Why are you a non-denominational Christian?

[Dean62]

Why are you a non-denominational Christian?

God led me to Jesus.

I was not raised a Christian. I was raised to believe in myself and my abilities and I was very good at it for many years. I was the guy who thought God was for weak people. An opiate for the masses. Eternal life was a comforting thought but not reality.

Later in life despite my constant efforts to play God and control everything and everyone in my life, things started falling apart, going bad, really bad. Without God in my life I was a train wreck with collateral damage.

We moved to Utah when I was 11. Later I married a Mormon girl and eventually became a Mormon myself. There were a few problems with that, I didn't believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I didn't believe in the book of Mormon and I didn't believe the LDS church was the restored one true church of Jesus Christ....so really I never was a Mormon. I really did try the last year but I was also serious for the first time about knowing Christ and I found I couldn't in that Church. I was constantly told to read the book of Mormon and constantly told what I must do to be righteous. It wasn't until I was thrown in Jail for 6 months that I was able to get away from Mormons long enough to read the bible and find truth. When I picked up the bible the only thing I wanted to know is who is Jesus Christ. Do I believe in Him or should I follow Buddhism which has some good deep spiritual thought in it.

For the first time I approached the bible from a position of complete humility instead of complete pride. The words that I had read, hated and rejected when I was full of pride now called out to me.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I became a Christian, a follower of Christ in 2007 and I found myself in the same situation as you. There are many churches and many say they are the "right" church.....as does the Mormon church.

What is important to me as a Christian is Jesus Christ. For me I see people adding to Christ in the name of religion and it takes away from the truth, the light, the way. I only follow one and that one I follow with complete abandon. I am placing my life in His hands and all that I am belongs to Him. I live and die (and live again) with Christ. I am counting on Him not me or any one else who tries to enslave me again under any rules outside of Christ. I accept the bible as God's word and turn to it for for guidance. The bible talks about the body of Christ. It says we are the body of Christ and the body of Christ is the Church of Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ephesians 1:18-23
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Two years of being a Christian and studying the bible and constantly praying, I found God calling me to join a local congregation of believers. The call was powerful and I was willing to lose my marriage of 30 years to follow the Lord. My wife was still Mormon and made it clear that if I didn't go through the Mormon temple she would find someone who would. It is a part of their teaching of salvation and exaltation.

Following where God was leading me on Easter weekend 2009 I walked into a small Christian church and for the first time heard the Gospel being taught directly out of the bible. No adding to it. They read the same truth out of the bible that I have been reading. Everything I have heard there is biblical and it is all about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Having been set free by Jesus while I was still in my sin I see no reason to subject myself to going back into slavery of sin or law. My non denominational Church would have it no other way. The second week I was there the lead pastor told us "You don't ever need to hear me talk again, you don't ever have to come back to this church again, you have everything you need with Christ in you. It was a lesson from 2 Peter. I have never stopped going since that day.

Footnote. My wife later became a Christian and for the first time we have God in our marriage. It was not by my works but His. I could never have planned out the way our marriage has changed by His Grace alone.

 

[jinc1019]

I wouldn't worry that. You should have a variety of teachers, not following the doctrine of a single man. It should be run by a board of elders, not a single pastor. You may get different doctrinal teaching from both sides and allowed to test that doctrine and study for yourself instead of being force fed what you MUST believe.

You should get a broader variety of teachings because of the non-denominational status.

Thank you very much for your advice. I will certainly consider your position on the issue carefully as I consider and weigh my options!

Justin

 

[jinc1019]

I go to a LCMC church not LC-MS. Although I like LC-MS over all. My main point was Lutheranism has good theology I'm just not in 100% agreement with any denomination. I give denominations grace on non-essential doctrines. I'm sure my biblical interpretation isn't in 100% with God's either so I think it's more important to fellowship with other believers. The EO taught me about church history and the lifes/deaths of the ECFs. I felt the EO takes the veneration of the Virgin Mary and the ECFs too far but I don't think modern evangelical churches give enough time and respect to this subject. As far as "the woman with the blood issue" goes. Last June of 2012 I lost my job. The stress was so bad it was like a boa constrictor was crushing my chest. The EO's liturgical service is very beautiful and they take the Eucharist very seriously. As a Catechumen I wasn't allowed to take communion but I noticed as the priest and his entourage paraded the Eucharist through the sanctuary the congregants kept reaching out and touching the robe of the priest. I told myself next week I'll reach out and touch the priest's rob while carrying the Eucharist. That next week as the priest pasted by I reached out and as soon as my figure touched his rob I literally felt a power flow through my arm and filled my chest with a warm glow. It lasted several hours. Man did I need that. It just melted all my stress away. I will never look at the Eucharist as merely symbols ever again.

