Thread: Let's Discuss Denominations

They did differentiate between Gentile churches and Jewish churches, irrespective of location. But that obviously had to do with background rather than theology. They also differentiated between churches according to which apostle had founded them. That still makes sense, to have some organizational structure, not just either a pope over all of Christianity or individual churches in individual locations. The question is if the organizational structure and theological strictness involved with typical denominations makes much scriptural sense.

spent 8 yrs n a main stream denom down here n the south. was a elder of this church. preached n it too. sad part was when the pastor spoke a curse over the church and didn't even know it. at the end i was told 2 keep the spiritual warfare doctrine away from the flock. sadly because of this and the curse over the church the church has had 12 deaths mainly from cancer with 2 more on the verge of death n the last 2 and 1/2 years. the worship leader broke her ankle this year and died 4 days later from a pulmonary embolism. she was only 43 and left 4 boys behind. we left as the Holy Spirit released us in august. we currently attend a nondenom.....

One incident here or there does not make full gospel denominations bad. So you had a bad experience in a denomination. Does that mean that because I had a bad experience in a independent group that was a split off a good church, that based on that one experience all independent groups are bad? I doubt it. It is not an experience that makes me sour on the charismatic independents, but it is that they are born out of REBELLION and they have a wrong concept of Christian unity. Instead of being an example in the churches they came out of, or leaving in peace, they rebel and often try to usurp the leadership roles. They don't get their way so they split off and take others with them. Many of these churches just fizzle out in time. Those that don't are built on sand and eventually the storm will come. Denominations are solid and stable and the Pentecostal denominations are open to the power of God.

Originally Posted by Nikos

One incident here or there does not make full gospel denominations bad. So you had a bad experience in a denomination. Does that mean that because I had a bad experience in a independent group that was a split off a good church, that based on that one experience all independent groups are bad? I doubt it. It is not an experience that makes me sour on the charismatic independents, but it is that they are born out of REBELLION and they have a wrong concept of Christian unity. Instead of being an example in the churches they came out of, or leaving in peace, they rebel and often try to usurp the leadership roles. They don't get their way so they split off and take others with them. Many of these churches just fizzle out in time. Those that don't re built on sand and eventually the storm will come. Denominations are solid and stable and the Pentecostal denominations are open to the power of God.

nikos i have a response to this but it will have 2 wait until later....

Originally Posted by Nikos

One incident here or there does not make full gospel denominations bad. So you had a bad experience in a denomination. Does that mean that because I had a bad experience in a independent group that was a split off a good church, that based on that one experience all independent groups are bad? I doubt it. It is not an experience that makes me sour on the charismatic independents, but it is that they are born out of REBELLION and they have a wrong concept of Christian unity. Instead of being an example in the churches they came out of, or leaving in peace, they rebel and often try to usurp the leadership roles. They don't get their way so they split off and take others with them. Many of these churches just fizzle out in time. Those that don't are built on sand and eventually the storm will come. Denominations are solid and stable and the Pentecostal denominations are open to the power of God.

Denominations just like governments and families are corrupt from the head down..pastors get their que from their leaders either directly or by the fact that they don't get called out when they stray..

We as Christians MUST follow the leading of Holy Spirit and not judgements for or against 'denominations.' Years ago due to a bad experience we vowed to never attend another COG church...guess where God led us? Years ago I attended a Pentecostal Apostolic church and said I felt sure I could never be a part of it because of it's doctrines..we are now being led to one of those...

God is a God of PEOPLE< not organizations...we owe no allegiance to any denomination and that is not rebellion..in fact to make an allegiance to one is to put man above the leading of Holy Spirit...if I have an allegiance to a church or denominstion I will get locked into their doctrines..brainwashed...unteachable.

Nothing, not denominations', not doctrines, not anything is to replace the leading of the Holy Spirit..and He formed NO denominations...man did.

Originally Posted by Colonel

They did differentiate between Gentile churches and Jewish churches, irrespective of location. But that obviously had to do with background rather than theology. They also differentiated between churches according to which apostle had founded them. That still makes sense, to have some organizational structure, not just either a pope over all of Christianity or individual churches in individual locations. The question is if the organizational structure and theological strictness involved with typical denominations makes much scriptural sense.

