Now just to start us out here I'm going to lay down my point of view and where I am coming from.

I believe that God/Jesus died for my sins. I believe in the Bible on a level that is basically summed up as "God loves Metaphors, read crap in context noobsauce". Under that pretense the Bible absolutely means what it says. Also I believe that translation mistakes happen so in order to fully understand the Bible you have to either A) Believe blindly what the Pastor says or Get the original language and see for yourself. I'm a 'B' guy personally.

Now my question.

Why so many Denominations? What is the major differences between them?

I think it's just different interpretations of the Bible. I know some denoms have different views on who can partake in communion and other beliefs as well. I think also others have different rituals and so forth. I am not sure too much but as long as they have the base of Christ dying for our sins and He was both God and man and rose again on the third day as atonement for our sins and through that we gain salvation, then we're pretty much fine with other denoms.

We are all the body of Christ and represent one thing. Denominations are stupid

We're all equal in God's eyes, i have to concur that denominations are dumb

non-denominational should be enough for everyone.

that is, if everyone is satisfied. Sometimes ppl are not satisfied with a church's leadership and forsake the non-denomational name too.
I say why take it out on the name, and not just the leadership.
Why not make a better non-denom. Why make it wierd.

Seems like a topic similiar to this has came up before. I do not belong to any denomination.


People I meet sometimes ask the question, are you a Christian? What denomination are you? Denomination is not found in the Bible, and the idea is based on sectarianism and division. Denomination is not simply an incidental name, but a choice to be divided from other believers who do not share the same sectarian doctrines. Religious denominations are divisions among people who may all claim to follow the same Lord and same Bible but cannot agree because of their denomination. Christ said, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Matthew 12:25).

As Jesus prayed for His apostles before His arrest, he said, Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:20-21). Jesus wanted unity among His apostles, and among them also which shall believe on me through their word. He prayed for the unity of everyone who would believe the teaching of the apostles (whether through their direct preaching or through the written word of the Bible). This unity is not possible, however, as long as the divisive denominational system exists.

The denominational system has developed with various creeds, manuals, handbooks, hierarchies, and systems of organization, which have grown more and more complex over time. Years ago many men and women understood that the denominational system was a violation of God's will, and sought to leave the denominations so that they could restore the undenominational church of Christ of the New Testament. By being just Christians, without being associated with any denomination, they believed that they could better serve and obey God. That is why the modern day churches of Christ are undenominational. We have no creed but the Bible, no denominational or church hierarchy over the local congregation, and no authority for faith and practice other than the Bible. We are not Church of Christ Christians, but simply Christians.

There were seeds of denominationalism in the church at Corinth. Paul wrote, it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). Some at Corinth were not satisfied to be Christians only, but wanted to be Paulite Christians, or Apollosite Christians, or Cephasite Christians. Paul asked, Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1:13). They had divided the church. Paul emphasized the seriousness of the situation by saying he was glad he had only baptized a few at Corinth, so few could claim to follow Him, instead of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). Of what denomination were Peter and Paul? They were just Christians, and not members of any denomination. According to the bible I don't see how a congregation can be considered a denomination and at the same time be pleasing to the Lord.

I belong to the church of Christ. That church was begun by the Lord Jesus Christ, as He promised in Matthew 16:18, "Upon this rock, I will build My church." The Lord added me to His church after I obeyed His commands. "There were added unto them in that day about 3,000 souls ... And the Lord added to the church daily, such as were being saved" (Acts 2:41,47).

Romans 16:16-18
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

Yep, Non-Denominational here.

Just follow Christ.

same

You honestly believe Jesus started the modern day church of christ?
Please do not spread that political nonsense in this forum. Let us simple focus on Jesus and his words. We dont want to hear your continual justification of the DENOMINATION called church of christ.

I attend a non-denominational bible church. I disagree with most denominations because they have distorted the word of God over time. The only denomination i do not necessarily have a problem with is the southern baptist convention, but i would prefer everyone to attend a non-denominational church.

What is the name of your non-denominational church? Why do you insist on calling the church of Christ a denomination? It is not the International Church of Christ. Also, who give you authority over what anyone says in this forum? NO ONE! Your heart is hardened, best thing you can do is to discontinue reading my post or replies.

In the denominational world one would get all kinds of different dates as to when "their" church was established, "when was yours established bryce"?. But we need only to be concerned with one church - the church that Jesus built! Therefore, let us take a look at when the church of Christ was established. To find out everything we need to know about Christ's church we can go straight to the inspired Bible as our only source.

Jesus Stated that His Church Would Be Built

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus clearly stated to Peter: "upon this rock I will build my church..." When Jesus stated this, His church had not yet been built because He said "I will build" not "I have built". So we know that it was His church that was to be built at some future time as stated by Jesus Himself.

It was something like eighteen months after Jesus ordained the twelve apostles (Matt 10), and sent them forth to preach that the Lord said: "I will build my church." These two facts are very clear:
1. The church was not built at the time he made the statement, and
2. He promised to build the church.

In A.D. 32 is when Jesus said "I will build my church" and His church was realized in A.D. 33 on the day of Pentecost when people were "added to the church." It was then that Jesus' church had been built and the "Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).

Paul References that the Church Is Built

In the writings of the apostle Paul we can see clearly that the church of Christ had been built. In Ephesians 2:20 he says: "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." Paul's reference to "are built" occurred after Pentecost when the Lord's church was established.

For one to be in the church that Jesus built it has to rest on His foundation - not man's! Paul stated: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 3:11). To lay a foundation is the first work in the erection of a building. What did Paul do first when he went to Corinth? He laid down the foundation of Jesus. He told them: "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3-4). Before one can build upon the word of God the foundation must first be laid. This basic foundation was also laid down at Pentecost when the Lord's church was established (Acts 2).

The church of Christ was built after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This church of Christ does exist today. I used the words "modern day" to to represent this time period. The church of Christ I am a member of "in this modern day" is the same as the one established on the day of Pentecost. At this point I could really care less bryce, what you believe or think!