I apologize for the LCMS-LCMC mistake. I am sure you have gotten that before!

That's quite an amazing story. Why would you live the EO after having such an amazing experience there?

 

[rgleason]

A non-denominational church allows you the freedom to disagree. Of course basic doctrines of salvation (milk) tend to be similar.

Now I have presented teaching that led to two different churches splitting off from their parent denomination. They accepted the teaching I offered but had to reject core doctrines of their parent denomination to do so. They became independent non-denominational churches. Of course they carried some of the baggage from their former denomination. Splits are not a bad thing. It generally occurs when a congregation overcomes error they find in the core denominational beliefs just as the reformation was driving by the errors within the RCC.

I know you will appreciate this even if no one else does. The Lord spoke prophetically through my mouth once (I know it was Him because I learned from it) "You are not going to be judged according to your doctrines, but acccording to your love." Up until that time I was a doctrine fanatic, so much so that one of the names my son called me was "The Pope"

 

[jinc1019]

I understand that you talk about becoming a true Christian by the fact that you acknowledged Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. However I don't understand what you mean ''despite growing up in the Catholic Church.''

Are you implying that the Church does not teach Christian values and theology? I tell you, even if Catholicism was false and the Church has no divine authority, I could never accept the fact that God would look upon the heart of a Catholic and not find love.

Catholics venerate Mary, pray the Rosary, take the Sacraments, sing....all in our love for Jesus.

No I was not saying that at all. As I already explained, I was merely pointing out that ALTHOUGH I grew up in a Christian church, I was not a Christian. That's all I am saying. My family was a Christian (Catholic) family growing up but I never accepted the teachings of Jesus.

 

[jinc1019]

The difference in the non-denominational is when we have a question, we go to the Bible and do our research. I've listened to so many different churches and man made laws that I want nothing to do with what they decide. If you are really listening to the Holy Spirit, He will guide you without all the confusion. My husband and I do our Bible study and what one or the other does not understand, we start our research until we come to the answer the Holy Spirit shows us. Much less confusing and a closer understanding of your relationship with God.

It's not like we have not had any teachings - I am 77 and my husband is 81 - churched all our lives - Nazarene, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran - not knocking any of these - but it gets confusing - moved 7 years ago and unable to find a church, have tried many, but they are so dry. We have a very close relationship with God and find peace.

I admire your faith and I appreciate you posting!

I agree with you that man-made teaching has been inserted in every denomination. However, for me, the sacraments hold real power and the sacraments only exist in a church (community), not at home (unless I was ordained of course). I realize you may not accept that teaching, but for me, it makes it difficult to turn the sacraments aside.

 

[Kurama]

No I was not saying that at all. As I already explained, I was merely pointing out that ALTHOUGH I grew up in a Christian church, I was not a Christian. That's all I am saying. My family was a Christian (Catholic) family growing up but I never accepted the teachings of Jesus.

Thanks for clarifying. I am glad to know that you, along with the great majority of Protestants, understand that the Church is Christian.

Jack Chick sure loves to joke...

 

[jinc1019]

God led me to Jesus.

I was not raised a Christian. I was raised to believe in myself and my abilities and I was very good at it for many years. I was the guy who thought God was for weak people. An opiate for the masses. Eternal life was a comforting thought but not reality.

Later in life despite my constant efforts to play God and control everything and everyone in my life, things started falling apart, going bad, really bad. Without God in my life I was a train wreck with collateral damage.

We moved to Utah when I was 11. Later I married a Mormon girl and eventually became a Mormon myself. There were a few problems with that, I didn't believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I didn't believe in the book of Mormon and I didn't believe the LDS church was the restored one true church of Jesus Christ....so really I never was a Mormon. I really did try the last year but I was also serious for the first time about knowing Christ and I found I couldn't in that Church. I was constantly told to read the book of Mormon and constantly told what I must do to be righteous. It wasn't until I was thrown in Jail for 6 months that I was able to get away from Mormons long enough to read the bible and find truth. When I picked up the bible the only thing I wanted to know is who is Jesus Christ. Do I believe in Him or should I follow Buddhism which has some good deep spiritual thought in it.

