Discuss Christianity, Preaching & Christian Related Issues or HappeningsDiscuss christianity, preaching, practical living issues, ethics or morality, challenges, being a christian, christian related happenings .. [Post Christian Forum].
Message of the Day:- 1 Timothy 6:6-10 - "6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Link - Cult Watch.
1) Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ and headed by the Pope, the Successor of Peter.
2) Orthodoxy which split from the Catholic Church in 1054AD due to cultural and politcal difference. Currently the main difference is their refusal to accept papal supremacy. On the contrary, they teach the Bishop of Rome has primacy of honor or first among equal.
3) Protestantism which was formed around the 15th century by the Reformers after they were anathema from the Catholic Chuch. They believe in the 5 solas and are a very diverse group.
Currently, there are 28 000 protestant denomination world wide due to the evils of Sola Scriptura.
So which church is good? Simple. The one formed by God in 33AD or the one formed by Man in the 15th century? Perhaps the one who created the Bible and many other doctrines which all christians hold todae? Indeed
"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2 (c. A.D. 110).
Ignatius of Antioch was a student of the Apostle John and was ordained by Peter to be Bishop of Antioch. He was mauled by the lions in the arena. Hail the Catholic Church!
Coincidentaly, I'm in the midst of transiting to a new church and hopefully my experience can be of help to you.
It helps to go with someone, like a christian friend or relative. Try not to visit alone as that can be intimidating sometimes, especially if you have no prior church experience.
Personally I don't think there are "good" or "bad" churches so to speak, but do some homework first. Surf the churches' websites to get a feel. Find out what the church's vision / mission is and if that is what you feel passionate about.
Last but not least.. it's most impt to PRAY. God will lead you to where He wants you to be, and that is the best place.
Coincidentaly, I'm in the midst of transiting to a new church and hopefully my experience can be of help to you.
It helps to go with someone, like a christian friend or relative. Try not to visit alone as that can be intimidating sometimes, especially if you have no prior church experience.
Personally I don't think there are "good" or "bad" churches so to speak, but do some homework first. Surf the churches' websites to get a feel. Find out what the church's vision / mission is and if that is what you feel passionate about.
Last but not least.. it's most impt to PRAY. God will lead you to where He wants you to be, and that is the best place.
That is clearly false. Every denomination is mutually exclusive to the other as each denomination teach a conflicting theology. A clear example could be the idea of the Real Presence which is held by Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics while condemned as heretical by Evangelist and Calvinist. Since every denomination teaches a distinct truth, for one to be right, the others have to be wrong.
Division to Christinaity has always existed since time immemorial. In the first century, the proto-Catholics led by St Irenaus in 180AD had to duel with Gnosticism while St Ignatius and St Polycarp had to duel with Marcionism in 150AD. The Early Christians and Apostolic Fathers (students of the Apostles) never equated the ancient heresies as equals so why must we?
The Methodost MUST believe that his Church is true while every other protestant denomination and the Catholic Church is in error. This anturally applies to everyone.
Remember Truth is ONE. This ONE SOLE Truth can only be found in ONE church....where is that Church, you decide!
Ps: Read the Apostolic Father and you will be in for a Holy Shock at how different the early Christians were as compared to many protestant denominations of the day.
That is clearly false. Every denomination is mutually exclusive to the other as each denomination teach a conflicting theology. A clear example could be the idea of the Real Presence which is held by Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics while condemned as heretical by Evangelist and Calvinist. Since every denomination teaches a distinct truth, for one to be right, the others have to be wrong.
Division to Christinaity has always existed since time immemorial. In the first century, the proto-Catholics led by St Irenaus in 180AD had to duel with Gnosticism while St Ignatius and St Polycarp had to duel with Marcionism in 150AD. The Early Christians and Apostolic Fathers (students of the Apostles) never equated the ancient heresies as equals so why must we?
The Methodost MUST believe that his Church is true while every other protestant denomination and the Catholic Church is in error. This anturally applies to everyone.
Remember Truth is ONE. This ONE SOLE Truth can only be found in ONE church....where is that Church, you decide!
Ps: Read the Apostolic Father and you will be in for a Holy Shock at how different the early Christians were as compared to many protestant denominations of the day.
I know you are trying to be helpful, but all these information will just confuse a non-believer who wants to know more about Christianity and find a church to attend. He is not asking for a theological debate.
Last edited by bubbles; 9th April 2007 at 08:40 PM..
Reason: typo
I know you are trying to be helpful, but all these information will just confuse a non-believer who wants to know more about Christianity and find a church to attend. He is not asking for a theological debate.
There is no debate going on haha.
I am merely stating my viewpoint that the choice of church is important. Its not a question of which Church best fulfils my personal relationship with Christ but rather which Church is the true church that was meant for the salvation of Christians.
To learn more about Christianity, read the Apostolic Fathers (students of the Apostles).
St Ignatius, Pope Clement Epistle to the Corinthinas, Polycarp, Irenaus, Justin Matyr are excellent Apostolic Fathers.
Though seriously, if you are interested in Christianity with a root (ie, you can find the teachings since 33AD) then its orthoddoxy or catholicism.
Faith Community Baptist Church or City Harvest or St Andrew or ....?
The choice is clear...
The Catholic Church as it was created by Jesus christ and home to the Apostles.
"We are not to give heed to those who say, Behold here is Christ, but show him not in the Church, which is filled with brightness from the East even unto the West; which is filled with true light; is the 'pillar and ground of truth'; in which, as a whole, is the whole advent of the Son of Man, who saith to all men throughout the universe, 'Behold, I am with you all the days of life even unto the consumption of the world.'" Origen, Commentary on Matthew, Tract 30 (A.D. 244).
Which Church To Go? What Is The Difference?
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