Denominations

[SuperGrover]

Can someone please explain to me the Differences between denominations such as
Baptists
Methodists
Lutheran
Pentecostal
etc?

Thank You

[Fledge]

Well, I grew up in an episcopal church...when to a methodist private school in grades 1-7, attended a southern baptist church for many years, switched to a non-denominational church, visited an Assembly of God church a couple times, and currently find myself back in southern baptist.

And ya know...I don't know all of the theological differences, philosophical differences, or idealogical differences. I haven't studied it a lot.

All I know is what I believe.

Wish I could help more!!!!

[dearlyloved]

It would probably take all day to write out the "techinal" differences between denominations, but I had a very good friend tell me once that she was praying at a time when she was quite young and confused (by all the denominations) and she asked God "who is right?" He answered promptly "I AM RIGHT!"

That's all I have to say about that!

[mickey1]

Well, there are subtle differences in all those denominations. I do not know the technical differences, or even the spiritual ones. All I know is that I am a CHRISTIAN!! I go to meet with other christians in a building called the "Meeting Place of the Church
in _______(Currently London, Ontario, Canada)________." (Insert whichever city you are in.). I have met with Christians all over the world and we all believe that there should be no divisions between God's people.

mickey

[countrymouse]

SuperGrover,

Most denominations have official websites, with explanations of their official beliefs. If you go to a search engine and enter "Southern Baptist" or "United Methodist" or "Associated Reformed Presbyterian," for instance, the official website of that denomination should appear in the list somewhere. I hope that helps!

[man in the box]

Hey Supergrover, how are you?
I will try to answer basic dinstinctions of these denominations. They will be primitive in answer so anyone else who reads this and wants to elaborate on my answers feel free. Also please remember within each denomination there is about 30 sects that believe slightly different things. I will just try and highlight the major things I can think of where each one differs from one another.

Baptists -(this is what I am closest to being)
Believe in eternal security, immersion water baptism, congregational ruling, and they do not believe that the gifts of the Spirit (ie tongues, healings) are for today.
Methodists
Believe in conditional security, sprinkling water baptism, usually the congregation does not rule, do not believe in tongues/healings are for today.
Lutheran
Believe in eternal security, pouring water baptism, usually congregation does not rule, do not believe in tongues/healings are for today. The Lord's Supper also has different significance then the Baptist do. They almost believe what Catholics believe about this but not quite.
Pentecostal
Believe in conditional security, immersion water baptism, congregational ruling, and they do believe in the gifts of the Spirit.
Hope this helps.

[Twiggy]

We believe in everything that ManInTheBox stated.

Jesus said that except a man be born again he cannot see the knigdom of God. He says that man must be born of water and of the Spirit or he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. To clarify this further Jesus says that what is born of flesh is flesh. That which is born of Spirit is spirit. Then he likens the physical experiences of being born in the Spirit to wind. It blows and you hear it but you don't know where what you are hearing is coming from. "...So is everyone that is born of the Spirit." John 3:3-8.

The Pentacostal Church is based on Acts 2:38 for salvation: "...Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost..." Not many days after believing and being baptized with water. Acts 1:4-5.

We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit for each and every born again believer in Christ with the evidence of this as speaking in tongues as the reception of the gift Jesus promised us just before He ascended into Heaven.

Now speaking in tongues is initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit gift but is not a spritual gift that everyone is meant to possess. It was prophesied by Joel 2: 28-29 that "In the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh..."

The Bible shows uniformity as believers received the gift.

Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Again in Acts 10:44-48 "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the curcumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God..."

Acts 1:8 Jesus told us that we will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon us.

The whole book of Acts is the basis for the Pentacostal Church.

Luke 11:13 says that Jesus will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask.

[HIS]

Originally posted by TwiggyG
The Pentacostal Church is based on Acts 2:38 for salvation "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost..."

Twiggy...I'm sure you did not mean (or understand) to state it the way you did above. I attend a Pentecostal church also and I certainly believe that Acts 2:38 correlates to the New Birth of "water" and "spirit" as described by Jesus in John 3. But, I don't think it is proper to say that the Pentecostal church is based or founded on Acts 2:38 or any other specific (one) verse of Scripture.

NO ONE should rest their faith on just one verse in the Scripture. The message of salvation (the gospel) must be viewed and understood after considering "the Book."

And the BOOK represents the entire Bible (both OC and NC).

2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

*********

I am sure you know all of this and agree. I just want to state all of this, so now one misunderstands your statement.

If you disagree...Please let me know.

HIS

[Twiggy]

HIS,

Ok, salvation is not based on one verse but the entire book. Yes I agree. However Acts 2:38 is one condition of obedience that must be adhered to when reading it in context of course.

I should have explained that when the people Peter was preaching to were convicted by the gospel, they asked what must they do ( I assumed for salvation) for the promise was to all whom our Lord God calls. Peter urged them with Acts 2:38 that this how they were to save themselves. Later on 3000 received his word and were saved.