For the first time I approached the bible from a position of complete humility instead of complete pride. The words that I had read, hated and rejected when I was full of pride now called out to me.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I became a Christian, a follower of Christ in 2007 and I found myself in the same situation as you. There are many churches and many say they are the "right" church.....as does the Mormon church.

What is important to me as a Christian is Jesus Christ. For me I see people adding to Christ in the name of religion and it takes away from the truth, the light, the way. I only follow one and that one I follow with complete abandon. I am placing my life in His hands and all that I am belongs to Him. I live and die (and live again) with Christ. I am counting on Him not me or any one else who tries to enslave me again under any rules outside of Christ. I accept the bible as God's word and turn to it for for guidance. The bible talks about the body of Christ. It says we are the body of Christ and the body of Christ is the Church of Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ephesians 1:18-23
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Two years of being a Christian and studying the bible and constantly praying, I found God calling me to join a local congregation of believers. The call was powerful and I was willing to lose my marriage of 30 years to follow the Lord. My wife was still Mormon and made it clear that if I didn't go through the Mormon temple she would find someone who would. It is a part of their teaching of salvation and exaltation.

Following where God was leading me on Easter weekend 2009 I walked into a small Christian church and for the first time heard the Gospel being taught directly out of the bible. No adding to it. They read the same truth out of the bible that I have been reading. Everything I have heard there is biblical and it is all about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Having been set free by Jesus while I was still in my sin I see no reason to subject myself to going back into slavery of sin or law. My non denominational Church would have it no other way. The second week I was there the lead pastor told us "You don't ever need to hear me talk again, you don't ever have to come back to this church again, you have everything you need with Christ in you. It was a lesson from 2 Peter. I have never stopped going since that day.

Footnote. My wife later became a Christian and for the first time we have God in our marriage. It was not by my works but His. I could never have planned out the way our marriage has changed by His Grace alone.

That is an incredible story and I appreciate you sharing it with me. I will absolutely consider your thoughts carefully.

 

[rgleason]

God led me to Jesus.

I was not raised a Christian. I was raised to believe in myself and my abilities and I was very good at it for many years. I was the guy who thought God was for weak people. An opiate for the masses. Eternal life was a comforting thought but not reality.

Later in life despite my constant efforts to play God and control everything and everyone in my life, things started falling apart, going bad, really bad. Without God in my life I was a train wreck with collateral damage.

We moved to Utah when I was 11. Later I married a Mormon girl and eventually became a Mormon myself. There were a few problems with that, I didn't believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet, I didn't believe in the book of Mormon and I didn't believe the LDS church was the restored one true church of Jesus Christ....so really I never was a Mormon. I really did try the last year but I was also serious for the first time about knowing Christ and I found I couldn't in that Church. I was constantly told to read the book of Mormon and constantly told what I must do to be righteous. It wasn't until I was thrown in Jail for 6 months that I was able to get away from Mormons long enough to read the bible and find truth. When I picked up the bible the only thing I wanted to know is who is Jesus Christ. Do I believe in Him or should I follow Buddhism which has some good deep spiritual thought in it.

For the first time I approached the bible from a position of complete humility instead of complete pride. The words that I had read, hated and rejected when I was full of pride now called out to me.

Matthew 11:28-30
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I became a Christian, a follower of Christ in 2007 and I found myself in the same situation as you. There are many churches and many say they are the "right" church.....as does the Mormon church.

What is important to me as a Christian is Jesus Christ. For me I see people adding to Christ in the name of religion and it takes away from the truth, the light, the way. I only follow one and that one I follow with complete abandon. I am placing my life in His hands and all that I am belongs to Him. I live and die (and live again) with Christ. I am counting on Him not me or any one else who tries to enslave me again under any rules outside of Christ. I accept the bible as God's word and turn to it for for guidance. The bible talks about the body of Christ. It says we are the body of Christ and the body of Christ is the Church of Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.

Ephesians 1:18-23
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Two years of being a Christian and studying the bible and constantly praying, I found God calling me to join a local congregation of believers. The call was powerful and I was willing to lose my marriage of 30 years to follow the Lord. My wife was still Mormon and made it clear that if I didn't go through the Mormon temple she would find someone who would. It is a part of their teaching of salvation and exaltation.

Following where God was leading me on Easter weekend 2009 I walked into a small Christian church and for the first time heard the Gospel being taught directly out of the bible. No adding to it. They read the same truth out of the bible that I have been reading. Everything I have heard there is biblical and it is all about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Having been set free by Jesus while I was still in my sin I see no reason to subject myself to going back into slavery of sin or law. My non denominational Church would have it no other way. The second week I was there the lead pastor told us "You don't ever need to hear me talk again, you don't ever have to come back to this church again, you have everything you need with Christ in you. It was a lesson from 2 Peter. I have never stopped going since that day.

