New Testament Christianity

[charlesjTEXAX]

The Challenge of Non-Denominational Christianity

We trust that all those who, when questioned about Jesus of Nazareth and confess that he is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and Savior of the World, would naturally want to serve Him and be recognized as Christians. The difficulty is in understanding what it means to be a Christian. And whether Jesus or His apostles would recognize what is promoted today as Christianity. In this denominationally oriented society, the terms “Christian” or “Christianity” are used differently than in the New Testament times. For example: the word “Christian” is often used grammatically (today) as an adjective to describe; a radio station (Christian Radio Station), a denomination, a school, a nation, a business, parents, teachers, etc. etc. The term, “Christianity” is also used (today) for the attributes or characteristics of what Denonimations, nations, schools, businesses, parents…etc may practice religiously, financially, or morally. Many of these teachings and practices called “Christianity” are foreign to the New Testament. If anyone merely pursues “Christianity” (under it’s present day usuage) they will readily find themselves confronted with a host of contradictory and confusing concepts that are classified as ‘Christian”, Such as:
 Catholic models of Christianity
 Protestant models of Christianity
 Evangelical models of Christianity
 Pentecostal models of Christianity
 Jehovah Witnesses modes of Christianity
 Mormon models of Christianity
 Secular Humanist models of Christianity
 Sabbath keeping groups (over 300 of them) models of Christianity.
 The list could fill many pages… “their names are legion!”

All of the above “Christian groups” claim to posses the correct model of Christianity. And yet, they prescribe and practice many different and often opposing things. All denominational alliances define “Christianity” by their group’s distinct personal history. Many of the conclusions (That have led to denominational divisions) are the result of issues and responses addressed centuries ago. Most people don"t not even know the reasoning, or issues behind these conclusions. These “negotiated” human creeds carve boundaries that divide and estrange people religiously by continually redefining what it means to be a Christian.
To this very day, denominational organizations, councils and conventions legislate the terms and work of their respective denominations and call their resolutions, “Christianity”. If anyone is recognizably identified with any of these groups they are organizationally and intellectually bound to uphold the teachings and practices espoused by denomination creeds. They are not free to reach different conclusions about ‘Christianity” because the religious “bureaucrats” (living or dead) have already defined and outlined their faith. To disagree with them, is paramount heresy!

Some questions:
 Are denominational decisions and creeds, authoritative instructions from God?
 If they come from God, why are they contradictory? And why do they change?
 If they are from God, why do they lead to division instead of unity?
 If these models of Christianity are NOT from God, (only human reasoning) should I be obligated to follow them?

ALTURNATIVES:
1. We can become so frustrated with the glaring contractions in “Christendom” that we embrace (believe) nothing and live an agnostic life, based solely in self-indulgent pragmatism, which leads to the hopeless despair of existentialism. (The philosophy that life has no eternal meaning or value)
2. We can embrace everything, and strive through compromise in union with an inter-denominational federation to tolerate everything. Yielding repeatedly to obvious contradictions in the slim hope of meaningful reform from within. Not daring to express our convictions(s) and understanding(s), and eventually (through convenience) allow others to think and speak for us. Unwittingly, adding to the problem!
3. We can break ALL denominational ties by “leapfrogging” backwards! Skipping past ALL human councils, conventions and creeds. Resolving, to follow ONLY the New Testament Scriptures. Believing that the Bible (alone) is the inspired message of God, and is the only true and flawless standard by which “Real Christianity” can be defined and identified. The simple New Testament faith (that was “delivered once for all…”Jude 3), when viewed as forever locked within the contest of the culture, circumstance, word definition and idioms of the first century. Will reveal the true desire of the God of Heaven, to those of us whol live in the 21st century, who seek Him in “spirit and in truth…”(John 4:23,24)
With the scriptures as the authoritative rule of faith, we will learn to be content with the answers that the Bible provides, eagerly implementing them and then sharing them with others. Being confident, that true unity lamong Christians can only be achieved through conformity to one standard, acknowledging that true Christian unity must start with the conviction that ALLENGIANCE TO GOD TAKES PRESIDENTS OVER ANY AFFILIATION WITH MEN.

Acts 5:29 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

[Tranceformer110]

 Are denominational decisions and creeds, authoritative instructions from God?no they are not. God has spoken through his word. If they come from God, why are they contradictory? And why do they change?ditto If they are from God, why do they lead to division instead of unity?ditto If these models of Christianity are NOT from God, (only human reasoning) should I be obligated to follow them?nothis is why I go to a RM school. No system of theology, just interpretting scripture for what it is.

[WesWoodell]

What school do you go to?

[Tranceformer110]

Ozark Christian College

[aggie03]

Just sort of throwing this one out there for whomever: does it matter if one has a system of theology if it is what the Scriptures teach?

