Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Hi,
I am a person that attends a local church and I was wondering, do any of you have experience of going to several different demoninations and then ending up in the local church, and if so, do you think it is profitable to remain in demoninations at all? The scripture states that we should "greet every saint" in Christ Jesus, yet I am unsure as to whether we should distance ourselves from denominational Christians. What are your opinions about denominations, whether good or bad?
Thanks,
David
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Thanks for your post. I suppose practically the question should be asked of you who is considered to be a denomination and who isn't?
Speaking of distancing from denominational Christians, suppose at work or commuting to work you have good fellowship with fellow believers. Finding out where they meet, should that be the definitive factor in receiving? I hope not considering Jesus Christ died for our sins. Not just Jews, Jews AND Gentiles. Without Christ dying for our sins, there would be no hope. So my desire is all our brothers and sisters receive according to Romans 15:7
7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy ; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME." 10 Again he says, "REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE." 11 And again, "PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM." 12 Again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE."
My experience was being raised in the local churches and meeting with a denomination afterwards. My experience meeting with a baptist assembly was positive. Received everyone who was of the local Body of Christ. How many denominations would partner in a community project with another church not of their denomination? Other than seeing the name Baptist on their building, you could not tell if they were a denomination. Of course you couldn't tell until how one is baptized becomes an issue. Baptists practice immersion over sprinkling. In all my years in the local churches I had never witnessed a baptism by sprinkling, so when the pastor and I had a conversation about baptism, immersion was my orientation.
In the city where I live, besides the denominations there are other assemblies who open receive one another. I have come to regard the local church as one assembly among many.