Are There Any True Christian Denominations?

[BeHereNow]

Are any Christian denominations "true" Christian?

seen da light, in a separate thread, has told us some major denominations, in his opinion, are not true Christian. Among these would be Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Continental Reformed, and Methodists.
Here is his reasoning:

seen da light
I would like to foremostly agree with the fact that certain demoninations aren't in fact true Christianity.lets take for example the catholic church.
Nowhere does it tell christians to have a pope.Nowhere does it tell us to make church such a pompous precession of fancy dressed people.
What the catholic church does,is no where in scripture.It is traditions that have been added to the word of god.
another example is of the methodist church.Here they baptise babies. the commandments are clear ,to repent and be baptised.can babies repent?they don't even know spiritual right from wrong yet.so thus it is a tradition that is questionable when compared to the biblical model(note that is how you compare churches)

I think that a biblical church is the correct demnomination.
So most likely a charasmatic modern church who only go after what god says and are guided by prayer as opposed to human planning.
A denomination that follows the word of God down to the letter.
a biblical church...

any church, whether it be of any denomination, that if compared to the biblical model,is similar or exactly the same,with no traditions added to it.
that is a true denomination.
Denominations shouldn't exist, but it has been worldly traditions added to churches that have caused people to break away from it.because they have seen that it isn't the biblical.

So my comment to him was/is, please give an example of a true Christian church.

Please tell me which church "follows the word of God down to the letter", including being "guided by prayer as opposed to human planning".
I know a few denominations which may come close to meeting his criteria, but know of none that meet it.

He has not been willing to name such a denomination unless I PM or start a new thread, so here we are.

It seems a charismatic modern church might be a good candidate, but of course they disagree about the correct application of speaking in tongues and only a very few handle snakes, re: [And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.]

One criteria I will be looking for in seen da lights true Christian church is observance of the foot washing ceremony. As the Bible says "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

So seen da light, are there any true Christian denominations?

[author@ptgbook.org]

One criteria I will be looking for in seen da lights true Christian church is observance of the foot washing ceremony. As the Bible says "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

For what it's worth, there are churches that practice foot washing as part of Passover services which Jesus Christ taught His disciples. There are a number of Churches of God that practice foot washing, and interestingly, they follow a number of other practices and doctrines that come from the Bible directly rather than mainstream Catholic or Protestant traditions.

[tpbarn]

Are any Christian denominations "true" Christian?

seen da light, in a separate thread, has told us some major denominations, in his opinion, are not true Christian. Among these would be Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Continental Reformed, and Methodists.
Here is his reasoning:

seen da light
I would like to foremostly agree with the fact that certain demoninations aren't in fact true Christianity.lets take for example the catholic church.
Nowhere does it tell christians to have a pope.Nowhere does it tell us to make church such a pompous precession of fancy dressed people.
What the catholic church does,is no where in scripture.It is traditions that have been added to the word of god.
another example is of the methodist church.Here they baptise babies. the commandments are clear ,to repent and be baptised.can babies repent?they don't even know spiritual right from wrong yet.so thus it is a tradition that is questionable when compared to the biblical model(note that is how you compare churches)

I think that a biblical church is the correct demnomination.
So most likely a charasmatic modern church who only go after what god says and are guided by prayer as opposed to human planning.
A denomination that follows the word of God down to the letter.
a biblical church...

any church, whether it be of any denomination, that if compared to the biblical model,is similar or exactly the same,with no traditions added to it.
that is a true denomination.
Denominations shouldn't exist, but it has been worldly traditions added to churches that have caused people to break away from it.because they have seen that it isn't the biblical.

So my comment to him was/is, please give an example of a true Christian church.

Please tell me which church "follows the word of God down to the letter", including being "guided by prayer as opposed to human planning".
I know a few denominations which may come close to meeting his criteria, but know of none that meet it.

He has not been willing to name such a denomination unless I PM or start a new thread, so here we are.

It seems a charismatic modern church might be a good candidate, but of course they disagree about the correct application of speaking in tongues and only a very few handle snakes, re: [And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.]

One criteria I will be looking for in seen da lights true Christian church is observance of the foot washing ceremony. As the Bible says "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

So seen da light, are there any true Christian denominations?