Footnote. My wife later became a Christian and for the first time we have God in our marriage. It was not by my works but His. I could never have planned out the way our marriage has changed by His Grace alone.

Praise GOD!!!

 

[Kurama]

A non-denominational church allows you the freedom to disagree. Of course basic doctrines of salvation (milk) tend to be similar.

Now I have presented teaching that led to two different churches splitting off from their parent denomination. They accepted the teaching I offered but had to reject core doctrines of their parent denomination to do so. They became independent non-denominational churches. Of course they carried some of the baggage from their former denomination. Splits are not a bad thing. It generally occurs when a congregation overcomes error they find in the core denominational beliefs just as the reformation was driving by the errors within the RCC.

Protestantism allows you the freedom to disagree. If you disagree with one denomination's interpretation of the Bible, you can simply make your own. Mainstream Protestant theology tends to be similar (though not united), but there are still so many different denominations. Thus I have respect for the non-denominational movement, it does work as a progressive living body (much like the RCC funnily enough).

I suppose at the time of the Reformation, some individuals of the RCC were acting like the Pharisees. They taught the law, but they themselves did not abide it and did not teach the most important parts of the Sacred Tradition; love your neighbour. It is for these reasons that I have some favourable opinions towards Martin Luther (despite his sheer anti-Semitism).

 

[Tigger45]

I apologize for the LCMS-LCMC mistake. I am sure you have gotten that before!

That's quite an amazing story. Why would you live the EO after having such an amazing experience there?

There are a couple of reasons I left that particular EO congregation. First many EO congregations have strong ethnic ties and I just didn't feel like it was home for us. Second the EO have more of a work based theology then I agree with. Although I am serious about a persons faith should be bearing fruit, in fact I don't think IMO that the fruit of the spirit is taught strong enough for me in most evangelical churches. It's just the EO go too far with it than what I think is biblical. It felt like I was chasing God's grace. As far a God touching me in a very special way, He has touched me in different ways in different denominations. Maybe I'll share those experiences with you at a different time. But because of these encounters I am inter-denominational. The first time was at a Calvary Chapel congregation and believe it or not another time it was through the teaching from a Catholic pamphlet I picked up at a monastery. If you'll notice the last verse I shared was Luke 8:48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer;[a] your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”.

You see? It was her faith in Jesus that set her free not a denomination. But now it is important to me to attend a church that teaches the "real presence" in communion. I mean how can you have "communion" with a symbol? Well I better quit because I feel a teaching tangent coming on. LOL!!

 

[jinc1019]

There are a couple of reasons I left that particular EO congregation. First many EO congregations have strong ethnic ties and I just didn't feel like it was home for us. Second the EO have more of a work based theology then I agree with. Although I am serious about a persons faith should be bearing fruit, in fact I don't think IMO that the fruit of the spirit is taught strong enough for me in most evangelical churches. It's just the EO go too far with it than what I think is biblical. It felt like I was chasing God's grace. As far a God touching me in a very special way, He has touched me in different ways in different denominations. Maybe I'll share those experiences with you at a different time. But because of these encounters I am inter-denominational. The first time was at a Calvary Chapel congregation and believe it or not another time it was through the teaching from a Catholic pamphlet I picked up at a monastery. If you'll notice the last verse I shared was Luke 8:48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer;[a] your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”.

You see? It was her faith in Jesus that set her free not a denomination. But now it is important to me to attend a church that teaches the "real presence" in communion. I mean how can you have "communion" with a symbol? Well I better quit because I feel a teaching tangent coming on. LOL!!

All great information...I greatly appreciate your story. Thank you so much for sharing it.

 

[Yahu]

There are a couple of reasons I left that particular EO congregation.

Your choice of bold small fonts makes your post extremely difficult to read.

 

[Yahu]

I know you will appreciate this even if no one else does. The Lord spoke prophetically through my mouth once (I know it was Him because I learned from it) "You are not going to be judged according to your doctrines, but acccording to your love." Up until that time I was a doctrine fanatic, so much so that one of the names my son called me was "The Pope"

LOL. I agree we won't be judged on doctrine BUT overcoming false doctrine is one of the issues with rewards to the overcomer in the 7 letters in Rev 2&3. There is eternal reward for overcoming error. The level of error you overcome determines your eternal position within the kingdom. Some will be of low status like street sweepers living on the outer wall while others will hold positions of authority like 'ruler over nations', 'priest' or even 'king' sharing the throne room.

