What is Non-Denominational?

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Jesus said that he would build his Church (singular). That’s one Church with one set of beliefs.

There are tens of thousands of denominational and independent (non-denominational) churches. All with their own take on things. There are too many differences, and everyone CAN’T be right.

There are reasons why the first generations of Christians believed what they believed. The voices of the Apostles and their diciples were still echoing in the streets. Shouldn’t we want to believe those same things? Shouldn’t we want to worship in the same way?

Take a look at the writings of the ancient Christians (the Church Fathers) and see what they had to say. We are 2,000 years removed from the action, but these guys were right there. Their writings reveal that there was only ONE true Church, and it was Catholic.
 
ltwin said:
I meant no offense. I just think that in a world where there are a billion Christians, labels are helpful. The reality is that while it is true that every genuine Christian is a member of the body of Christ, beliefs matter. We might be Christians, but we believe different things among ourselves. I believe we should be honest about that and try to understand where we differ so that we can better appreciate where we agree. So, I don’t think labels are divisive if they describe actual differences. Divisions are divisive, but they are a reality among us. I just think that labels help us to situate and understand where people are coming from.
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Hi Itwin, I think it is said we have to put denominational labels on churches. The true label is the word “Christian” or Christ like. The term Christ means annointed one. We as the Body of Jesus are the annointed through him. I do think in RCC this annointing is refured to as Confermation. In other churches it is the annointing of the Holy Spirit or some refured as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is not exclusive to Penticostal,Charasmatic or Full Gospel. The Holy Spirit is the Holy Spirit. Christian is Christ like, his annointed. I’m sorry but everything else is splitting hairs. The only title I want is Christian no matter were I go.That is in the Word and that is what I go by the Word of
God!
 
novusCatholic said:
Jesus said that he would build his Church (singular). That’s one Church with one set of beliefs.

There are tens of thousands of denominational and independent (non-denominational) churches. All with their own take on things. There are too many differences, and everyone CAN’T be right.

There are reasons why the first generations of Christians believed what they believed. The voices of the Apostles and their diciples were still echoing in the streets. Shouldn’t we want to believe those same things? Shouldn’t we want to worship in the same way?

Take a look at the writings of the ancient Christians (the Church Fathers) and see what they had to say. We are 2,000 years removed from the action, but these guys were right there. Their writings reveal that there was only ONE true Church, and it was Catholic.
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No matter how many times I come on here it amazes me how people re act to the OP thread. Everything stated is subject to debate. Theologians have been debating history and the Churches origin for nearly 2,000 years. Christian churches are different parts of the same body Jesus Christ. The Church is one,because Jesus is one with the Father and Holy Spirit. A hand does not say to a foot, I don’t need you. Does a Heart
say to the brain or the lungs, I don’t need you? I a sense this is how I take the logic that is being said here. I personally have read the Early Church Fathers and found things up for debate. I in no way am trying to put down RCC’ but the logic I find with some people is our faith is the only faith, every one elses is null and void. My faith is all inclusive of all Christian Faiths, including RCC.We are all together in one common belief of Jesus Christ.I believe that makes all Christians One!
 
racing59 said:
The only title I want is Christian no matter were I go.That is in the Word and that is what I go by the Word of
God!
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That is commendable, racing, but not really practical. We need labels other than “Christian” to identify what it is we believe.

I doubt that if you met a man on a bus who said he was a preacher and when you asked him what he believed and he said, “Why, I’m a Christian! I preach on the Word of God!” that you’d let him preach at your church, simply based on his pronouncement.

You’d want to know what exactly he means when he says he’s a Christian. Is he going to preach that baptism is a sacrament? Or an ordinance? Done with infants? Or only adults? In a river? Or in a font? By immersion? Or sprinkling?

Does he believe that once you’re saved you’re always saved? Or that we can lose our salvation?

Is he going to preach on the Rapture? If so, is he pre-millenial, a-millenial or post-millenial?

Is he going to preach that divorce and re-marriage is adultery, or that it’s permissible?

Is he going to say that homosexuals can marry?

Is he going to let women become pastors?

