Why are there so many different Christian denominations and how do I know which one is God's?

Question

I just finished reading the new Testament and in Ephesians chapter 3 or 4 is talks about being only One faith, one Baptism and One Lord...

So how do I know which one is God's church?

Pastor B... I've visited "non denominational" and each one has a different set of beliefs... I seriously doubt Christ would teach this way.

I can't believe this... Many of you are saying "just find the one that best suits you"

I can't believe this attitude is of God.

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What you most of you are saying is just what it talks about in the Bible... "tossed to and fro by every little doctrine" or somthing like that.

doesn't the bible say "we're all to come in the unity of the gospel or faith"

Could God really want us to preach and learn different things about him?

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Milko o

I just read the NT and the "Trinity" is not in it... and the thing about works... Yes the Bible teaches we can't be saved by works... but it says over and over that we are to follow the commandments and do good works.

Answer 1

You sound like you're really searching... The best advice I can give is pray, pray and pray some more...(James 1:5-6)

If you're looking for the one true church... the only two church's that can even claim right to that are Catholic and Mormon... So I'd start with those two.

Answer 2

If a Church teaches the whole Bible not in part a Full Gospel Church. Not to say that any other Christian Church isn't a God fearing Church they just don't believe or teach some of the facts of the Holy Bible. Jesus said "you must be borne again to enter into the kingdom" but we can enjoy all of the benefits on earth while were here.

Answer 3

Do what I did. I was introduced to two diffferent denominations within my family. High Anglican which is the next thing to a Catholic on my mother and Aunt's side. My Aunt's husband was born and raised in the Salvation Army but I was never told I had to be either one. When I was growing up I attended a variety of churches. Baptist,Christian Missionary Alliance among them. I even spoke with Elders from the Mormon Church. But eventually I chose to join the United Church Of Canada and I have found a church home and family where I feel I can do the most Good for God. They treat me like I was a sister, A sister in Christ. Find a church where you can feel a part of God's Family. We all worship the same God just in different ways.

Answer 4

find one where you experience the holy spirit work. you know it when you truely feel changed each time you go there, you are "born again" as it says in the bible. you will feel in your heart a special relationshipo with the Lord. Teachings in the church will guide you to the Holy Spirit and fellowship with the Lord.
also, in the bible read the "Acts" chapter. this is the first church. you know its doing what its supposed to do when the vision of the church is salvation, when members of the church want strongly and from their hearts to tell the people the Good News, when the leader-pastor of the church is compassionate and very enthusiastic about winning souls for the kingdom of heaven, when the church is serving its role, the role given to it by the Lord, and that is to evangelize, to preach, to say the Good news, until the second coming of Jesus.
Mine is the pentecostal church. its a church that makes you realize that Jesus is alive, and coming soon. so you are an active christian. you serve the Lord. and you expect Him any minute now. its the same church he expects to find when He comes back.

Answer 5

If u study the beliefs of the Christians and see which sticks to the bible as its guidebook for everything, IE they don't go to war, its will become perfectly Clear which is the right one, I'm not going to speak disrespectful of any religion its not the place to do it, the bible states love your neighbor, and by your actions others can be won over to the truth. You will know the truth and the truth will set u free when u begin looking at various religions and if they practice what they preach. Hope this helps

Answer 6

There's no good answer as to which one specifically is God's church b/c many churches have abandoned the tenets of the Bible in order to attract the 'worldly' into their church.

I have found that in my area, the Baptists churches line up the closest with the Bible. In your town, it may be different. The best way to know if it's a good church is to read the Bible and pray for discernment.

Answer 7

God's "church" is the entire body of believers in Jesus Christ, whether they be non-denominational, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, etc . . .

The denomination isn't what's important-most of it is manmade politics. What's important is who does and who does not put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, puts God first in every area of their lives, and attempts to live a selfless, spirit filled life.

There are many lukewarm Christians in each denomination that proudly live far from a Christ centered life and go to church mainly for social reasons rather than to be spiritually fed. The Bible tells us that God spits lukewarm Christians from His mouth.

So, the issue isn't which denomination is correct. The issue is who has received salvation through grace by asking forgiveness of their sins and accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Answer 8

Don't be concerned too much with denominations. Many are separated from ideas that simply don't matter in the long run. For example, does God really care if we dunk the entire body during baptism or not?

God's church follows scripture. That's how you know if its a church of God. If manmade edicts and other ideas start to go against scripture (ex. a denomination spends a whole lot of money to make its churches look pretty, when Jesus taught about using money wisely and giving to God), you know to stay away from that church.

Right now, I attend a Baptist church. However, I would characterize myself as a Christian, not a Baptist. Our services seem more nondenominational than Baptist (and I know this, because I attended a bit more traditional Southern Baptist church for most of my teenage years).

I also attended Pentacostal and Presbyterian churches in my youth. I would attend those types of churches again, if I felt led to move to another church and if that church was true to God's word.

Answer 9

A good church is one that is concerned with the spiritual growth of its congregation. It is a place where the Gospel is preached, where sin is condemned, where worship is from the heart, where the teaching is biblical, and where opportunities for ministry (to minister to others as well as to be ministered to) exist. Consider the model of the early church found in Acts 2:42-47 (NIV), "They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved."

Answer 10

Yes only one faith, Put your faith in Jesus.

There are denominational differences, but they do not deny the basic doctrines. The Virgin Birth, The Trinity, the death and Ressurrection of Christ, The authority of the Bible, The attonement of the death of Christ, Justification by faith alone, etc.

Some believe in infant vs believers' babtism, but they both agree that the act of baptism itself does not save, some like a more conservative worship service, some dance, some clap, some sing quiet hyms, some sing out the top their lungs,

Visit a couple of churches, find one that has biblical verse by verse teaching, one that you like the worship.