I was raised in the Greek Orthodox church learning, studying, speaking modern, and classical (Koine) Greek. I agree with a vast majority of those teachings, but there many practices in both Eastern Orthodoxy, and Catholicism I disagree with greatly. My Christian evolution included the study of world religions, how those spiritual beliefs influenced modern cultures, and the visiting of many different denominational Christian churches. While I find that some "warp" scripture to suit their personal agendas more than others, I also find not one denomination is blameless. Through much deliberation, investigation, and study I prefer Southern Baptist churches, for they suit my personal spiritual philosophies closely. I do enjoy a Greek Orthodox service, as well as a Catholic one for they show such wonderful reverence and glory to our Father in heaven. I simply remember what I choose to practice for myself, and I do not have to adhere to the traditions of men or the rudiments of this world.
Our spiritual 'walks" are a very personal, distinct, and beautiful journey. The same scriptures speak to us each differently, because we have been all made unique with the freedom of will. Therefore not one size fits all. We can all simply agree that we are all sinners. Eternal life is a free gift. God loved the world so he gave us Christ, and those that believe in him shall be joined in eternity. If we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts God raised him from the dead, we shall be saved. We should all come to repentance for our sins, and have received the holy ghost. In the name of Jesus Christ when we confess our sins we are forgiven them, and we are cleansed from all unrighteousness.
Love and peace to all my brothers and sisters in Christ, cause in the end we are a Family of Believers~ ox'
As of late I find church buildings have lost their usefulness in society, as they do not reach all those that really need teaching.
The internet has become a much more useful tool.
Hi, like I said in the title I would like to ask which denomination do you belong to and why?
Or what does Church meant to you in case you don’t agree with it being a “building”? How would you explain it?
Thanks
I find the study of scripture in Greek humbling, through reverence as to it's historical age. It is as close as we can get to what was originally written in the new testament. Quite a bit cannot be translated, for there are no words in English that accurately define what gets lost. When there is, both Greek and English words often have several meanings which does cause confusion. I find it humorous (as do many others), when some try to inaccurately reference, pronounce, and use words in classical Greek without understanding their surrounding verbiage. Ive also learned never to try to correct anyone even when they ask, as they get very offended (especially if they have a PhD). There is nothing worse than minister with a wounded ego, as they never forget the offense. Alas, they are just as human as anyone else alive on this earth. I would rather be remembered for something else.
How my study helped others spread the word of Christ, cannot be defined by language. It is translated by the holy spirit into words those whom need witnessing hear through personal outreach, and testimony. We are all different, and therefore so is everyone's approach. I do not make reference to the Greek often, except maybe in prayer. Certain prayers have a much more speedy affect when words are spoken in Greek, as I can feel the spirit in me.
My conclusion is it is not the language, but the man himself whom interprets scripture in their own hearts. We all get a different message from the same words
^ Sounds good to me. Maybe we will be telepathic and read each others pure thoughts being there will be no sin. There is no way of really knowing, and the wonder of heaven is a beautiful wonder to wonder about
See how we believe in the same message, but we have had different upbringings. I was raised baptist, and now i am Pentecostal. It doesnt matter the upbringings we have as long as the core messages we believe in are the same. That Jesus is the centre. Islam has 3 sects, Christianity has at least 7 from my thinking. It has more than 7 sects. The bible is powerful and really does divide soul and spirit. In that it can give people hope and understanding to be more spiritual, it can also edify the soul.
See how we believe in the same message, but we have had different upbringings. I was raised baptist, and now i am Pentecostal. It doesnt matter the upbringings we have as long as the core messages we believe in are the same. That Jesus is the centre. Islam has 3 sects, Christianity has at least 7 from my thinking. It has more than 7 sects. The bible is powerful and really does divide soul and spirit. In that it can give people hope and understanding to be more spiritual, it can also edify the soul.
Hi Lanolin;I notice there's always a first church in a town of something or other but nobody wants to be the second church.
I've been with baptist church too but in NZ we don't have a split between northern and southern baptists.
There's just one baptist church denom.
Hi Lanolin;
I thought about that also at one time but later learned there are Second and Third Baptist Churches of San Francisco, and around the United States.
"Southern Baptist" is a denomination in the United States established in 1845. There was a split within the Baptist denomination that formed the Northern and Southern. These were for reasons of political and slavery back in the 19th century. Later the American and Independent Baptist Churches would form for various reasons that had to do mostly with "differences in doctrine."
In New Zealand the Baptist church would be considered the "Baptist" church. In Africa one of our members at Christian Forum Site formed a Baptist church in 2018 but could not use "Southern" for its new church plant name. Both in New Zealand and Africa, "Baptist" is correct, unless there is an additional name to the Baptist denomination that I'm not aware of. I have always had an issue with denominations formed because of a difference in doctrine or political.
I answer that by saying am a Christian, Baptist, who holds to Calvinist theology.Hi, like I said in the title I would like to ask which denomination do you belong to and why?
Or what does Church meant to you in case you don’t agree with it being a “building”? How would you explain it?
Thanks