There was differentiating but Paul warned NOT to lay claim to 'I am of Paul' or 'I am of Apollos'. IMHO the differentiation was merely for the sake of clarity of the body being spoken of..so I agree, it was not a theological division and as you noted earlier, Paul warned that there be NO divisions ...that you all say the same thing..

The question is if the organizational structure and theological strictness involved with typical denominations makes much scriptural sense

They make no sense, they only divide and ensnare through a false teaching that scripture supports their particular brand and others are the flawed ones..people then place their faith in their denominational theology as 'the truth' and in many cases stop looking to Holy Spirit as their teacher...their leader. Misplaced faith is a real problem in the body of Christ and the key that locks the gate is convincing ourselves otherwise..If I am convinced my denomination is the right one because Holy Spirit led me there I am ensnared..He does not lead us t a denomination or organization...he leads us to gatherings of His people for a season and for a reason...

There are multiple generations of Baptist who would not dream of questioning their theology..there are generations of COG who are convinced it's the RIGHT one...
When one arrives THERE one will inevitabley come to the boundaries of growth because when Holy Spirit challenges them to something different they run into that theological position they have committed to...and like the little robot vacuum cleaner they just turn and go in another direction until they hit another wall..trapped by the belief that God established their denomination and put them there because they are the 'right ones'.

Division is always due to rebellion but that initial rebellion has to be traced all the ay back to the NT...for instance say the Assembly of God splintered off the COG...that's just a splinter off a splinter off a splinter off a splinter...

It would be an amazing thing to see leaders from all denominations humble themselves and come together in a fasting and prayer summit with a vow to not leave until they had come into UNITY that is affirmed by the peace and power of the Holy Spirit..that is exactly what took place when Peter and Paul went to Jerusalem to explain what God was doing that the Apostles at Jerusalem were questioning....they came into unity..

Heck, it would be an amazing thing to see that happen in just any local church!!

Some times theological stands may function as buffers against false doctrine. Exhaustive definitions of everything is going a bit far of course and can be employed for all kinds of evil but it is good to agree strongly on some things. Nikos is right that there has been some value in Pentecostal organizations consolidating themselves on doctrines and practices, it has functioned as a buffer against extremes. But it isn't necessarily conducive to life or to embracing new moves that are actually moves of God.

Originally Posted by Colonel

Some times theological stands may function as buffers against false doctrine. Exhaustive definitions of everything is going a bit far of course and can be employed for all kinds of evil but it is good to agree strongly on some things. Nikos is right that there has been some value in Pentecostal organizations consolidating themselves on doctrines and practices, it has functioned as a buffer against extremes. But it isn't necessarily conducive to life or to embracing new moves that are actually moves of God.

It starts out that way...historically this is provable...Inevitably when man unifies he tends to begin t self exalt like the tower of Babel...guess if there is a 'good nature' to denominations it's their inability to unify AGAINST God...Maybe that's why God does not move to pull down the barriers more aggressively...He just whispers to those who will hear and follow the wind of His Spirit above all that junk... I have always been blessed and tried to be a blessing in whatever 'church' He led me..to leave a deposit and to pick up one as I pass through...so technically they don't HINDER Him...they just hinder those who get their focus and faith misplaced...

Yes God uses people but he also uses denominations which are just a large group of people who has put some structure to their group in order to be more effective for the cause of Christ. Even the TWELVE had a treasurer.
I am puzzled how you can be led to a Jesus Only church which is false doctrine. I think I would check the spirit who is calling you. Jesus will lead you into Truth not error.

Originally Posted by Nikos

Yes God uses people but he also uses denominations which are just a large group of people who has put some structure to their group in order to be more effective for the cause of Christ. Even the TWELVE had a treasurer.
I am puzzled how you can be led to a Jesus Only church which is false doctrine. I think I would check the spirit who is calling you. Jesus will lead you into Truth not error.

That's just it...I don't believe HE puts the structure in place...having a treasurer and being divided by theology are very different animals...

One God, One Christ, One Spirit and ONE truth...when that becomes splintered it's man's doings, not God..