Which Christian denominations teach their members to only identify themselves as "Christian"?

Question

I've noticed in conversations with several people that they identify themselves as "Christian" and refuse to elaborate any further. Even if you ask them whether they are Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, or whatever, they say, "Just Christian".

What church is teaching their members to not identify their religion by its denominational name?

Answer 1

Maybe they go to a non-denominational church.

Answer 2

The sad thing is that no such groups really believe and practice what the original Christian Church believed and practiced. In many cases, not even close. They all have rejected much of original Christianity, so in fact they are all actually "semi-Christian", regardless of whether they associate themselves with a pre-existing denomination, or just consider themselves "non-denominational", which really means becoming a new denomination. The only Church that does believe and practice what the original Christian Church believed and practiced IS the original Christian Church. The only Church Christ founded and the only Church He approved. The only Church that existed for more than 1,000 years after Christ, and the only Church He ever intended to exist. The Holy Catholic Church.

Answer 3

I am a member of the church of Christ, but I do not want to be called a "Church of Christ Christian"! I am just a Christian! Being a Christian, God has added me to His church! (Acts 2:47) I am a member of the church because I am a Christian, instead of being a Christian because I am a member of the church.

The name I want to wear is Christ's!

What denomination were those in Acts 2 added to? No denominations even existed! They were just Christians!

If you read and understand what they understood, believe only what they believed, do what they did, without adding any man-made doctrine, you will become only what they became - Christians - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else!

Are names important? Sometimes they are.

Who’s name do you want on your paycheck? Does it matter if someone else’s name is on the title of your car or the deed to your home? You work hard to purchase these items, you own them, and, therefore, you want the proper name on the documents that show this ownership.

Our Lord also made a purchase. He bought the church at a very costly price (Acts 20:28). He built it and called it “my church” (Matt.16: 13-18). He has rightful ownership.

Other references to the church in the Bible show this ownership. These include “the churches of Christ” (Rom.16: 16), and “the church of God” (Acts 20:28), etc. But, unlike these names, many churches today have names that are not found in Scripture, and that do not identify the owner and builder.

But notice, Christ did not purchase a building. The church is made up of the His followers. When we wear the name “church of Christ”, we name Him as the “head of the church” (Eph.1: 22-23) and we identify ourselves as a group that is trying to follow the “doctrine of Christ”(2 John 9). In contrast, a member of a denomination is identified by name as one who follows the leadership and teaching (doctrine) of that denomination.

Christ’s headship over the church is compared to a marriage relationship (Eph. 5: 21-32). Jesus loves the church and it is called the bride of Christ. The bride, the church, shows honor to the groom when she agrees to wear his name.

Suppose, for example, Mr. Smith asks his girlfriend to marry him. She agrees, but says, “Our friend Mr. Jones is a good man, so when we get married, instead of being called Mrs. Smith, I want to be called Mrs. Jones.” Would Mr. Smith have a reason to question her loyalty to him? Would he feel honored? Why would a bride wear another man’s name? Why would a church want to wear a man-made name?

We don’t have to wear man-made names. Just as the church is called several names in Scripture, we as individuals are given names we can wear. Followers of Christ are simply called things like “saints” or “disciples”. But there is also a specific name given. 1 Peter 4:16 says, “If a man suffer as a Christian… let him glorify God IN THIS NAME”!

Since the Bible gives us a name to wear (Christian), we do not need another name, but some are not content to be known simply by “this name”. Some want to add another name, but we were never meant to be hyphen-named Christians.

The Corinthians had this problem. Some were Paul-Christians, Apollos-Christians, and Cephus-Christians. (1 Cor.1: 10-13). Because they were divided by these various names, they were called “carnal” and not “spiritual”(1 Cor.3: 1-4). You see, a single name promotes unity, but multiple names encourage divisions. We should be content to wear the name God has given. (Isaiah 62:2)

So, is a name important? Names show honor, identify ownership, promote unity (or division), recognize leadership, signify submission, denote doctrine, and demonstrate loyalty. If these are important, then names are also important.

What name does the Bible say we should wear?

Answer 4

May be because some have come to believe or realize that the Catholic Church and her daughters (church denominations) constitute Babylon. There are many who believe that the book of Revelation is referring to the Catholic church as the "mother of harlots"? Revelation 17:5. This is probably why they do not want to be associated with any of these churches because the call is to come out of these churches! What do u think?

Answer 5

I would guess the reason they are not elaborating is because they are not sure which denomination they are, meaning they are probably just agnostic. Either that, or they might just be confused. I don't know of any particular denomination that gives instructions to just say they are Christian.
I just had another thought. Are you one of the poeple that randomly ask "Have you found Jesus?" or "Have you heard the good news." If thats the case, people might just be trying to brush you off. It also might depend on how well you know these people. Some people are just uncomfortable giving personal information like their spiritual beleifs to others unless they are good friends.

Answer 6

Because that's what we are. We recognize ourselves as not the ONLY Christians, but Christians ONLY. We don't belong to a particular denomination.

No church "teaches their members to not identify their religion by it's denominational name" dear one. We attend a NON-denominational fellowship that doesn't attach itself with religious dogma, just straight Biblical doctrine!

Pretty simply stated and God bless you!

Answer 7

Non-denominational churches and members identify themselves as Christians. We believe in and adhere to the teachings of christ - not the man made rules, rituals and regulations of flawed religion. I am a Christian and have no religion. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is accepting him into your life and living according to his teachings and commandments of love God with your whole being and love others.

Answer 8

i've got self assurance all Christian denominations carry some actuality to them, now that is merely my opinion so that is as much as you to perceive it the type you desire to. that is my concept that the Roman Catholic church teaches the reality. i've got self assurance we've the full actuality, fairly of bits and products alongside with many different denominations. The RCC church is the 1st Christian church, and the only Christian church that could hint its roots back to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This being referred to as, Apostolic succession. For Christ based the church, and this may well be recent in Matthew sixteen:18. God bless!

Answer 9

Maybe they're afraid that if you knew, you might possibly laugh at them.

It's kinda like when my wife and I were involved with Amway, and the told us to make up a business name to use and never use the name "Amway" or people will just walk away.

Additional note:

I'm not trying to pick on Amway, I'm just using it as an illustration to prove a point.

Answer 10

non denominational churches