Is he going to let abortion be a necessary evil?

etc etc etc

So, no, you’re not going to let someone preach at your church simply because he says he’s a Christian who preaches from the Bible. :nope:
 
racing59 said:
Christian churches are different parts of the same body Jesus Christ.
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By “churches” are you referring to the different denominations and independent (non-denominational) congregations? The Apostles maintained the one faith and didn’t allow the various communities that were being established to decide on their own what they would believe.
A hand does not say to a foot, I don’t need you. Does a Heart
say to the brain or the lungs, I don’t need you? I a sense this is how I take the logic that is being said here.
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So what happend during the Protestant Reformation? People began to independently decide what they wanted to believe and cut off 1,500 years worth of “body parts”.
I personally have read the Early Church Fathers…
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So after reading something like Ignatius’ description of the Church or Justin Martyr’s description of the Mass and the Eucharist, where do you recognize the early Church in today’s world?
We are all together in one common belief of Jesus Christ.
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I agree that one can find salvation as a non-Catholic Christian, but I also believe that the Catholic Church is the original Church, with the fullness of God’s plan and graces. There is no place that I would rather be!
 
peace2u2 said:
A friend of mine who left the Catholic church some years ago was re-baptized into his new church which he calls non-denominational. When I mentioned to my friend that basically means he joined a Protestant church, I was rebuked and told that they who consider themselves “non-denominational” means that they don’t conform to any religion because there is no religion and no church that can save a person that only Jesus saves.

So basically my question is what is non-denominational and if only Jesus saves than why do we need all these churches? I was taught that “the Church” is the doorway that leads to salvation in Christ.
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You would probably find that most so called “non denomonational peachers” actually
hold licenses and ordinations in both Baptist and Pentecostal denominations.

I dont think there is an official non denomonational license.

If you ask me its a bit deceitful.

Being a tradical Im a bit bias 😃
 
PRmerger said:
That is commendable, racing, but not really practical. We need labels other than “Christian” to identify what it is we believe.

I doubt that if you met a man on a bus who said he was a preacher and when you asked him what he believed and he said, “Why, I’m a Christian! I preach on the Word of God!” that you’d let him preach at your church, simply based on his pronouncement.

You’d want to know what exactly he means when he says he’s a Christian. Is he going to preach that baptism is a sacrament? Or an ordinance? Done with infants? Or only adults? In a river? Or in a font? By immersion? Or sprinkling?

Does he believe that once you’re saved you’re always saved? Or that we can lose our salvation?

Is he going to preach on the Rapture? If so, is he pre-millenial, a-millenial or post-millenial?

Is he going to preach that divorce and re-marriage is adultery, or that it’s permissible?

Is he going to say that homosexuals can marry?

Is he going to let women become pastors?

Is he going to let abortion be a necessary evil?

etc etc etc

So, no, you’re not going to let someone preach at your church simply because he says he’s a Christian who preaches from the Bible. :nope:
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I believe you bring up some good arguments.But once again if some one is a true Christian they would be following the teachings of Jesus Christ in the written Word. The Bible answer every question you have presented here. Jesus answer the question of marriage, the sanctity of all life is sacred and holy. The Bible is a mirror for any Christian that is walking in the Lord. All these questions are answered in the Sacred Text. A Pastor not following the Word, would not be ordaned by God.
 
Zosimus41 said:
You would probably find that most so called “non denomonational peachers” actually
hold licenses and ordinations in both Baptist and Pentecostal denominations.

I dont think there is an official non denomonational license.

If you ask me its a bit deceitful.

Being a tradical Im a bit bias 😃
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Not totaly true. It cost last I know to be ordained under another churches umbrella around$2,000 and $5,000 to be Pastor under no denomination. These numbers are twenty years old, it may have gone up since then. You can be a Non-Denomonational Pator without falling under catogories you stated.
 
