Are Protestants bothered by the gazillion denominations?

[Nicea325]

I am a former Protestant (Catholic revert). I never really dwelled on the fact that there were so many denominations with all kinds of beliefs , sub beliefs and doctrines. I knew they were there but my adverse “feelings” toward the Catholic church caused me to bury it or justify it.

I’m curious. How do my devout Protestant friends feel about the multitude of denominations there are? Yes, your particular denomination has an authority but there is really no collective protestant authority unless you are going to just say the bible or Jesus. But the problem there is different translations so it is not unified in belief and understanding.

Do you as a Protestant think there are too many denominations and/or denominations that should not be? I’d like a Catholic perspective as well.

I find denominationalism as the leading factor against unity. I also do not buy into the belief:

Does not matter what denomination one belongs to because we all believe and follow Jesus.

Thus, which begs the question: Then why start up new denominations?

 

[Nicea325]

I guess I’m a Protestant since the last 2 churches I’ve been attending are a Lutheran church and an Episcopal one.

Personally I don’t hold tightly to denominations. I like the idea that there are different churches to go to, as people differ in how they like to worship.

And unfortunately for you Jesus or the NT church never taught “church” shopping as an option.

 

[CopticChristian]

I guess I’m a Protestant since the last 2 churches I’ve been attending are a Lutheran church and an Episcopal one.

Personally I don’t hold tightly to denominations. I like the idea that there are different churches to go to, as people differ in how they like to worship.

Lisa,

Are we to worship as we like…Jesus told the Samaritan woman…when confronted about her husbands…

19The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20“Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.

Worship on any hill you want, there is only one hill where the Eucharist can be found whether you like it or not…

Do we please ourselves or do we please God…?

He called you, you responded and you didn’t even respond on your own…a little grattitude to the Father for all the help to go to His House…His Church…

 

[CopticChristian]

yes anything added to the “TORAH” adds confusion to the riligious, as Jesus said he was not creating or adding to the torah-- either he was wrong-- or the catholic religion - added specific “new” religious ordinaces

in addition- the sister chruches or splinter churchs – that follow the catholic church teachings-- are no different in their confusion –

all though the catholic church dosen’t recognize "baptism " out side of it’s sacremental system
as being a “valid” method of being a part of the church “body”

but if you don’t get the baptism of the HOLY Spirit-- then you are “NOT” part the christ any way-- but each church defends it own “water baptism” ceremony

Protestant one,

The Holy Spirit baptizes you in the Baptism of regnenaration when you are baptized…there is no other “each Church”…there is only one Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and only one Body, One Bride…rethink this…

 

[JonNC]

Protestant one,

The Holy Spirit baptizes you in the Baptism of regnenaration when you are baptized…there is no other “each Church”…there is only one Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and only one Body, One Bride…rethink this…

Jon

 

[Adamski]

And unfortunately for you Jesus or the NT church never taught “church” shopping as an option.

That’s so funny because when I found apostolic sussesion (acts 1) and church councils in the bible (acts 15) and I want to go to the catholic church my wife said “well let’s go church shopping so you can find something that works for our family since Christian missionary alliance doesn’t how about Calvary chapel”

I said well maybe eastern orthodox but that would be a gaint compromise after reading Matt 16:18.

So two years later we have our marriage blessed and am in full communion with the rcc

 

[Nicea325]

That’s so funny because when I found apostolic sussesion (acts 1) and church councils in the bible (acts 15) and I want to go to the catholic church my wife said “well let’s go church shopping so you can find something that works for our family since Christian missionary alliance doesn’t how about Calvary chapel”

I said well maybe eastern orthodox but that would be a gaint compromise after reading Matt 16:18.

So two years later we have our marriage blessed and am in full communion with the rcc

But our Orthodox brothers/sisters go way back as well.

 

[ufamtobie]

While I think the numbers are overstated, I think any more than one communion is too many. OO, EO, CC, Lutheran, etc. Too many.

Jon

Jon, Yes you are correct when you say “I think any more than one Communion is one too many”.

Jon, Then it must be that the Church with the first Communion is the only one that Jesus Christ Founded for us and the only Church we must adhere.

Without mentioning the name of that first Church above, Jon what Church comes in to your mind, when I say the “First Church and only Church we must adhere to”? _______________
Then Ask yourself why are you not fully a member of, since you think any more than one communion is is too many.

“While I think the numbers are overstated” Jon, what Church _________ Started this Domino effect of Many Protestant churches? Yes one more is one too many, you said it yourself.

Ufam Tobie

 

[JonNC]

Jon, Yes you are correct when you say “I think any more than one Communion is one too many”.

Jon, Then it must be that the Church with the first Communion is the only one that Jesus Christ Founded for us and the only Church we must adhere.

Without mentioning the name of that first Church above, Jon what Church comes in to your mind, when I say the “First Church and only Church we must adhere to”? _______________
Then Ask yourself why are you not fully a member of, since you think any more than one communion is is too many.

“While I think the numbers are overstated” Jon, what Church _________ Started this Domino effect of Many Protestant churches? Yes one more is one too many, you said it yourself.

