Christian denominations?

Question

Christianity has so many denominations that interpret the bible and carry out practices in so many different ways. What are the chances that people have strayed away from the true meaning of christianity? Would you still believe in christianity if you feel that what jesus was preaching is lost over the years due to the many denominations that humans have created?

to the people who disagree with their denomination and do nothing about it: then whats the point in believing in it?

Answer 1

Pastor Billy says: Fact is Christianity never taught Denominationalism was alright. The early Christian Church taught a universally accepted doctrine (Katholikos) meaning according to the whole. The invention of denomination-hood started with the Protestant and English Reformation.

I will continue to believe in Christian antiquity simply because Christ's promise to his Church was he would never leave us and the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church.

Answer 2

I am a non-denominational Christian. But to answer your question, people interpret things differently. If you're not sure what to believe, go back to the New Testament and compare that to what each church practices.

Answer 3

alot of denominations have change this and that
I believe in God, why man separates himself is beyond me, other than the fact he wants things changed so it is not so bad on him. Like the kings making new denominations to get divorced, but the Word has not changed, so what was the use

Answer 4

Your observation is accurate. Every denomination is based on some individual's 'epiphany' or personal spiritual experience of ego transcendence which of course cannot be duplicated once the 'sect' has been started. It degenerates into trivialities and fearmongering about an after death experience of hell. Very sad situation for Christianity.

Answer 5

I have a Bible that I can read for myself. I can pray to God myself. So even though I don't agree with some things in other denominations, or even my own occasionally, I still believe.

Answer 6

I suspect that is part of why the denomination I was reared in; has a 'problem' understanding me presently. I see the 'deviations' from God's word presently; and they do not seem to; even though I have told them some of them in recent past.

Answer 7

Good question. I think that the issue is not that what Jesus said is lost, but that most people are not looking. There should not be so many denominations; Jesus said He was making only one church

Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

(FYI - body = church) Eph 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Answer 8

For the majority of mankind this is , sadly, the truth..... But... The Way still exists, for any who can find The Way, for any of mankind to still come to God as He prescribes.

The Salvation Message has been kept intact in the hearts and minds of those of The Church... that is all that is really needed to come to God... The Bible, The Word of God, does not "prove" The Church, or the faith of those of The Church, or God. But, God will prove The Bible to all who honestly come to Him. Those who honestly seek God will find what God has for them in what has been preserved of His Word.

The Church is not a man invented "denomination"... memebership an any denomination will not earn any one entry into Heaven... Only those of The Church will enter Heaven.

Answer 9

The true church,The Church Of The living God, is the only
church that count,s and it is spitural,denomination,s will
not get anyone into Heaven.

Answer 10

The reason there are different denominations within Christianity is because the Bible allows for us to have differences of opinions. Within Christianity there are very few essential doctrines that define what it means to be a Christian. These essential doctrines are,

Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4).
Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14).
Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4).
The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9).
There is only one God (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8)
God exists as a Trinity of persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (See Trinity)
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (nature of incarnation)
As long as a church believes in these essential doctrines, then it is Christian. However, there are many things in the scriptures that have been interpreted in different ways. For example, what day of the week should be worship on, Saturday or Sunday? Should we baptize by sprinkling or baptize by immersion? Do we take communion every Sunday, once a month, or once a year? The answers to these questions do not affect whether or not someone is a Christian. It is in these issues, and others like them, that denominations are formed. It does not mean that one denomination contradicts another. It means that though they agree in the essentials, they differ in some nonessentials. This is permitted in Scripture:

"Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind," (Rom. 14:1-5).

Sadly, there is another reason for denominational differences and that is the failure of Christians to live according to the will of God. The truth is that we are all sinners and we do not see things eye to eye. It is an unfortunate truth that denominational differences are due to our shortsightedness and lack of love. But, the good thing is that God loves us so much that He puts up with our failures. There waits for us, in spite of our differences, a great reward in heaven. Neither salvation nor damnation is dependent upon our differences. Our salvation is based on our relationship with Christ.