racing59 said:
Theologians have been debating history and the Churches origin for nearly 2,000 years.
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Not true. The Church’s origin has not been debated for “nearly 2000 years”. It is a matter of verifiable history. There was no debate as to its origin until late into the Protestant movement when certain denominations had strayed so far beyond the one Church founded by Christ that they completley lost their bearings. They came up with a fanciful notion that the early Church looked very much like Christianity today; many churches believing many different things. Nothing could be further from the truth.
racing59 said:
Christian churches are different parts of the same body Jesus Christ. The Church is one,because Jesus is one with the Father and Holy Spirit.
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There is only one Christian Church; the Church founded by Christ. He did not start “churches”. All who are not in communion with that Church are properly called ecclesial communities, not churches. The problem is that in reality we are not one Church. “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-5)

While we might believe in one Lord, we certainly do not have one faith and for many we do not have one baptism. It is not different “churches” that are different parts of the same body but rather the people within the one Church who have “one Lord, one faith, one baptism…” Our God does not delight in division and no matter how you want to look at it, we are divided. Saying we are not does not change reality.
racing59 said:
I in no way am trying to put down RCC’ but the logic I find with some people is our faith is the only faith, every one elses is null and void. My faith is all inclusive of all Christian Faiths, including RCC.We are all together in one common belief of Jesus Christ.I believe that makes all Christians One!
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I don’t know of any Catholics who believe that every non-Catholic’s faith is null and void. On the contrary, you have received the Gospel (from the Catholic Church, I might add) and believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ. You have received the truth of God’s revelation to man through his Son. I have many Protestant friends and many of the people in my parish would do well to live as holy lives as these. It is not that you do not have truth, you just don’t have all of the truth. The faith handed down to us by the Apostles has been replaced by personal opinion concerning the meaning of this verse and that. To embrace all “Christian Faiths” may sound charitable and I am sure that this is your intention, but, by the very nature of the situation, it means embrassing error. Thousands of communities all disagreeing with each other, objectively speaking, cannot all be true.
 
racing59 said:
I believe you bring up some good arguments.But once again if some one is a true Christian they would be following the teachings of Jesus Christ in the written Word. The Bible answer every question you have presented here.
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And yet there are tens of thousands of denominations who have read the very same Bible that you have read, and have come to the conclusion that their doctrines are the teachings of Christ, not yours.

Clearly, the Bible alone cannot be the pillar and foundation of Truth.
A Pastor not following the Word, would not be ordaned by God.
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Right. But how do you know when a pastor, who says he’s a Christian who preaches from the Bible, is truly ordained by God or mistakenly ordained by men?

What tells you this very important distinction?
 
novusCatholic said:
By “churches” are you referring to the different denominations and independent (non-denominational) congregations? The Apostles maintained the one faith and didn’t allow the various communities that were being established to decide on their own what they would believe.
So what happend during the Protestant Reformation? People began to independently decide what they wanted to believe and cut off 1,500 years worth of “body parts”.
So after reading something like Ignatius’ description of the Church or Justin Martyr’s description of the Mass and the Eucharist, where do you recognize the early Church in today’s world?
I agree that one can find salvation as a non-Catholic Christian, but I also believe that the Catholic Church is the original Church, with the fullness of God’s plan and graces. There is no place that I would rather be!
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I have read Ignatius of Antioch, I’m glad you brought him up. It was not till after 107 A.d. the term Catholic was used and was firt used by Ignatius. As far as the Eucharist
, I will not debate you on that one, Communion is a Sacred Holy act, that is clear in scripture. The Catholic Mass is a beautiful thing, but so is a Revival meeting were people get healed by the Power of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, which is also Biblical. The Early Fathers were good writters but they are not free from all error like the Sacred Text, the Bible, the Word of God. I believe the Catholic Church to be one of the oldest instatutions in Christdom, but I do not believe it was the only institution in the early church.
 
ltwin said:
Many non-denominational churches will openly admit they are Protestant. It isn’t an attempt to trick anyone, but to accurately reflect that the church is not affiliated with any larger denominational body like the SBC, the AG, the UMC, etc.
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Itwin,

There are 2733 people viewing this posting. Many is a generalization. Many does not include all. My experience is that the people that attend think “I am just a Christian”…the Pastors that I have spoken to know that they are Protestant.