It is funny because the very first error to overcome is 'loss of first love'. It you don't have the love, obviously your doctrines are way off. The ability to operate in love is the very first problem presented then rooting out false doctrine within you is one of the more advanced issues that grants even greater reward to the overcomer.

So much of Christianity is still stuck in the very 1st problem presented. They are stuck in judgmental self-righteous RELIGION with a total lack of love.

 

[Yahu]

Catholics venerate Mary, pray the Rosary, take the Sacraments, sing....all in our love for Jesus.

And because some of that is why people become protestant. My wife and her family were Catholic. One of the girls that grew up in their church fell into witchcraft from praying to the 'queen of heaven'. The pagan goddess Ashtoreth appeared to her at age 14, took her on as an acolyte to become a candidate as her next worldwide high priestess. She became a powerful witch that caused all kinds of problems. The goddess Ashtoreth has the title of 'queen of heaven' as presented in Jeremiah.

No where in scripture is prayers to Mary or saints is taught. Prayers to the dead are strictly forbidden. It is rooted in the ancient paganism and witchcraft. It is dangerous.

My wife's entire family left the RCC over the issue. It split the entire congregation when the priest still called on the 'queen of heaven' in mass because the Pope had declared Mary the 'queen of heaven' and a Pope is infallible. Many families got up and walked out and left the RCC.

They then joined a non-denominational charismatic church and never regretting it. My mother-in-law said they learned so much more and the entire family was much happier.

 

[jinc1019]

And because some of that is why people become protestant. My wife and her family were Catholic. One of the girls that grew up in their church fell into witchcraft from praying to the 'queen of heaven'. The pagan goddess Ashtoreth appeared to her at age 14, took her on as an acolyte to become a candidate as her next worldwide high priestess. She became a powerful witch that caused all kinds of problems. The goddess Ashtoreth has the title of 'queen of heaven' as presented in Jeremiah.

No where in scripture is prayers to Mary or saints is taught. Prayers to the dead are strictly forbidden. It is rooted in the ancient paganism and witchcraft. It is dangerous.

My wife's entire family left the RCC over the issue. It split the entire congregation when the priest still called on the 'queen of heaven' in mass because the Pope had declared Mary the 'queen of heaven' and a Pope is infallible. Many families got up and walked out and left the RCC.

They then joined a non-denominational charismatic church and never regretting it. My mother-in-law said they learned so much more and the entire family was much happier.

I agree that the Bible says very little (possibly nothing) about praying to saints and to the dead...although one reason why is because Luther had one of the books (Maccabees) removed partly for this reason. However, would also like to point out that there is much evidence that early Christians prayed to the dead and held feasts for the dead in the Roman catacombs. So, for that reason, I am not sure I agree with your conclusion.

 

[Yahu]

However, would also like to point out that there is much evidence that early Christians prayed to the dead and held feasts for the dead in the Roman catacombs. So, for that reason, I am not sure I agree with your conclusion.

And those early roman Christians were converts from paganism. Of course they carried over elements from their paganism. Paul had to battle the same thing. Just because the early church did certain things doesn't make it right. Paul taught against many of those pagan influences trying to migrate into Christianity.

Catholicism is riddled with pagan influences. Some of it has been carried over into Protestant denominations. My mother-in-law was shocked when she read 'The Two Babylons' and how much of the RCC is rooted in the ancient paganism.

 

[Bobby64]

I borrow ideas from Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy. Theologians in all these factions have interesting ideas about God to contribute. So, I'm not chaining myself to just one.

 

[SharonL]

I posted something one time about the 'queen of Heaven' and really got jumped on for doing it - but it is in the Bible.

I always fall back on what Jesus said about 'I will not share my glory with anyone'
The Bible says we can come BOLDLY to the Throne. So if you can come boldly to the Throne why would we go around it?

 

[abysmul]

My faith journey (to use a term a Catholic Sister used in a class I took), is long. In the more recent years of my life, the more I prayed and studied the books in the Bible the more I became personally convinced that I needed to rely on God and the best tool I have for that is the collected works in the Bible.

The more I see denominations, built/framed in the traditions of men, the more I'm saddened by them (and at times disgusted).

I trust that I'm guided by the Spirit as I pray and study. My experiences have brought me to the point where I have turned from the man made denominations, towards Christ and His church. My faith journey is not over, and I pray that I get closer to Christ each day.