I mean to say this: the only reason that councils, creeds and other things become problematic is if they are not called for, acceptable or inferred through any part of the Bible. The fact that there are many groups with many creeds does not make creeds wrong. IF two Christians are studying just the Bible and come to different conclusions, are we to throw that technique out the window?

[Xelsorsior]

The Challenge of Non-Denominational Christianity

We trust that all those who, when questioned about Jesus of Nazareth and confess that he is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and Savior of the World, would naturally want to serve Him and be recognized as Christians. The difficulty is in understanding what it means to be a Christian. And whether Jesus or His apostles would recognize what is promoted today as Christianity. In this denominationally oriented society, the terms “Christian” or “Christianity” are used differently than in the New Testament times. For example: the word “Christian” is often used grammatically (today) as an adjective to describe; a radio station (Christian Radio Station), a denomination, a school, a nation, a business, parents, teachers, etc. etc. The term, “Christianity” is also used (today) for the attributes or characteristics of what Denonimations, nations, schools, businesses, parents…etc may practice religiously, financially, or morally. Many of these teachings and practices called “Christianity” are foreign to the New Testament. If anyone merely pursues “Christianity” (under it’s present day usuage) they will readily find themselves confronted with a host of contradictory and confusing concepts that are classified as ‘Christian”, Such as:
 Catholic models of Christianity
 Protestant models of Christianity
 Evangelical models of Christianity
 Pentecostal models of Christianity
 Jehovah Witnesses modes of Christianity
 Mormon models of Christianity
 Secular Humanist models of Christianity
 Sabbath keeping groups (over 300 of them) models of Christianity.
 The list could fill many pages… “their names are legion!”

All of the above “Christian groups” claim to posses the correct model of Christianity. And yet, they prescribe and practice many different and often opposing things. All denominational alliances define “Christianity” by their group’s distinct personal history. Many of the conclusions (That have led to denominational divisions) are the result of issues and responses addressed centuries ago. Most people don"t not even know the reasoning, or issues behind these conclusions. These “negotiated” human creeds carve boundaries that divide and estrange people religiously by continually redefining what it means to be a Christian.
To this very day, denominational organizations, councils and conventions legislate the terms and work of their respective denominations and call their resolutions, “Christianity”. If anyone is recognizably identified with any of these groups they are organizationally and intellectually bound to uphold the teachings and practices espoused by denomination creeds. They are not free to reach different conclusions about ‘Christianity” because the religious “bureaucrats” (living or dead) have already defined and outlined their faith. To disagree with them, is paramount heresy!

Some questions:
 Are denominational decisions and creeds, authoritative instructions from God?
 If they come from God, why are they contradictory? And why do they change?
 If they are from God, why do they lead to division instead of unity?
 If these models of Christianity are NOT from God, (only human reasoning) should I be obligated to follow them?

ALTURNATIVES:
1. We can become so frustrated with the glaring contractions in “Christendom” that we embrace (believe) nothing and live an agnostic life, based solely in self-indulgent pragmatism, which leads to the hopeless despair of existentialism. (The philosophy that life has no eternal meaning or value)
2. We can embrace everything, and strive through compromise in union with an inter-denominational federation to tolerate everything. Yielding repeatedly to obvious contradictions in the slim hope of meaningful reform from within. Not daring to express our convictions(s) and understanding(s), and eventually (through convenience) allow others to think and speak for us. Unwittingly, adding to the problem!
3. We can break ALL denominational ties by “leapfrogging” backwards! Skipping past ALL human councils, conventions and creeds. Resolving, to follow ONLY the New Testament Scriptures. Believing that the Bible (alone) is the inspired message of God, and is the only true and flawless standard by which “Real Christianity” can be defined and identified. The simple New Testament faith (that was “delivered once for all…”Jude 3), when viewed as forever locked within the contest of the culture, circumstance, word definition and idioms of the first century. Will reveal the true desire of the God of Heaven, to those of us whol live in the 21st century, who seek Him in “spirit and in truth…”(John 4:23,24)
With the scriptures as the authoritative rule of faith, we will learn to be content with the answers that the Bible provides, eagerly implementing them and then sharing them with others. Being confident, that true unity lamong Christians can only be achieved through conformity to one standard, acknowledging that true Christian unity must start with the conviction that ALLENGIANCE TO GOD TAKES PRESIDENTS OVER ANY AFFILIATION WITH MEN.

Acts 5:29 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
I have gone through the schooling process of this age. I have found it to be very earthly and materialistic, meaning, that man has found himself revolving around himself and hoping that others will follow.
As cited in Corinthinans, ' The knowledge of this world is foolishness to God".
In summery to my professors at the State University of my attendance, I wrote of an ages past philosophy, not admitted to or recognized at any age in time. It is called "Circlitorianism". This paper was written in 1996, recieved a B-, because the governing professors stated that it did not follow the culteral usage of theorism that is scoped into philosophy accepted by man. Meaning, there is no such philosophy, but as the world is round and all contained therein, and thereout, why on earth not, or better yet, why in Heavens name, is there not?