The answer to the question is yes. In order to determine which one, we must do what Jesus said, in that we would be recognized by our fruits. So it can be done by elimination, based on the qualities Jesus spelled out and the works he asked his desciples to do. If a denomination is not doing those things, or doing things prohibited by Jesus, then eliminate that denomination. We must remember, the road is narrow.

As an example we can be recognized by our love. So, is blessing soldiers before they are sent to kill someone an example of that love?? (please, I do not mean that as a political statement) Jesus also told us get out of the world, so doesn't that mean out of politics??

Another one is the Lords Prayer. Hallowed be they name. What name?? For the most part, Christians have lost Gods name. Jesus also had a great prayer in giving thanks to his father "

In a prayer to his father, Jesus profoundly thanked his father as seen is Luke 10 Vs 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

I hope this adds something to the thread. Thank you.

[klatu]

One of supporting reasons that I have rejected any 'Christian' tradition is that viewing the whole of religious history suggests an almost perpetual and unresolved disagreement over some of the most vital details. Not the stuff knowledge or truth should be made of?

[chriscrunch]

Are any Christian denominations true Christian?

One criteria I will be looking for in seen da lights true Christian church is observance of the foot washing ceremony. As the Bible says If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

So seen da light, are there any true Christian denominations?

You have a very interesting discussion here. I hope to be able to contribute.

I find it interesting that you mention an ordinance of washing of feet. You're interested in finding a church that has this? I have an answer for you.

[klatu]

If by the example of foot washing, we are to understand a measure of humility, then that humility must start in the mind. But I would suggest that mind, as an emanation of self, can only demonstrate selflessness in obedience to another. Yet as all existing denominations are a theological construct of what tradition claims revelation to mean, any such obedience to a theological tradition is an obedience to the mind of men and not of God. Thus there are no true denominations.

There is an exception, but it hasn't come from any existing tradition. and it's not theological. A new interpretation of the moral teaching of Christ, of Faith and the Resurrection.

"Using a synthesis of scriptural material from the Old and New Testaments, the Apocrypha , The Dead Sea Scrolls, The Nag Hammadi Library, and some of the worlds great poetry, it describes and teaches a single moral LAW, a single moral principle offering the promise of its own proof; one in which the reality of God responds to an act of perfect faith with a direct, individual intervention into the natural world; correcting human nature by a change in natural law, altering biology, consciousness and human ethical perception beyond all natural evolutionary boundaries. Intended to be understood metaphorically, where 'death' is ignorance and 'LIfe' is knowledge, this experience, personal encounter and liberation by transcendent power and moral purpose is the 'Resurrection' ,the justification of faith and foundation of righteousness."

So for a test of humility and moral courage, this is the only teaching that offers its own proof to be of God. revolutionary stuff! Check it out for yourself at: http://www.energon.org

[InTheFlesh]

I believe that there are no true denominations out there!
We are living stones that form the temple of the living God.

Ephesians 2:
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

[klatu]

Until very recently I would have completely agreed with you that all claims to a Christian truth were false due to there theological, human origins. for I have always held that theology only exists because nothing has been revealed.

But now a teaching exists, contrary to the whole stream of intellectual history, and questioning the origins of all historical christian claims, called The Final Freedoms or Gospel of the Resurrection, that delivers the first ever religious claim of insight into the human condition, that meets the Enlightenment criteria of verifiable, evidence based truth embodied in action. For the first time in history, a moral tenet exists, offering access by faith, to absolute proof for its belief.

I have put put this teaching to the test, or rather it has put me to the test and it is and does exactly what it claims to do. Thus one may hold to any prejudice or opinion, but testable truth trumps all............

[InTheFlesh]

What teaching would that be?

1John.2
[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

[klatu]

" What teaching would that be"

This new teaching and interpretation of the moral teaching of Christ is a free pdf download from any number of dedicated or unofficial sites. and I would suggest that the only pertinent scripture for consideration would be:

"I will trap the wise in there own cunning", "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and make the wisdom of the world look foolish."

For this new teaching, being the first testable proof of God for faith, being a true revelation, exposes the folly of our human, theological attempt to comprehend the mind of God.

To test or not to test, that is the question?

A couple download links:
http://www.energon.org.uk
http://www.dunwanderinpress.org

[scottlittlefield17]

There is no one denomination that "has it right" or that is THE remnant. Every denomination has its weakness sins and failings. However we are to "not forsake the assembling together" so i think it is important to belong to a church for encouragement and accountability purposes.