I believe that the membership believe for the most part that the Christianity that they have been exposed to and have learned is all there is…and since they are “non-denominational” it sets them apart from the source of all Christian thought the OHCAC, and those that broke from the OHCAC. The non-denominational populace would look askance at the Anglican, Episcopalian, Confessional Lutherans, Methodists…because they are just Christians…and “non-denominational”…
 
racing59 said:
No matter how many times I come on here it amazes me how people re act to the OP thread. Everything stated is subject to debate. Theologians have been debating history and the Churches origin for nearly 2,000 years. Christian churches are different parts of the same body Jesus Christ. The Church is one,because Jesus is one with the Father and Holy Spirit. A hand does not say to a foot, I don’t need you. Does a Heart
say to the brain or the lungs, I don’t need you? I a sense this is how I take the logic that is being said here. I personally have read the Early Church Fathers and found things up for debate. I in no way am trying to put down RCC’ but the logic I find with some people is our faith is the only faith, every one elses is null and void. My faith is all inclusive of all Christian Faiths, including RCC.We are all together in one common belief of Jesus Christ.I believe that makes all Christians One!
Click to expand...
Racing,

Point me to the time in History when in the last 2000 years this debate as to “I am just a Christian” commenced, help me understand this.
 
And yet there are tens of thousands of denominations who have read the very same Bible that you have read, and have come to the conclusion that their doctrines are the teachings of Christ, not yours.
1)It is much more than just reading. You must be in prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit for divine revelation.
Clearly, the Bible alone cannot be the pillar and foundation of Truth.
2)Once again it is Jesus Christ that is the Pillar of Truth.John1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus is God’s Word in the flesh. The Bible is Jesus Word in written form. The Bible through guidance of the Holy Spirit is the Pillar of Truth for the church.
Right. But how do you know when a pastor, who says he’s a Christian who preaches from the Bible, is truly ordained by God or mistakenly ordained by God?
Do not ask me how, but the Holy Spirit guides which is which.
What tells you this very important distinction?
3)The only thing I can tell you it is a stil,l soft, voice of the Holy Spirit, I know. There is a glow around people, Pastors and Priest that have the Holy Spirit, you just know, even when you are only looking at them.It i the only way I know how to explain it. You diffenetly see Jesus in them.
 
racing59 said:
I believe you bring up some good arguments.But once again if some one is a true Christian they would be following the teachings of Jesus Christ in the written Word. The Bible answer every question you have presented here. Jesus answer the question of marriage, the sanctity of all life is sacred and holy. The Bible is a mirror for any Christian that is walking in the Lord. All these questions are answered in the Sacred Text. A Pastor not following the Word, would not be ordaned by God.
Click to expand...
Racing,

Just so I understand you and can see what you are saying…what are the steps to become

A True Christian
 
racing59 said:
Not totaly true. It cost last I know to be ordained under another churches umbrella around$2,000 and $5,000 to be Pastor under no denomination. These numbers are twenty years old, it may have gone up since then. You can be a Non-Denomonational Pator without falling under catogories you stated.
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Racing,

I believe that you may be wrong. Ordination is only $39.95

ulc.net/index.php?page=shop

Basic Ministry Package ($66 value!) - $39.95

You may want to look into your cost analysis…
 
CopticChristian said:
Racing,

Just so I understand you and can see what you are saying…what are the steps to become

A True Christian
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  1. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
  2. Baptism of water
  3. Sealed by the Holy Spirit
  4. Imatate Jesus Christ through the Grace of the Holy Spirit by obeying the Father through prayer and the Sacred Text which is to be a mirror of your spirit.
This may seem to simple,but it is only through the Precious Blood of Jesus we can achieve these things. It is nothing I can do by myself. The Bible is the mirror of a True Christian, but has to be done through prayer and Holy Spirit. I hope thiss explains what you wanted to understand.😉
 
racing59 said:
It is much more than just reading. You must be in prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit for divine revelation.
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Probably the same thing that those whom hold a different opinion than your’s might say.
The Bible through guidance of the Holy Spirit is the Pillar of Truth for the church.
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So what did the first generations of Christians do before the Bible was compiled? How did they know what to believe? The looked to the Church! The Church safe guarded the Deposit of Faith that was left by Jesus Christ and his Apostles.
 
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