[Twiggy]

Hi HIS

I just wanted to say that my church New Testament Christian Center bases its purpose on Acts 2:38. And reading the whole book of Acts it is evidenced that this is the pattern for salvation.

Please don't mistake me for being argumentative because I'm not meaning to be. That's all.

[HIS]

TwiggyG,

I don't feel you are being argumentative at all. You have every right to feel confident in what you are saying about any commandment from God.

The book of the Actions of the apostles is very important for all of us to understand.

As I have stated, I believe in Acts 2:38 just as much as you do. I agree it is directly related to the message of the new birth. Just like many other verses in the Bible. They must all be put together for complete understanding and revelation.

Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little...

Grace and Peace to you,
HIS

[Debbiek]

You posed a good question. The Lutherans are an offshoot of Catholics. Dont know that Methodists have any particular false teachings. But the problems for me arise when most Pentecostal & most Baptists (different off shoots of each), add to the Bible & take away from also. Most Baptists believe that "once saved always saved", which has no Biblical evidence.no scripture backs up that THEORY. I've seen a saved person become evil=unsaved. Most Baptists also only believe in "PART" of the Bible. They don't believe in 1Cor. which says we all have gifts. I cannot believe in just part of the Bible & they have no verse to back up that false teaching either. So they have taken away from the Bible, wheras the Pentecostals have added to the Bible. If there is no Biblical evidence it is false teaching from a Christian standpoint the Bible is the final authority=God is the final authority. As Twiggy pointed out the Pentecostal(not all of them) believe that one has to speak in tongues in order to be saved. This is false teaching & no scripture in the Bible says it is true. These Pentecostals are similar in belief to the Amish in that they build their whole salvation, & ours too, on 1 or 2 verses taken out of context. False teaching leads to defilement, which is why they cannot see that no scripture states,"you must speak in tongues as proof of salvation". It is obvious, they know it isnt in the Bible but they continue to teach false doctrine anyway, for they have been blinded. MOst Christians have a problem with each denomination having false teachings, so non-denominational churches are flourishing. Christians who search for God's truth eventually leave these false teaching churches anyway. I mean no offense to anyone. There are good churches of most denominations, but if you are searching, I would suggest talking to the pastor about his beliefs after you read their denomination's doctrine on the web. In Jesus' name.

[Flip Special]

Oof-Da (I'm Minnesotan)! I strongly dislike denominations! Do you know that "Denomination" means "Division"? In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul says that there are to be no divisions among us (the body of Christ) and we are to be united in mind and thought.

I grew up in a strict Lutheran home and church. I went along with it, never questioning infant baptism and the sacraments. It wasn't until I was born-again about 3 years ago when I began to search for truth. It became apparent to me that there are some things reserved for ONLY God to know on this side of Heaven. In this are included debatable issues such as baptism, communion, and eternal security.

The wonderful thing that ties all Christians together is the un-debatable truth that Jesus Christ is God, and that He is the remedy for our sins. I think that's all we need to stand on. Let those issues that make denominations exist continue to be uncertain. The important thing is that Jesus is the Messiah.

[Debbiek]

Yes the most important thing is that Jesus is the Messiah. Yes Scripture points out that some things only God knows. Furthermore, I'm sorry I can't recall the verse, the Bible states we are not even to debate some matters. Scripture also tells us we are to warn others about false beliefs & deception as Paul did cry every day for 3 years in front of the saved brethren warning them. Acts 20:31 & 20:29-31. Therefore in following God's will, we are to ignore some debates & warn others "severely" that their beliefs are "deception". Therefore it is not God's will that we sit idly by & allow the decieved to lose their salvation. The problem I find is this: Where do we draw the line?

[jhamrick]

deb said:
"Most Baptists believe that "once saved always saved", which has no Biblical evidence.no scripture backs up that THEORY"

Do you know of scripture that denies this TRUTH?

Also, where in 1 COr. does it say we all have all the gifts?

I'm not being argumentative here, it's just that I find these doctrines to be scripturally sound.

[Debbiek]

I find your question odd Jhmarick. No, there is no Scripture that denies it's own truths. BUt there is scripture which denies some believer's beliefs. Ipointed out Acts verses above, also try titus, 2 john, I already debated this subject in chit chat section under someone's "sex demons" thread.All the scripture is quoted there. plus I started a new thread see u there. Also I never said anyone had all the gifts, I think the perfect church would have all the gifts , but not in one particular person= throughout the congregation "as He wills".

[jhamrick]

uhhhh. I'm confused.

You are saying once saved always saved doesn't have scriptural back-up. I'm saying it does. I was asking if you had any scripture to back up the idea that we could lose our salvation.


I guess I misunderstood what you were saying about the gifts.

[Debbiek]

I put the scriptures that I am aware of, in the thread "can a saved Christian be defiled?". Thanks

[HIS]

1 Tim 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Debbie...Was this the passage or verse you were looking for?

[Debbiek]

Yes HIs THank you so much. I wrote it down so I cant forget it now. There is another one, I think in the book of James. Also Romans 14:1. "doubtful disputaions" . Whats your take on these? ty