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Subject: Denominationalism, Apostolic church etc
Replies: 26 Views: 528

purest1 11.05.12 - 02:36pm
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, a Denomination is:''A large group of religious congregations united under a common faith and name and organized under a single administrative and legal hierarchy.'' * +

purest1 11.05.12 - 02:46pm
Denominations/sects have been the norm for centuries since the Apostolic period and every denomination takes upon itself all the apostolic mandate and touts itself as the Apostolic church. The governing body at the HQ assumes the direction of hundreds of congregations in the sect, claiming to be ''the church'' of the new testament continued. * +

purest1 11.05.12 - 02:54pm
This order has remained largely unquestioned and if a group was dissatisfied with something in their sect, they simply splinter off and form a new denomination- complete with brand name, central control hierarchy and dogmas. The question we should ask above all is the AUTHORITY to denominate itself. Legitimacy of being a denomination. Authority to form daughter congregations subject to some central body, to link governing structures of two or more congregations. This thought may appear unnecessa * +

purest1 11.05.12 - 03:00pm
unnecessary and even petty, but think about it... How many people have asked.. 1. What was the denomination of the apostles and their congregations? Which denomination did they belong to? 2. If in Acts, the apostles and other christians were simply called ''christians'', why and when did we start qualifying the term... I'm a christian alright, but I'm a catholic, I'm an Adventist, I'm a Jehovah's Witness. Compare the Apostolic christian community with today's denominated Christianity. * +

purest1 11.05.12 - 03:11pm
Denominationalism has not only severed Christianity into many religions but the concept itself is totally ALIEN to new testament practices. Simply, there was no structure ruling over more than one congregation in Apostolic Christianity. NT Christianity was very simple: christians living in the same area congregate together under a local leadership. All congregations were SOVEREIGN. There was no 'Headquarters' for any two or more congregations. The local group did NOT have its special brand nam * +

purest1 11.05.12 - 03:19pm
brand name and needed not differentiate itself from other groupings. It was simply a church... The church in antioch, church in corinth etc... The only authority above the congregation was Christ. Each congregation was fully equipped and communicated directly to Christ. When he wrote to seven congregations in Revelations, Christ wrote to the Messenger of each congregation directly, without passing through some 'head office' channel of these congregations. It didn't exist. * +

purest1 11.05.12 - 03:28pm
The oldest denomination with a somewhat traceable history is the Catholic church. But even this denomination cannot link itself to be the Apostolic church. No denomination can, because denominationalism came after the apostles died. Power, control, money and sectarianism were some motivations to denominate. I find it strange then when a denomination claims to be the 'true church' as though such an organized network of churches even existed. Denominations are the work of men and can't claim di * +

purest1 11.05.12 - 03:39pm
divine origin. * +

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