, pre or post millennialism and even eternal security are not going to hinder your salvation. Be sure of your core beliefs before joining any church. If the foundation is solid then any variations are just a matter of preference. Any desicion like which denomination to choose is a matter of prayer and the leading of the Holy spirit. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Jesus said "I will build my church" Matt. 16:18. Not churches! Read Revelation 12:9 Satan deceives the whole world! Luke 12:32 where Jesus calls His church "the little flock". Also in the bible the church is always called "church of God or churches of God" It's never called by any of the hundreds of denominations that we see almost everywhere. So the answer is a resounding YES! If you want proof just email me & I'll give you a website where you can go & read about it. And it's free.

Answer 8

The issue concerning any church and its practices should be “Is this Biblical?” If a teaching is Biblical (taken in context), it should be embraced. If it is not, it should be rejected. God is more interested in whether a church is doing His will and obeying His Word than whether it can trace a line of succession back to Jesus’ apostles. Jesus was very concerned about abandoning the Word of God to follow the traditions of men (Mark 7:7). Traditions are not inherently invalid…there are some good and valuable traditions. Again, the issue must be whether a doctrine, practice, or tradition is Biblical.

Answer 9

All of the Bible-teaching denominations have some truth. If the truth is being taught there, you'll know it by the love the people have toward you, and the unity they have with one another.

Jesus said of His disciples, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). If you find the people warm toward you, you'll be sure you're in the right place!

Answer 10

Yes, The bible teaches that only a few people are on the narrow road to life.-Matthew 7:13,14..check the holy scriptures. Are they teaching God's word,for true religion is that its members have deep respect for the bible.Do they hate what he hates...Do they walk in Jesus footsteps using him as an example on how we should live?? Do they teach unscriptural things as if God is ok with such practices? Matthew 7:15,21-23;Acts 20:29,30.The true religion must honor God's name.Matthew 6:9,/John 17:6,26/Romans 10:13,14===AND they must have love among themselves-John 13:34,35,not hate people from different countries.-Acts 10:34,35