What's the main difference in Church Of Christ, Church Of God, Baptist, and Pentecostal Church?

Question

I believe in the Christian faith, but I want to start going to church and becoming a good person. I'm just not quite sure which ones right for me. Let me put it this way, I want to follow everything the Bible says ( nothing less & nothing more ).

*plz answer*
*i appreciate it*

Answer 1

Church of Christ, Church of God, and Pentecostal are all going to tend towards more "fundamental" views -- women in the pulpit is usually a simple way to see where the line is drawn.

Baptists are all over the place -- SBC - Southern Baptist Convention - CBF -- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and a whole lot more. SBC opposes ordination of women, CBF supports it.

I'm a pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) the "Cambellites" as someone else mentioned. The founders of our denomination said "where the Bible speaks, we speak, where the Bible is silent, we're silent." It means you may find one DOC church that opposes one thing, while another DOC church across town supports something completely different.

The problem with 'following' what the Bible says is that the Bible can say different things to different people. Paul and Peter couldn't decide what Jesus said, so how are you and I supposed to agree on what the Bible "says?"

For any belief you have based on the Bible, I can quote you a scripture that will support another view. (Including women in ministry.)

Instead of thinking about what the Bible says, focus on the red letters -- what does Jesus say, and what was his message. Not a few verses, but his entire message.

I think his message was pretty clear -- love God, and love each other. I don't think you love each other by calling people names (including sinners). I think you love people only by loving them.

Don't be quick to decide on a church, take your time, it's an important decision.

Godspeed.

Answer 2

Most denominations are born one of two ways.

Either God begins a move of his spirit, people rally around it, and it eventually becomes organized, and turns into a denomination.

Or an existing group has a disagreement about a doctrine and splits, becoming two different denomination.

The belief of most non-Catholic Christian churches is about 95% the same. This includes all the ones you listed. Most often a church is more influenced by the pastor who leads it then the name over the door. Most churches allow the pastors to preach and conduct the church they want they want (within reason, of course).

Probably the best thing to do is to visit each of the churches for a couple of services, get the feel of how they worship, what they people are like, and what how the pastor preaches. They will have different feels to them, different styles of music, different types of services, etc. Find the one that fits you.

Of the four groups you listed"
There are several different groups that use "Church of Christ" and "Chruch of God". Some very strict, others very liberal. So I can not guess on those.
"Baptists" tend to be more "fundie" in their beliefs. Some have strict dress/makeup/conduct rules. (Others don't)
Pentecostals are usually more emotional, informal, and "literal" in their theology.

Personally, I am a "charistmatic", (which is a type of less-strict Pentecostal), and would recommend them. But you have to find the church that fits you.

Answer 3

I'm not familiar enough with these groups to accurately answer except with the church of Christ. I've been a member for over 20 years.

You may appreciate a trademark saying common to churches of Christ...speak where the Bible speaks, remain silent where It remains silent. The Bible is the only reference churches of Christ use for living and conducting the business of the Lord's church. Other than that, it is difficult to tell you what you will find at the church of Christ in your area because, in keeping with the New Testament example, there is no governing authority other than Jesus. Each congregation is autonomous and functions separate of each other. But as a general rule, you will find Elders who oversee the spiritual welfare of the congregation, Deacons, Ministers, and members. You will probably find non-instrumental singing during service, communion every Sunday, and a Christ centered sermon. You will find freedom to grow in God's grace at your own pace but you will also find Christian brothers and sisters who encourage to grow and become a better person. All of this in keeping with NT example. Traditionally, we've been accused of being too legalistic; more worried about following God's law than acknowledging His grace. But we are generally moving toward the more Biblical concept that God has done it all and we obey the scriptures because He loves us and we want to show our love to Him.

Answer 4

Members of the Church of Christ sometimes quote a saying. This is "Let us speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent, do Bible things in Bible ways, and call Bible things by Bible names!"

We only want to be the church you can read about in the Bible in name, teaching, worship, and organization.

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God! It is useful for doctrine, for correction, and instruction, and it can thoroughly equip a servant of God with everything he needs to know to be able to serve God, in the way God wants to be served! (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3) There is no man-made doctrine that we need to add to the Bible that can improve it. In fact, additions to God's word is forbidden in the Scriptures! (Galatians 1:6-9, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 4:6, Revelation 22:18-19, Deut. 4:2, Deut. 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6) As Numbers 22:18 says, "“…I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God to do less or more.”

I commend you for wanting to do what the Bible says - nothing more, nothing less! The Bible only makes Christians only and the only Christians!

The Word of God is compared to a seed in Luke 8:11. When you plant a seed, it produces after its own kind.

If I were to plant corn, I would expect corn to grow. I cannot plant corn and get grapes from that seed. If something else grows other than what is planted, it must have come from another type of seed.

The word of God produces only Christians when planted in good and honest hearts. If something else is created, then it came from another type of seed. The plea of the church of Christ is, let us be just Christians - nothing more, nothing less, nothing else! Let us only plant the good seed.

The denominational divisions we see in the world cause confusion. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in all the churches of the saints."

I invite you to investigate the church of Christ by comparison of the things we teach to the Bible. In fact, compare any religious teaching to the Scriptures! That is how you can know if they teach the turth! (Acts 17:11)

Any church should not mind such a comparison. They should encourage it! Insist that your Bible questions be given Bible answers (with book, chapter, and verse)!

If you wish to know more about the Church of Christ, feel free to contact me.

I have included a few links below. The first is a free 6-lesson video Bible study. You can watch it on-line, or if you prefer, I can tell you how to get a free copy on DVD.

(By the way, one of the other answers talked about a "Church of Christ" that is a branch of the Mormon church. That is not the church I am speaking of. I believe the Bible, not the Book of Mormon, is the complete inspired Word of God.)

Answer 5

Lonbear2 is right... it is often a feud over a couple of verses that causes splits... typically along family lines. I worked with a Baptist who said as much.

I go to the Church of Christ, only we are not the Cambelite faction but a Restoration faction that believes in the Bible and Book of Mormon (non-LDS).

Answer 6

Find a good bible teaching church - try not to get caught up on the denominations. Find a church where they discuss scripture during the teaching, where you are challenged to learn and grow as a Christian. Ask God to lead you to the right spiritual home and He will.

Answer 7

I have been in and around most of these Church's and they all basically have the same message.Jesus is the redeemer.
Where they fall short is accepting doctrines that the apostle Paul warned about. Subjects like the soul never dies,eternal torment,going to heaven,God,Jesus,and the Holy spirit are all in one. These false doctrines greatly aid the devil in convincing Muslims and Jews that Christianity is evil and misguided. It also gives the atheists fuel for the fire when Christians fight among each other about doctrine.The real sad thing is the basic message of salvation through our lord and Savior Jesus Christ is lost in translation.

Answer 8

The Bible says you have not because you ask not. Pray and ask GOD to lead and guide you to a church home, believe and receive, and then on Sunday morning pick a church and go to one and let GOD bless you with revelation knowledge. Remember to seek with your heart not your eyes.

Answer 9

Which you go to should pass the following test:

-The true Gospel is that salvation is by grace in faith alone that Jesus, who is God, died for your sins on the cross and rose again
-The Bible is 100% true and the final authority on all matters
-Salvation cannot be lost
-Revelation is a book prophesying future events.

Answer 10

If you're interested, this is a forum for Baptist Christians, you may find more answers here...

http://foru.ms/f364-baptists.html

and this is a forum for Pentecostals...

http://foru.ms/f122-spirit-filled-pentecostal-charismatic.html