Ufam Tobie

Eastern Orthodoxy?

Just kidding. There is but one Church, the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, of you, and I, and millions of others from various communions are members. Sadly, we are divided.

Jon

Jon

 

[Utwo2]

How do explain
Ephesians 4:5
New International Version (NIV)
5*one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

Should it say one lord, 38,000+ faiths, and zero to a couple baptisms ?

LOL Gee and Saint Paul thought he made this simple to understand,

and i think in Hebrews 6:1-4 there really are baptism"s plural, and i guess when they sprinkled water on my head as a baby – that must have been one of them-- or maybe not?

 

[Telestia]

I am a former Protestant (Catholic revert). I never really dwelled on the fact that there were so many denominations with all kinds of beliefs , sub beliefs and doctrines. I knew they were there but my adverse “feelings” toward the Catholic church caused me to bury it or justify it.

I’m curious. How do my devout Protestant friends feel about the multitude of denominations there are? Yes, your particular denomination has an authority but there is really no collective protestant authority unless you are going to just say the bible or Jesus. But the problem there is different translations so it is not unified in belief and understanding.

Do you as a Protestant think there are too many denominations and/or denominations that should not be? I’d like a Catholic perspective as well.

I am a former Protestant (Catholic revert). I never really dwelled on the fact that there were so many denominations with all kinds of beliefs , sub beliefs and doctrines. I knew they were there but my adverse “feelings” toward the Catholic church caused me to bury it or justify it.

I’m curious. How do my devout Protestant friends feel about the multitude of denominations there are? Yes, your particular denomination has an authority but there is really no collective protestant authority unless you are going to just say the bible or Jesus. But the problem there is different translations so it is not unified in belief and understanding.

Do you as a Protestant think there are too many denominations and/or denominations that should not be? I’d like a Catholic perspective as well.

johnnyjones, it would be helpful if you explain from your knowledge of the many non-Catholic Christian denominations you have become acquainted, precisely what are those “all kind of beliefs, sub-beliefs, and doctrines” you reference. Not that you should “Tell All”
but some examples of what you mean.

Furthermore,

What is the difference between a belief, a sub-belief, and a doctrine? I ask, are they all not simply - beliefs?

Any Christian belief I believe must be based upon the Bible in its’ written full context.

For example, there is scripture that states that God does not change His mind. And there are Bible references of God changing His mind. How do you reconcil this?

In another verse, God tells some one to go, then God gets mad at him because he went.

Are we really saved because our understanding matches God’s understanding perfectly?

What exactly is your reason for God giving you entrance to Heaven - THE KINGDOM, when that time comes?

Is it based upon that your thoughts and understanding matches God’s Thoughts and Understanding?, or that you perfectly obey all the Mosaic Laws that would apply to you?

What say you?

 

[CopticChristian]

johnnyjones, it would be helpful if you explain from your knowledge of the many non-Catholic Christian denominations you have become acquainted, precisely what are those “all kind of beliefs, sub-beliefs, and doctrines” you reference. Not that you should “Tell All”
but some examples of what you mean.

Furthermore,

What is the difference between a belief, a sub-belief, and a doctrine? I ask, are they all not simply - beliefs?

Any Christian belief I believe must be based upon the Bible in its’ written full context.

For example, there is scripture that states that God does not change His mind. And there are Bible references of God changing His mind. How do you reconcil this?

In another verse, God tells some one to go, then God gets mad at him because he went.

Are we really saved because our understanding matches God’s understanding perfectly?

Is it based upon that your thoughts and understanding matches God’s Thoughts and Understanding?, or that you perfectly obey all the Mosaic Laws that would apply to you?

What say you?

Telestia,

As a former Catholic do you not know that heaven is a gift by grace through faith…

What exactly is your reason for God giving you entrance to Heaven - THE KINGDOM, when that time comes?

Is this that Protestant question…if you died tonight, would you go to heaven? or Why should God let you into heaven?

and then we get to the invention of Protestant thought…

Confess with your lips and believe with your heart and you will be saved…

That actually has nothing to do with getting into heaven…

Is that where you are going with this?

 

[CopticChristian]

LOL Gee and Saint Paul thought he made this simple to understand,

and i think in Hebrews 6:1-4 there really are baptism"s plural, and i guess when they sprinkled water on my head as a baby – that must have been one of them-- or maybe not?

UT,

No, washings of instruction in the Greek and that word in Greek is not Baptisms…

baptismos: (the act of) a dipping or washing
Original Word: βαπτισμός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: baptismos
Phonetic Spelling: (bap-tis-mos’)
Short Definition: dipping, washing
Definition: dipping, washing (of a ceremonial character).

Cognate: 909 baptismós – properly, submergings (always in the plural in the NT); (figuratively) ceremonial washings (Mk 7:4; Heb 9:10) or the profound realities of spiritual and water baptism (Heb 6:2). See 907 (baptizō).

Word Origin
from baptizó
Definition
(the act of) a dipping or washing
NASB Translation
washing (1), washings (2).